Ukraine and gas: Putin asks questions from journalists

Created: 12/23/2021, 04:25 AM

Russian President Vladimir Putin will also speak out on his country's foreign policy.

© Mikhail Tereshchenko / Pool Sputnik Kremlin / AP / dpa

A year ago, Kremlin chief Putin asked himself questions at his annual press conference.

Now there is a new round.

At such appearances he likes to hand out against the West.

Today again?

Moscow - Russian President Vladimir Putin will also speak about the course of Russian foreign policy at his traditional annual press conference this Thursday.

As always shortly before the turn of the year, the Kremlin chief in Moscow (10:00 a.m. CET) takes several hours to comment on a wide variety of topics.

The list of questions is also long this year: What does Putin say about the new tensions in the Ukraine conflict?

What about the mutual deportation of diplomats after the verdict in the so-called Tiergarten murder?

What about the ongoing dispute over the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline?

Unlike a year ago, this time, according to the Kremlin, hundreds of journalists will be present in an event center in the city center.

More than 500 media representatives from Germany and abroad have registered.

State television broadcasts live.

Last year only hand-picked journalists were allowed due to Corona restrictions.

Even so, the event lasted four and a half hours.

The 69-year-old is expected to comment once more on the Russian proposals for binding safety guarantees.

Russia recently presented a draft agreement to NATO, the US and its allies.

To this end, the President telephoned several heads of state and government, including the new Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Negotiations are due to begin in January.

Ukraine conflict

Reports of alleged Russian preparations for an invasion of Ukraine have been causing international concern for weeks.

Russia rejects such allegations.

Another topic is likely to be the murder of an asylum seeker from Georgia by a Russian in Berlin in the summer of 2019.

The 56-year-old was sentenced to life imprisonment in the middle of the month.

The court sees the masterminds in the Russian state apparatus.

The federal government then expelled two employees from the Russian embassy.

Russia responded by expelling two German diplomats.

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Traditionally, the questions at the annual press conference also revolve around domestic politics and the economy.

In view of high prices, high unemployment and low incomes, Russians are very dissatisfied with Putin's policies.

In the past, the president acted as a carer who promised solutions to problems in the regions.

Putin has been in government either as President or Prime Minister for more than 20 years.

The tense corona situation in the largest country in the world is likely to be an issue again.

For weeks, Russia has recorded more than 1,000 deaths a day related to the virus, according to official government statistics.

Almost 48 percent of people in Russia are said to be double vaccinated.

dpa