Putin to address Russians today, likely to set objectives for next six years

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday will give his annual address to the nation and set the objectives for at least the next six years.

His address comes before 15-17 March presidential election which is expected to hand him an easy victory as his troops make gains in Ukraine and the economy weathers Western sanctions.

Two years into the Ukraine war, Putin finds himself in a more favorable position.

This time last year, Russian forces were facing setbacks from Ukrainian counteroffensives that pushed them back in northeastern and southern Ukraine.

However, following an unsuccessful Ukrainian counteroffensive in the summer of 2023, Kyiv has now shifted to defensive positions.

Moreover, the initial robust Western support for Ukraine seems to be wavering, evidenced by a stalled $60-billion US aid package in Congress.

With superior firepower on the battlefield, Putin’s troops have captured the eastern stronghold of Avdiivka and are striving to capitalize on their advancements.

Furthermore, on the economic front, Russia is performing better than anticipated.

Substantial investments in military production, coupled with high salaries and benefits for soldiers, have largely shielded the economy from the severe repercussions of Western sanctions.

‘Set the objectives’

Putin has assured that his speech would naturally touch upon the upcoming presidential elections scheduled for March 15-17, which notably lack genuine opposition candidates on the ballot.

While the election’s outcome seems predictable, Putin has been actively engaging with the media since the beginning of the year, even undertaking a recent flight on a Russian bomber.

He affirmed his intention to outline the objectives for at least the next six years during Thursday’s speech.

Other specifics of the address due to take place from 12:00 pm (0900 GMT) at the Gostiny Dvor Palace near Moscow’s Red Square remain unknown.

Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to discuss details.

“The president is personally working on the text” of the address, AFP quoted Peskov as saying on Tuesday.

Russian media reported that his speech would be broadcast not only on television but also free of charge in cinemas in 20 cities in Russia.

Elections, separatist, Ukraine

Putin could react to the appeal by pro-Russian separatists in Moldova’s breakaway region of Transnistria, who asked Moscow for “protection” on Wednesday.

He could also address a statement from his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, who refused to rule out the dispatch of Western forces to Ukraine.

The Russian leader traditionally takes stock of the past year and sets out new strategic directions in front of his country’s political and military elite.

For the past few years he has used the event as a platform to criticise what he calls West’s “decadence” - anything that deviates from the traditionalist values promoted by the Kremlin.

In 2023, he accused Western countries of using the conflict in Ukraine as a way “to be done with Russia”.

He also said Russians who had chosen “the path of betrayal” needed to be brought to justice amid a heightening crackdown on dissent.

Thursday’s speech also comes on the eve of the funeral planned in Moscow for Putin’s top opponent Alexei Navalny, who died in prison on 16 February in unclear circumstances.

Putin, who famously never referred to the opposition leader by name, has so far remained silent on Navalny’s death that prompted outrage at home and abroad.

With inputs from agencies