President Vladimir Putin held his annual press conference and direct line with citizens on December 19, 2024, which commenced at noon Moscow time. This traditional event, where the Russian leader reviews the year's key outcomes and tackles pressing questions from the public and media, attracted over 2 million queries from citizens, making it one of the most anticipated political events of the year.
This year’s format combined the live Q&A session with an extensive press conference, reflecting Putin's commitment to engaging with the public. The platform for citizens to pose their concerns had been open since December 8, leading to significant participation, as many sought to address issues ranging from housing loans to national security.
During the address, Putin expressed his clear stance on various topics. Addressing the contentious issue of the Russia-Ukraine situation, he emphasized Russia's willingness to engage without preconditions, but reiterated the importance of speaking with what he termed 'legitimate leadership' from Ukraine. The president remarked, "We are ready for dialogue without preconditions, based on agreements reached during the negotiations."
Putin also tackled concerns about rising fraudulent activities, particularly those involving banking scams. He responded to the plight of a pensioner from Kazan who reported being defrauded of nearly 2 million rubles, stating, "Banks must verify the financial capacity of citizens before granting large loans, particularly as fraud volumes are alarmingly high, with reports indicating losses exceeding 250 billion rubles."
The president took the time to address economic concerns directly, announcing government support for family mortgages, stating, "There should be no limits on family mortgages or rural mortgage programs. I will check on this matter with the government to make sure it is being enforced."
Putin highlighted economic growth, citing substantial achievements this past year. "The growth of the Russian economy was notable, reaching over eight percent, outpacing Germany last year and Japan this year," he declared, emphasizing the resilience and increasing sovereignty of the nation.
Another important topic discussed by Putin was the demographic crisis affecting the country. He noted, "The number of women of childbearing age has decreased by thirty percent, underscoring the need to strengthen our family policies. Girls are needed."
He also extolled the impressive turnaround of cities like Grozny, calling it "a modern Russian wonder," attributed to the efforts of local leadership and the resilience of the Chechen people.
During the question and answer session, Putin addressed varied topics, from military operational updates to the cost of transportation for families. A mother from Surgut voiced concerns about high ticket prices for low-income families, prompting Putin to urge airlines to adhere to established discount policies for multi-child households: "Airlines must stop manipulating fares so families can receive the 50% discounts they are entitled to, and this issue must be resolved by the government by February 14, 2025."
Putin aimed to assure citizens of plans for future infrastructural improvements, particularly focusing on the recovery of war-torn regions and the seamless restoration of services disrupted by conflict. He highlighted positive developments, including economic growth and increased tax collection from regions recently integrated as part of Russia.
Overall, the event was characterized by its interactive nature, with questions coming from diverse segments of society through various channels, including SMS, social media, and traditional phone calls. Many citizens expressed appreciation and offered festive greetings to the president.
Looking forward, should Putin's tradition of direct lines and press conferences continue, they present both public relations opportunities and direct lines of communication to gauge national sentiment and respond to pressing needs.
