MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Earlier in the day, the Russian Kommersant newspaper, citing sources familiar with the situation, reported that Putin's "Direct Line" conference would take place on April 14.
"Indeed, ‘Direct Line with Vladimir Putin’ is being prepared, we will traditionally give the exact date closer to the point. Traditionally, the questions will be picked in the course of the week, different formats of gathering information will be implemented," Peskov told reporters.
"There will be new presenters. I cannot name them so far. In any case, the work is underway. The essence of the event does not change. The president completely immerses himself in the problems of the citizens, and does so not through statistical compilations, reports of the ministries and departments, but deals directly with the addresses, complaints and letters of the citizens," Peskov said.
Putin's hotlines have become a well-established tradition throughout the years of his presidency. The first live session was held in April 2001. Their duration has been increasing steadily over recent years, with the 2013 conference lasting a record 4 hours 47 minutes. The last hotline in 2015 was held on April 16.
