Says that this spring Russia will deploy its first submarine equipped with a nuclear-powered, nuclear capable undersea drone.
Putin again goes over the deployment of new high-tech weapons systems that he discussed last year. Says development and deployment of them is proceeding without delays.
Perhaps predictably, state media makes a big deal about Putin's comment to the effect that Russia will be a sovereign state or won't be a state at all.
If U.S. deploys intermediate-range missiles in Europe, Russia will take measures both to threaten the territories where those missiles are deployed and to target the places where the use of such weapons are decided.
Says U.S. wanted to get out of the INF to develop its missile-defense systems. Reads some of the text of the treaty, says the missile-defense installations the U.S. has set up in Romania are capable of launching intermediate-range missiles, in violation of the treaty. Repeats assertion that Russia will not be the first to deploy intermediate-range missiles in Europe.
Moves to most tense topic -- relations with the United States. Criticizes U.S. for withdrawing from INF treaty, despite changes in international environment since it was signed. Says accusations that Russia violated the treaty were made up to cover up the U.S. desire to withdraw from the treaty. "They are violating it themselves while accusing others," he said.
Mentions Russia's special economic relations with India and Japan, ASEAN countries.
Praises Russia's work in the UN, CIS, Union State with Belarus, BRICS, etc.
Again stresses importance of sovereignty. Either we will be sovereign or we won't exist. Others will swallow us up.