Putin defends Moscow central bank

(ANSA) - Moscow, December 18 - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday defended the Russian government and central bank's handling of the ruble crisis saying authorities' response was "adequate and in the right direction.
    Opposition politicians have lambasted the central bank and government for the economic and financial maelstrom in Russia.
    Putin for his part acknowledged at a press conference that "there are questions to the government and the central bank regarding the speed, the quality of the measures, but speaking in general their action was totally adequate and in the right direction".