Vladimir Putin

Putin addresses economic fears in keynote speech

Vladimir PutinMoscow - Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said Thursday the nation would rely on its massive reserve fund to emerge from the crisis ahead of other world economies, halt inflation and a fall in the ruble.

Putin's address at the congress of his party United Russia was full of economic patriotism, aimed at calming fears of coming shocks from the worst financial turbulence the country has seen in over a decade.

Vladimir Putin wanted Georgian President Saakashvili to be hanged by the balls

Vladimir Putin wanted Georgian President Saakashvili to be hanged by the ballsLondon, Nov 14 : French President Nicolas Sarkozy saved the President of Georgia from being hanged “by the balls” — a threat made last summer by Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.

According to an account that emerged on Thursday from the Élysée Palace, Putin had revealed his plans for disposing of Saakashvili when Sarkozy was in Moscow in August to broker a ceasefire in Georgia, The Times reported.

Vladimir Putin could assume Russian presidency again

Vladimir Putin could assume Russian presidency againLondon, Nov. 13 : The Russian Parliament has announced that it would rush through a constitutional amendment that could see Vladimir Putin return to the presidency within weeks.

According to The Telegraph, the State Duma has said that it would meet on Friday to pass legislation that could allow Putin to return to the Kremlin for 12 years.

Putin backs Kremlin bill for longer presidential term

Putin backs Kremlin bill for longer presidential termMoscow - Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, who has not ruled out another run in the Kremlin, backed a proposal on Wednesday to extend by two years the presidential term.

Putin, however, added it was too soon to say who would be the next candidate for the constitutionally-stretched office.

Legal experts say the changes would not benefit Putin's successor President Dmitry Medvedev, though Russian lawmakers moved Wednesday to fast-track approval of his bill.

Putin backs Kremlin proposal for longer presidential term

Vladimir PutinMoscow - Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, who has not ruled out another run in the Kremlin, backed a proposal on Wednesday to extend by two years the presidential term.

Putin, however, added it was too soon to say who would be the next candidate for the constitutionally-stretched office.

Legal experts say the changes would not benefit Putin's successor Dmitry Medvedev, though Russian lawmakers moved Wednesday to fast-track approval of his bill.

Putin denies plan of OPEC-style gas cartel

Putin denies plan of OPEC-style gas cartel Moscow - Prime Minister Vladimir Putin sought to ease fears Tuesday over the possibility of Russia joining an Opec-style cartel of gas exporting countries, he said in talks with his Egyptian counterpart Ahmed Nazif.

"We support this idea. But we know about apprehensions and even fears voiced by certain energy consumers," Putin was quoted by news agency Interfax as saying. "I wish to state once and for all: there are no grounds for such fears."

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