Boris Berezovsky: Who's he?

Ever since he came to power, the question has been asked - who is Vladimir Putin?

Although the president shied away from answering it at the press conference, after 90 minutes of questions and answers in the Kremlin, we do know just that little bit more about him.

In control

For one thing, the man once so camera-shy has grown supremely confident - you do not invite 500 journalists to an unscripted press briefing, and broadcast it live on national television, if you do not feel you are in full control.

Mr Putin clearly feels at ease now with the job of running Russia.

Tough questions do not seem to ruffle him - in front of the world's press he defended Russia's record on media freedom, and the war in Chechnya.

When one reporter shouted him down, Mr Putin asked for her to be handed the microphone so that she could voice her concerns.

Public relations

He even allowed himself the odd joke.

When one correspondent asked if he was worried that the famous businessman Boris Berezovsky may be plotting to oust him, Mr Putin curtly replied, "Boris Berezovsky, who's he?" - at which the audience burst into laughter.

As a public-relations exercise, the Kremlin news conference was a great success - more are likely to follow.

Ultimately, though, Russia's president knows he will be judged on deeds, not words - on whether or not he achieves his stated goal of modernising Russia.