Overview
- Regional journalist Kirill Bazhanov, wearing a red bow tie and holding a sign reading “I want to get married,” proposed to his girlfriend during the televised press conference.
- Hosts later interrupted the session to announce she had accepted, citing TASS on air, prompting applause in the hall.
- Bazhanov used his turn to raise concerns about the cost of living and heavy mortgage burdens facing young couples.
- Putin declined an implicit wedding invitation but said he would “pass the hat around” and added that a man should be the breadwinner, according to AFP.
- Secondary reports said Putin suggested the couple look to regions with lower mortgage rates, underscoring the economic theme that followed the proposal.