- By Mike Eckel
Ukraine.
One of the central policy questions for the Kremlin these days -- domestic or foreign -- is the issue of Ukraine, where a war in eastern Ukraine is now in its 8th year (more than 13,000 people have been killed in the conflict, which pits Ukrainian government forces against Russian-backed fighters.
(The Kremlin has strained credulity by denying involvement).
Putin repeats past comments about "unity" for the Russian and Ukrainian people, saying they are "one people."
And then he goes into a little bit of a historical disquisition touching on Israel, Austro-Hungarian empire, and other past events.
"Historically we were called Russians, Byelorussians, and Malorossians and we were one nation. Later, nationalists started changing it, and Bolsheviks added to that even more... Many do not know history and live in their own world," he said
Putin denies that the Ukrainian people are "unfriendly." And then he takes a swipe at President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
"It's the leadership, today's leadership, that is unfriendly," he says.
Putin says he's not opposed to meeting with Zelenskiy (the two have spoken on the phone), but he says they have to have something to talk about, to justify a meeting.
"Why should I meet with Zelenskiy if he has given up his country to full external control? Vital issues for Ukraine are unresolved not in Kyiv, but in Washington and partly in Berlin and Paris. What is there to discuss? I'm not refusing (to meet him), I just need to understand what to talk about," he said.
The Russian leader also takes the opportunity to dig at Zelenskiy's decision to impose financial restrictions against Viktor Medvedchuk, a powerful Ukrainian business and politician whose daughter is reportedly Putin's goddaughter.
Medvedchuk's TV station and media holdings are among the more pro-Russian outlets operating in Ukraine.
- By RFE/RL
Putin promises to write yet another "analytical" article about history. Efforts to change foreign minds about Russia's past seem to have become one of his favorite pastimes of late. Exiled Russian opposition activists greeted the news with mockery.
A video question recorded at a supermarket, woman asks why bananas from Ecuador are more expensive than Russian carrots and potatoes -- a question reflecting deep concerns about rising consumer prices, in part for simple items and staples. Putin, using a familiar tactic, says prices are high worldwide and are rising. Putin says state is watching this situation, trying to convey concern.
Here's an RFE/RL story about price concerns, which have only increased since it was published in March.
An agriculture question: Questioner says there's drought in the Bashkortostan region, wants to know when the state will compensate farmers for losses. Putin suggests money is coming soon. He is then asked whether there will be 'taxes on cattle' -- in other words, worrying about rumors that farmers will face further burdens. Putin says government is concerned and quips that the heads of people who spread such rumors should be taxed. Tactic: Respond to question with nonspecific promises and a joke.
- By Mike Eckel
A question from a woman in the Nizhny Novgorod region (about six hours east of Moscow) touches on a salient question for many average Russians: prices for land, real estate, and housing.
The woman, identified as Svetlana Ivanovna, asks Putin for help in making housing more affordable, or accessible, for her.
Putin takes the question and runs with it...into a mini-macroeconomics lecture.
Putin promises to try and cap the rise in inflation, which is currently running at around 6 percent (and which the Central Bank is concerned about).
"We have to suppress inflation, which is why the central bank slightly raised the key rate so that there won't be excess money supply in the economy. I hope that inflation will return to the 4 percent target but we are unlikely to achieve that this year," Putin said. "I think it will reach 5 percent."
Question: Why aren't regional governors pressed to conduct Direct Line Q&A sessions with residents? Putin suggests that's a good idea because direct communication with the people is always useful. This is in the tradition of publicly pushing regional and local leaders to take responsibility and do a better job addressing the concerns of the people.
Russia's vaccine mandates have proved very unpopular, and Putin has traditionally distanced himself from controversial policies -- including notably the pension reform of 2018, which he ultimately backed after much equivocation. So his vague message about the vaccine issue today was expected, even if likely damaging to his image. He's damned either way, you could say.
- By Mike Eckel
A question from Maksim in Surgut (a northern city and hub for Arctic oil and gas drilling) touches on small business, and whether the government is considering moves like tax holidays or more support for credit.
Putin responds with encomiums to Russia's small- and medium-sized businesses ("extremely important"), and says he's sympathetic with the man's complaints that he's paying too high a rate for bank loans (17 percent).
But Putin dances around the question about government intervention in loan rates, suggesting it might have blowback effect on the country's banks.
One of the most salient shifts in Russia's economy during Putin's 21 years at the helm is how much it is dominated by state companies, and companies dependent on budget funding.
Small- and medium-sized business make up just 20 percent of the economy, according to the federal statistics agency Rosstat.
By all accounts, that seems highly unlikely.