MOSCOW, March 1 (Xinhua) -- Putin's State of the Union address shows Russia's vision for development.
Xinhua News Agency reporters Jiang Youlin and Liu Kai.
Russia** Putin delivered a state of the nation address to both houses of parliament in Moscow on February 29, proposing domestic social and economic development guidelines, while attacking the West's anti-Russian policies.
Experts believe that in his speech, Putin comprehensively expounded Russia's development tasks and measures for the next six years. At present, Russia is about to speak, and this state of the nation address is also Putin's campaign platform for winning the support of voters. Putin hopes to show his determination to continue to lead Russia to new achievements in development against the backdrop of Western encirclement and suppression.
On December 14, 2023, Moscow, Russia, Russian ** Putin speaks at the "Annual Stocktake" event. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Cao Yang.
Focus on economic development.
Putin's State of the Union address lasted more than two hours, the longest ever. The content covers domestic economic development and relations between Russia and the West.
In his State of the Union address, Putin announced Russia's economic development goals for the next six years: by 2030, the share of Russian high-tech products and services in the domestic market should increase by 50%, exports of non-raw materials and non-energy products should increase by at least two-thirds, the proportion of Russian imports in GDP should fall to 17%, investment in key areas should increase by 70%, and at least 100 new science and technology parks should be built.
Putin stressed that Russia should have key technologies related to the health of citizens, food security, and achieve technological autonomy in areas that can promote sustainable economic development, such as machine tools, robotics, transportation, unmanned driving, aviation, marine, digital economy, new materials and chemistry.
Russian political scientist Alyona August said that despite the constantly changing international situation, Russia is actively pursuing development and working to realize its national interests.
Putin proposed that he would implement national projects such as "Russian Youth", "Talent" and "Family" to improve the quality of the younger generation. In addition, in his State of the Union address, Putin also put forward specific measures to reduce poverty, provide affordable housing, improve people's health, and improve the quality of education.
Alexander Kotov, chairman of the Council of Parliamentarians of Russia's Pskov Region, said that Putin's State of the Union address put forward many measures for economic and social development, which is very strategic.
This is the Kremlin photographed in Moscow, the capital of Russia, on February 7. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Cao Yang.
Attacking Western policy.
Referring to Russia's relations with the West, Putin said that the West has "a colonial habit and a habit of fomenting ethnic conflicts throughout the world" and not only tries to contain Russia's development, but also wants Russia to "be replaced by a vassal, decaying, dying space where the West can do whatever it wants."
Putin said that the West is trying to drag Russia into an arms race and bring it down in order to repeat the mistakes of the 80s of the 20th century. He said that the West wanted to create disputes with Russia and weaken it from within, but "they got it wrong."
Regarding Russian-US relations, Putin said that it is hypocritical for the United States to try to crush Russia while proposing a dialogue with Russia on strategic stability. Russia is willing to engage in dialogue with the United States on issues of strategic stability, but it is impossible to engage in dialogue without the issue of Russia.
Russian political scientist Bogdan Bezpalko said that Putin's message in his speech was that Russia resolutely defends national sovereignty, but does not actively seek conflict with Europe or the United States.
Regarding the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, Putin stressed that the Russian army will make every effort to complete all the tasks of the special military operation. Putin warned that attempts to make a new intervention in Russia could provoke a large-scale conflict using nuclear **. Russia's strategic nuclear forces are on full alert, all plans for the development of Russia's defense sector have been implemented, and Russia will continue to work on the development of a series of promising systems.
Analysts note that Putin's statement in the State of the Union address is intended to show that confrontation with the "collective West" is not an option for Russia, but that Russia is ready to deal with long-term tensions in relations with the West.
On December 14, 2023, Vladimir Putin (center) of Russia speaks at the "Annual Stocktake" event. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Bai Xueqi.
Boost voter confidence.
Analysts pointed out that there is still about half a month before the Russian ** election, and Putin hopes to win voter support through this rich state of the nation address.
Russian press secretary Dmitry Peskov said before Putin's state of the nation address that Putin will not only read out the address as Russia's incumbent, but also as a candidate. Therefore, this document can be regarded as Putin's election platform to a large extent.
Russian experts believe that in his state of the nation address, Putin mentioned a number of measures for people's livelihood, which will benefit the Russian people and boost their confidence.
Natalia Lindiglin, an expert at the Russian Institute of Regional Studies, said that the implementation of the goals set by Putin in his State of the Union address will change the lives of every family in Russia in the coming years.
Russian political scientist Sergei Semyonov believes that the main idea of this state of the nation address is that Russia is not "trying to desperately survive", but planning for better development. This shows that Russia is full of self-confidence and confidence in achieving its goals.