Putin’s speech at Russia’s ruling party congress: As it happened

United Russia actively supports the president and his activities, despite him not officially being a member

Published 22 Aug, 2026 10:45 | Updated 22 Aug, 2026 13:10

Putin’s speech at Russia’s ruling party congress: As it happened

Russian President Vladimir Putin has delivered an address at the United Russia congress in Moscow, insisting that Russia won’t give up on the principle of popular rule despite the most difficult circumstances, and hold elections throughout the country next month.

The high-profile gathering in the capital was aimed at approving the ruling party’s program for the parliamentary vote on September 8-12.

Putin had already spoken at the first stage of the United Russia congress in late June, during which its candidate list, topped by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin, was finalized.

The president is not officially a member of United Russia, but the party has actively supported him and his activities since its foundation in 2001.

United Russia currently holds 315 out of 450 seats in the Russian legislature, the State Duma.

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22 August 2026
12:29 GMT
Ukraine is an example of what happens to a nation when its values are shattered, Medvedev said. The country finds itself in such a poor state because “they’ve been bringing up people with no values, with false values, for decades,” he explained.
12:21 GMT
The United Russia party will do even more to assist veterans of the Ukraine conflict and their families, Medvedev promised.
“We will provide support and help to everyone who has suffered from terrorist attacks by Ukrainian nationalists,” he said.
12:13 GMT
Several Russian oil refineries have recently completed repairs following damage done by Ukrainian drone attacks and have begun shipping additional volumes of fuel, Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandr Novak said during the United Russia party congress.
“There is enough diesel fuel, farmers are fully provided and the supplies from the country’s north are also secured. There is also enough jet fuel. The problems exist only with gasoline,” Novak said.
12:00 GMT
The leader of United Russia, Dmitry Medvedev, who also serves as the deputy head of the Russian Security Council, thanked Putin for his support of the party.
“With less than a month left until the elections, we are entering the most intense and active period of the campaign. I would like to thank the head of state for his high appraisal of the party’s work and his direct backing. This is a powerful incentive for all of us to act with full dedication,” Medvedev stressed.
© Sputnik / Alexey Nikolskiy
11:52 GMT
The president praised Russian civil society for its assistance to the military during the Ukraine conflict.
“I am confident that our soldiers will not let us down. All of Russia is with them now… Everyone: scientists, entrepreneurs, engineers, volunteers and our People’s Front. The whole civil society,” he said.
11:30 GMT
Putin thanked United Russia for backing him and wished the party success in the election.
“Together, we will definitely implement all our plans, move forward and serve Russia. Victory will be ours,” he said.
11:18 GMT
Even in the most difficult circumstances, Russia will not deviate from the principles of people’s rule and will hold elections throughout the entire territory of the country, the president said.
“The soldiers on the line of contact are also participating in it. This choice, this trust of the people, who are fighting and working for Russia today, must certainly be cherished,” he noted.
11:12 GMT
Speaking about the Ukraine conflict, Putin stressed that “the more difficult the situation on the front lines is for the enemy, the more barbaric their attacks become.”
The terrorist strikes on civilians inside Russia reveal the “Kiev regime’s Neo-Nazi nature,” he said.
10:59 GMT
The upcoming parliamentary elections will confirm Russia’s stability and its capability to respond to any external threats, Putin announced.
10:54 GMT
The delegates started changing “Russia! Russia! Russia!” as Vladimir Putin got on stage and wished everyone a happy National Flag Day.
“We are one people and we will fight together for our fatherland and its flag,” the president said.

22 August 2026
10:46 GMT
Dmitry Medvedev, leader of United Russia, has confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin will be taking part in the party’s congress.
All of Putin’s statements and proposals would be incorporated into the party’s People’s program before it is put to vote, he told journalists.
10:47 GMT
The People’s Program, which is to be approved during the congress, is “a plan of specific actions to ensure the confident and steady development of the country until 2031,” United Russia said on its website.
The document includes measures aimed at the modernization of education and healthcare infrastructure; support for agriculture and small businesses; the expansion of opportunities for young people; the preservation of cultural heritage, the development of sports and domestic tourism; as well as comprehensive social support for participants in the Ukraine conflict and their families, it said.
10:52 GMT
10:54 GMT
The delegates started changing “Russia! Russia! Russia!” as Vladimir Putin got on stage and wished everyone a happy National Flag Day.
“We are one people and we will fight together for our fatherland and its flag,” the president said.
10:59 GMT
The upcoming parliamentary elections will confirm Russia’s stability and its capability to respond to any external threats, Putin announced.
11:12 GMT
Speaking about the Ukraine conflict, Putin stressed that “the more difficult the situation on the front lines is for the enemy, the more barbaric their attacks become.”
The terrorist strikes on civilians inside Russia reveal the “Kiev regime’s Neo-Nazi nature,” he said.
11:18 GMT
Even in the most difficult circumstances, Russia will not deviate from the principles of people’s rule and will hold elections throughout the entire territory of the country, the president said.
“The soldiers on the line of contact are also participating in it. This choice, this trust of the people, who are fighting and working for Russia today, must certainly be cherished,” he noted.
11:30 GMT
Putin thanked United Russia for backing him and wished the party success in the election.
“Together, we will definitely implement all our plans, move forward and serve Russia. Victory will be ours,” he said.
11:52 GMT
The president praised Russian civil society for its assistance to the military during the Ukraine conflict.
“I am confident that our soldiers will not let us down. All of Russia is with them now… Everyone: scientists, entrepreneurs, engineers, volunteers and our People’s Front. The whole civil society,” he said.
12:00 GMT
The leader of United Russia, Dmitry Medvedev, who also serves as the deputy head of the Russian Security Council, thanked Putin for his support of the party.
“With less than a month left until the elections, we are entering the most intense and active period of the campaign. I would like to thank the head of state for his high appraisal of the party’s work and his direct backing. This is a powerful incentive for all of us to act with full dedication,” Medvedev stressed.
© Sputnik / Alexey Nikolskiy