[ad_1]
Relations with the West are tense, the crisis of the crown is strongly affecting the country: Russian President Vladimir Putin answers questions from journalists. t-online rates its propaganda program.
Amid extremely tense relations with the West, Russian President Vladimir Putin is holding his big annual press conference. Traditionally, he does this every year shortly before Christmas; it usually lasts several hours. This year, due to the corona pandemic, it will only take place via video for the first time.
The annual conference starts at 10 am German time. In this article, you can read Putin’s key statements during the conference and what they mean.
Putin zu Navalny
Putin denies that the secret service is responsible for the attack on opposition activist Alexei Navalny. He does not call Navalny by name, but describes him as the “Berlin patient.” That Russia is not responsible is proved by the fact that Navalny was brought to Germany. He personally gave the instructions to do so, Putin says. He dismisses reports from an investigative team that Navalny was about to be assassinated by an intelligence unit as fabricated. According to Putin, the US secret services are behind this.
What is known: An investigative team, which includes Spiegel and Bellingcat, reports that a group of at least eight Russian secret service agents were behind the attack. Navalny himself blames a “killing squad” under Putin’s orders. More about this read here.
Putin on the crown crisis
Given the crown pandemic, Putin doesn’t want to talk about a bad year. What does good and bad mean, says Putin. The virus hit all areas of life, but: “We have mastered it better than other countries.” Gross domestic product (GDP) fell less in Russia than in many EU countries.
This is what the expert says: “From the economic figures they seem to be correct,” says Russia expert Jens Siegert, who heads the EU project “Public Diplomacy – EU and Russia” at the Goethe Institute in Moscow and was previously head of the country office of the Heinrich Böll Foundation. . Russia is roughly on par with the EU countries. “That’s doubtful for the pandemic itself,” Siegert says. “You cannot trust the Russian figures on infections and deaths. Many people who die and are infected with corona are not counted.”
Russia was already in a severe economic crisis before the corona pandemic: high unemployment and dissatisfaction with food prices, for example, have now worsened significantly. Critics accuse Putin of having no solutions to the problems.
Putin on the “Sputnik V” vaccine
Putin also spoke of the success of the Russian “Sputnik V” vaccine, which is currently being used to vaccinate the population against the coronavirus. Putin speaks of an effectiveness of more than 90 percent. However, he just wants to get vaccinated as soon as possible for his age group. “I am a law-abiding person. I adhere to the recommendations. There is currently no vaccine for people like me. I will do it as soon as possible,” said the 68-year-old man.
This is what the expert says: Andreas Umland, a political scientist, journalist and expert on Eastern Europe, considers this to be “euphemistic.” “I think the numbers that refer to the vaccine are speculative,” says Umland. Since the vaccine hasn’t passed proper testing, the number could come out of nowhere. “You can call that propaganda,” says Umland.
Putin’s health could also be a problem this year
Generally, it deals with internal, economic and external matters. This year, Putin’s health could also be a problem. Because the 68-year-old has rarely been to dates in person in recent months and hardly anyone has ever met him personally. Therefore, numerous rumors are circulating. Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov recently stressed that Putin was healthy and fit when asked about the president’s health.
It is also eagerly awaited whether the Kremlin chief will react to the latest accusations in the matter of the poison attack on opponent Alexei Navalny and how he will react. The EU has imposed sanctions on Russia for the use of explosive devices from the Novichok group.
(This text will be continuously updated from the start of the press conference at 10 am)
