On December 19, 2024, President Vladimir Putin will host his year-end address and question-and-answer session entitled 'Итоги года с Владимиром Путиным' (Year-End Results with Vladimir Putin) at the historic Gostiny Dvor in Moscow. This traditional event combines direct interactions with Russian citizens alongside a large press conference, marking another opportunity for the President to address pressing national issues and gauge public sentiment.
Set to begin at noon Moscow time, the event is highly anticipated, with over 2 million inquiries already received as of the morning of the event. The format remains familiar to Russians, with Putin expected to first respond to questions from the public before moving on to queries from journalists, moderated by Dmitry Kulko from Channel One and Alexandra Suvorova from Russia 24.
The event offers multiple channels for citizens to submit their questions – via phone at 8-800-200-40-40, SMS to 0-40-40, and text or video messages through the websites moskva-putinu.ru and Москва-Путину. More than 1.1 million calls and nearly 400,000 SMS questions demonstrate the vast engagement of the public.
Putin has acknowledged the weight of the issues presented, stating he has seen "вагон и маленькую тележку" (a wagon and a small trolley) of unresolved problems. His administration is ready to tackle these inquiries, which predominantly concern military operations, economic development, healthcare, infrastructure, and social issues affecting daily life, according to Dmitry Peskov, the President's press secretary.
To modernize the inquiry process, the administration for the first time has integrated artificial intelligence, using technology from Sberbank dubbed GigaChat. This system helps categorize and analyze queries, ensuring efficient processing of the significant volume of communication from the public.
Throughout the course of this event, state media will provide extensive coverage, allowing viewers from across the nation to tune in for updates directly from their leader. Putin's previous address lasted over four hours, underscoring the depth and breadth of questions received from the populace, which has traditionally focused on pressing domestic and international issues.
One of the primary themes emerges as the Russian government’s handling of the demographic crisis. Putin recently lamented the declining birth rate, which he stated has "упал до 1,41%" (dropped to 1.41%), noting it as insufficient and urging measures to bolster population growth. He contextualized these challenges by comparing Russia's figures to those of other nations facing similar demographic troubles.
The discussion is not limited to demographics, though; various topics reflect the public's concerns, including housing and mortgage issues. "Лимитов по ипотеке быть не должно" (There should be no limits on mortgages), he declared, indicating his administration’s commitment to making housing more accessible to families across the nation.
Specific questions surrounding the military conflict and recent overseas military actions are expected to be high on the agenda as well. Putin reaffirmed Russia's objectives and readiness to engage with questions about the complex situations abroad, especially concerning Ukraine. He has emphasized, "Мы готовы вести диалог без предварительных условий" (We are ready to engage in dialogue without preconditions), indicating Russia's stance on current negotiations.
This upcoming address not only serves as a platform for Putin to outline achievements and challenges from the past year but also reflects his administration's responsiveness to the issues facing ordinary Russians. By facilitating direct communication, the Kremlin hopes to strengthen public trust and participation.
The inclusion of foreign journalists in this year's event also highlights Russia's efforts to maintain its narrative on global platforms, providing perspectives not just for domestic but also international audiences.
With the significant rise of questions regarded as pressing social concerns, the Kremlin is tasked with delivering answers and actions following this annual engagement. Public expectations are high, as citizens are eager to hear how their government plans to address their concerns moving forward.
The direct engagement model symbolizes not only Putin’s leadership style but also reflects his awareness of the importance of public perception and accountability. This is especially pertinent as he prepares to tackle this year's influx of topics, which are likely to shape the political dialogue heading toward the next election.
Through the upcoming program, Putin aims to connect with the national sentiment and outline the road forward, hoping for responses to the challenges unveiled during what promises to be another intensive interaction with the people of Russia.
