Russian President Vladimir Putin is speaking at the United Russia congress in Moscow. The gathering is aimed at approving the ruling party’s program for the parliamentary election on September 8-12.

The party’s leader, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, has said Putin will be joining the delegates in the Russian capital.

Putin already delivered an address at the first stage of the United Russia congress in late June, during which its candidate list, topped by the likes of Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin, was finalized.

The president is not officially a member of United Russia, but the party has actively supported him and his activities since its foundation in 2001.

United Russia currently holds 315 out of 450 seats in the Russian legislature, the State Duma.

• 22 August 2026

  11:18 GMT

  Even in the most difficult circumstances, Russia will not deviate from the principles of people’s rule and will hold elections throughout the entire territory of the country, the president said.
  

  “The soldiers on the line of contact are also participating in it. This choice, this trust of the people, who are fighting and working for Russia today, must certainly be cherished,” he noted.

• 11:12 GMT

  Speaking about the Ukraine conflict, Putin stressed that “the more difficult the situation on the front lines is for the enemy, the more barbaric their attacks become.” 

  The terrorist strikes on civilians inside Russia reveal the “Kiev regime’s Neo-Nazi nature,” he said.

• 10:59 GMT

  The upcoming parliamentary elections will confirm Russia’s stability and its capability to respond to any external threats, Putin announced.

• 10:54 GMT

  The delegates started changing “Russia! Russia! Russia!” as Vladimir Putin got on stage and wished everyone a happy National Flag Day.
  

  “We are one people and we will fight together for our fatherland and its flag,” the president said.

• 10:47 GMT

  The People’s Program, which is to be approved during the congress, is “a plan of specific actions to ensure the confident and steady development of the country until 2031,” United Russia said on its website.

  The document includes measures aimed at the modernization of education and healthcare infrastructure; support for agriculture and small businesses; the expansion of opportunities for young people; the preservation of cultural heritage, the development of sports and domestic tourism; as well as comprehensive social support for participants in the Ukraine conflict and their families, it said.

• 10:46 GMT

  Dmitry Medvedev, leader of United Russia, has confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin will be taking part in the party’s congress.

  All of Putin’s statements and proposals would be incorporated into the party’s People’s program before it is put to vote, he told journalists.

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