Putin addresses ninth Duma Priorities and commitments

Sep 30

In TASS's released recording of his September 30 address to the ninth Duma's first sitting, Vladimir Putin describes deputies' responsibility to voters and says the chamber is almost half renewed. He marks four years since Russia claimed Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson as its regions, calls the referendums lawful under international law, praises war participants and civilian reconstruction workers, and welcomes deputies from those territories. He urges defence and victory efforts and better support for servicemen and their families. He calls for a balanced three-year budget, full social and national-programme commitments, family and housing support, regional fiscal stability and a new investment cycle. Recalling his Eastern Economic Forum proposal, he says the unified Far East–Arctic preferential business regime should operate from January 1, 2027. He endorses constructive debate and legislative quality, rejects populism and dependence on foreign handouts, and asserts that Russia's finances and economy are sound. He urges removal of outdated barriers to enterprise and research and forward-looking laws supporting technological leadership. He calls for contact with constituents, interprets the election as national unity and asks United Russia to respect other factions and seek consolidated support for key decisions. Volodin thanks him. Territorial legality, electoral motives and economic strength remain Putin's claims; policy instructions and the proposed regime deadline do not establish enacted laws or completed implementation.

In his September 30 address at the new Duma's first sitting, Putin marks four years since Russia claimed Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson as constituent regions. He depicts this as historical unity and asserts that millions made a lawful referendum choice in accordance with international law. He praises participants in the war, thanks civilian rebuilding workers and parliamentary parties while emphasizing risks to their lives, and welcomes deputies from the four territories as beginning Duma work for the first time. He claims shelling and threats did not intimidate their voters. Territorial legitimacy, legality and electoral interpretations remain Putin's and the broadcaster's claims, not independently established conclusions.