MOSCOW, December 4. /TASS/. Russia faces unprecedented pressure and interference in its domestic affairs, but the country is strong and self-confident, and that is one of main signals given in an annual state-of-the-nation address that President Vladimir Putin delivered to the Federal Assembly on Thursday, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said live on Russian state-run news TV channel Rossiya-24.

“The president gave a clear-cut signal that we are strong and self-confident,” he said.

“Today we face unprecedented pressure and intervention in our domestic affairs,” Peskov noted. “Russia’s growth is absolutely unacceptable for our false ‘friends’ and these ‘friends’ are ready to stick at nothing, only preventing Russia from being a prosperous country which is standing firmly on its feet and can protect its sovereign right,” the presidential spokesman said.