Speculation Rampant As Putin Cancels Marathon End Of Year Presser

The news announced earlier today that Russian President Vladimir Putin would not hold his annual marathon end-of-year press conference has raised questions as to the reasoning behind the move, with media speculation ranging from potential health issues for the president to the significant setbacks experienced by Russian forces in the invasion of Ukraine.

• The end of year press conference has been a long-standing fixture for President Putin since coming to power over 20 years ago. The last time an end of year presser did not take place was 2012. The sessions often last for several hours, covering a wide range of topics and unlike in other pressers, foreign correspondents are often invited to ask questions.
• There have been a number of unconfirmed rumours in Western media in recent weeks speculating about the state of Putin's health, which could be a factor behind the cancellation.
• Another, potentially more credible, explanation is that Putin is unwilling to go on live national television to answer questions from a hostile foreign press corps regarding the war in Ukraine.
• With winter upon Ukraine, the options open to Putin and Russia are varied. One is that Russia holds talks w/Ukraine and/or the West to try to reach a ceasefire or agreement. One is that Russia maintains missile and rocket attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure to try to degrade morale for the civilian population while troop activity on the frontlines is suppressed by the weather. Most extreme is that Putin launches another general mobilisation in an effort to launch a significant military offensive. Extremely risky and would raise prospect of Russian public backlash.