Live updates: Putin challenges West to 'high-tech duel' in Kyiv
NBCDEC 4 2024
Putin Re-iterates Readiness for Ukraine Peace Talks
Above: Russian Pres. Vladimir Putin speaks during his annual call-in-show and press conference at the Gostiny Dvor hall on Dec. 19, 2024, in Moscow, Russia. Image copyright: Contributor/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
This is a highly choreographed event with carefully selected questions to give the appearance that Putin is a competent CEO with a solid grasp of what's going on in his nation. The responses were so predictable that coverage could have been written up before the event even started.
Pro-Russia narrative
Responding to journalists and members of the Russian public, Putin gave frank and honest responses on the challenges currently facing the country, as well as outlining its progress and achievements.