Putin says Russia can beat crisis

This year will be "very difficult" for the Russian economy, but the country will come out of the downturn, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has said.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin addresses the Russian state Duma

He told the state Duma, or lower house, that a 3tn rouble ($90bn; £60bn) package of aid measures would help Russia survive the economic crisis.

"What we can definitely and must say is that Russia will overcome the crisis," Mr Putin said.

He said Russia would retain its place as one of the world's bigger economies.

"To achieve this, we must all work in a well-coordinated manner, as one team," Mr Putin said.