Russia's Putin holds annual press conference in Moscow

Russian President Vladimir Putin held his annual press conference in Moscow on Friday. Putin said reduction in economic growth is a deliberate move by the government, the Central Bank, and the entire country’s leadership, related to inflation targeting.

He noted this objective is being achieved, as the goal was set to reduce inflation to at least 6 percent. This is the fourth time the major year-end press conference and live question-and-answer call-in was held in a combined fashion.