Vladimir Putin to skip annual Federal Assembly address in 2026

Russian President Vladimir Putin will not address the Federal Assembly in 2026, marking the second consecutive year he has declined to deliver the annual speech required by the Russian Constitution. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed the decision, stating that the President will deliver the address only when he deems it appropriate.

Under Article 84 of the Russian Constitution, the President is mandated to provide an annual message to the Federal Assembly, which includes the State Duma and the Federation Council, regarding the country's status and major domestic and foreign policy directions. Putin's last address to the two chambers took place on February 29, 2024.

While Putin has previously skipped these addresses in 2017 and 2022, this marks the first time he has bypassed the constitutional requirement for two years in a row. The Kremlin has not set a specific date for a future address, though it indicated that preparations for other annual events, such as a press conference and a televised direct line with citizens, are continuing.