24 June
Russian President Vladimir Putin says his country has endured the most dangerous stage of the coronavirus pandemic.
Putin made the remark in a televised address to the nation on Tuesday. He stressed there was no confusion in the country and praised people for understanding the real threat of the virus and knowing that to defeat it they had to unite.
Putin also urged the people to remain cautious as more than 7,000 new infections have been reported daily in the country. And he pledged continued economic support.
Russia will stage a military parade in Moscow on Wednesday to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the former Soviet Union's victory in World War Two. The event was originally slated for May but was postponed due to the coronavirus.
The speech and the parade come ahead of national vote on July 1 on a constitutional reform that would allow Putin to serve a fifth term.
Analysts say Putin used the speech to stress that his leadership and the people's united efforts have helped improve the infection situation so he can gain momentum ahead of the referendum.
NHK
