Russian president Vladimir Putin has held his annual ‘direct line’ TV appearance. People from across the country call, write or send videos asking a myriad of different questions which he then answers.
As usual most of the discussion were concerning domestic affairs, with the often repeated message that Russia is heading in the right direction.
But Putin rarely wastes an opportunity to tell the West that it’s political and financial pressure won’t work.
Al Jazeera’s Rory Challands reports from Moscow on what was discussed this year.