The Kremlin announced on Monday that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not hold a marathon press conference this year, TASS and Interfax reported.

“As for the big press conference, yes, there won’t be one until the new year,” Dmytro Peskov told Kremlin reporters after being asked about it again on Monday.

Peskov has been asked about the topic several times in recent weeks, as the Kremlin has not announced an exact date for Putin’s annual press conference, Russia’s political event of the year.

“At the same time, we hope that the president will still find an opportunity to talk to journalists. He does it regularly, including during trips abroad,” he added.

Peskov was also asked whether Putin’s speech before the Federal Assembly will take place before the end of the year.

“The message must be clarified. We will continue to focus on the message,” he replied evasively.

Vladimir Putin’s traditional press conference in Russia

Last year, at the annual press conference, Vladimir Putin spoke to the press for more than four hours. Then he declared that he wanted to avoid a conflict with Ukraine and the West, but asked for security guarantees from Russia.

“You must give us guarantees. You! And without any delay! Now!” said the head of the Kremlin, answering questions from Sky News.

His statements came a week after the Russian Foreign Ministry sent an official request to Western countries in this regard, among Moscow’s demands was the withdrawal of NATO troops from Eastern Europe.

Two years ago, he answered questions about his family’s wealth, the poisoning of Alexei Navalny and the Sputnik V vaccine developed by Russian researchers.

Vladimir Putin’s final meeting with journalists has been held every year since 2001, with the exception of the period from 2008 to 2012, when he was prime minister.

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