aren t really a problem, he s had business representatives telling him that any shortfall in western goods and services can in effect be replaced with better russian ones. it s a world in which there is no war, mr putin, of course, insists that his is simply a special military operation in ukraine to defend the interests of russian people and russian speakers. he hasn t really said very much about that this morning, limiting himself to a short statement in which he said that his mission would bring peace. perhaps, unlike most russians, and unlike many other people perhaps in that hall this morning, mr putin knows that his military operation hasn t been going according to plan, but he continues to keep a really tight grip on the narrative. as far as he is concerned, everything is under control, and i think the majority of russians continue to believe him. 0ur correspondent anna foster is in kyiv.
i must they the pictures coming out of the kremlin this morning are in stark contrast to those we are seeing coming out of ukraine, mr putin has been sat in a white and gold chair, he has been meeting carefully selected members of the publicer, including a couple of patriotic children, this is an vent which he has hosted before, it is called land of opportunity, and, it s a chance really for mr putin to present his version of russia and thenisis present his version of russia and then is is a world in which everything is fine, a world in which western sanctions are not really a problem, he has had business representatives telling him that any shortfall in western goods and services can in effect be replaced with superior russian ones. mr putin insists this is a special military operation in ukraine to defend the interests of russian people and
and the industry says help is badly needed. firstly, we need local authorities to distribute the cash that they are currently sitting on that s available to them to give grants to businesses to maintain employment. secondly, we need extended business rates relief so that these businesses don t face big bills injanuary. finally, extend the lower rate of vat, keep it at 12.5% through the summer. pressure on the government is growing, but this morning ministers weren t making any promises. the chancellor throughout this pandemic has been deeply engaged with business representatives throughout, and he will continue to do so. he was on a long planned business trip to the us, conducting government business, and he will continue to engage today with other ministers. the run up to christmas is one of the most important times of the year for hospitality businesses and their suppliers. those running them insist if they don t get help, many pubs and restaurants will not
visitor numbers obviously took a big hit in the last two years as the pandemic took hold. santa s business representatives they people are coming back but they have to take precautions. translation: the guests| are required to have corona passports when they arrive in finland. we ask all our guests to show their corona passport at the reception desk. and after that they are free to take part in all the activities. but, of course, the most important people here are the children. do you like santa? in a few days time, after the odd dry run, father christmas will be back on his travels, in a much bigger sleigh. his ambition, he says, to make this christmas happy and unforgettable. tim allman, bbc news.