Putin describes it as him and Russia being ready to make peace – if its conditions are met – and that it is Ukraine that refuses to end the conflict peacefully. He points to the Ukrainian government's unwillingness to discuss the areas in eastern Ukraine that Russia wants to conquer.
Putin describes it, as many times before, as Russia being threatened and having had no other choice but to attack its neighboring country.
One of the few Western journalists present at the several-hour television event asks about his future plans: Are more “military special operations” (as the invasion is called in Russia) coming?
"There will be no more military special operations if you treat us with respect," Putin replies.
Responsibility for the fallen
During the ongoing negotiations, Putin has repeatedly declared that Russia will take the Donbass region by force if necessary. The heaviest fighting is currently taking place in a fortified line of towns in Donetsk that are of great importance to Ukraine's defense.
Putin is hammering home to viewers that Russian forces are advancing “along the entire front” in eastern Ukraine. In recent months, they have advanced somewhat faster than earlier in the war, but these are still marginal movements along a largely locked front line.
Another Western journalist on site asks whether Putin would bear any responsibility for all the fallen soldiers if the war continues next year.
"We do not consider ourselves responsible for the deaths of people because we did not start the war," the Russian leader replies, based on his own motive for the invasion.
Appropriate questions
The broadcast is tightly directed, but authorities say they have received millions of questions that ordinary Russians want to ask Vladimir Putin. Selected questions deal with high and low, big politics and local - and Putin has favorable answers to give, or promises to take responsible officials by the ear.
"This year, the hotline has received many wishes of happiness and prosperity for Putin," writes the state-run Ria news agency in passing.
Hundreds of thousands of Russians have died in the large-scale war in Ukraine. In an ongoing and independent review , some of the dead Russians – just over 153,000 – have so far been identified by name. In addition, there is a large unaccounted for number.
