Putin presser: chilling news for orphans, but warm words for Depardieu (+video)

In a lengthy session, Russian President Putin backed a bill banning US adoption of Russian children – but offered residency to Gérard Depardieu, who renounced his French citizenship over high taxes.

By Fred Weir, Correspondent / December 20, 2012

Moscow (Euronews) Russia's President Vladimir Putin has held the first major news conference of his third presidential term. During the live, televised event, Putin said he would consider a ban on Americans being able to adopt Russian children, after Russian authorities were prevented from observing cases in the US where abuse against such children was alleged.

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Moscow

A vigorous-looking Russian President Vladimir Putin took to the public stage Thursday for his annual multihour town-hall-like press conference in which he typically displays his magisterial command of just about every subject under the sun.

Though this year's talkathon had been delayed – due to Mr. Putin's health problems, it was rumored – the Kremlin leader appeared perfectly poised and hearty, and did not disappoint the nearly 1,000 mostly-Russian journalists assembled for the occasion. In just over four hours, he addressed a staggering array of matters.

Some were of burning importance, such as Russia's shifting stance on Syria's bloody civil war, and Moscow's furious reaction to the US Magnitsky List, which will target Russian human rights violators with economic and visa sanctions.

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