On December 14, Vladimir Putin will organize a “Direct Line” with the Russian electorate. This will happen after last year the head of the Kremlin refused to “communicate with the people.”
The Institute for the Study of War told what questions citizens of the aggressor country primarily want to ask Putin during the “Direct Line”, which can be considered the beginning of his presidential campaign.
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A question that irritates the Kremlin
According to the results of a survey conducted by the independent Russian sociological organization Levada Center, the majority of Russians are interested in the course of the war in Ukraine. Analysts note that at the same time, this issue irritates the Kremlin authorities most of all.
Thus, 21 percent of respondents want to ask Putin about the completion and results of the so-called “svo.” In particular, this includes such topics as the timing of the end of the war, the end of mobilization and the possibility of peace or victory for Russia.
In second and third place in frequency, with an indicator of 8 percent, are issues of pensions and social programs.
What does it mean
Despite Moscow’s attempts to silence anti-war rhetoric, the Russian public continues to have questions about the end and outcome of the war. The Russian public’s persistent questions about the prospects for peace are consistent with recent independent Russian polls, which show that Citizens of the aggressor country increasingly support the withdrawal of troops from UkraineSo what more than half of respondents believe that Moscow should begin peace negotiations with Kiev.
According to analysts, Putin does not plan to make the so-called “his” the central theme of his presidential campaign. The head of the Kremlin will focus it on the supposed internal stability of Russia and increased criticism of the West. It is not yet known whether the Russian president will answer questions about the war during the Direct Line.
ISW notes that the Kremlin also appears to be increasingly taking steps to ensure that Putin’s actual electoral success does not depend on successes on the battlefield and the country’s military strengthening.
Putin increased the size of the Russian army
On December 1, the Russian President signed another decree, which increased the number of Russian troops by 170 thousand soldiers. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defense of the aggressor country stated that due to the expansion of the armed forces they do not plan to carry out mobilization. At the same time, they clarified that the Russian army will be built up gradually. It will be replenished by volunteers – residents of the country who want to serve under a contract.
They also explained the decision by a “threat” from the West and NATO.
Putin last increased the size of the Russian army in August 2022. Then it grew by 137 thousand soldiers. As a result, there were a total of 1 million 150 military personnel in Russia.
2023-12-07 05:11:00
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