The key facts

  • Peskov: preparations for the call-in show are underway, it will take place before the end of 2026
  • Earlier the press secretary named December as the timing
  • In 2025 the event took place on December 19 and lasted 4 hours 27 minutes

Preparations have begun

The press secretary of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Dmitry Peskov, confirmed that preparations for the head of state's annual call-in show have begun. 'As you know, preparations are now underway for the call-in show, which will take place before the end of this year,' RIA Novosti quoted him as saying. Earlier, Peskov specified that the event was scheduled for December. The report of preparations beginning was brought by Gazeta.Ru.

How it looked last year

The call-in show traditionally takes place in the last month of the year in the format of a combined major press conference and 'Results of the Year.' In 2025, it took place on December 19 and lasted 4 hours 27 minutes: the president answered more than 80 questions, and the total number of collected appeals exceeded 2.5 million. The record remains the 2013 call-in show — 4 hours 47 minutes. By subject matter, social issues led in 2025 — 18.94%, followed by questions about the special military operation in Ukraine — 7.81%. Thus, the confirmed change for 2026 is the very fact that preparations have begun and the guideline of 'before the end of the year,' while the exact date has not yet been officially named: December appears as Peskov's earlier specification.

A notable case from past years

From reports about past call-in shows, one such case is also known: a daughter's call to the call-in show with Putin reportedly saved her mother's life.