Russian President Vladimir Putin will deliver his annual address to the Federal Assembly on Thursday, covering key issues from education to foreign policy.

Traditionally held in December, the address comes less than three weeks before the presidential election on March 18th. It was also moved from the Kremlin, where it is usually held, to Moscow's Manezh building, a large exhibition space in the city center. Putin will deliver the speech to members of both houses of parliament, the cabinet and other members of the Russian political elite. He is expected to promise higher welfare and infrastructure spending.