What we are addressing
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!• Leaders of the EU revealed a multi-billion dollar financial strategy for Ukraine’s economy and military over the next two years, with the funding sourced through borrowing instead of accessing frozen Russian assets within the bloc. The agreement, reached early Friday, provided a crucial support to Ukraine, which was quickly depleting its funds.
• In the meantime, Vladimir Putin held his year-end news conference where the Russian leader indicated that there would be no concessions regarding Ukraine. He described the EU’s strategy to direct frozen Russian funds to Ukraine as “theft.”
• Kirill Dmitriev, Russia’s leading economic representative, is anticipated to visit Miami for a summary of the outcomes from the peace negotiations involving the US, Ukraine, and Europe that took place in Berlin this week, according to a Russian source informed about the journey who spoke to Xenix News.
Sarcasm and critique emerge on screen throughout Putin’s yearly press conference.
By Xenix News Anna Chernova and Katharina Krebs
Russia’s yearly press event, called “Direct Line with President Vladimir Putin,” took place on Friday in a typical, meticulously planned display: extended responses, a calming demeanor, and a continuous attempt to present Putin as both in command and personally involved with regular Russians.
During the four-and-a-half-hour event, Putin highlighted his link to public issues, referencing communications from citizens, officials, and frontline troops, while including personal comments aimed at conveying warmth and empathy, at one moment even declaring he was “in love.”
At times, that fluid narrative was interrupted by quick bursts of sarcasm and critique displayed on large screens within the auditorium. Messages from viewers, visible for just seconds, varied from sharp critiques of the event, such as “This isn’t a Direct Line, it’s a circus,” to blunt inquiries regarding living conditions and political responsibility: “Considering life in the country, it’s odd that United Russia consistently secures a majority.” “Perhaps elections are not real?”
Others voiced concerns over declining internet connectivity, which has significantly worsened in the last year due to heightened security protocols associated with a rise in drone assaults on Russian soil. “When will ‘regular’ internet be back?” “It’s not even possible to direct inquiries to the president,” one message stated.
The majority of messages were generally neutral or positive, or centered on harmless subjects like potential successors to Putin.
The emergence of uncomfortable inquiries has turned into a regular aspect of the event. Comparable critical messages emerged in earlier years but remained unaddressed, with some speculating if their short-lived visibility is intentional, serving as a type of controlled dissent that aims to foster a perception of transparency without presenting an actual threat. The messages appear momentarily on the screen but are neither spoken aloud nor directly addressed to Putin.
Their brief existence provides a restricted and meticulously regulated view of public discontent, contrasting with an interaction that remains closely overseen, despite seeming spontaneous.
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