Vladimir Putin delivered his traditional speech to the nation this Thursday at Gostiny Dvor, a congress center located near Red Square in Moscow. The Russian president took stock of the past year and defined Russia's priorities, two weeks before an unopposed presidential election.
Putin welcomed the advance in Ukraine of his troops, who have achieved several successes in recent weeks against Kiev forces on the defensive and lacking ammunition. According to him, Western Russia must be “properly protected” after the enlargement of NATO to Sweden and Finland.