Putin's Press Conference Amid Ukraine Tensions

Russian President Vladimir Putin held his annual press conference, addressing economic and military issues amidst ongoing tensions with Ukraine. Putin emphasized Russia's economic growth despite high inflation, asserting the country's position as a major global economy. The event coincided with the 'Direct Line' session, where citizens could submit questions, with over 1.6 million inquiries received, categorized with the help of AI technology. Notably, Putin claimed strategic gains in Ukraine, though recent weeks have seen escalated conflict, including the assassination of a Russian general in Moscow allegedly by Ukrainian agents. Domestically, Putin faced questions on poverty, healthcare, and infrastructure, while internationally, the focus remained on the implications of the Ukraine conflict and the fall of Russia's ally, Bashar al-Assad, in Syria. Despite challenges, Putin maintained a confident stance on Russia's military and strategic initiatives.