"Putin's End-of-Year Event: A Failed Attempt at Dialogue Amidst Frozen Front and Stalled Western Aid for Ukraine"

Moscow appears to be in a festive mood despite being a wartime capital with casualties in Ukraine surpassing 300,000. With Western aid for Ukraine stalling and the front lines at a stalemate, President Vladimir Putin is ending the year on a triumphant note, boasting about Russia's economic resilience and improved military position. The Russian economy has remained strong, and Russian companies have capitalized on the departure of international brands. Putin's supporters believe that Russia operates well under external pressure and that the war will not end until Russia achieves its aims in Ukraine. However, there are concerns about rising inflation, a precarious national budget, and a shrinking workforce. Repression campaigns and arrests for antiwar protests have also been documented. Moscow's optimism may be seen as theater, with some analysts suggesting that Putin relies on passive conformism and indifference from the population.