Urges all Russians to get a vaccine and help develop "collective immunity."
Putin turns his attention to Russia's demographic problems. Says "preserving the Russian people" is the government's highest priority. Admits that life expectancy has fallen during the pandemic but pledges to overcome this difficulty. Says Russians must remain vigilant about the virus and follow the recommendations of doctors and the government.
As President Putin kicked off his speech, the number of people registered to take part in the nationwide "Free Navalny" protests being held later in the evening to put pressure on the Kremlin to release jailed opposition leader Aleksei Navalny from prison stood at 466,101.
Members of Navalny's team originally said they would announce the fresh rallies once 500,000 people had registered, but plans changed due to Navalny's failing health amid his third week of a hunger strike.
For the Russian speakers here, you can get more insights and analysis by following along with RFE/RL's Russian Service blog here.
Praises law enforcement, military, and security forces for preserving Russia's security during the pandemic. Praises teachers, parents, and students for continuing their work. Says Russia's cultural life also continued through the pandemic thanks to new technologies. Praises the "solidarity of the people." Praises Russia's "traditional religions" for supporting the country in the crisis. Says Russia's moral and cultural values were strengthened by the crisis.
Putin praises Russian scientists for developing three vaccines against the novel coronavirus.
He thanks the millions of Russians who worked to get the country through the pandemic. Reminds everyone that he visited a Moscow coronavirus hospital back in the early days of the pandemic "to feel for myself" what was happening.
Putin opens by promising a focus on internal problems, an overture to a Russian population that has seen real wages fall for several years and growing frustration over economic stagnation, exacerbated by the effects of the coronavirus pandemic in Russia.
Putin begins, as expected, by mentioning the pandemic, which hit the entire world as a surprise. Talks briefly about the hard times at the beginning of the pandemic when hospitals were overflowing and supplies were short. Putin, however, never doubted that Russia would get through and praises the country for "coming together."
President Putin has entered the hall and has begun his speech. Says the speech will be primarily about domestic matters -- health care, the economy. Will say "several words" about security and international issues.