The president of Russia Vladimir Putin before the beginning of the traditional annual message to Federal assembly of Russia in the Marble hall of the Kremlin.

The president of Russia Vladimir Putin (centre), the chairman of Council of Russian Federation Sergey Mironov (left) and the chairman of the State Duma Gennady Seleznev (right). The president of Russia Vladimir Putin has acted with the traditional annual message to Federal assembly of Russia in the Marble hall of the Kremlin.

The president of Russia Vladimir Putin (centre), the chairman of Council of Russian Federation Sergey Mironov (left) and the chairman of the State Duma Gennady Seleznev (right). The president of Russia Vladimir Putin has acted with the traditional annual message to Federal assembly of Russia in the Marble hall of the Kremlin.

The president of Russia Vladimir Putin (left) and the chairman of Council of Russian Federation Sergey Mironov (right). The president of Russia Vladimir Putin has acted with the traditional annual message to Federal assembly of Russia in the Marble hall of the Kremlin.

The president of Russia Vladimir Putin has acted with the traditional annual message to Federal assembly of Russia in the Marble hall of the Kremlin.

The president of Russia Vladimir Putin has acted with the traditional annual message to Federal assembly of Russia in the Marble hall of the Kremlin. Journalists listen to Putin's statement in foyer.

The president of Russia Vladimir Putin has acted with the traditional annual message to Federal assembly of Russia in the Marble hall of the Kremlin. Journalists listen to Putin's statement in foyer.

The president of Russia Vladimir Putin has acted with the traditional annual message to Federal assembly of Russia in the Marble hall of the Kremlin. The journalist listens to Putin's statement in foyer.

Russian president Vladimir Putin addresses joint session of the both houses of the Federal Assembly (State Duma and Federation Council) with the annual state-of-the-nation speech. The address was delivered in the Kremlin Marble Hall.

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives at the joint session of the both chambers of the Federal Assembly (State Duma and Federation Council) to deliver the annual state-of-the-nation address. The event took place in the Kremlin Marble Hall.

Russian president Vladimir Putin addresses joint session of the both houses of the Federal Assembly (State Duma and Federation Council) with the annual state-of-the-nation speech. The address was delivered in the Kremlin Marble Hall.

A charwoman cleans the lobby of the Kremlin Marble Hall as President Vladimir Putin (on the TV screen) delivers the annual state-of-the-nation address to the joint session of the both houses of the Federal Assembly (State Duma and Federation Council).

A charwoman cleans the lobby of the Kremlin Marble Hall as President Vladimir Putin (on the TV screen) delivers the annual state-of-the-nation address to the joint session of the both houses of the Federal Assembly (State Duma and Federation Council).

Leader of the Russian Communist party (KPRF) Gennady Zyuganov arrives at the Kremlin Marble Hall to attend joint session of the both houses of the Federal Assembly (State Duma and Federation Council). Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered to the legislators his annual state-of-the-nation address.

Deputy chief of the Kremlin presidential staff Vladislav Surkov (left) greets vice-speaker of the State Duma Lyubov Sliska (half-obscured right) at the joint session of the both houses of the Federal Assembly (State Duma and Federation Council) summoned to listen to President Putin's annual state-of-the-nation address. The Federal Assembly session was held in the Kremlin Marble Hall.

Deputy chief of the Kremlin presidential staff Vladislav Surkov (second from the left) is greeted by the State Duma members Gennady Raykov (left), Georgy Boos (second from the right), and Vyacheslav Volodin (right) at the joint session of the both houses of the Federal Assembly (State Duma and Federation Council) summoned to listen to President Putin's annual state-of-the-nation address. The Federal Assembly session was held in the Kremlin Marble Hall.

Russian presidential representative (polpred) in the Volga Federal District Sergey Kiriyenko attends the joint session of the both houses of the Federal Assembly (State Duma and Federation Council) summoned to listen to President Putin's annual state-of-the-nation address. The Federal Assembly session was held in the Kremlin Marble Hall.

Vice Speaker of the State Duma Lyubov Sliska attends the joint session of the both houses of the Russian Federal Assembly (State Duma and Federation Council) summoned to listen to President Putin's annual state-of-the-nation address. The Federal Assembly session was held in the Kremlin Marble Hall.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, flanked by Gennady Seleznev (right), speaker of the State Duma, and Sergey Mironov (left), speaker of the Federation Council, readies to deliver his annual state-of-the-nation address to the joint session of the both chambers of the Federal Assembly. The event took place in the Kremlin Marble Hall.

Tatarstan President Mintimer Shaymiyev (left) and businessman Vladimir Bryntsalov (right) attend the joint session of the both houses of the Russian Federal Assembly (State Duma and Federation Council) summoned to listen to President Putin's annual state-of-the-nation address. The Federal Assembly session was held in the Kremlin Marble Hall.

The Kremlin Spasskaya Tower is pictured behind the foreground of empty beer bottles.

Chairman of the Russian Accounting Chamber (public audit agency) Sergey Stepashin (left) and Prosecutor General Vladimir Ustinov (right) arrive at the Kremlin Marble Hall to attend President Putin's annual state of the nation address delivered to the joint session of the Federation Assembly (both houses of parliament).

Khakasia republic governor Alexei Lebed waits for the president Vladimir Putin speech to the federal assembly in the Kremlin.

Editor-in-chief of the Moscow News paper Victor Loshak arrives at the Kremlin Marble Hall to attend President Putin's annual state-of-the-nation address to the joint session of both houses of parliament.

Lyudmila Narusova, widow of the late St.Petersburg governor Anatoly Sobchak and representative of the Russian republic of Tyva legislature in the Federation Council (upper house of parliament), attends President Putin's annual address to the joint session of the Council and State Duma.