For his part, in the debate Wednesday, Trump indicated, once again, that he thinks he’d “get along” with Putin.
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“Only Ukraine won’t have privileges and preferences any longer”, Putin told his annual year-end press conference.
“This is a big achievement of our engine makers”, the Russian president said. Ties between Russia and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation member have hit rock bottom since the November 24 incident, which led to deaths of two Russian military officers. Maybe, they thought that we would run away from there (Syria)?
Over the course of three hours, Putin fielded dozens of questions from mostly domestic journalists on topics ranging from oil and power to murder and corruption. “They just live their own lives”. The shootdown was close to the Turkish-Syrian border.
Putin also said Moscow was ready to use its influence with the rebels in eastern Ukraine to achieve a political settlement of the conflict. “On the state level, I don’t see any prospects of improving relations with the Turkish leadership”, he said of Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The Kremlin strongman said the peak of Russia’s economic crisis had passed and that there were signs of “stabilising business activity” starting in the second quarter. “When we are sure of the security, we will lift all the restrictions”. Moscow has said that the crash that killed all 224 people on board was caused by a bomb. But many foreign governments – Russia’s included – believe a bomb was smuggled aboard the plane at its point of departure, the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.
“We do see and register the presence of militants in Turkey and among them, for instance, are those from [Russia’s] North Caucasus”, Putin said. He then reiterated his country stance on supporting the beleaguered Syrian leader, Bashar al-Assad. He said in September that he knew Putin “very well” after they both appeared on 60 minutes. Regarding the surprise the Obama administration had when Russian Federation began military operations In Syria despite Obama and Putin meeting with each other days earlier, Trump stated “It’s purely lack of respect”, “Pure and simple, it’s lack of respect for President Obama by Putin”.
Trump has also backed Russia’s intervention in Syria, which Putin has said is aimed at eradicating the Islamic State.
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“On the whole it suits us”, he said. Thus, the public speaks not about the results of the negotiations, but rather Kerry’s ramble through the Arbat Street along with the US Ambassador John Tefft, when the State Secretary prove his words on the end of Russia’s isolation once more, having bought a Matryoshka.
