Putin meets State Duma lawmakers: As it happened

The Russian president has reviewed the legislature’s record over the past five years

Published 27 Jul, 2026 10:56 | Updated 27 Jul, 2026 13:27

Putin meets State Duma lawmakers: As it happened

Russian President Vladimir Putin has met with State Duma members at the Kremlin Palace ahead of the completion of the eighth session of the lower house of parliament. The meeting was focused on reviewing the results of the legislature’s work over the past five years.

The Kremlin press service announced the event on Sunday and said Putin would summarize the results of the elected representatives’ “large-scale legislative work” during the current term.

State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin said earlier that members had adopted 1,147 laws directly aimed at protecting citizens, accounting for 38.5% of those passed during the period. According to Volodin, they addressed healthcare, tackling cyber fraud, the protection of spiritual values, and other socially significant matters.

Volodin also said every third law adopted by the current State Duma had been socially oriented. According to him, the legislators had passed 61 laws supporting families and protecting children, 71 concerning public health, and 80 pertaining to education.

The eighth term of the State Duma began its work on October 12, 2021 and consisted of 450 lawmakers from five parties, including Putin’s United Russia with 310 seats, the Communist Party, New People, A Just Russia, and the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia. The eighth term is scheduled to conclude its work on Monday, according to the information released ahead of the meeting.

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27 July 2026
12:02 GMT
Putin concluded his speech by describing the current period as a “difficult and truly deciding” one for Russia. “We’re going through a time of battles,” the president said, adding that this was understood not only by the authorities, but by the entire country.
Addressing lawmakers, he said they represented the Russian people and had acted as “soldiers” fighting for the country’s interests, adding that their constituents had reason to be proud of them.
11:55 GMT
Putin said Russia would continue pursuing its military objectives with caution and determination, warning that reckless actions could risk setbacks on the battlefield.
“We will act carefully and persistently to achieve all the goals that have been set,” he said.
11:47 GMT
After handing out the awards, Putin gave a closing speech, stating that Russia has retained its position as the world’s fourth-largest economy in terms of purchasing power parity and was now ahead of the EU by that measure.
He acknowledged that inflation and other risks remained, but argued that the economy had become more stable, allowing the country to expand industry, strengthen the defense sector and address social needs.
11:46 GMT
Putin presented state awards to a number of State Duma lawmakers, thanking them for their work during what he described as a difficult and decisive period for Russia.
11:31 GMT
Putin said Russia’s opponents have failed on the battlefield and are now resorting to terrorist attacks.
“The people of Russia will never be broken by anyone. This has not happened and will not happen in the future,” he stated, adding that the country’s political system and institutions of power are prepared to repel any hostile actions.
11:27 GMT
Putin accused Western countries of rejecting the right of nations to choose an independent path and selectively invoking the UN Charter only when it serves their interests.
“They want to see obedient vassals,” he said, adding that the use of double standards had become obvious to the entire world.
11:19 GMT
Putin said the “Russophobic machine” had gone into full force after 2022, resulting in an unprecedented number of sanctions against Russia.
He argued that the restrictions had failed to damage Russia as intended and had instead inflicted the greatest harm on the European and other states that introduced them. Attempts to weaken Russia’s economy, financial system, science and education had also failed, he added.
11:15 GMT

Putin said State Duma lawmakers had lived up to their responsibilities during a period of historic challenges, praising them for making difficult decisions quickly and professionally.
He highlighted legislation supporting Russian servicemen, the defense industry and vulnerable groups, saying parliament had acted confidently under pressure.
11:12 GMT
Putin stated that the last few years have been defining for the country and stated that Russia continues to successfully defend its security, interests, truth, and justice. The president added that its servicemen serving on the front line are heroically fighting to protect Russia and that they are supported by the entire country.

“We will achieve our goals, and together, we will do everything for our victory. For Russia,” Putin said.
10:16 GMT
Elections for the national legislature are scheduled to take place from September 18 to September 20. A total of 450 MPs will be chosen under Russia’s parallel electoral system, with 225 seats filled through single-member constituencies and 225 through party lists. No more than 11 political parties will be able to participate, according to Central Election Commission Deputy Chairman Nikolay Bulaev.

Bulaev said documents had been submitted by all parliamentary parties – United Russia, the Communist Party, the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia, New People, and A Just Russia – as well as six non-parliamentary parties: Yabloko, the Russian Party of Pensioners for Social Justice, Communists of Russia, Rodina, the Party of Direct Democracy, and the Greens.

27 July 2026
10:16 GMT
Elections for the national legislature are scheduled to take place from September 18 to September 20. A total of 450 MPs will be chosen under Russia’s parallel electoral system, with 225 seats filled through single-member constituencies and 225 through party lists. No more than 11 political parties will be able to participate, according to Central Election Commission Deputy Chairman Nikolay Bulaev.

Bulaev said documents had been submitted by all parliamentary parties – United Russia, the Communist Party, the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia, New People, and A Just Russia – as well as six non-parliamentary parties: Yabloko, the Russian Party of Pensioners for Social Justice, Communists of Russia, Rodina, the Party of Direct Democracy, and the Greens.
11:12 GMT
Putin stated that the last few years have been defining for the country and stated that Russia continues to successfully defend its security, interests, truth, and justice. The president added that its servicemen serving on the front line are heroically fighting to protect Russia and that they are supported by the entire country.

“We will achieve our goals, and together, we will do everything for our victory. For Russia,” Putin said.
11:15 GMT

Putin said State Duma lawmakers had lived up to their responsibilities during a period of historic challenges, praising them for making difficult decisions quickly and professionally.
He highlighted legislation supporting Russian servicemen, the defense industry and vulnerable groups, saying parliament had acted confidently under pressure.
11:19 GMT
Putin said the “Russophobic machine” had gone into full force after 2022, resulting in an unprecedented number of sanctions against Russia.
He argued that the restrictions had failed to damage Russia as intended and had instead inflicted the greatest harm on the European and other states that introduced them. Attempts to weaken Russia’s economy, financial system, science and education had also failed, he added.
11:27 GMT
Putin accused Western countries of rejecting the right of nations to choose an independent path and selectively invoking the UN Charter only when it serves their interests.
“They want to see obedient vassals,” he said, adding that the use of double standards had become obvious to the entire world.
11:31 GMT
Putin said Russia’s opponents have failed on the battlefield and are now resorting to terrorist attacks.
“The people of Russia will never be broken by anyone. This has not happened and will not happen in the future,” he stated, adding that the country’s political system and institutions of power are prepared to repel any hostile actions.
11:46 GMT
Putin presented state awards to a number of State Duma lawmakers, thanking them for their work during what he described as a difficult and decisive period for Russia.
11:47 GMT
After handing out the awards, Putin gave a closing speech, stating that Russia has retained its position as the world’s fourth-largest economy in terms of purchasing power parity and was now ahead of the EU by that measure.
He acknowledged that inflation and other risks remained, but argued that the economy had become more stable, allowing the country to expand industry, strengthen the defense sector and address social needs.
11:55 GMT
Putin said Russia would continue pursuing its military objectives with caution and determination, warning that reckless actions could risk setbacks on the battlefield.
“We will act carefully and persistently to achieve all the goals that have been set,” he said.
12:02 GMT
Putin concluded his speech by describing the current period as a “difficult and truly deciding” one for Russia. “We’re going through a time of battles,” the president said, adding that this was understood not only by the authorities, but by the entire country.
Addressing lawmakers, he said they represented the Russian people and had acted as “soldiers” fighting for the country’s interests, adding that their constituents had reason to be proud of them.