Accessibility links

Breaking News
Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers his annual state of the nation address in Moscow on February 20.
Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers his annual state of the nation address in Moscow on February 20.

Live Blog: Putin's State-Of-The-Nation Address As It Happened

President Vladimir Putin has delivered his annual address to parliament as polls show trust in the Russian leader is at near record lows.

-- Russian President Vladimir Putin has delivered his annual address to parliament as polls show trust in the Russian leader is at near record lows. The speech lasted a little under 90 minutes.

The highlights were:

-- Putin said "our missiles will target the United States and not just countries where their missiles are stationed."

-- Putin calls for a raft of measures to lift up Russian families and promised Russians better living conditions “within this year.”

-- Putin said the country can now invest “colossal” resources in its development, using money “earned, not borrowed.”

09:42 20.2.2019

Blames problems on "powerful lobbyists" trying to undercut environmental reforms. Calls for government to act on the basis of the well-being of the people, not corporate interests.

09:43 20.2.2019

Lauds the opening of new national parks in Daghestan, Chelyabinsk Oblast, and other places. Calls for them to be protected from all development other than environmental tourism.

09:44 20.2.2019

09:44 20.2.2019

Echoes of Kremlin aide Vladislav Surkov's recent article, which portrayed officials at all levels as vessels of communication between the people and the "ruler" -- and warned they'd better not fail in that one job.

09:44 20.2.2019

Says Russian students doing well in international competitions, which shows that education system is improving. At same time, he notes that many schools don't have proper heating, plumbing, other basic necessities. Says this problem must be "completely resolved."

09:45 20.2.2019

Says schools were connected to the Internet in the 1990s, but now they must be given high-speed connections and taken to the next level.

09:46 20.2.2019

Students must have to ability to carry out "online projects" with students in other parts of Russia and abroad. Calls for measures to help people who want to choose careers in education, particular who want to work in rural schools.

09:47 20.2.2019

Calls for improving the cultural life of rural people, access to museums, cultural events, etc.

09:47 20.2.2019

09:48 20.2.2019

Says funding will be boosted for construction of village cultural centers.

Load more

XS
SM
MD
LG