Putin Warns Of Hard Times Ahead For Russia

In his annual speech to the Russian parliament, President Vladimir Putin urged self reliance and accused Western governments of trying to raise a new iron curtain around Russia in response to the country's annexation of Crimea and support for pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine.

The speech was delivered as concerns about the Russian economy mount. The rouble has fallen to historic lows and oil prices are also plunging — Russia depends on oil exports to boost its economy.

The BBC's Sarah Rainsford is in Moscow and tells Here & Now's Jeremy Hobson, "I think this speech was very much about boosting patriotic feeling in Russia, to tell Russians that they could unite and remain strong."

Note: This BBC piece can be heard in the Here & Now podcast or the WBUR mobile app.