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What to Make of Putin's Annual Call-In 'Ritual.' And Are We Closer to Justice for MH17 Victims?

— Vladimir Putin touted Russia’s economic "success" during his annual phone-in on Thursday. But just how impressed was his audience? We talk to Alexander Baunov of the Carnegie think tank.

— On Wednesday, Dutch prosecutors charged three Russians and one Ukrainian with murder in the downing of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine in 2014. The three Russian men have various links to their country’s intelligence services and all of them served in the military. Their trial, which they are unlikely to attend given that Russian law prohibits its citizens from being extradited, begins in March next year. Joining us on the line is Dutch journalist Gert Jan Dennekamp, a reporter at the Nieuwsuur television program.

From Russia With News is hosted by Jonathan Brown and produced by Pjotr Sauer. The episode was recorded and edited at CM Records Studio in central Moscow.

Read More: 

Investigators Name 4 Top Suspects Behind MH17 Crash

The Key Quotes of Putin's Annual Question and Answer Session

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