Putin 'Always Ready for Sensitive Questions' During Q&A Sessions

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russian President Vladimir Putin always insists on replying to the highest number of questions from the Russian people, so as to touch upon the most important issues.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Russian President Vladimir Putin is not afraid of any questions during Q&A sessions with the public and is always prepared to answer to sensitive questions, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Saturday.

On April 14, Putin held an annual Q&A session, where he replied to 80 questions on regional and international matters, including Russia’s relations with Turkey and the United States, as well as the Russian leader’s reaction to the so-called Panama Papers offshore allegations.

"I've never seen or heard of questions of which the president would be afraid. In fact, he always prepares for sensitive questions, that is, he always tries to find acute issues to give an answer regarding them," Peskov told the NTV broadcaster.

The spokesman added that Putin always insists on replying to the highest number of questions from the Russian people, so as to touch upon the most important issues.

The Direct Line marathon conference is a well-established tradition that has continued since 2001. This year’s televised phone conference with the Russian people lasted 3 hours and 40 minutes. Over 3 million questions to the president were logged ahead of the Q&A session.