The main question Russians would like to ask during the upcoming “Direct Line” with Vladimir Putin [coroczna konferencja prasowa z pytaniami obywateli]there is an issue ending the war in Ukraine — according to a survey conducted by the Levada Center. According to the study, 21 percent respondents considered ending the invasion a priority.
Among men, the issue of ending the so-called 18% considered a special military operation to be the most important. respondents, and among women – 24 percent. Among people who support Putin, this rate was 22 percent, and among people who do not support the president – 19 percent.
16 percent respondents are interested in when the standard of living will improveand the authorities will increase pensions, salaries and social benefits. Another 8 percent asks when price increases will stop and why VAT is increasing. Issues related to mortgage loans, utility bills, school and apartment renovations are of interest to 6 percent. respondents. Okay. 5 percent would like to know when will the authorities start “taking care of their country” and why the government does not implement presidential decrees.
In 2024, the issue of ending the war also ranked first with 22%. The next positions were taken by topics related to increasing prosperity (16%), prices and inflation (7%), and problems related to municipal services and emergency housing (6%). 5 percent respondents were interested in health care and education. In 2023, 21 percent were interested in ending the war. respondents, issues of low pensions and social problems – 8% each, standard of living and salaries – 7%, and 6% asked when Putin would leave the presidency.
Ordinary people suffer
Fatigue from the war that has been going on for four years is growing like a snowball in society. A closed survey commissioned by the Kremlin in October showed that for the first time since the beginning of hostilities more than half of citizens (53%) admit that they are “very tired of the special military operation”.
Another 27 percent stated that they “partially agree” with this statement. The percentage of the first group increased by 9 percentage points compared to 2024, and the percentage of the second group increased by 6 percentage points
One reason may be that the Russian economy is under enormous pressure. It is directly related to the costs of waging war against Ukraine, as well as the resulting Western sanctions. The regime is facing an unprecedented budget deficit. Ordinary people also feel the effects.
Everyday life in Moscow, October 2025Olesya Kurpyayeva / AFP
Putin's goal
Sociologists said war fatigue in 83 percent Russians. The percentage of people who are not tired and want the war to continue has dropped below 20 percent.
At the same time, the president seems to not worry about the opinions of its citizens and Western proposals. “The goals of the special military operation will be achieved unconditionally. We would prefer to eliminate the causes of the conflict through diplomacy, but if dialogue with us is rejected, Russia will liberate its historic lands by military means,” Putin said during Wednesday's meeting of the Russian Defense Ministry.
And all this at a time when international leaders are stepping up efforts to negotiate peace. The US is preparing new sanctions in case Russia rejects the draft agreement to end its war in Ukraine, Bloomberg reported, citing information from people close to the matter.
