The Russian president held his annual end-of-year press conference on Thursday during which he addressed a wide range of questions
Russian President Vladimir Putin held his annual end-of-year press conference in Moscow on Thursday, combining it with the traditional marathon ‘Direct Line’ question-and-answer session. The event lasted over four hours, during which Putin answered 76 questions from Russian and foreign journalists, as well as the country’s citizens, on a range of matters, primarily the Ukraine conflict. However, some unusual and unexpected personal questions and moments also took place during the session. Here are some of them.
When asked, “What is Russia to you?” the president responded, that Russia is a huge country but the most important thing is the people. “I treat Russia like my family,” Putin said.
Asked whether he has obligations that he hates, the Russian president said he didn’t. “If people have entrusted me to be the country’s president, I set my mind to perform my duties with full dedication,” Putin said, emphasizing “Everything I have to do, I have to do with pleasure.”
Some text messages and questions from the viewers of the president’s press conference were displayed on the wall monitors of the studio.
One of them read: “Katya, I know you are seeing this. Will you marry me?”
Another text complained about the use of foreign words in everyday life in Russia. “How do you explain to grandma what the word ‘cashback’ means?” the author asked.
The next message asked Putin if he has any portraits in his office, and the president responded that there are none, but there is an icon and a bust of Russian scientist Mikhail Lomonosov.
Another text message flashed up on the screen asking the Russian president to allow polygamy in the country in order to improve demographics.
Earlier in the session, Putin said that the demographic problem is acute in many countries across the globe and that a special campaign has been initiated in Russia to deal with demographic and family-related policies. Programs include offering more financial benefits such as maternity capital and subsidies for pregnant women, as well as low rate mortgages for families, according to the president.
Asked whether Russia should introduce a blanket ban on porn websites, Putin said the issue was very delicate. “They watch porn everywhere in the world. It is like ordering a steak. This problem exists everywhere.”
According to Putin, the only real remedy is offering an alternative to porn which would appeal more to broader audiences. “So that a person takes a look at a porn website, and says: ‘No, I’ve already seen that. I want something else,’” he quipped, eliciting laughter from the audience.
When one viewer lamented that “some foreigners” sometimes call Putin insulting names, and he doesn’t respond, the Russian president said that it all depends on the person’s manners. “Whoever calls you names, calls themselves that.” This is done out of helplessness, Putin explained.
Putin was also asked if he would give Vladimir Zelensky asylum. “If he suddenly appeared like a jack-in-the-box, Russia does not refuse anyone,” Putin replied. However, he added that Zelensky would likely not need political asylum, as “he will most likely go abroad and be supported.”
The president was approached by an influencer who introduced himself as Vlad Bumaga (‘bumaga’ means ‘paper’). “Is this your pen-name?” Putin asked the man. “That’s my surname,” the blogger replied. Putin immediately reacted, referring to the popular game rock-paper-scissors, saying, “paper is stronger than rock in one game, congratulations.”
Asked about his dream, the president said it’s too personal. “Can I keep it to myself?”
Putin offered his own wishes to the Russian people.
“On the eve of the New Year – this is a family holiday – and especially Christmas, I would like to wish that you pay more attention to your loved ones. And I want to wish everyone success, happiness and prosperity,” Putin concluded.
