Unveiling Putin's First Major Press Conference in a Year: A Long-Awaited Q&A Session
After a year-long hiatus, Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to answer queries from journalists and citizens, marking his first major press conference since the onset of the Ukraine conflict. The Q&A session, scheduled for December 2022, will be combined with the annual "Results of the Year" program on state television. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that the session will kick off around midday Moscow time (10 a.m. Central European Time).
State media reports indicate that more than 1.5 million questions have been submitted in anticipation of the event. The abundance of attention isn't solely due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine; it also stems from Putin's plan to be re-elected as president on March 18, 2023. To achieve this fifth term, the constitution was amended specifically to extend his eligibility.
Traditionally, Putin's press conference and public consultation were separate events. The familiar issues of poverty, social hardship, complaints about healthcare, and a lack of infrastructure were often raised during these sessions. Putin, who has led Russia for over two decades, often utilized these occasions to present himself as a problem solver and caretaker, although critics claim he routinely repeats the same questions without significant improvement.
Topics of Interest
A recent survey conducted by the independent Russian opinion research institute Levada revealed that most people wanted to know from Putin when the war in Ukraine would conclude. As the conflict continues, an increasing number of Russians are favoring peace negotiations. Second on the list of concerns were pension-related questions, specifically inquiries about the timeline for retired individuals to live normal lives. In third place were queries about when salaries in Russia would become more reasonable, considering the low average wage of around €400 per month for full-time workers.
Previous Cancellations
Putin canceled his press conference last December, marking the first instance in a decade that it would not last several hours. Observers believed that Putin intended to avoid international journalists, given the war in Ukraine that began on February 24, 2022. Repeated Ukrainian setbacks further strengthened Putin's confidence that a victory was within reach. The "Direct Line," the annual national television talk show where citizens could directly address Putin, was also suspended last year.
Unlike previous events, Putin's upcoming press conference does not entail a formal accreditation process. Instead, only a selected group of journalists has been invited to attend. Hand-picked journalists will cover the event, which contradicts Putin's past practice of encouraging diverse participation.
Additional Context
Putin's willingness to engage in negotiations with the United States was evident during talks held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in December 2024. The discussions focused on the potential for diplomatic relations and future cooperation. However, the Russian delegation demanded significant concessions, including a new division of spheres of influence and the withdrawal of the United States from Eastern Europe, including Romania. The U.S. rejected these demands, indicating a complex diplomatic landscape for resolving the conflict.
Conclusion
Putin's upcoming press conference represents a unique opportunity for people in Russia and internationally to better understand the Kremlin's stance on various issues, particularly the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. As Putin prepares for his planned re-election in March 2023, the public consultation will serve as a platform for presenting himself as a problem solver and caretaker, despite facing criticism for repetitive questioning without significant improvement. The assessments of Russia's stance on the ongoing conflict and other geopolitical events remain crucial in understanding the broader context of world events.
