Russian President Vladimir Putin will deliver a message to the Federal Assembly on February 21, ahead of the anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine. This was announced at a briefing on Friday by the press secretary of the head of state Dmitry Peskov.
The annual message, which traditionally took place at the end of the year but was postponed amid the war, will focus on the “current situation,” including in the economy and social sphere, Peskov said.
The message will be held in Gostiny Dvor, and it is possible that new categories of guests will be added to deputies, senators and high-ranking officials – for example, participants in the war, Peskov said (quoted by Interfax).
Following the message, the Kremlin is preparing a big “rally-concert” with the participation of Putin, which may take place on February 22 at the Luzhniki stadium, three sources familiar with the discussion of the event told RBC.
The previous event of this format took place in Luzhniki on March 18, 2022, almost a month after the start of the war in Ukraine. The Interior Ministry reported that 200,000 people took part in it, most of whom were public sector employees and students.
The date of the message, according to RBC sources, was specially chosen as close as possible to the anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine. Peskov said on Friday that Putin could follow up with another postponed event — the annual Direct Line TV show, where the president demonstrates communication with citizens.
Source: The Moscow Times
