Putin feels more confident than a year ago – world media about the Russian President’s address to the Federal Assembly

On Thursday, February 29, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a message to the Federal Assembly. This is an annual public address by the head of state to both houses of parliament.

It assesses the state of affairs in the country and determines the main directions of domestic and foreign policy. Usually about a thousand guests are invited to the ceremony – senators, State Duma deputies, members of the government, heads of the Constitutional and Supreme Courts, governors, chairmen of regional legislative assemblies, and so on.

How the world media reacts to this:

• At Le Parisien noted that the Russian president, apparently, feels much more confident today than a year ago. The publication is confident that this was facilitated by Russia’s success in Ukraine.
• The President of Russia addresses the country in a speech that is broadcast not only on television, but also for free in cinemas in twenty cities, drew attention to Le Monde.
• Al Jazeera writes: “Putin said that anyone who tries to invade Russia will face harsher consequences than during World War II because the country now has weapons capable of hitting targets inside Ukraine.” The publication draws special attention to the president’s words that Moscow is ready for dialogue with Washington on issues of strategic stability – however, there can be no talk of any negotiations if they do not meet Russia’s national security issues.
• Against the backdrop of Russia’s successes in Ukraine, writes Le Figaro, Vladimir Putin gives his speech to the nation this Thursday. It is a highly publicized annual speech during which he lays out Russia’s priorities, two weeks before a presidential election he is certain to win. Despite the strict sanctions regime, Russia continues to refute negative forecasts. According to the IMF, GDP growth is expected to be 2.6% in 2024. “In the near future, Russia will become one of the four largest economic powers,” Vladimir Putin said on Thursday.
• British The Guardian, in turn, what especially stands out is Putin’s words that Russia will “fight back” and “defeat” NATO on the territory of the alliance in response to the threat of expansion, which raises serious fears of nuclear war.
• Putin criticizes the “colonial tendencies” of the West, which, according to him, “intends to destroy” Russia, notes Sky News. The Russian leader often pauses for applause and says the US is “absolutely determined” to create division in the country.
• As the American publication notes New York Post, Putin “repeated his accusation that the West is seeking to weaken Russia and suggested that Western leaders do not understand how dangerous their interference in what he calls Russia’s internal affairs could be.” According to the newspaper, the “visibly angry” president thus gave a very specific response to Macron’s idea that European NATO members send troops to Ukraine.
• The Russian President warned NATO that the consequences of the deployment of allied troops in Ukraine would be “tragic,” calling accusations that Moscow is planning to attack Europe “nonsense,” the Spanish newspaper writes. El Periodico.
• The Financial Times highlighted the words of Vladimir Putin that Western support for Ukraine risks provoking a global war. The Russian president has made his most explicit threat to use nuclear weapons since ordering troops into Ukraine two years ago, a British newspaper said.
• Putin said anyone who tries to invade Russia will face worse consequences than during World War II because the country now has weapons capable of hitting targets in enemy territory, warns El Mundo. In a “threatening tone,” he assured NATO countries that they risked a nuclear conflict if they sent troops to Ukraine.

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