Putin is taking questions from ordinary Russians along with journalists as his reelection bid begins

By HARRIET MORRIS
Associated Press

MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin holds his end-of-year news conference Thursday — and this year, ordinary citizens are getting the chance to phone in their questions along with those asked by journalists. Putin, who has held power for nearly 24 years and is running for reelection in March, did not hold his usual call-in show with ordinary Russians or his traditional session with reporters a year ago during the fighting in Ukraine. In addition, his annual state-of-the-nation address was delayed until February of this year. His last news conference was in 2021 amid U.S warnings that Russia was on the brink of sending troops into Ukraine. Putin has limited his interaction with the foreign media since the fighting began in Ukraine.