Grudinin Walks Out Of Second Debate
One day after the first debate among Putin's presidential challengers descended into chaos when Zhirinovsky called Sobchak a "whore" and Sobchak doused Zhirinovsky with a glass of water, the second debate featured the Communist candidate storming off the stage.
Wrap-up so far from our newsroom of Putin's state-of-the-nation speech today, which we live-blogged in this space earlier today.
Putin: Russia Has Developed Missiles To Evade Antimissile Systems
By RFE/RL
Russian President Vladimir Putin says his country has developed and successfully tested new nuclear weapons, including a nuclear-powered cruise missile and a nuclear-powered underwater drone, that would be immune, the Russian leader claimed, to enemy intercept.
In his annual address in Moscow on March 1, Putin said that the newly developed intercontinental ballistic missile Sarmat had an unlimited range and was capable of penetrating any antimissile system.
Using graphics and video, Putin said a new deep-water missile could be launched from submarines and target both aircraft carriers and coastal facilities and, he claimed, be impossible to track.
Putin said that a new strategic aircraft armed with cruise missiles had been successfully tested and was now in production.
CONTINUE READING
Says Russia and Russians must be bold and take the initiative. Says the next decade will be "a time of our victories." All stand as the national anthem plays. Speech over.
Says the world is going through a transitional period, but Russia will continue to move on its own unique path. Praises Russian unity, strength, knowledge, and talent.
Praises development of the Eurasian Union.
Praises Russia's close relations with China and India, Russia's role in international organizations like the UN, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, BRICS, etc.
Calls for renewal of the global security system, says Russia is ready to work on it constructively.