Putin to give long-anticipated state-of-the-nation address

By The Associated Press

Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to deliver his long-delayed state-of-the-nation address on Tuesday. Many anticipate the speech will set the tone for the year ahead and shed light on how the Kremlin sees its bogged-down war in Ukraine. Putin traditionally addresses a large audience of lawmakers and state officials, and the speech will be broadcast by all Russian state TV channels. While the Constitution mandates that the president deliver the speech annually, Putin never gave one in 2022. That year his troops rolled into Ukraine and suffered repeated setbacks. Now the address comes days before the war’s first anniversary on Friday.