1 of 1 Vladimir Putin during a question and answer session with the public on December 14, 2023 Photo: Alexander Zemlianichenko/Pool via Portal Vladimir Putin during a question and answer session with the public on December 14, 2023 Photo: Alexander Zemlianichenko/Pool via Portal
Russian President Vladimir Putin offered a rare apology Thursday after a woman complained to him about egg prices. The case occurred as part of the traditional endofyear question and answer session with the participation of the press and the public.
During the session, pensioner Irina Akopova appeared via video call sitting in the kitchen of her own home. She complained that the prices of eggs and chicken had skyrocketed.
“Have pity on the pensioners! We don't get millions in our pensions. Fix this! We have no one to turn to,” she said.
Then Akopova said she was counting on Putin's help.
The question reflected a real concern among Russians about the cost of living. Putin acknowledged that inflation could reach 8% this year.
“I apologize for this, but this is a failure of government work… I promise that the situation will be corrected in the near future,” the Russian president said.
The government said this week it will exempt 1.2 billion eggs from import taxes in the first half of next year to try to control prices, which have risen more than 40% this year.
The questionandanswer session is Putin's attempt to show that he understands the concerns of ordinary people. It's also a way to show that you're trying to solve problems.