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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Putin hits back at energy critics | Putin hits back at energy critics |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Russian President Vladimir Putin has strongly denied claims that Russia is using its energy resources as a lever to put pressure on other countries. | Russian President Vladimir Putin has strongly denied claims that Russia is using its energy resources as a lever to put pressure on other countries. |
| He was addressing the world's media at his annual news conference in Moscow. | He was addressing the world's media at his annual news conference in Moscow. |
| Mr Putin said Russia's energy deals with Ukraine and other neighbouring countries "benefit the consumers" and "experts understand this". | Mr Putin said Russia's energy deals with Ukraine and other neighbouring countries "benefit the consumers" and "experts understand this". |
| In January a Russian row with Belarus over oil exports revived concern among Russia's energy customers in the EU. | In January a Russian row with Belarus over oil exports revived concern among Russia's energy customers in the EU. |
| "We are always told that Russia is using its ... economic resources to achieve foreign policy aims. That is not the case," Mr Putin insisted on Thursday. | "We are always told that Russia is using its ... economic resources to achieve foreign policy aims. That is not the case," Mr Putin insisted on Thursday. |
| Election speculation | |
| Mr Putin is due to leave office in March next year and so far it is not clear who will take his place. | Mr Putin is due to leave office in March next year and so far it is not clear who will take his place. |
| He declined to state any preference for a successor, saying voters would have a "free, democratic" choice. | He declined to state any preference for a successor, saying voters would have a "free, democratic" choice. |
| "There will be no successor. There will be candidates to thepresidential post," he told the news conference. | |
| "The authorities' goal is to ensure the elections are held democratically. | |
| "I, too, am a citizen of the Russian Federation, which I am very proud of, and of course have the right to express my preferences but I will only do it during the election campaign." | |
| More than 1,000 members of the Russian and foreign media registered for the news conference, which has become an annual event. In previous years, it has lasted for more than three hours. | |
| Russia is enjoying unprecedented wealth and power as an energy supplier, but some question its reliability. | Russia is enjoying unprecedented wealth and power as an energy supplier, but some question its reliability. |
| And the death in London last year of the former Russian secret agent, Alexander Litvinenko, prompted accusations which have damaged Russia's international reputation and threatened to sour diplomatic relations with Britain. | And the death in London last year of the former Russian secret agent, Alexander Litvinenko, prompted accusations which have damaged Russia's international reputation and threatened to sour diplomatic relations with Britain. |