MOSCOW, February 13. /TASS/. The Russian government and Presidential Administration are now preparing for President Vladimir Putin’s annual address to the Federal Assembly, the national parliament, on 21 February, but the press has not been given access to the process, which is taking place behind closed doors, Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov said Monday.
"Many departments of both the Presidential Administration and the government are involved, while the President maintains his own daily schedule of contacts," the spokesman said, responding to media inquiries about preparations for the speech. In Peskov’s words, "It’s a routine process."
"We have never made it public; it can extend for several days," the press secretary added, while also refraining from commenting on what part of the speech would cover the special military operation in Ukraine.
"Let’s wait until the 21st [of February] when the president will give his address," Peskov said. "We never disclose the contents in advance," he emphasized.
Previously, Peskov had informed the press that Putin would deliver his address to the Federal Assembly on February 21.