Putin's Annual Q&A: Five Key Points

Despite the Kremlin's claims, Vladimir Putin's yearly Q&A is more about the president's agenda than addressing the concerns of everyday Russians. This year, with heightened geopolitical tensions due to President Trump's pursuit of a peace deal, the stakes were even higher.

The carefully orchestrated event, where questions were thoroughly screened (reportedly numbering around 3 million), aimed to present a unified message. That said, the reality is a bit more complicated. a few seemingly uncensored moments offered glimpses of genuine sentiment. Here are five crucial takeaways from this year's lengthy phone-in session.

**1. Continuing the Conflict**

Since the Kremlin's ban on using the word "war" to describe the invasion of Ukraine, the conflict has remained a central theme. The Q&A session began with the co-host asking Putin about "war or peace?", setting the tone for the next five hours. Through questions posed by military personnel, veterans, and even a deceased soldier's spouse, Putin emphasized that Russia's military operation is proceeding as planned, attributing any issues to bureaucratic inefficiencies.

According to Andrei Kolesnikov, a political analyst in Moscow, Putin is reinforcing the call for national unity in the war effort, even as surveys suggest many Russians desire peace. The message conveyed is that victory, defined as peace on Russia's terms, is within reach and enjoys widespread support.

**2. Peace on Moscow's Terms**

Putin's statements echoed his justifications for invading Ukraine back in February 2022. While expressing Russia's willingness to negotiate a deal, seemingly to stay aligned with Trump, his subsequent remarks indicated otherwise. He referred to the Ukrainian government as a "Kyiv regime" that seized power through a coup and reiterated Russia's fight against "neo-Nazism." Putin also alluded to Moscow's demands for Ukraine to abandon its NATO aspirations and withdraw from eastern territories. As in the past, he blamed NATO expansion as the underlying cause of the conflict.

**3. A Warning to Europe and NATO**

While commending China and Belarus for their strong ties with Russia, Putin criticized Europe and NATO. He walked back his recent labeling of European leaders as "little pigs," attributing it to a slip of the tongue. That said, the reality is a bit more complicated. he accused them of being "robbers" for considering using frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine.

Putin's primary target was NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, who had urged Europeans to prepare for a large-scale war. Putin questioned Rutte's remarks about preparing for war with Russia, suggesting he should read the U.S. National Security Strategy. Responding to a question from the BBC's Steve Rosenberg about potential military escalation, Putin asserted that no new military operations would occur if Russia were treated with respect and its interests were considered.

**4. A Call for Russians to Endure**

Putin also addressed domestic financial concerns amid a slowing economy and rising inflation, even as the Kremlin heavily invests in its defense sector. Citing statistics, he downplayed concerns, praising the actions of financial institutions in stabilizing the economy. He also claimed that numerous Russians are volunteering to fight, including university students taking sabbaticals to join the army. That said, the reality is a bit more complicated. reports indicate Russia has suffered significant casualties, and those mobilized in 2022 remain in service, suggesting recruitment challenges.

Kolesnikov notes that Putin appears unconcerned about the financial, human, and psychological costs of continuing the military operation.

**5. Anti-LGBTQ+ Sentiment as Unifying Force**

Alongside the war, Putin repeatedly referenced "traditional values." He cautioned other nations that their conservative policies could lead to asset seizures by Europe, citing potential disapproval of policies related to the LGBTQ community. He highlighted that many Muslim countries have strict laws protecting traditional values, which he described as shared values. Furthermore, after a student proposed to his girlfriend live on air, Putin praised the couple for starting their relationship in their mid-teens, suggesting that Russia should emulate the Caucasus region's tradition of early marriage.

Putin emphasized that "common values" unite those fighting for Russia.

**Bonus: Authenticity of Questions**

One notable aspect of the event was a screen displaying text messages purportedly sent by ordinary Russians, leaving viewers to question their authenticity.