OREANDA-NEWS. Russian President Vladimir Putin took a tougher stance towards Western countries, the European and American publications came to this conclusion after the annual message of the Russian leader, most of which, meanwhile, was devoted to domestic Russian politics.

The Spanish newspaper ABC also noted that Putin's speech lasted an hour and twenty minutes, making it "the shortest speech out of 17 since he came to power in 2000." "Unlike other years, this time he did not announce anything sensational," it writes.

"The enemies of Russia will be sorry," - with these words begins an article in the Spanish newspaper Pais, dedicated to Putin's message, which was allegedly "embellished with threats to the West." At the same time, Pais draws attention to the fact that Putin does not want to "burn bridges" and intends to "have good relations with all members of the international community."

"Putin's statements in his annual address to the nation showed that the Russian leader is taking a tougher line towards his perceived opponents," sums up the Wall Street Journal.

As noted by the Spanish edition of ABC, "with a clear hint of Ukraine and its allies," the leader of the Russian Federation warned that "all the organizers of any provocation will regret it, as they have not regretted anything for a long time."

At the same time, the New York Times, Washington Post and Financial Times drew attention to the fact that Putin almost did not mention Ukraine in his address.

"The Russian president on Wednesday began his annual address to the Federal Assembly by boasting about Russia's scientific potential," the Mundo newspaper comments on the Russian president's words about three vaccines developed in the country. The Washington Post also noted that the president began his message with a pandemic, urging Russians to get vaccinated.

Many Western media also noticed that most of Putin's message was devoted to the domestic Russian agenda.