MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin is to make his annual speech to the Russian people on Monday, a spokeswoman said on Sunday, adding that the address would be broadcast live on the country's two state-owned television channels.
Putin is due to speak for an hour from midday (0800 GMT), with his words being broadcast on the Pervyi Kanal and Rossia stations, Yulia Mikhailina said.
The Russian leader is expected to make his annual speech to parliament somewhat later, probably in May.
It will be the first time Putin has addressed his fellow-Russians since December 23 last year, when he made a three-hour speech that notably tackled the political-financial conflict around the Yukos oil group and the situation in Ukraine, which was then in the throes of a political upheaval.
The Russian president's annual address to the nation does not correspond to any particular holiday or commemoration.
04/24/2005 17:03 GMT