Putin ready to solve Syrian refugee problem

AVRUPALONDON - Putin's remarks came during his 13th annual news conference, broadcast on state-owned channel Russia Today and attended by more than 1,500 journalists. Journalists try to attract Russian President Vladimir Putin's attention to their question during Putin's annual press conference in International Trade Center in Moscow, Russia on December 14, 2017.Journalists try to attract Russian President Vladimir Putin's attention to their question during Putin's annual press conference in International Trade Center in Moscow, Russia on December 14, 2017.

Putin said Russia also could not solve this issue alone.

"We are ready to contribute to this. We can be part of an international effort," he said.

Putin also said Turkey has been shouldering the refugee burden.

He reminded journalists that most of the terrorists in Syria had been defeated.

2018 presidential election

Regarding Putin's decision to run for the 2018 presidential election, he said it was not the right time to present his campaign manifesto.

"[Russia] must become a modern country with a flexible political system, its economy must be based on high technology, and labor efficiency must increase manifold," Putin said.

He added the "ultimate" goal should be increasing people's income. Putin also said Russia's economy is growing.

"This is an obvious fact. There are no exaggerations here," said Putin.

On Dec. 6, Putin announced that he would contest the March 2018 election to seek a fourth term as president.

If victorious in the upcoming election, Putin will stay in office until 2024.