Emboldened Putin regards himself as 'incorporation of the national will of the Russian population'

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In his annual speech to Russians, President Vladimir Putin proclaimed that soldiers were advancing in Ukraine and warned the West of "tragic consequences" for any country that dared to send troops to Kyiv. Putin mainly focused on Russia's strong economic performance at home and outlined a number of small-scale domestic reforms as part of his pitch to Russians ahead of next month's presidential election. His speech was broadcast not only on state television but also on large digital screens and free of charge in cinemas across the country. On the economic front, he said Russia was faring better than many expected. Massive investment in military production, as well as high salaries and benefits for soldiers, has largely shielded the economy from the worst consequences of Western sanctions. There is little doubt on the outcome of the March 15-17 vote, with all genuine opposition candidates barred from standing and the Kremlin's most vocal critic, Alexei Navalny, now dead. But Putin has still been campaigning, touring the country and making media appearances since the start of the year, including recently flying a Russian bomber. The 71-year-old former KGB officer, in power since the final day of 1999, is the longest serving Russian leader since Joseph Stalin -- a record he is set to pass during his next six-year term. Even before Putin ordered forces into Ukraine in February 2022, he had increasingly portrayed himself as a defender of Russian values against a decadent, liberal and expansionist West. FRANCE 24's Tom Burges Watson is joined by Ulrich Schmid, Professor of Slavic Studies at the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland, and a Member of the Academia Europaea, a pan-European Academy of Humanities, Letters, Law, and Sciences.