Putin’s press secretary Dmitry Peskov confirmed last Monday that work on the address has entered its final stages. The address will be broadcast by the main state channels online on 20 February starting at 12:00 Moscow time (9:00 GMT).
The Kremlin didn’t announce the topics to be touched upon in the speech; however, senators and lawmakers expect this annual address to focus on social policy. This includes issues such as overcoming poverty, increasing life expectancy, increasing citizens' well-being, evaluating government work and fighting corruption, creating the conditions for economic development as well as a discussion of the international agenda.
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The Russian President annually addresses the Federal Assembly with a message on the situation in the country and on the main directions of domestic and foreign policy. This is a political and legal document expressing the vision of Russia's strategic directions for the near future, which usually includes both political and economic provisions, as well as specific proposals on the legislative work of both houses of parliament. Senators, lawmakers, members of the Russian government as well as the heads of the country's Constitutional and Supreme courts are traditionally present at the event.
The latest address made by President Putin on 1 March 2018 lasted for a record-breaking two hours and was dedicated to the development of the Russian economy and the country’s defence capabilities, outlining Russia's domestic and foreign policy priorities.