Before that he was prime minister to Dmitry Medvedev from 2008 and previously served two terms as President in 2000 and 2004. He returned to the presidency in 2012.
During his annual nationwide call-in show Thursday, Putin said Russia and the United States had fought beside each other during two world wars and "the Russian empire was key in securing US independence".
Navalny has been sentenced to 30 days behind bars after being detained Monday on his way to a protest in Moscow against government corruption, where hundreds were arrested in the city centre.
The 41-year-old Navalny said in December he would seek the presidency, vowing to appeal a fraud conviction he calls politically motivated that bars him from running.
Putin also said Russia's military industrial complex had benefited greatly from testing its latest weapons in Syria. He dismissed "some" opposition leaders for "exploiting the problems instead of offering solutions". "Again, he gave no evidence of this (Russian meddling)".
"It's evidence of a continuing internal political struggle in the USA", he said.
"Thank God, this is something, this is good", Putin said.
President Vladimir Putin says the Russian military has gained "priceless" experience in Syria. "He should know that", he said sarcastically during the televised event. "He should be aware of that", Putin added.
Russia, Turkey and Iran have negotiated safe zones in Syria to reduce fighting. Nothing has changed, why are they talking about sanctions.
The president earlier talked of having grandchildren to film director Oliver Stone in a documentary released this month in the United States but not yet shown in Russian Federation.
Zaman, Ali help Pakistan storm into Champion's Trophy final
Morgan's opposite number Sarfraz Ahmed hailed Pakistan's near ideal performance. "So it was a big challenge and one that was too far for us".
Russia, the United States, Canada, Denmark and Norway have all been trying to assert jurisdiction over parts of the Arctic as shrinking polar ice creates new opportunities for exploration.
Asked at a USA congressional hearing why he was sacked, Comey said he did not know for sure. There is a USA bill to toughen sanctions, why?
Russian Federation has repeatedly denied claims of meddling in the U.S. political process, calling such allegations absurd.
On a more conciliatory note, Mr Putin added that Russian Federation still hopes for the normalisation of ties with the US.
In his annual Question and Answer session Russian president Vladimir Putin told reporters that he would offer former Federal Bureau of Investigation director James Comey a safe haven if prosecuted for his leak.
Putin also jokingly suggested he could offer political asylum to fired FBI director James Comey - who had been overseeing the bureau's Russian Federation investigation - comparing him to fugitive NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden, who has asylum in Russian Federation.
Snowden, a computer professional who had done contractual work for the U.S. National Security Agency, is now living under asylum in Russian Federation.
The construction of the 19 km road-and-rail bridge across the Kerch Strait is being overseen by Stroygazmontazh, a company controlled by Arkady Rotenberg, Putin's former judo sparring partner. He offered assurances, however, that a compromise will be found to accommodate the museum's needs.
Putin, who in 2013 announced on state television that he was divorcing his wife, has two daughters in their early 30s who have not been seen in public for years and became a subject of rumors.
Speaking during a live call-in show on Thursday, Putin said both of his daughters live in Moscow and "work in science and education". One grandchild is in pre-school and the other, a boy, has just been born, he said, adding he didn't want to reveal more for the sake of their privacy.
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