Putin’s press conference cancelled to avoid unsanctioned discussion about war in Ukraine – UK intelligence

The Kremlin has decided to cancel Putin’s traditional end-of-year press conference due to increasing concerns about the prevalence of anti-war feeling in Russia.

The relevant statement was made by the Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom on Twitter, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

According to the UK intelligence, on December 12, 2022, the Kremlin confirmed that Putin, for the first time in 10 years, will not hold his traditional end-of-year press conference.

The press conference became a significant fixture in Putin’s calendar of public engagement and was frequently used as an opportunity to demonstrate the supposed integrity of Putin.

“Although questions are almost certainly usually vetted in advance, the cancellation is likely due to increasing concerns about the prevalence of anti-war feeling in Russia,” the report states.

Kremlin officials are almost certainly extremely sensitive about the possibility that any event attended by Putin could be hijacked by unsanctioned discussion about the so-called ‘special military operation’, the UK intelligence added.

Photo: GAVRIIL GRIGOROV/SPUTNIK/KREMLIN POOL /PAP/EPA

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