**Russian President Putin to Address the Nation**
Russian President Vladimir Putin will be speaking to the nation and taking questions from the public in his annual end-of-the-year speech. This event is a big deal in Russia, where Putin’s leadership is closely tied to the country’s politics.
**Two Million Questions Sent In**
State-run TV channels are saying that Russians have sent in two million calls, text messages, and appeals on social media to get their questions answered by Putin today. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov says any questions about Russia’s war in Ukraine will be taken seriously.
**Economic Concerns Over International Crises**
But it’s not just the war that’s worrying Russians. The economy is overheating, with inflation hitting 9.14% and interest rates expected to rise. Putin has put Russia’s economy on a war footing, with defence spending set to hit its highest level since the Cold War.
**Putin’s Marathon Speech**
Putin’s speech is expected to be a long one, lasting more than four hours like it did last year. He’ll be addressing domestic concerns and international crises, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The event will also feature live link-ups with different parts of the country.
**Live Coverage**
You can follow Putin’s address from 09:00 GMT by watching live above. Our team will be providing updates on any key lines from his speech, as well as coverage of other news around the world, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky meeting with EU leaders in Brussels.