Hubert Seipel interviewed the Russian President in Vladivostok on Thursday.
Although Putin has German, the interview was conducted via simultaneous translation.
Seipel stressed that no theme was taboo.
Putin began by referring to his speech in the Bundestag in 2001 and how while there were negative elements in his deliberations his hope back then was for a positive relationship between Germany and Russia.
He pointed out how in the last decade NATO has extended its bases and added countries to its organisation. And he also referred to the expansion of the EU. In the same period Russia has not seen a similar military expansion.
"Our ships and planes have every right to be in international waters," he said.
President Putin had no problem talking about the Russian annexation of Crimea. He cited what happened in Kosovo to justify what happened in Crimea.
As to the problems in Ukraine he argued that people in the country have a right to feel they are at home in the place they live and argued for a federation.
While the current sanctions are causing difficulties for Russia, they are also making them become less dependent on foreign imports. He forecasts growth in the economy over the next three years but is very aware of the poor global economic outlook.
He sidestepped as to who is arming the 'dissidents' in east Ukraine. He is worried about a neo-nazi development in Ukraine and feels there is need for much more political dialogue.
He finished the interview referring to the special relationship there is between Russia and Germany.
After the interview there was a debate in the ARD Berlin studios where the German Defence Minister, Ursula van der Leyen pointed out that the countries that joined NATO and the EU did so at the behest of the citizens of those countries. "It was done in an open and democratic way," she said.
Hubert Seipel pointed out that the Russian annual military budget is €90 billion, the US spends €960 billion every year on its military budget.
Sonia Seymour Mikich, Director General of WDR, who spent many years working in Russia, said there are Russians who are worried about what is happening the Rouble but there are others who believe they can get over this crisis like they have done so often in the past.
She pointed out how the break up of the Soviet Union has been seen as a catastrophe for millions of Russians.
"Imagine family members living in Russia now have to get a visa to visit relations in Tbilisi," she said.
Historian Heinrich August Winkler spoke about the long history between Germany and Russia.
Fascinating television.
Seipel stressed that no theme was taboo.
Putin began by referring to his speech in the Bundestag in 2001 and how while there were negative elements in his deliberations his hope back then was for a positive relationship between Germany and Russia.
He pointed out how in the last decade NATO has extended its bases and added countries to its organisation. And he also referred to the expansion of the EU. In the same period Russia has not seen a similar military expansion.
"Our ships and planes have every right to be in international waters," he said.
President Putin had no problem talking about the Russian annexation of Crimea. He cited what happened in Kosovo to justify what happened in Crimea.
As to the problems in Ukraine he argued that people in the country have a right to feel they are at home in the place they live and argued for a federation.
While the current sanctions are causing difficulties for Russia, they are also making them become less dependent on foreign imports. He forecasts growth in the economy over the next three years but is very aware of the poor global economic outlook.
He sidestepped as to who is arming the 'dissidents' in east Ukraine. He is worried about a neo-nazi development in Ukraine and feels there is need for much more political dialogue.
He finished the interview referring to the special relationship there is between Russia and Germany.
After the interview there was a debate in the ARD Berlin studios where the German Defence Minister, Ursula van der Leyen pointed out that the countries that joined NATO and the EU did so at the behest of the citizens of those countries. "It was done in an open and democratic way," she said.
Hubert Seipel pointed out that the Russian annual military budget is €90 billion, the US spends €960 billion every year on its military budget.
Sonia Seymour Mikich, Director General of WDR, who spent many years working in Russia, said there are Russians who are worried about what is happening the Rouble but there are others who believe they can get over this crisis like they have done so often in the past.
She pointed out how the break up of the Soviet Union has been seen as a catastrophe for millions of Russians.
"Imagine family members living in Russia now have to get a visa to visit relations in Tbilisi," she said.
Historian Heinrich August Winkler spoke about the long history between Germany and Russia.
Fascinating television.
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