Critical Messages Beamed On Screen In Front Of Putin
The Independent|December 15, 2023
The Russian president sought to paint a rosy picture of Russia at the four-hour-long event but citizens had other plans
TOM WATLING
Critical Messages Beamed On Screen In Front Of Putin

Across the four hours of a marathon end-of-year press conference, Vladimir Putin offered a familiar mix of threats and jibes against Western nations as he tried to paint a rosy picture of Russian life. However, he was confronted by criticism from ordinary Russians when text messages were beamed in front of him in an apparent gaffe.

Having cancelled the usual annual event last year, this was the first held since the Russian president launched his war almost two years ago. Mr Putin said “There will only be peace in Ukraine when we achieve our aims” – essentially forcing Kyiv into submission. It is a threat that Russia has repeated while Ukraine’s forces have put up a stout defence of their territory.

With Mr Putin having recently announced he is running for the presidency again in March 2024, he had to be seen to be backing his war machine, although even he let slip that any Russian gains in Ukraine were “modest”; Kremlin-speak for the fact that there has been little movement on the frontlines in recent months.

The heavily stage-managed news conference was watched by millions across Russia. Ordinary citizens submitted questions alongside those from journalists, and Russian media said at least 2 million were sent in advance, with some being shown on a screen at the venue, even if they weren’t answered by Mr Putin. That led to some awkward messages for the president.

This story is from the December 15, 2023 edition of The Independent.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the December 15, 2023 edition of The Independent.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE INDEPENDENTView All
Springboks reveal insights into secrets of their success
The Independent

Springboks reveal insights into secrets of their success

Rugby is a game of grey areas. From foul play to scrum-time skirmish, one's opinion on a particular incident can vary greatly depending on the lens through which it is viewed.

time-read
4 mins  |
November 13, 2024
Hall could solve England's specialist left-back problem
The Independent

Hall could solve England's specialist left-back problem

In their last 13 matches, England have only once started with a specialist left-back. Now a specialist left-back has emerged who debuted under Thomas Tuchel and who, even before the German takes charge, can benefit from the coaching of England's most-capped full-back.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 13, 2024
Coote's sweary Klopp rant loads pressure on referees
The Independent

Coote's sweary Klopp rant loads pressure on referees

When the video of referee David Coote ranting about Jurgen Klopp first came to light, some of the most influential figures at Premier League clubs were excitedly sending it around on WhatsApp.

time-read
5 mins  |
November 13, 2024
Labour looks set to smash straight into a jobs problem
The Independent

Labour looks set to smash straight into a jobs problem

Is Labour hurtling towards a jobs problem? The latest official data release does not make for happy reading for our accidentprone government.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 13, 2024
Watchdog fines Metro Bank £16m for failing customers
The Independent

Watchdog fines Metro Bank £16m for failing customers

A major bank has been fined millions for errors that left customers at risk. Metro Bank has been fined 16.6m by regulators for failings over money laundering controls from 2016 to 2020.

time-read
1 min  |
November 13, 2024
Inconvenient truth about this year's Booker winner
The Independent

Inconvenient truth about this year's Booker winner

Samantha Harvey's ‘Orbital', a meditation on the Earth and humanity, has scooped this year's prize. But Martin Chilton is sceptical it will make readers wake up to climate change

time-read
4 mins  |
November 13, 2024
'Male actors do get paid, more than us - that's a fact'
The Independent

'Male actors do get paid, more than us - that's a fact'

Sarah Greene has reunited with her 'Bad Sisters' for a second series. She tells Ellie Harrison about misogyny, donning an eyepatch, and looks back on the success of 'Normal People'

time-read
7 mins  |
November 13, 2024
KATHMANDU CHAOS
The Independent

KATHMANDU CHAOS

The Nepalese capital's shambolic main airport is a perfect case study in how to deter visitors, writes Simon Calder

time-read
3 mins  |
November 13, 2024
Fox on the box: 25 years of Lineker's Match of the Day
The Independent

Fox on the box: 25 years of Lineker's Match of the Day

Gary Lineker is leaving 'MOTD' at the end of this season, after a glittering tenure as the host of the BBC's flagship football show. Nick Hilton looks back on his highs and lows

time-read
8 mins  |
November 13, 2024
Dumping Lineker is a move the BBC will live to regret
The Independent

Dumping Lineker is a move the BBC will live to regret

Watching the flagship BBC News at 10 programme on Monday night, you might have been forgiven for thinking all was well in the world - that Gaza was no longer a killing field, that Ukraine was safe from Putin, that the planet had started to cool down.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 13, 2024