Putin’s Annual Q&A Returns As Russians Deal with Struggle and the Financial system

Russian President Vladimir Putin is getting ready for his annual televised Q&A session, and a brand new ballot reveals Russians stay centered on two points: the conflict and the financial system.

Based on a ballot of 1,608 Russians carried out by the unbiased Levada Middle, the highest two issues Russians wish to increase with Putin are when the conflict will finish and the way they’re supposed to deal with a deteriorating financial system.

A few fifth of respondents stated they might ask Putin when the conflict in Ukraine, which the Kremlin calls a “particular army operation,” would finish.

Proper behind the conflict is the financial system, as one other 16% say their prime query is about dwelling requirements — salaries, pensions, and advantages.

These two issues have topped Levada’s polls forward of Putin’s annual Q&A for 3 years.

Past the highest issues, Levada discovered that 8% of respondents wish to ask Putin about worth development and tax hikes, 6% about utilities and social providers, and 5% in regards to the healthcare system.

The anxiousness comes as Russia’s inflation stays excessive, and the nation’s large protection spending jostles with social spending.

Putin’s televised “Direct Line” Q&A session, scheduled for Friday, comes almost 4 years after Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, triggering sweeping Western sanctions.

For the reason that invasion in February 2022, the Kremlin has steered the nation onto a wartime financial footing.

Heavy protection spending and state-directed funding have helped maintain headline financial development, whilst sanctions and export restrictions have reshaped commerce flows.

However strains are displaying: Power export revenues have dropped in a softer oil-price surroundings, whereas excessive inflation continues to sap client demand.

Earlier hourslong “Direct Line” broadcasts supply a preview of how Putin could deal with the questions the Kremlin permits.

Final yr, Putin acknowledged that Russia’s financial system was overheating amid excessive inflation and warned residents to brace for continued stress.

Nevertheless, he deflected blame, suggesting that each the central financial institution and the Russian federal authorities — formally headed by the prime minister — might have acted extra decisively to stop the surge in costs and credit score development.

Putin can also be anticipated to carry an end-of-year information convention on Friday, the place the highlight can be on any alerts he gives in regards to the course of the conflict.