Kremlin: “Direct line” with Putin will take place, but the timing is not set

The “Direct Line” with Russian President Vladimir Putin will certainly take place, but the dates for its holding have not yet been set, said press secretary of the head of state Dmitry Peskov.

At the briefing, Peskov was asked if the president plans to hold a “direct line” to communicate with the “ordinary people” against the backdrop of his meetings with scientists, the military and youth.

“Are those with whom he communicates not ordinary people? These same people? As a format for communicating with people, “direct line” is still on the agenda. And this format is in demand, and certainly it will take place. We can’t orientate in time yet, ”Peskov answered.

“Direct Line with Vladimir Putin” is a format in which the president answers questions from Russians and foreigners live. The first “straight line” was held in 2001, and then it took place every year, except for 2004 and 2012. In 2020, the Direct Line and Putin’s traditional big press conference were combined for the first time. In 2021, the event took place in June. Then, during the broadcast, the president answered 81 questions in just over four hours.

In 2022, there was no “direct line” and a big press conference with the participation of the president. In early August, Peskov reported that the “direct line” could be combined with a large press conference, but there was no exact decision on this issue yet. Also last year, there was no presidential address to the Federal Assembly. Today it became known that will take place February 21st. The last message from the President was on April 21, 2021.