That comparison with the united states defense expenditure. he was also asked some quite tough questions. one of them, isn't this economic crisis in russia at the moment that has seen the ruble plunge in value against the dollar all to do with crimea. you may remember russia annexed crimea, part of ukraine back in march. it's a thing that provoked international sanctions from the united states and from the european union. but vladimir putin categorically denied that the sanctions and the crisis had anything to do with crimea, basically restating this rhetoric that he's been coming up with all ...