On December 19, 2025, Russian President Putin hosted his annual "Direct Line," featuring a live marriage proposal, serious policy talks, and controlled public engagement amid criticism.

On December 19, 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s annual “Direct Line” event featured a surprise marriage proposal from journalist Kirill Bazhanov, who asked his girlfriend Olga to marry him live on stage. Putin humorously responded, praising Bazhanov’s red bow tie and joking about collecting money for the wedding. The 4.5-hour session, held in Moscow, included serious discussions on pensions, infrastructure, and the war in Ukraine, alongside unusual questions about UFOs and love at first sight. Some live audience messages criticized Russia’s economy and elections, calling the event a “circus,” though Putin did not address them. Over 2.5 million questions were submitted nationwide, and while the Kremlin did not explain the appearance of critical messages, the event remained a tightly controlled display of leadership and public engagement.