Putin to deliver state of the union address on February 29

Russian President Vladimir Putin will deliver his state of the nation address on February 29, two weeks before the presidential election in which he is seeking another six-year term.

Putin will address the Federal Assembly about his goals for the coming year, the Kremlin said on Tuesday.

It is all but certain that Putin will secure a fifth term in the elections set for March 15 to 17.

He has consolidated his grip on the country over the years, with members of the opposition banned, jailed and killed.