Putin's message on Ukraine

Putin answered questions from the public and journalists during a combined program featuring the "Direct Line" and his annual press conference, which was broadcast jointly on television and radio stations across the country.

"OUR GOALS ARE NOT CHANGING"

During the program in the capital Moscow, which lasted approximately 4 hours, Putin answered 80 out of more than 2 million 800 thousand questions regarding domestic and foreign policy.

Touching upon the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, Putin said, "Peace will be achieved when we reach our goals in Ukraine. Our goals are not changing: the denazification, demilitarization, and neutral status of Ukraine."

Evaluating the relations between Russia and France, Putin stated, "We had sufficiently good relations with France. As you know, I went to France. (Emmanuel) Macron (President of France) came to Russia. We had busy agendas in bilateral relations and international issues. We are ready to continue interaction with France, but the French President cut off relations with us. It is not us, and it is not I, who cut off these relations. He (Macron) cut off these relations."

Stating that they are in interaction with the US regarding a prisoner exchange, Putin shared his hope that the dialogue on this issue is not simple, but a solution suitable for both sides will be found.

Addressing the issue of Russian natural gas shipments to Europe, Putin said, "The fact that Europe cannot get enough gas is the Europeans' problem. They (the Europeans) tried to hold us responsible for this. This is complete nonsense."

"DIFFICULT PROCESSES ARE TAKING PLACE IN ARMENIA"

Evaluating the recent processes in Armenia's domestic politics, Putin noted the following:

"Difficult processes are taking place in Armenia. It is not us who gave up on Karabakh. It is Armenia that recognized Karabakh as a part of Azerbaijan. They (the Armenians) did this on their own initiative and did not inform us that they were preparing to make such a decision. Difficult internal processes are taking place in Armenia. I do not think it is in Armenia's interest to abandon its membership in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), and the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO)."

Stating that Islamophobia and antisemitism are increasing in the world, Putin drew attention to the fact that the situation in Gaza is receiving a reaction in the Islamic world.

Putin said, "The number of those who think radically is also increasing. This is not a good thing. This is the result of the politics of some elites and the failure to find a fair solution to the Palestinian issue for decades."

"ADDITIONAL IMPORTS FROM TURKEY ARE BEING PROPOSED"

Touching upon the rise in egg prices in the country, Putin stated that this was caused by the failure to open egg imports in time, saying, "Additional imports from Turkey are being proposed. Our economic ties (with Turkey), including in the agricultural sector, are developing nicely. Imports from Belarus are also being proposed."

Stating that Russia's food security is ensured, Putin conveyed that there are problems regarding seeds in the country.

Answering a question about whether mobilization will be declared again in Russia, Putin said that 486 thousand people have been recruited into the army and there is no need to declare mobilization again. Vladimir Putin also answered a question from his own AI-generated double, stating, "This is my first double."