Russia's president Vladimir Putin has spoken at length about foreign policy issues in his annual televised question-and-answer session. He addressed topics including relations with the United States, Russia's economy and the Syrian conflict...
Vladimir Putin's annual televised question-and-answer session allows the Russian public to pose questions directly to their president.
In the wide-ranging discussion, Mr Putin covered several pertinent issues including the Syrian conflict, for which Russia's role has been significantly criticised by Western nations.
Mr Putin said terrorism remains a global threat and Russia knows it first-hand.
"Many countries in the world suffer from this danger, from this virus: the Middle East, Asia, the United States and European countries, I won't mention Russia here - we know well what it is, we suffered serious losses during our fight against terrorism and this threat persists," he said.
Mr Putin added that despite a drawdown of Russian forces, his government is doing everything to ensure the situation in Syria does not continue to deteriorate.
"We left the Syrian army in a position where, with the support of part of the contingent that was left there, it can carry out serious offensive operations. Already after our withdrawal it has taken Palmyra. It has taken some other important strategic settlements," said Putin.
Meanwhile, Mr Putin referred to United States President Barack Obama's recent remark that the "worst mistake" of his presidency was his failure to come up with an action plan for the aftermath of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's ousting.
Putin said Obama didn't learn the lessons from Iraq when dealing with the conflict in Libya, but he praised his courage in admitting it.
"It is not easy to say such things. Barack, when he was still a senator, criticised the actions of the administration of the day for their actions in Iraq. But unfortunately, when he himself was president, he made the mistakes which he himself mentioned - in Libya. And this is right and very good that my colleague has the courage to make such statements. Not everyone can do this," said Putin about Obama.
He also stated it's too early to say whether he'll seek a new term as president in elections due in 2018...
"In such situations I usually say the same thing and want to repeat it once again now. Now we need to think not about where and how we will work in the future, but how to justify people's trust today, to achieve the goals we set, the promises we've made. And depending on the situation and how the work goes - certain decisions will be made," said Russian President Vladimir Putin.
