Russian President Vladimir Putin holds annual press conference

Saturday, 22/12/2018 11:05
Vladimir Putin held his annual press conference on December 20th, attracting more than 1,700 journalists to attend.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (Source: Reuters)

Russian TV stations Rossiya 1, Rossiya 24, Channel One, and NTV broadcasted the event. Radio stations Mayak, Vesti FM, and Radio Rossiyi also aired audio of the news conference.

President Vladimir Putin, amid a troubled economy, has focused on domestic issues during the last two press conferences. He also answered questions about Russia's economic future, the fear of nuclear war and the US withdrawal from Syria.

Putin’s first such news conference in 2001 drew more than 500 journalists. The number of journalists accredited to his subsequent news conference grew from about 700 in 2002 and in 2003 to as many as 1,364 in 2008.

The number of journalists accredited to annual news conferences during Putin’s third presidential term never dropped below 1,250. Last year saw a record of 1,640 reporters.

The press conference has become an annual ritual, held almost every year during Putin's rule in Russia. The first one was the shortest one, one hour and 35 minutes. The longest one took place in 2008 when Putin answered questions for four hours and 40 minutes. This year, Putin spoke for just over four hours, still far off his record in 2008.

The news conferences were organized in December, giving the President an opportunity to sum up the results of the outgoing year. Putin’s question-and-answer sessions traditionally start at noon./.

Compiled by BTA

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