In a marathon televised address lasting over four hours, Russian President Vladimir Putin offered no indication he is prepared to alter his course in the war against Ukraine, despite facing domestic questions over the nation's creaking economy.
A Performance of Control with No Peace in Sight
The event, broadcast uninterrupted across all of Russia's main channels on Friday 19 December 2025, was designed to project an image of a leader in full control and attuned to public concerns. The tone was set by the very first question from the moderator: "When will there be peace?"
President Putin's response suggested a resolution remains distant. While stating that Russia desires peace and is open to an agreement, he immediately attached a significant condition. Any deal, he insisted, must "address the root causes" of the conflict, a formulation analysts interpret as a continued refusal to compromise on core Russian demands. He placed the responsibility for the lack of a settlement squarely on Ukraine, asserting the ball is in Kyiv's court.
Smugness on EU and a Stark Reality Check
The Russian leader appeared particularly satisfied when discussing the European Union's recent financial manoeuvres to support Ukraine. He accused Brussels of attempting "daylight robbery" for its plan to borrow money rather than directly using frozen Russian state assets, claiming the bloc's reputation as a safe haven for assets had been tarnished.
However, the carefully staged event was punctured by real-world developments. During the broadcast, news emerged of an unprecedented Ukrainian drone attack on a Russian oil tanker in the Mediterranean Sea, over a thousand miles from the primary frontline. This strike served as a stark counterpoint to Putin's earlier boasts about Russian military supremacy and potential new battlefield successes, underscoring Kyiv's continued capacity to challenge Moscow in unexpected ways.
Domestic Discontent Breaks Through the Pageantry
Beyond the war, the "Direct Line" format, which incorporates questions from ordinary citizens, revealed clear undercurrents of public frustration. One text message displayed on screen bluntly called the event "not a direct line but a circus".
The most persistent theme from the public centred on the severe cost of living crisis. Questions poured in about the price of basic goods like chicken, stagnating wages, rising taxes such as VAT, and the adequacy of state support for young families. This highlighted that nearly four years of war and international sanctions are imposing a heavy economic burden on Russian households, which remains a primary concern for the populace.
Ultimately, while the marathon broadcast aimed to reassure the Russian public, the nature of the questions indicated significant anxiety persists. More conclusively, President Putin's rhetoric provided no signal that a strategic shift in Russia's war aims or domestic policy is imminent. The address reinforced a familiar stance: unwavering on the international stage while grappling with growing economic pressures at home.
