Now turns to international affairs and notes that local conflicts can quickly turn into global problems. Calls for the political will and wisdom to deal with these through the United Nations. Calls on nuclear-weapons powers to work together to improve global stability. Russia is "open to cooperation" with all partners and is not interested in forcing others to conform to its will, he says.
Now turns his attention to the upcoming 75th anniversary of the end of World War II. Says Soviet victory in the war continues to "inspire" Russia today. Warns of efforts to misinform about the war and says Russia is creating the world's largest archive of war-related documents to present the "truth" to the world.
Praises Russia's system of digital television. Best in the world. Notes that Russia is one of the few countries in the world with its own, domestic social-media companies.
Says government must improve conditions for scientific research, innovation, and the introduction of new technologies.
Calls for measures to force producers to cover the cost of disposing of their products.
Talks about need for improvements in "ecological monitoring" for clean air, water, soil.
Again calls for reform of the Criminal Code as it affects business. Notes that small businesses complain that they are sometimes charged with being "organized-crime organizations."
Now discussing what is needed to "stimulate investment." Tax reform. New laws "on the protection of investments." Support for medium and small businesses, as well as for major projects.
- By Mike Eckel
Among the most acerbic commentators and critics of the Kremlin is a 27-year-old man who lives in the North Caucasus region of Daghestan and whose physical disability has confined him to a wheelchair.
Aleksandr Gorbunov's commentary -- on his Telegram channel and his Twitter feed -- riled local and federal authorities so much that last year his home in the city of Makhachkala was raided by authorities.
Read RFE/RL's profile of Gorbunov here from May 2019.
Gorbunov had this quick, hot take on Putin's speech today.
“A little bit of humiliation of the great superpower is now ongoing live: billionaires with unlimited power who have run the country as they want for 20 years are sitting in a hall promising to arrange hot meals for young elementary school students.”