Putin Call-In: Russian president spends 4.5 hours answering questions live

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01:46

President Putin has held his annual "phone in", answering calls and questions from people across the country. Russian state media say that nearly two million questions were submitted before the high-profile event. In the end, President Putin fielded questions on everything from the economy to global security. Dan Ashby has more.

Most phone-in shows involve people complaining, but there are few where the man on the other end is the President himself. President Putin's 'Direct Line' has become one of his biggest events, reaching millions of viewers and projecting him as a man of action. His advice ranged from personal.

VLADIMIR PUTIN RUSSIAN PRESIDENT "We hope our national security and we assure best."

VLADIMIR PUTIN RUSSIAN PRESIDENT "Our forces are deploying in Russia's interests in this and they will remain there as long as it's beneficial for Russia."

And the timing of this is no coincidence, just days ahead of football's showpiece event.

DAN ASHBY MOSCOW "President Putin has been holding these phone-ins for more than a decade, but this one comes just before the World Cup. The Kremlin hopes it shows that President Putin is in control and listening to what Russians really want. But critics say it is a carefully constructed show - with many of the most difficult questions left out."

Either way, according to the government-run poll, President Putin is still wildly popular. So once again, Russians were able to call up their President. But his popularity will depend on whether they think he's listened. Dan Ashby, CGTN, Moscow.