Putin Signs New Military Doctrine, Concerns about Russia's Economy
KEILAR: President Putin has signed a new updated version of Russia's military doctrine, and while the majority of it remains unchanged, the new sections outline the threats to Russia's national security. And among them, NATO's expansion and military buildup in Eastern Europe. Russia is worried about the possibility of a foreign troop deployment in Ukraine. NATO responded to Moscow's concern saying it poses no threat to Russia or any other nation. The other concern for Russia is the economy. President Vladimir Putin announced that he is cancelling holiday vacations for members of the government, saying they cannot afford extensive holidays, at least not this year. Erin McLaughlin is in Moscow watching this. Eric, this is quite the about-face from last week when you had Putin blaming the West for all of Russia's problems.</s>ERIN MCLAUGHLIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, to a certain extent, Brianna, President Putin saying that the government has a role in all of this. But really that it needs to be focusing, he said, on restructuring the government's economy -- or the country's economy, rather. And there is this joke going around Russia, going around Moscow right now that the ruble, the currency here is so low that many of these ministers probably couldn't afford to party anyway. But joking aside, President Putin's announced that he's cancelling vacation, really serves to illustrate the critical state of the Russian economy today. Russia's finance minister announcing that the economy could contract in 2015 by as much as 4.5 percent. That is, if oil remains at around $60 a barrel. Inflation is high. As I mentioned, the ruble is low. Ordinary Russians really are suffering here -- Brianna?</s>KEILAR: And how are ordinary Russians responding to this news as they do suffer?</s>MCLAUGHLIN: Many people that I've been talking to say they're really feeling the pinch. Their salaries have remained the same, and yet the cost of living has increased. And many say they want to see their government take action. Take a listen.</s>UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translation): It's good, as long as they don't cut our holidays. Let the government officials work. Seems like they are not tired this year.</s>UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translation): The government shouldn't have any holidays. They fail to perform.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translation): Everything became more expensive in shops and they promise it will be more expensive in the New Year, so everything, food and household utilities, became more expensive. The price bites.</s>MCLAUGHLIN: So president Putin's decision to cancel the holiday leave for government workers seeming to play well here in Russia, even though the root causes of this crisis persist. Latest opinion polls out today show that he still enjoys an 85 percent approval rating here in Russia.</s>KEILAR: Amazing. What many leaders would be so jealous of. And happy holidays to you, Erin McLaughlin in Moscow for us. Thank you. And just ahead, many happy returns. A look at why this is the second- busiest shopping day for retailers. We'll be checking that out.