What did Mr. Putin say in his federal message today?

Observers are paying attention to President Vladimir Putin's state-of-the-nation address to the Russian parliament today (February 21), as Moscow's special military operation in Ukraine approaches its first anniversary.

The Russian Constitution stipulates that the President is obliged to deliver an annual federal message to the parliament consisting of the State Duma (lower house) and the Federation Council (upper house), stating the situation and well-being of the federation, and giving instructions on the country's domestic and foreign policies.

President Vladimir Putin. Photo: Tass

RT quoted Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying that in this year's important speech, President Putin is expected to focus on a series of current "hot" topics such as the conflict with Ukraine as well as Russia's economic and social problems.

"At such an important and very complicated moment in our development and life, everyone is waiting for the speech, hoping to hear the president's assessment of what is happening and the special military operation," Peskov said on state television.

According to the spokesman, Mr. Putin will also assess the international situation and present his vision for the country's development after the West imposed a series of sanctions against Russia.

A day before Mr. Putin gave an important speech, US President Biden made a surprise visit to Ukraine, to affirm "unwavering support" for Ukraine on the first anniversary of the outbreak of war in this country.

At a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky, Biden announced an additional $500 million in military aid to the Eastern European country, and revealed that Washington would announce additional sanctions this weekend on Russian companies and oligarchs accused of evading sanctions or supporting the military campaign.

The Kremlin has not commented on Biden's trip or his new remarks, but some analysts say Putin could attack the US and its Western allies in his State of the Union address today.

Tatiana Stanovaya, founder of the political analysis company R Politik, believes that the Russian government leader may even announce the suspension or withdrawal from some treaties with the West.

According to Tass news agency, Mr. Putin will begin reading the federal message at 9:00 GMT (16:00 Vietnam time) today.

Mr Putin last delivered a federal address in April 2021. However, he did not do so last year, citing the “volatile and unpredictable nature of events during the period of Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine”.

Russian TV stations are expected to air the president’s speech for at least an hour, although it could be longer. Putin’s April 2021 address lasted 1 hour and 19 minutes, compared to 1 hour and 55 minutes in 2018.

Tuan Anh