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. However, 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. However, 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
**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. However, 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
**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
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.