President Vladimir Putin’s annual press conference showcased unusual moments alongside candid frustrations from ordinary Russians through text messages. Central to the event was the ongoing war in Ukraine, but attendees also posed quirky questions. A woman inquired about aliens, while a boy asked if Putin drives around Moscow incognito for insights.
Putin acknowledged he sometimes does. One attendee suggested erecting a monument to poet Omar Khayyam, to which Putin responded it was a worthwhile idea. A student named Kirill Bazhanov publicly proposed to his girlfriend, inviting Putin to their wedding while also querying about financial support for young families.
The Kremlin framed the event as evidence of Putin’s engagement with the public, claiming over 2.5 million questions were submitted. Moderators selected queries from live audiences, who attempted to gain Putin’s attention with banners.
However, critical text messages appeared on a large screen, including sarcastic remarks like, “Not a direct line, but a circus,” and requests for drinks since it was Friday. Complaints about internet issues and poor tap water were noted, along with criticism directed at the Russian communications watchdog, Roskomnadzor.
One comment suggested blocking the agency itself. Notably, a message questioned why Russians were economically worse off than individuals in Papua New Guinea, while another expressed skepticism about the legitimacy of elections amid the apparent struggles faced by citizens. The Kremlin’s reaction to these messages was not immediate, and Putin did not address them during the event.
With information from Reuters
