The speech comes two weeks ahead of a presidential election in which Putin is expected to win another six-year term in a landslide.
Amid ongoing tensions, particularly concerning Russia's actions in Donbas and Novorossiya (regions in eastern Ukraine, which Russia claims to have annexed), Putin emphasized the importance of unity and sovereignty:
"Today, when our homeland is defending its sovereignty and security... the decisive role in this righteous struggle belongs to our citizens, our unity, devotion to our native country and responsibility for its fate…"
Regarding the war in Ukraine, Putin reiterated Russia's stance, stating, "We did not start this war in Donbas... We will do everything to end it, to eradicate Nazism." He highlighted the increased combat capabilities of the Russian armed forces and their progress in Ukraine.
Putin expressed readiness for dialogue with the United States on issues of strategic stability, while criticizing what he perceived as unsubstantiated accusations – regarding a potential Russian invasion of Europe – and attempts to draw Russia into negotiations on unfavorable terms.
In April 2025, Tashkent will host the 150th anniversary Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) for the first time in the history of Central Asia. This event brings together over 2000 parliamentarians from more than 100 national parliaments, providing a unique opportunity to discuss key global issues.
On April 3-4 of this year, Samarkand will host the first-ever high-level meeting between the European Union and the Central Asian countries. This landmark event will open a new chapter in relations between the regions, marking a transition to a qualitatively new level of multilateral cooperation. The very fact of organizing such a dialogue highlights the EU's strong interest in developing cooperation and its commitment to strengthening partnerships with the Central Asian states.
On 31 March, the city of Khujand, Tajikistan, hosted a trilateral summit attended by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan, President Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan, and President Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan. This momentous occasion marked the culmination of the border delimitation process among the three nations, a pivotal milestone in Central Asian geopolitics.