there's john simpson. throw questions to mr. putin, as he has spelled out that the country still runs a surplus and that pensions and public sector pay will be protected during what he recognized to be an economic crisis, which he blamed to around about 20% to 30% on the effect of western sanctions on russia. earlier in the day, mr. putin had been telling russians that the country does have the reserves to cope with the situation, and that is, above all, the falling oil prices. the ruble has plummeted because of it. the sanctions over ukraine are certainly hurting. and he added that in the worst case scenario, it could take two years for the downturn to come to an end. >> translator: factors influence our situation. of course primarily the oil price and the gas price. and i think that the central bank and the government are taking adequate measures in the currency situation. yes, there are some questions to the government. as to how timely their measures have been. but overall, they're quite adequate and moving in the right dire

john simpson was there. he asked mr. putin if he thought russia's actions were leading to a new cold war. >> western countries almost universally believe that there's a new cold war and that you frankly have decided to create that. we see almost daily russian aircraft taking sometimes quite dangerous maneuvers towards western air space. that must be done on your orders. you're the commander in chief. it must have been your orders that sent russian troops into the territory of a sovereign country. crimea first, and then whatever it is that's going on in eastern ukraine. now you've got a big problem with the currency of russia and you're going to need help and support and understanding from outside countries, particularly from the west. so can i say to you, can i ask you now, would you care to take this opportunity to say to people from the west that you have no desire to carry on with a new cold war, and that you will do whatever you can to sort out the problems in ukraine. >> translator: as to our maneuvers, military for

simpson mentioned the speaker. and i'll just tell you there's no one who could be a better friend and someone that i owe so uch to john and debey. we love them and will continue to that friendship as i will with all the colleagues that we have come to know and love. anyone who does this job for any period of time understands you are never going to be successful or accomplish anything without the great work of your staff. and i have been blessed both in iowa and here in washington with tremendous people that have worked so hard for me and committed themselves to the people of iowa and to this country. and all of them are very, very special to me. one person, chief of staff, who happens to be in the chamber tonight, has been with me since day one, the year before i got elected. so 21 years he has had to put up with me. thank you very much. thanks to all the members of my staff. it has been a pressure for me, a great, great honor to have the privilege of serving with them, because we have all done it on a cumulative basis and try to do the best job possible for the people of iowa. i have to say thank you. i have represen

simpson mentioned the speaker. and i'll just tell you there's no one who could be a better friend and someone that i owe so uch to john and debey. we love them and will continue to that friendship as i will with all the colleagues that we have come to know and love. anyone who does this job for any period of time understands you are never going to be successful or accomplish anything without the great work of your staff. and i have been blessed both in iowa and here in washington with tremendous people that have worked so hard for me and committed themselves to the people of iowa and to this country. and all of them are very, very special to me. one person, chief of staff, who happens to be in the chamber tonight, has been with me since day one, the year before i got elected. so 21 years he has had to put up with me. thank you very much. thanks to all the members of my staff. it has been a pressure for me, a great, great honor to have the privilege of serving with them, because we have all done it on a cumulative basis and try to do the best job possible for the people of iowa. i have to say thank you. i have represen

simpson mentioned the speaker. and i'll just tell you there's no one who could be a better friend and someone that i owe so uch to john and debey. we love them and will continue to that friendship as i will with all the colleagues that we have come to know and love. anyone who does this job for any period of time understands you are never going to be successful or accomplish anything without the great work of your staff. and i have been blessed both in iowa and here in washington with tremendous people that have worked so hard for me and committed themselves to the people of iowa and to this country. and all of them are very, very special to me. one person, chief of staff, who happens to be in the chamber tonight, has been with me since day one, the year before i got elected. so 21 years he has had to put up with me. thank you very much. thanks to all the members of my staff. it has been a pressure for me, a great, great honor to have the privilege of serving with them, because we have all done it on a cumulative basis and try to do the best job possible for the people of iowa. i have to say thank you. i have represen