Putin Confronting Ex-Aide Says Economic Moves Show ‘Heart’

Russian President Vladimir Putin slapped down his former finance minister during a nationally televised show, defending his handling of the economic crisis sparked by plunging oil prices and U.S.-led sanctions.

The face-off highlighted the limits facing Putin as Russia heads into its first recession in six years: the pain of liberalizing the economy to reduce its reliance on oil and gas exports risks forfeiting ordinary Russians’ support.