China News Agency, Moscow, December 17 (Reporter Wang Xiujun) Russian President Putin held an annual press conference on the 17th.

During the period, Putin said that Russia and China have common interests in many fields, and the leaders of the two countries have maintained a good relationship of mutual trust and pragmatism.

Russia and many countries in the world, including China, are carrying out multi-level cooperation in epidemic prevention.

Currently, we are not looking for the party responsible for the origin of the new coronavirus. The international community should work together to overcome the epidemic.

Data map: Russian President Putin.

　　Putin's tradition of holding annual press conferences began in 2001.

Unlike in previous years, Putin met with media reporters face to face. This year, affected by the epidemic, Putin used video connections to communicate with reporters remotely in the new Ogalovo mansion in Moscow region.

　　At this press conference, the epidemic is an important content that Putin talked about.

Putin said that there are many rumors about the origin of the epidemic, but we have not seen any relevant evidence.

Western countries claim that their policies follow humanism, and they should at least lift the sanctions imposed on countries that are fighting the epidemic.

　　Putin said that Russia and many countries in the world, including China, are carrying out multi-level epidemic prevention cooperation, and this cooperation is still developing.

　　Putin mentioned that the effectiveness of the Russian new crown vaccine has reached 97%, and so far there have been no serious side effects.

It is believed that cooperation between Russia and other countries in the field of new crown vaccine research and development will bring good results.

He said that he has not yet been vaccinated, but he will definitely get vaccinated in the future.

　　When talking about international issues, Putin said that Russia has not interfered in the US election and the US accusations are based on speculation.

The United States initiated accusations against Russia out of internal political considerations, and Russia-US relations have been kidnapped by US domestic policies.

The President-elect of the United States, Biden, is a man with rich political experience. He hopes to sort out and solve some of the problems in Russia-US relations during his tenure.

　　Putin said that in recent years, NATO's military installations have been close to the Russian border, and the United States unilaterally withdrew from the "ABM Treaty". These actions have forced Russia to take countermeasures.

He said that Russia had proposed to the United States to extend the "New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty" for one year to prepare for the signing of new documents, but so far it has not received a response from the United States.

　　Putin mentioned that Russia may increase the number of peacekeepers in the Nagorno-Karabakh (Naka) area if Armenia and Azerbaijan deem it necessary.

In addition, Russia will strengthen humanitarian assistance to eastern Ukraine and strengthen direct cooperation with the local area. At present, the key to solving the problems in eastern Ukraine lies with the Ukrainian authorities.

　　When talking about internal affairs, Putin said that the new crown epidemic has brought serious adverse effects to Russia and the world.

In 2020, Russia's GDP is expected to fall by 3.6%, and the unemployment rate is expected to reach 6.3%.

However, the Russian economic situation is still better than the average level of European and American countries.

It is estimated that the economic problems caused by the epidemic should be resolved between the end of 2021 and the first quarter of 2022.

　　Putin mentioned that he has not yet decided whether to participate in the 2024 presidential election, and whether he will stand for election will depend on the wishes of the people.

　　The annual press conference lasted about 4 and a half hours, and more than 700 Russian and foreign journalists participated.

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