“The urgent issue”: Putin’s direct line 2021

Kremlin today

On June 30, the annual live broadcast was held, during which Vladimir Putin answered questions from Russians. It lasted almost four hours. The President touched upon the topics of vaccination and coronavirus, social benefits and housing and communal services, and much more. 

Первый канал

The topic of COVID-19 and vaccination

Vladimir Putin said that he was vaccinated in February 2021 with “Sputnik V”, because its positive effect persists longer than after “EpiVacCorona” and that there were no side effects after vaccination. 

The President also noted that about 10% get sick after vaccination. The presenter corrected him, saying that, according to Tatyana Golikova, 2.5% actually get sick. 

Mandatory vaccination was also not spared. Putin said that there is no vaccination against COVID-19 in the mandatory vaccination calendar, which means that mandatory vaccination will not be introduced throughout the country. Nevertheless, in the event of an increase in the incidence of diseases in the regions, mandatory vaccination may be introduced for certain groups of people who fall into the risk zone. This can only happen on the recommendation of the chief sanitary doctors. 

“There were proposals from colleagues to transfer vaccination against covid infection to this section of the national vaccinations, the national plan. But the deputies of the State Duma did not support it, so vaccination against COVID was not included in this section of the national vaccination plan and is not mandatory in the national plan,” — the president said. 

Foreign social networks

Blogger Nikita Levinsky asked a question to the president, thoughts about which drive almost all modern society into fear. And indeed, the information about the blocking of foreign social networks swept over the Runet in a huge wave. But Putin hastened to reassure the blogger and assured that this will not happen if all the requirements and laws of Russia are observed.

Первый канал 

Social benefits

In 2021, children from 6 to 7 years old going to school will receive a one-time social payment of 10,000 rubles. Vladimir Putin noted that children of six years old who will not go to school this year will also receive it. 

Also, the next 10,000 rubles will be received by schoolchildren from 6 to 18 years old. The payment will be made until August 17, 2021. You can apply for it either at the MFC, social protection departments and the FIU, or remotely through your personal account on the Public Services website. 

Other questions

Some people asked personal questions to the president, in response to which he either laughed off or began philosophical arguments. Someone addressed the question of dirty water in a new building, someone — about small salaries and loans, someone — about the death of livestock. The president promised to fulfill all requests. Somewhere — to deal with the local administration, somewhere — to allocate the necessary amount.