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Putin says three-child family should be norm in Russia Putin warns of foreign meddling in politics in Russia
(35 minutes later)
Russian President Vladimir Putin has urged more births in his annual state-of-the-nation address, saying a family with three children should be the norm. Russian President Vladimir Putin has suggested some opposition politicians are in the pay of foreign interests, saying it is unacceptable.
He promised greater financial support for families in regions of the country hit by a demographic crisis going back decades to Soviet times. In an annual state-of-the-nation address in Moscow strong on patriotic themes, he talked of the need to preserve Russian national identity.
It is his first such speech since being re-elected in March for a third term. He urged more births, saying a family with three children should be the norm.
His speech in the Russian parliament is also expected to touch on national identity in the multi-ethnic country. On the economy, Mr Putin said he wanted to "de-offshore" Russian business and curb fraud in public spending.
Appealing to patriotic feeling, Mr Putin pointed out that Russia had no worthy monument to its dead of World War I, an event largely eclipsed by the October Revolution of 1917.
It is his first such speech since being re-elected in March for a third term following a winter of political protests over ballot-rigging and state corruption.
His return to office has been accompanied by a crackdown on dissent with the arrest of opposition activists and introduction of restrictive legislation.
Opposition leaders are locked in a dispute with the city authorities in Moscow over plans for a protest march on Saturday.
'De-offshore'
Mr Putin gave no names when he made his accusation of foreign interference.
"Any external interference in our affairs is unacceptable," he said.
"A politician who receives money from beyond the borders of the Russian Federation cannot be a politician on its territory," he said to applause.
In July, Mr Putin signed a bill forcing foreign-funded non-governmental groups (NGOs) involved in political activity to register as "foreign agents" in Russia.
Critics condemned the move as a bid to gag NGOs which exposed vote-rigging and other abuses.
Turning to the economy, he said: "Our entrepreneurs have often been accused of lacking patriotism.
"According to available data, nine out of 10 transactions by them go unchecked by our laws."
State procurement must become more transparent and auditing of budgetary spending must be tightened, he said.
On the theme of nationality, Mr Putin said: "Not only should we develop confidently but keep our national identity, and not lose ourselves as a nation."