Putin could not call himself an unambiguously happy person

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday, December 19, during the "Results of the Year" that he could not unequivocally answer the question of whether he is a happy man. According to the head of state, on the one hand, he has enough reasons to consider himself a happy man.

"I was born in a simple working family. My ancestors in our family forcibly crossed the Danube in the XIX century. And from the archives brought me a paper where one of my ancestors was awarded the George Cross," Putin said.

In addition, relatives of the head of state fought on the fronts of the Great Patriotic War. He himself served in foreign intelligence, and the population entrusted him more than once with the position of the country's president.

"It is a huge honor and a huge responsibility. In principle, you could say - that's it, I'm happy, thank you. One could have said, "God forbid! What could be more!" But you know, this happiness cannot be complete until our guys come back from the front, until they are met by their mothers and wives and embraced by their children. Until our young people - girls and boys - create the number of families we need for the country and for Russia and have children," the Russian leader said.

Putin added that his other wish is for Russian scientists and artists and cultural figures to realize their plans. Only then he will be able to say that he is happy. He also explained why he never responds to insults that are often delivered to him from across the ocean. As the Russian leader explained, such outbursts from other people most often sound from powerlessness and show their low level of culture.

"It depends on the level of culture. I've already said - who calls names as they are called, is called as they are called, and it is done, in my opinion, from powerlessness. And why do we need to demonstrate this powerlessness? We have enough arguments to clearly and concisely state our position", - said the President.

On the essence of cases: over 1.6 million questions received on a direct line with Putin

In what format it will be held this time and what citizens are most concerned about

In March, Larisa Pautova, director of projects of the Public Opinion Foundation (FOM), said that the index of well-being of Russians amounted to 6.7 points out of 10 possible. She noted that this is the highest indicator since 2018. The specialist explained that the index of well-being of Russians combines three indicators - the degree of satisfaction with life, the feeling of happiness and self-assessment of the position in the social world.

The direct line with Vladimir Putin in 2024 is combined with a press conference for the media. The format called "Results of the Year with Vladimir Putin" allows the president to convey his position not only on citizens' issues, but also on the state and world agenda, which is often asked about by journalists. Representatives of Western media and foreign journalists accredited in Russia have also received invitations to the events. As of the morning of December 19, the number of requests sent to the direct line with the president exceeded 2 million.

The first live broadcast took place in December 2001. By the President's own admission, this event is the most powerful sociological poll, which allows citizens to convey their position and assessment of the country's leadership.

The latest news about the "Results of the Year with Vladimir Putin - 2024" - in the Izvestia story.