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Putin wants US date to quit Iraq Putin wants US date to quit Iraq
(about 1 hour later)
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said the US should set a date for a withdrawal from Iraq.Russian President Vladimir Putin has said the US should set a date for a withdrawal from Iraq.
He was speaking during a live televised question-and-answer session with Russians covering both domestic and foreign policy issues. He was speaking during a live televised question-and-answer session with the public covering both domestic and foreign policy issues.
Mr Putin said that while the US avoided setting a pull-out date "the Iraqi leadership... won't rush to build up its own security forces". Mr Putin said that as long as the US avoided setting a pull-out date, the Iraqi leadership "won't rush to build up its own security forces".
He also said Russia planned "grandiose" improvements to its armed forces.He also said Russia planned "grandiose" improvements to its armed forces.
New missile technology and an overhaul of the nuclear arsenal were also planned, he said.New missile technology and an overhaul of the nuclear arsenal were also planned, he said.
Missile shieldMissile shield
Mr Putin said the US presence in Iraq was motivated in part by a desire to "establish control of the country's oil reserves". Mr Putin told viewers that the US presence in Iraq was motivated in part by a desire to "establish control of the country's oil reserves".
But he said the US was now engaged in a "pointless" battle against a popular uprising.But he said the US was now engaged in a "pointless" battle against a popular uprising.
"One can wipe off a political map some tyrannical regime... but it's absolutely pointless to fight with a people," he said."One can wipe off a political map some tyrannical regime... but it's absolutely pointless to fight with a people," he said.
He assured his audience that Russia, unlike Iraq, was militarily strong enough to defend its territory and its natural resources.He assured his audience that Russia, unlike Iraq, was militarily strong enough to defend its territory and its natural resources.
Mr Putin also warned that Russia would boost its deployment of weapons if Washington went ahead with plans to build a missile shield.Mr Putin also warned that Russia would boost its deployment of weapons if Washington went ahead with plans to build a missile shield.
Moscow and Washington have already argued over US plans to build missile bases in countries that were once part of the Soviet Union's sphere of influence.Moscow and Washington have already argued over US plans to build missile bases in countries that were once part of the Soviet Union's sphere of influence.
Other topics discussed by the Russian leader included the economy and the threat of terrorism.Other topics discussed by the Russian leader included the economy and the threat of terrorism.
He said he was committed to cutting inflation and pointed to a drop in recorded terror attacks as proof his security policy was bearing fruit.He said he was committed to cutting inflation and pointed to a drop in recorded terror attacks as proof his security policy was bearing fruit.
'Prime Minister''Prime Minister'
Russians submitted more than one million questions by telephone, text messages or via the internet, the Kremlin said.Russians submitted more than one million questions by telephone, text messages or via the internet, the Kremlin said.
Thursday's phone-in amid growing speculation about Mr Putin's plans after his second presidential term ends in March. Thursday's phone-in comes amid growing speculation about Mr Putin's plans after his second presidential term ends in March.
Under the Russian constitution, he is not allowed to run for a third consecutive term as president. But Mr Putin, who is considering becoming prime minister when he steps down, said he was against changing the balance of power between president and government.
Earlier this month, Mr Putin, 55, raised the possibility of becoming future prime minister. "It is not expedient to take any powers away from the government or to load more powers" on the government, Interfax news agency quoted him as saying.
He said he had accepted the proposal by the pro-Kremlin United Russia to head the party's list in December's parliamentary election - a move that would guarantee him a seat in the next parliament. Under the Russian constitution, Mr Putin is not allowed to run for a third consecutive term as president, and there has been speculation that he will use the premiership to retain power.
That was the clearest indication yet that Mr Putin is determined to stay at the centre of power in Russia, correspondents say. He said he had accepted a proposal by the pro-Kremlin United Russia to head the party's list in December's parliamentary election - a move that would guarantee him a seat in the next parliament.
This is the sixth time Mr Putin has done the phone-in since coming to office.This is the sixth time Mr Putin has done the phone-in since coming to office.