14 December 2023 , 13:54
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Vladimir Putin's own citizens turned on him at a bizarre press conference today - in which they were able to question their leader on anything they liked.
And the members of the public took their chance to grill the 71-year-old world leader at the briefing in Moscow, Russia, with several questions concerning whether the nation was in touch with "reality".
Putin navigated his way through the interrogation, which also saw citizens flag concerns about the war in Ukraine and the increasing cost of living. Two million questions were submitted in the past fortnight, according to state media, but only a handful were displayed on large screens around the venue.
Russian citizens were able to grill their leader at the unusual event (Anadolu via Getty Images)Citizens and journalists used the annual end-year press conference to put enigmas to the President of Russia, including the questions "Why is your 'reality' at odds with our lived reality?" and "When will the real Russia be the same as the one on TV?"
One person echoed the sentiment, asking: "Hello. When will it be possible to move to the Russia which they tell us about on Channel One?' Another message questioned Putin's tactics in Ukraine, asking: "Can you win a war while being in 'active defence'?"
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A third message highlighted the soaring food prices in Russia, stating: "Cucumbers cost 900 roubles per kilo, tomatoes 950 roubles. It costs me 1,500 roubles to make a salad. I won't even mention fruit. Make the prices normal!"
Text messages posing questions were also sent via text message, and though they were not directly addressed by Putin, they were shown on screens in the conference hall. This unique method showed a change from the carefully orchestrated press conference, planned more as a show than a stage for critical examination.
Putin faced the cameras - and the music in the form of his own citizens (AP)The unexpected question marked a change from the usual scripted nature of the event, adding an element of surprise to the proceedings. One citizen asked: "When will the real Russia be the same as the one on TV?" This sentiment was echoed by another who queried: "Hello. When will it be possible to move to the Russia which they tell us about on Channel One?'
Trending topics include predictions that Putin's military "will collapse" as soon as the West stops supplying key tools, and a look inside the world's most beautiful railway station, so busy that train doors don't close. Putin's outdated weaponry, making it "impossible" to overload Ukraine, has also caused embarrassment.
Several questions on the screens also revolved around the increasing cost of gas, with one specifically targeting Russia's state-owned energy giant, Gazprom. One person asked: "We gave gas to China, we gave gas to Europe. When will there be Gas in Khakassia?
Seemingly unfazed by the messages, Putin neither displayed any concern nor directly responded to them. Instead, he focused on discussing his ongoing invasion, emphasising that Moscow's objectives, namely 'de-Nazification, de-militarisation, and a neutral status' for Ukraine, remain steadfast.
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