Putin 's first challenge was to assure Russians they can overcome an `` unfavorable scenario '' One journalist asked him about reprisals by Chechen authorities against the families of alleged terrorists , accusing Russia 's government-financed TV channels of igniting hatred in society . The Russian president said the Ukraine conflict should be settled peacefully . Putin is adept at turning the tables , writes Jill Dougherty . By JILL DOWDY and MICHAEL McCARTHY We ca n't have a palace coup because we have no palaces ''
Putin 's first challenge was to assure Russians they can overcome an `` unfavorable scenario '' The Russian president said the Ukraine conflict should be settled peacefully . Putin is adept at turning the tables , writes Jill Dougherty . By JILL DOWDY and MICHAEL McCARTHY We ca n't have a palace coup because we have no palaces ''