Russian President Vladimir Putin made comprehensive statements about domestic and foreign policy by combining the annual press conference and the "Direct Line" program. Stating that the initiative on the Ukrainian front is in the Russian army, Putin emphasized that the West's economic sanctions have failed and the Russian economy has recorded growth.
Russian President Vladimir Putin answered the questions of journalists and the public in the “Results of the Year” program, which lasted about four and a half hours, held at the Gostiniy Dvor exhibition center.
At the event where more than 2.5 million problems were conveyed this year, Putin made a wide range of evaluations from the latest developments on the front line to economic data, from social benefits to technological independence.
While food and portable chargers of visitors who were taken to the hall before the event were confiscated for security reasons, Putin showed a performance that showed that he did not leave the country's administration even for a moment during the broadcast.
"The Russian army took the initiative on the front line"
Referring to the course of the clashes in Ukraine, Putin stated that the Russian army was under attack along the entire contact line and the enemy was retreating.
The Russian leader, who argued that the strategic reserves of the Ukrainian Armed Forces have reached the point of exhaustion, stated that more than 3 thousand 500 Ukrainian soldiers are under siege near Kupyansk.
Putin drew attention to the progress in regions such as Seversk and Krasnıy Lıman and stated that he expects new successes until the New Year.
Emphasizing that Russia's stance on peace talks is clear, Putin reminded that Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy is not close to discussing the territory issue.
Putin argued that the main causes of the conflict should be eliminated and used the following statements:
“Russia is not fighting the West, the West is fighting Russia by Ukrainian nationalists. We are ready to stop the clashes immediately, provided that Russia's security is ensured in the long term.”
“Political leadership did not allow compliance with our laws”
In the technology agenda of the program, internet phenomenon Valentin Petuhov (Wylsacom) asked Putin if the domestic application Mach could compete with other messaging platforms.
Stating that competition is always necessary, Putin touched on the processes related to Western messaging applications and Telegram.
Emphasizing that Russia has reached full technological sovereignty with the US and China with the emergence of a national messaging application, Putin said that Western platforms have a problem complying with the country's laws with the following words:
The President said, "The political leadership of their countries did not allow them to comply with our laws. This was the reason for the relevant actions to slow down," he said.
“While the economy is growing, Europe is losing confidence”
Stating that the Russian economy is resistant despite the sanctions imposed by the West, Putin announced that the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has grown by 9.7 percent in the last three years, and this rate remains at 3.1 percent in the Eurozone.
Noting that the ratio of public debt to GDP is at the level of 17.7 percent and unemployment has decreased to 2.2 percent, Putin described the European Union's attempts to seize Russian assets as "robbery".
Stating that such steps will damage the Western financial system, Putin said, "This is not just a blow to the image, but a shaking of trust in the Eurozone."
The Russian leader added that if the assets are confiscated, Russia will also retaliate and take the matter to justice.
“Demographic crisis is a common problem of developed countries”
Stating that the demographic crisis in Russia is a common problem of developed countries, Putin stated that the birth rate per woman has decreased to 1.4 and this should be at least 2.
Emphasizing that families should not experience loss of welfare when they have children, the President announced that the support will continue with family housing loans and new payment systems.
In response to a journalist's question, referring to the reservations of young people about marriage and having children, Putin stated that the hustle and bustle of making a career delays having children. Welcoming a young man who proposed marriage at the age of 23, Putin emphasized, "The continuation of the lineage is a divine mission of man."
“Russia-China cooperation is one of the main factors of stability in the world”
Putin, who criticized NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the foreign policy headline, claimed that although he described Rutte as "smart and systematic", the alliance was trying to drag Russia into the war.
Reminding that the USA does not see Russia as a direct enemy in its new doctrine, Putin reiterated that NATO does not fulfill its commitments not to expand.
Putin, who opened a separate parenthesis to relations with China, said he saw Xi Jinping as a reliable friend and that Russian-China cooperation was one of the main factors of stability in the world. Putin reminded that the country with the highest trade volume with Russia among European countries is China.
Answering questions from citizens due to the Direct Line format, Putin listened to complaints about increasing food prices and inflation.
Answering a student's question about the price increase in the school canteen, Putin admitted that food inflation is higher than the general inflation.
Reminding the fluctuation in egg prices, Putin said that the government should carefully follow every segment.
Responding to a woman who stated that she could not buy a vehicle due to the increase in automobile prices and scrap tax, Putin argued that these taxes were necessary for the development of domestic industry.
The President pointed out the importance of supporting domestic production by saying, "It would be strange if I said buy a foreign car."
Putin, who also answered personal questions in the program, announced that it was a comet after answering a humorous "hidden weapon" to the question about an object approaching from space.
Putin also joked, "I totally agree, we need to end it," stating that he agreed with the audience message that "We are tired of programs related to Ukraine".
At the end of the program, Putin praised the unity and solidarity of the Russian people, emphasizing that the aid and voluntary participation sent to the front show the strength of the country.