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Vladimir Putin

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11 Oct, 2022

Musk denies Putin talk

Denial0 Comments

Musk denies he talked to Putin about Ukraine, or on any topic outside of space

No, it is not. I have spoken to Putin only once and that was about 18 months ago. The subject matter was space.

When asked if he would have a talk with Putin about the Ukraine conflict, he says:

Pointless, as there is currently no overlap between Russian and Ukrainian demands – it’s not even close

Report: Musk talked to Putin before Ukraine peace plan tweet

Makes Statement0 Comments

In a mailout to subscribers, Ian Bremner, founder the political risk research and consulting firm Eurasia Group, wrote that Musk told him that Putin was “prepared to negotiate”. but only if Crimea remained Russian; if Ukraine accepted a form of permanent neutrality; and Ukraine recognised Russia’s annexation of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.

According to Bremmer, Musk said Putin told him these goals would be accomplished “no matter what”, including the potential of a nuclear strike if Ukraine invaded Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014. Bremmer wrote that Musk told him that “everything needed to be done to avoid that outcome.”

Bremmer also wrote that Musk said he had refused a Ukrainian request to activate Starlink in Crimea.

15 Jul, 2018

Putin, McGregor meet

0 Comments

After attending the World Cup, Putin and McGregor meet.

Today I was invited to the World Cup final as a guest of Russian President Vladimir Putin. This man is one of the greatest leaders of our time and I was honored to attend such a landmark event alongside him. Today was an honor for me Mr. Putin. Thank you and congratulations on an amazing World Cup. Россия вперёд!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BlQwXEBAHlN/

11 Oct, 2016

Postpones Paris visit

Appearance Cancellation0 Comments

After Hollande cancels a meeting with Putin, the Russian president cancels his visit to Paris, where he was to inaugurate a new Russian Orthodox cathedral and visit a Russian art exhibition on Oct. 19. Hollande:

I made it known to Mr Putin that if he came to Paris, I would not accompany him to any ceremonies, but that I was ready to continue the dialogue on Syria. He decided to postpone the visit…With Russia, France has a major disagreement on Syria and the Russian veto of the French resolution at the U.N. Security Council has prevented the cessation of bombings and enablement of a truce. I’m ready to meet President Putin if we can advance peace, end the bombings and announce a truce.

Accuses Russia of war crimes

Accusation0 Comments

President Hollande accuses Russia of war crimes in Syria, and says he wants to sue the country in International Criminal Court for their role in alleged war crimes over the Syrian city of Aleppo. Hollande also says he may not receive the Russian president who is scheduled to visit Paris, late this month, for a church opening ceremony.

I have asked myself that question: Is it useful? Is it necessary? Could we do something that pushes him as well and stop what they’re doing with the Syrian regime — that is to say the help they are providing to the Syrian regime, which sends bombs to the population of Aleppo? If I receive him, I would tell him that it is unacceptable, that it is bad even for the image of Russia. What I tell them, is that these populations are populations that are today victims of war crimes and those who commit those acts will have to pay for their responsibility in front of the International Criminal Court.
17 Dec, 2015

Putin praises Trump

Makes Statement0 Comments

During an annual news conference with reporters, Putin comments on Trump’s standing in the race.

He is a bright and talented person without any doubt. [He] is an outstanding and talented personality. [He is] the absolute leader of the presidential race.

Trump responds:

It is always a great honor to be so nicely complimented by a man so highly respected within his own country and beyond. I have always felt that Russia and the United States should be able to work well with each other towards defeating terrorism and restoring world peace, not to mention trade and all of the other benefits derived from mutual respect.

24 Nov, 2015

Russian miltary jet downed by Turkey

Plane Crash0 Comments

A Russian Su-24 jet crashes near the Turkey-Syrian border, after being hit by a Turkish missile. Turkey says its jets shot at the plane after giving 10 warnings that it was violating Turkish airspace. Moscow says the jet never strayed from Syrian airspace. One of the two pilots is killed in the air by fire from the ground. The second pilot’s situation is not known. Two Russian Mi-8 helicopters perform a search-and-rescue operation, but one of them is damaged by small arms fire and makes an emergency landing. A Russian marine is killed during an operation. Turkish President Erdogan:

[The Russian plane was dealt with because it] did not answer our warning.

Russian President Putin says there will be “serious consequences” for Moscow’s relations with Turkey.

[This] represents a stab in the back by the terrorists’ accomplices. I can’t describe what has happened today in any other way. Our plane was downed over Syrian territory by an air-to-air missile from a Turkish F-16 jet. The plane fell on Syrian territory 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) away from the Turkish border. It was flying 1 kilometer away from the Turkish border when it was attacked. In any case, neither our pilots nor our jet posed any threat to Turkey. That is obvious. They were carrying out an operation fighting against ISIL in Northern Latakia.

Turkey Shoots Down Russian Military Plane Near Border With Syria

17 Nov, 2015

Offers $50 million reward

Makes Statement0 Comments

At a Kremlin meeting, President Putin offers a $50 million reward for information leading to those responsible for the downing of the jet.

We will find them anywhere on the planet and punish them.

Bortnikov, the head of Russia’s FSB security service, says traces of foreign-made explosive had been found on fragments of the downed plane and on passengers’ personal belongings, and that the bomb probably contained around 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) of TNT:

You can definitely say that this is a terrorist act.

12 Nov, 2015

Orders doping investigation

Opens investigation0 Comments

President Putin has orders an investigation into claims by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), that the country’s athletes were using performance enhancing drugs during the 2012 London Olympics. WADA wants to ban Russian athletes from competing. Athletes who are found to be doping would have their Olympic Medals taken away from them and be banned from participating in future Olympic events. Putin said athletes should be punished individually, rather than collectively.

Sportsmen who don’t dope – and never have – must not answer for those who break the rules. If we find that someone must be held responsible for something of the sort that breaks the rules in place against doping, then the responsibility must be personalised – that’s the rule…The battle must be open. A sporting contest is only interesting when it is honest. It is essential that we conduct our own internal investigation and – I want to underline – provide the most open professional co-operation with international anti-doping structures

28 Sep, 2015

Putin, Obama meet

Makes Statement0 Comments

Obama meets Putin for the first time in more than two years. On the biggest issue that divides them in Syria, the U.S. still insists Syria’s future cannot include Assad, while Putin appears to only want to bolster the standing of his longtime ally, casting him as the best defense against Islamic States militants. Putin:

Strange is it may seem, there were many common points. There were also disagreements which we agreed to work together. I hope this work will be constructive.

Putin says 'differences can be resolved' after meeting with Obama

25 Sep, 2015

Putin calls for real

Makes Statement0 Comments

Putin phones John for real and the two agree a face-to-face meeting if their schedules allow it. A Kremlin spokesperson says it took some convincing from the Russian side for John to believe it was really Putin who wanted to talk to him.

He (Elton John) was in doubt for a period of time.

Putin tells John he was aware of the prank on Elton John and asked him “not to hold grudges” against the pranksters. Spokesperson:

If their schedules match accordingly, he’s ready to meet and discuss any issue which interests [the musician].

16 Sep, 2015

Comedians admit prank

Makes Statement0 Comments

Two Russian comedians, “Vovan” and “Lexus,” admit that they prank called John. In the phone call the pranksters get John to talk about gay rights:

I think the violence toward LGBT people–they don’t feel safe–but this something I don’t really want to talk about over the phone.

They also arrange a November meeting date with the Russian president and agreed to attend a gay pride parade in Moscow. Kremlin spokesperson:

The president has always been open to discuss human rights issues…I would recommend to apologise (to) Elton John, he is a respected and favoured singer here. It was not good to trick him like that.

John:

Pranks are funny. Homophobia, however is never funny. I love Russia and my offer to talk to President Putin about LGBT rights still stands. I will always stand up for those that are being degraded and discriminated against. If this unfortunate incident has helped push this vital issue back into the spotlight, then I am happy to be pranked on this occasion.

15 Sep, 2015

Kremlin denies call

Makes Statement0 Comments

A spokesman for Putin says that the Russian President did not speak to John.

I don’t know who spoke to Elton John but President Putin did not speak to him. I don’t know [what happened] but President Putin did not speak to Elton John and most importantly we didn’t receive any proposals to meet. If the president does get such a signal from Elton John, the president has always been open to discuss any… human rights problems, any issues. He is always ready to clarify the real situation.

Says Putin called

Makes Statement0 Comments

John says that Putin called him to discuss gay rights in Russia.

Thank-you to President Vladimir Putin for reaching out and speaking via telephone with me today. I look to forward to meeting with you face-to-face to discuss LGBT equality in Russia.

12 Sep, 2015

Wants to meet Putin over gay rights

Interview0 Comments

In an interview with the BBC while in Ukraine, John says he wants to meet Putin to discuss gay rights. Discussing how Putin has said that gays target children:

Give me a break. You are President of Russia, and you go and say stupid things like that?..I would like to meet [Putin]…It’s probably pie in the sky… He may laugh behind my back when he shuts the door, and call me an absolute idiot, but at least I can think I have the conscience to say I tried.

25 Jul, 2015

Says Blatter deserves Nobel prize

Makes Statement0 Comments

Putin praises Blatter in an interview by the Swiss broadcaster RTS:

We all know the situation developing around Mr Blatter right now. I don’t want to go into details but I don’t believe a word about him being involved in corruptiton personally. I think people like Mr Blatter or the heads of big international sporting federations, or the Olympic Games, deserve special recognition. If there is anyone who deserves the Nobel prize, it’s those people.

24 Dec, 2014

Inflation tops 10%

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Russian inflation reaches more than 10% for the first time in more than five years due to sanctions and the rouble collapse, which is the biggest since 1998. Сonsumer prices increased 10.4 percent this year through Dec. 22, the Federal Statistics Service in Moscow said. Prices grew 0.9 percent in the week through that date, the most since April 2008, when the service started to provide weekly data. ING Groep economist:

Companies are saying ‘everybody is raising prices and so will I, especially when people start panic-buying not only electronics and cars but also everyday goods’

A Bank of Russia base case forecast predicts inflation to reach 11.5% next quarter, before then decelerating.

Caps vodka prices

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Putin calls for his government to cap rising vodka prices amid fears that sharp price inflation will drive people to drink illegal liquor. According to a leading university study last year, 25% of Russian men die before reaching their mid-50s, and alcohol was found to be a contributing factor in some of these early deaths. Since last year, the government-regulated minimum price of half a litre (17 oz) of vodka has increased by around 30% to 220 roubles ($4.10; £2.64). Annual inflation in Russia is currently at 9.4%.

14 Nov, 2014

Russia to produce own Wikipedia

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Russia’s presidential library says the country has begun producing its own alternative to Wikipedia, to provide more ‘detailed and reliable’ information about the country for Russian citizens. The library says it has analyzed Wikipedia:

Analysis of this resource showed that it is not capable of providing information about the region and life of the country in a detailed or sufficient way. The creation of an alternative Wikipedia has begun.

It isn’t known if access to Wikipedia in Russia will be affected.