MOSCOW — What worries ordinary Russians the most? Price increases, withheld salaries and potholed roads, according to those preparing President Vladimir Putin for his highly choreographed annual call-in show on Thursday.
The Kremlin has been sifting through more than 1 million questions from across the country to get Putin ready for the television marathon, which often runs four hours or more. With Russia’s economy under stress from low global oil prices and Western sanctions, the Kremlin is particularly attuned to any rumblings of discontent.
“In order not to be surprised, Mr. Putin is watching the popular mood very intently,” said Dmitri Trenin, …read more
Source: PBS
