Putin Gives Final Annual Address to Russian Ladies and Men
President Vladimir Putin gave what looks to be his final annual address to the entire Russian parliament on Thursday. The presidential address was originally scheduled for April 25th, but the funeral of Boris Yeltsin moved it up a day. He put down speculations that he would be seeking a third term. He also refused to give any suggestions as to who his successor might be.
Putin explained that he would speak about his years in office since 2000 and his recommendations for the future. While skirting questions about his future successor, he did promote a system of proportional representation for the lower house saying it would provide for fair results in the December election.
Putin focused mostly on national issues, vowing to promote Russian arts and culture around the world. He also discussed what he sees as an increase in foreign interference in Russia’s domestic and foreign concerns. He spoke about the Treaty on Conventional Forces in Europe, stating that Russia should not agree to the conditions until all the NATO countries had ratified it also. He stressed concern about the build up of military bases on Russian borders and proposed anti-missile defense system plans for Poland and the Czech Republic.
NATO officials have replied that the NATO members want to ratify an adapted version of the treaty after Russia fulfills its commitments.
