Concerning everything Russians want to know about their president’s worldview, once a year, Vladimir Putin accepts their questions, sent through a triage centre, and broadcasts answers live in front of a handpicked television studio audience in Moscow. <br /><br /> On western sanctions over Russia’s role in the Ukraine conflict, Putin appeared proud and isolated.<br /><br /> “I have told business leaders not to expect a lifting of the sanctions, because they are purely political. They are a strategic tool to force Russia to cooperate. Some countries want to contain our development. And, by the way, I believe this is not directly related to the events in Ukraine any more.”<br /><br /> Putin played down 11.4% inflation, rising unemployment — to 5.8% and a fall in investment by 2.5%, adding that the birth rate was up, death rate down, and life expectancy longer. <br /><br /> He talked tough on Russia’s counter-sanction banning EU agricultural produce.<br /><br /> “We don’t have to endure the sanctions, we have to use the circumstances su
