OREANDA-NEWS  A large press conference of President Vladimir Putin was held in Russia on December, 20. It lasted 3 hours 46 minutes.

The annual press conference of the President of Russia was broadcast on TV channels Rossiya 1, Rossiya 24 and channel One, radio stations Mayak, Vesti FM and Radio Rossiya.

The President began the New Year's big press conference by summing up the preliminary results of the year - economic and social. "I have the latest data," Vladimir Putin said and immediately moved on to the figures. "For 10 months, GDP grew by 1.7 percent," he said.

Industrial production grew more rapidly, if last year the growth was 2.1%, in January - October this year-2.9%. At the end of the year is projected 3%. At the same time, manufacturing industries are growing slightly faster-3.2%

Vladimir Putin did not rule out that at the beginning of next year, gasoline prices in Russia will increase by one and a half percent due to the increase in VAT. "But no more than that," Vladimir Putin said during a large press conference.

Events in France are associated with an increase in the price of gasoline and diesel. But they served as a trigger, a trigger mechanism, after which the discontent of society as a whole was poured out. As far as I know, mostly native French protest.

Putin recalled that in order to fulfill social obligations, our country had to spend a lot of oil and gas dollars. According to the President, the increase in VAT is due to the need to maintain the non-oil and gas deficit.

In the end, he congratulated everyone on the coming New Year. "I congratulate you all on the New year and sincerely wish you all the best!", — said Putin. Putin also told about his health and marital status.

In 2017, the press conference lasted 3 hours 41 minutes. Putin answered 73 questions. The biggest press conference of the President lasted 4 hours and 40 minutes.