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On a recent Friday, President Vladimir Putin participated in his annual Direct Line call-in show, which lasted nearly four and a half hours. This televised event allowed him to discuss various topics, including the conflict in Ukraine, relations with Western nations, and the state of the Russian economy. However, many of his statements were misleading or false, prompting a closer examination of some of the most perplexing claims made during the broadcast.
Budgetary claims and fiscal realities
Putin asserted that the federal budget deficit stands at 2.6 percent of GDP, with expectations of reducing it to 1.6 percent in the following year and maintaining it at 1.5 percent over the next three years. He attributed this achievement to effective government management, praising their ability to balance the budget.
While these figures are based on official projections, they omit a critical detail: the budget appears balanced largely due to wartime expenditures, which exceeded $137 billion in 2025 alone. To manage these costs, the government plans to increase the value-added tax (VAT) from 20 to 22 percent starting in 2026, a move justified as necessary for funding military operations against Ukraine. Putin characterized this tax increase as a mere temporary measure.
Peace negotiations and territorial demands
During the call, Putin claimed that accusations of rejecting peace plans are unfounded, asserting that the responsibility lies with Western leaders and the Ukrainian government. Despite engaging in discussions with the United States, Russia has not shown any willingness to compromise or agree to a ceasefire that would acknowledge its control over occupied territories.
Reiterating his demands from last summer, Putin insisted that Ukraine must cede control of regions such as Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia. He argued that these territories should be recognized internationally as part of Russia, a condition that Ukraine is unlikely to accept. Ongoing Russian offensives complicate the defense situation for Ukraine, but the Kremlin’s rigid stance on territorial claims remains unchanged.
NATO expansion and security concerns
Another recurring theme in Putin’s narrative is the perceived betrayal regarding the eastward expansion of NATO. He claimed that promises made to Russia about NATO expansion were disregarded, describing this as a cause for concern due to increasing military infrastructure near Russian borders. However, historical context reveals that no formal commitments were made by Western leaders, with discussions during the German reunification talks lacking any guarantees against NATO’s expansion.
Domestic laws and political repression
Putin defended Russia’s foreign agents law, suggesting it merely requires political activists to disclose their funding sources. He characterized this as a non-repressive measure, yet the reality is starkly different. Violations of this law can lead to criminal charges, with penalties including imprisonment. A recent case saw opposition figure Ilya Yashin sentenced to 22 months in absentia for such violations, contradicting Putin’s claims that no serious repercussions exist.
Furthermore, Putin’s assertion that military operations would cease with mutual respect between nations raises eyebrows. This is the first instance where he cited a lack of respect from the West as a rationale for the ongoing conflict. He deflected responsibility for the loss of life in Ukraine, claiming that the war was instigated by an unconstitutional coup in Ukraine rather than Russian aggression.
Future military objectives and strategies
In a separate meeting with the Russian Ministry of Defense, Putin reaffirmed his commitment to the original goals of the invasion, emphasizing the need to achieve Russia’s territorial ambitions in Ukraine. This includes the notion of reclaiming historical lands, which the Kremlin claims extend beyond the regions currently under its illegal control.
Despite rejecting Western peace proposals, Kremlin officials continue to shift blame onto Ukraine for the deadlock in negotiations. Putin’s claims about seizing additional territories if substantive discussions do not occur serve to place the onus on Ukraine, diverting attention from Russia’s ongoing military actions.
Putin asserted that the federal budget deficit stands at 2.6 percent of GDP, with expectations of reducing it to 1.6 percent in the following year and maintaining it at 1.5 percent over the next three years. He attributed this achievement to effective government management, praising their ability to balance the budget.0