Putin Holds Annual Press Conference as Re-Election Bid Begins
After announcing his bid for re-election last week, Russian Pres. Vladimir Putin held his annual press conference on Thursday, this year combining the event with 'direct line' — an opportunity for everyday Russians to write to Putin with their questions and concerns. The Kremlin said that rough...
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Facts
- After announcing his bid for re-election last week, Russian Pres. Vladimir Putin held his annual press conference on Thursday, this year combining the event with 'direct line' — an opportunity for everyday Russians to write to Putin with their questions and concerns. The Kremlin said that roughly 2M people had submitted questions ahead of the four-hour event which took place in Moscow.1
- Putin's opening remarks noted his thoughts on the importance of Russia's sovereignty. He said the economy was strong for a country in war-time before the subject quickly turned to Ukraine. 'There will be peace [in Ukraine] when we achieve our objectives,' he said, adding that Russia's goals of 'de-Nazification,' demilitarization and of Ukraine's neutral status remain unchanged from the outset of the war.1
- He revealed that some 617K Russian soldiers were currently fighting in Ukraine — 244K of those conscripts who were called up to serve alongside the professional military. Putin added that with just shy of 500K soldiers under contract with the Russian Defense Ministry, there was no need for a general mobilization of forces this coming year.2
- Describing the frontline situation, Putin said: 'Practically along the entire line of contact our armed forces are improving their situation, to put it modestly.' Meanwhile, he claimed that Ukrainian leaders continued to throw troops at unsuccessful operations. 'I don't know why they are doing it, they are pushing their people to get killed.'1
- Putin criticized the West for its 'aspirations to creep up to our borders.' He claimed: 'The Russians and the Ukrainians are one people, essentially, and what we are witnessing now is a great tragedy resembling a civil war between brothers on opposing sides.'3
- Although he accused the US of staging a 'coup d'etat' in Ukraine in 2014 and 'forcing' Russia's hand, Putin described the US as an 'important and necessary' country on the world stage. He said Moscow was prepared to hold talks with Washington if certain conditions such as respect and compromise were met.4
- Putin also took a question from a New York Times reporter who asked about the possibility of a prisoner swap involving journalist Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan, a former US marine — both of whom are imprisoned in Russia. 'We want to reach an agreement, and these agreements must be mutually acceptable and must suit both parties,' Putin said. 'It is not simple, I will not go into details now, but in general, it seems to me that we speak a language that is understandable to each other. I hope we will find a solution.'5
Sources: 1BBC News, 2Associated Press, 3Evening Standard, 4Breakingthenews and 5Colorado Springs Gazette.
Narratives
- Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by Associated Press. This is a highly choreographed event that's intended to invigorate Putin's 2024 election campaign. With the Kremlin screening questions to paint Putin in a favorable light, this whole event is a spectacle rather than any real attempt to have scrutiny.
- Pro-Russia narrative, as provided by TASS. As is customary every year, Putin gives people from across Russia — be they journalists or otherwise — the opportunity to ask him questions on all manner of issues relating to the state, its health and its direction. This is an unfiltered event where Putin speaks openly.
