Talks about need for improvements in "ecological monitoring" for clean air, water, soil.
Calls for measures to force producers to cover the cost of disposing of their products.
Says government must improve conditions for scientific research, innovation, and the introduction of new technologies.
Praises Russia's system of digital television. Best in the world. Notes that Russia is one of the few countries in the world with its own, domestic social-media companies.
Now turns his attention to the upcoming 75th anniversary of the end of World War II. Says Soviet victory in the war continues to "inspire" Russia today. Warns of efforts to misinform about the war and says Russia is creating the world's largest archive of war-related documents to present the "truth" to the world.
Now turns to international affairs and notes that local conflicts can quickly turn into global problems. Calls for the political will and wisdom to deal with these through the United Nations. Calls on nuclear-weapons powers to work together to improve global stability. Russia is "open to cooperation" with all partners and is not interested in forcing others to conform to its will, he says.
- By Mike Eckel
TRASH!
Putin's mention of disposing household rubbish and trash is a hat tip to the stubborn protests that have been occurring in the northern Arkhangelsk region, in opposition to a proposal to ship Moscow region trash to a landfill near the Shiyes settlement.
There've been other environmental protests that have popped up around the country in recent years: near the town of Volokolamsk, in the Moscow region, protesters blocked a major highway and clashed with riot police last year.
In a country where opposition and anti-government protests have been steadily curtailed, the landfill protests have resonated.
Putin didn't appear to have much in the way of concrete proposals, but he did talk about need for improvements in government "ecological monitoring" for pollution in air, water, and soil.
Claims that Russia is leading in the global arms race and that other world powers can only dream of developing weapons that Russia already has.
Russia's greatness is inseparable from the well-being of every citizen, Putin says.
Putin now turns his attention to the constitution, noting that the current one was adopted in 1993 during a time of crisis. Says many people are calling for a new constitution, but Putin says there is no need for that. However, he says that he will propose some amendments aimed at improving living conditions.