Asked whether Russia regretted its bitter New Year's dispute with Ukraine over natural gas prices, which led to disruptions in supplies in some European countries when Russia halted shipments meant for Ukraine, Putin fired back by blaming the shortages on Ukraine, which was resisting a fourfold increase.

Visibly displeased, Putin opposed what he said were efforts by "somebody" in the West to coerce Russia into subsidizing other ex-Soviet republics with cheap gas prices, asking his BBC interviewer how much her pearl necklace cost.

"Would you sell it to me for 5 kopecks or 1 ruble?" Putin asked. "I don't think you would," he said, arguing that in the same way, the increases were a long-overdue recalibration of Russia's gas to market prices.

The dispute, which some observers said was a way of punishing Ukraine for its pro-Western ambitions, ended with Kiev accepting a nearly twofold price increase. Putin said that "Europeans have nothing to worry about" because the deal obliges Ukraine to transport Russian gas to Europe regardless of its dealings with Russia.

On U.S.-Russian relations, Putin called the United States "one of our key partners" and praised President George W. Bush as a "decent person" he counts as a friend. However, he indicated that Moscow's former Cold War foe should not dominate the post-Soviet world, saying that because the planet is diverse, "it should be multipolar."

Asked whether Russia has become more authoritarian under his rule, he said, "Of course I do not agree," insisting the country has irrevocably chosen a democratic path. "I am sure that without the development of democracy, freedom of the press and civil society, Russia has no future."

Talking to reporters after the Webcast, Putin said the conference was different from regular question-and-answer sessions in that the Internet audience was younger and more flippant - as were some of the questions.

Pressed by reporters to respond to another popular question that he chose not to address during the Webcast - when he first had sex - Putin did have an answer.

"I don't remember when I began, but I certainly remember the last time I did it," he said with a smirk. "I can establish that with the accuracy of a minute."