article_snippet.sent: (Putin shrugged off repeated questions about the impact of Western sanctions on Russia during a nationally broadcast annual Q&A session.
article_snippet.sent: Sanctions are sanctions," Putin said.
article_snippet.sent: As far as sanctions are concerned .... (sanctions are concerned're) about the need to constrain our development," not just about Ukraine and Crimea.
article_snippet.sent: Western sanctions were implemented after Moscow annexed Crimea and pro-Russian separatists battled Ukrainian government forces in the Middle East.
article_snippet.sent: Putin predicted Western sanctions would not end soon.
article_snippet.sent: On the Middle East, Putin defended lifting a ban on the sale of a sophisticated air defense system to Iran.
article_snippet.sent: We need to encourage We Iranian partners,Putin Putin said, referring to a preliminary deal to limit Iran's nuclear program.
article_snippet.sent: Sanctions against Iran have had a dramatic impact on Russia's economy.
article_snippet.sent: On Israeli and Western fears that such a system would embolden Iran, Putin scoffed.
article_snippet.sent: Iran is not a threat to Israel at all," Putin said.
highlights_snippet.sent: Sanctions and Russia's deep economic crisis are a major theme .