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A8 WORLD NEWS
Friday 8 June 2018
Putin says Russian military not building long-term in Syria
By NATALIYA VASILYEVA journalists after the show.
JIM HEINTZ This was Putin's first show
Associated Press since being inaugurated
MOSCOW (AP) — Russian for a new six-year term
troops will remain in Syria last month, in which he
as long as Moscow thinks promised extensive efforts
it's necessary, but Russia to get Russia's economy to
isn't building permanent grow into one of the world's
facilities in the only Middle top five.
East country where it has a On Thursday, he said
military foothold, President Russia's gross domestic
Vladimir Putin said Thursday product is currently 1.5
in his annual marathon call- percent higher than a
in show. year ago. He described
The troops "will stay there it as modest but said he's
for as long as it is to confident that future
Russia's advantage, and "growth is guaranteed."
to fulfill our international Putin also said the Russian
responsibilities," the Russian government will be looking
leader said during his to streamline the tax system
annual televised call-in in order to fight poverty,
show. But, he added, "we but denied speculation
are not building long- that Russia was considering
term installations there abandoning its flat-rate
and if necessary can income tax.
withdraw our servicemen Amid concerns about
quite quickly without any Russia's blocking of an
material losses." encrypted messaging app,
Putin didn't elaborate Putin pledged to respect
under what circumstances internet freedom.
Russia could leave or on Nearly two months ago,
Moscow's broader strategy Russian President Vladimir Putin gestures while speaking to the media after his annual call-in show authorities began blocking
for Syria. Russia uses leased in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, June 7, 2018. the Russia-developed
facilities for ships at Tartus Associated Press Telegram app over its
and for an air base in refusal to share encryption
Hemeimeem. elaborately produced wide range of questions, counterproductive and data with intelligence
In the nearly 4 ½-hour show, Putin addressed a largely domestic concerns harmful to all," Putin said agencies. That resulted in
such as road conditions, Thursday. "They see Russia temporary blockage of
health care and village as a threat. They see that some other websites.
schools. Russia has become a Asked whether Russia was
On international questions, competitor to them ... we considering blocking other
he said he believes other propose that this is a very popular apps or websites,
countries wrongly regard mistaken policy." Putin said authorities "are
Russia as a threat and He reiterated his dismissal not going to shut down
that mistaken concept of allegations that Russia anything."
can end if they see that meddled in the election And with the World Cup
the economic sanctions that brought Donald Trump set to begin next week
the West has put on Russia into the White House. in Russia, Putin said the
don't serve their interests. Asked what the best joke event's 12 stadiums must be
Russia has been hit with he had heard recently, financially self-sustaining
sanctions by the U.S. and Putin cited what he said after the tournament,
the West over its 2014 was commentary in a following calls from some
annexation of Crimea, German publication that officials for government
its support for separatist Trump "is pushing Europe subsidies. He suggested
rebels in Ukraine's east and right into Putin's hands. the stadiums could add
its alleged interference in If we combine it with an cafes and shopping malls
the U.S. 2016 presidential earlier joke — that Russia to boost their profitability
election. influenced the U.S. election once the competition is
Britain has also blamed — all that sounds quite over.
Russia for the nerve agent funny." Barring changes in the
poisoning in the U.K. of a The annual call-in show, constitution, Putin wouldn't
Russian former spy and his like Putin's marathon news be able to run again when
daughter, which Moscow conference each winter, is his current term as president
denies. Both the West and a theatrical demonstration expires in 2024.
Russia have expelled more of Putin's stamina, He has shown no obvious
than 150 diplomats on reinforcing his dominance signs of grooming a
each side over that issue. of Russia's politics. About successor.
"This pressure will end 2.5 million messages were Asked during the show
when our partners reportedly sent to Putin, about who could follow
become convinced who answered 79 questions him in the Kremlin, Putin
that the methods used — plus four others that said he is "always thinking
by them are ineffective, he fielded from foreign about it."q
