Today marked the highlight of Vladimir Putin’s calendar for December: his annual press conference and “direct line” Q&A session with the general public, held at the Gostiny Dvor hall in Moscow. This is one of a few rare instances throughout the year when the Russian president graces his people with his presence and gets to hold court in person.
Members of the public and journalists, both domestic and foreign, are given the opportunity to ask Putin questions on a variety of subjects. But despite appearances, there is little that is spontaneous about this exercise. The questions are screened and selected in advance, with a handful by journalists from “unfriendly” countries let through to give the illusion of transparency. Nevertheless, Putin’s answers always manage to reveal a great deal about his current state of mind.
The annual direct line is a useful opportunity for Putin to pedal the image of himself as the benevolent Tsar with the power to fix any problem with the wave of a hand – and helpfully deflect blame onto the officials below him. Even last year, this benevolent Tsar looked a little fragile, answering awkward questions about the war in Ukraine with bellicose hyperbole and a distinct sense of injured pride. Today, however, the theme throughout his answers was “business as usual”. This was a president firmly in control.
To kick off the session, a graph showing the most frequent question topics was beamed into the Moscow hall behind the president. Most common, apparently, were questions on housing, followed by the health services and transport. The war? In fifth place.
One of the first questions of the session – clearly staged – came from the editor in chief of the Russian news agency TASS. Before asking it, he took the time to thank the president for awarding the news agency the Order for Valiant Work. His question, when it came: “Is victory in the special military operation any closer?” With an air of smug showmanship, Putin had two assistants unfurl the banner of the 155th Separate Guards Marine Brigade, currently fighting in Kursk, before answering. “The capabilities of the Russian army are growing,” he said, skirting the question by claiming Moscow’s troops were winning back hundreds of square kilometres every day.
Today’s event was the 21st such townhall of Putin’s rule; two years ago – the first time it was due to be held since the invasion of Ukraine and at a time when the moment of the conflict was turning against Moscow – it was cancelled altogether, presumably out of a fear the Russian president could be jumped with uncomfortable, unplanned questions from the live audience. That he is holding it at all, and allowing such a variety of questions on the war, shows just how much can change in two years.
Today marked the highlight of Vladimir Putin’s calendar for December: his annual press conference and “direct line” Q&A session with the general public, held at the Gostiny Dvor hall in Moscow. This is one of a few rare instances throughout the year when the Russian president graces his people with his presence and gets to hold court in person.
Members of the public and journalists, both domestic and foreign, are given the opportunity to ask Putin questions on a variety of subjects. But despite appearances, there is little that is spontaneous about this exercise. The questions are screened and selected in advance, with a handful by journalists from “unfriendly” countries let through to give the illusion of transparency. Nevertheless, Putin’s answers always manage to reveal a great deal about his current state of mind.
The annual direct line is a useful opportunity for Putin to pedal the image of himself as the benevolent Tsar with the power to fix any problem with the wave of a hand – and helpfully deflect blame onto the officials below him. Even last year, this benevolent Tsar looked a little fragile, answering awkward questions about the war in Ukraine with bellicose hyperbole and a distinct sense of injured pride. Today, however, the theme throughout his answers was “business as usual”. This was a president firmly in control.
To kick off the session, a graph showing the most frequent question topics was beamed into the Moscow hall behind the president. Most common, apparently, were questions on housing, followed by the health services and transport. The war? In fifth place.
One of the first questions of the session – clearly staged – came from the editor in chief of the Russian news agency TASS. Before asking it, he took the time to thank the president for awarding the news agency the Order for Valiant Work. His question, when it came: “Is victory in the special military operation any closer?” With an air of smug showmanship, Putin had two assistants unfurl the banner of the 155th Separate Guards Marine Brigade, currently fighting in Kursk, before answering. “The capabilities of the Russian army are growing,” he said, skirting the question by claiming Moscow’s troops were winning back hundreds of square kilometres every day.
Today’s event was the 21st such townhall of Putin’s rule; two years ago – the first time it was due to be held since the invasion of Ukraine and at a time when the moment of the conflict was turning against Moscow – it was cancelled altogether, presumably out of a fear the Russian president could be jumped with uncomfortable, unplanned questions from the live audience. That he is holding it at all, and allowing such a variety of questions on the war, shows just how much can change in two years.