Putin says shares Russians' pain over economic hardship

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

World | Thu Apr 14, 2016 9:38am EDT

Putin says shares Russians' pain over economic hardship

MOSCOW | BY ANDREW OSBORN AND ALEXANDER WINNING

President Vladimir Putin assured ordinary Russians on Thursday that he was trying to relieve the hardships inflicted on them by the slowing economy and the financial knock-on effects of Russia's stand-off with the West.

Putin used a televised phone-in, an annual event when he fields questions from ordinary citizens around the country, to strike a conciliatory tone on foreign policy, saying Russia wanted friendly relations with the rest of the world.

Wrapping up the event after three hours and 40 minutes, Putin said he had heard a lot of impassioned questions from worried citizens. Many of the questions were about issues such as high inflation, poor public services and wage arrears.

"I share your concerns in nearly 100 percent of cases," Putin said. "We'll work together so that your problems are relieved."

Addressing public concerns over the economy is crucial for the Kremlin because Russians vote in a parliamentary election in September.

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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-putin-idUSKCN0XB12R

[DetroitSocialist83]

1. It looks to me

like the Communists will win the Sept elections without massive fraud on his part.