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Putin Defies Critics in Last Bow

Posted Feb 14, 08 2:36 PM CST in World 

(Newser) – Today may have been Vladimir Putin’s final press conference as Russia's president, but he made it clear he won’t be going far, the New York Times reports. Putin said he would remain a force in the Kremlin, as “there’s enough power to go 'round,” Bloomberg adds. He defied international criticism, refusing to withdraw recent threats to aim nuclear weapons at Eastern Europe.

Putin condemned the idea of a US missile-defense system in Europe and criticized NATO for overstepping its bounds. Russia, he said, must respond by increasing its own nuclear defenses. “We will have to re-target our missiles on the objects that we think threaten our national security,” he said. Putin plans to become prime minister after Russia chooses his successor March 2.

Sources New York Times, Bloomberg

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Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during his news conference in Moscow's Kemlin on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008. Vladimir Putin was to hold the last annual news conference of his eight-year presidency...   (Associated Press)
Russian President Vladimir Putin holds a Valentine's card given to him by a journalist during his news conference in Moscow's Kremlin on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008. Putin held the last annual news conference...   (Associated Press)
The interior of a supermarket is seen reflected on the screen of an in store television as Russian President Vladimir Putin gives a live a press conference in a Moscow on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008. Vladimir...   (Associated Press)
Russian President Vladimir Putin is seen during the live broadcast of a press conference, in a Moscow shop on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008. Vladimir Putin held the last annual news conference of his eight-year...   (Associated Press)
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Vladimir Putin • NATO • Dmitry Medvedev • Ukraine • Poland • prime minister • missile defense system • Czech Republic • press conference


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