"Russian President Vladimir Putin is preparing for his annual televised Q&A session, and a new poll shows Russians remain focused on two issues: the war and the economy. According to a poll of 1,608 Russians conducted by the independent Levada Center, the top two concerns Russians want to raise with Putin are when the war will end and how they're supposed to cope with a deteriorating economy."
"Beyond the top concerns, Levada found that 8% of respondents want to ask Putin about price growth and tax hikes, 6% about utilities and social services, and 5% about the healthcare system. The anxiety comes as Russia's inflation remains high, and the country's massive defense spending jostles with social spending. Putin's televised "Direct Line" Q&A session, scheduled for Friday, comes nearly four years after Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, triggering sweeping Western sanctions."
Russians are focused on the war in Ukraine and the economy ahead of President Putin's annual televised Q&A. A Levada Center poll of 1,608 people found about a fifth would ask when the war will end and 16% would ask about living standards, including salaries, pensions and benefits. Smaller shares cited price growth, tax hikes, utilities, social services and healthcare. Inflation remains high as heavy defense spending competes with social spending. Since the February 2022 invasion, the Kremlin shifted to a wartime economic footing with state-directed investment and elevated defense outlays, even as sanctions and export restrictions reshape trade flows. Energy export revenues have fallen amid softer oil prices, increasing economic strains and testing public patience.
Read at Business Insider
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