He will also underline the depth of Russia's demographic crisis, and accuse the media of abusing journalistic freedoms. Many of our companies remain uncompetitive. Leaks suggest that Mr Putin will paint an alarming picture of Russia's falling birth rate. Media 'pressure' Mr Putin may be hoping that his frank and blunt account of the country's problems may steel Russians to make new efforts to overcome them. However, he has more criticism of the Russian media.
Journalistic freedom has very quickly become a tasty morsel.
The comment risks exacerbating liberal fears of a threat to freedom of speech in the wake of legal action against the country's largest independent media group, Media-Most, and the growing influence of the security services in the Putin administration.