Thursday, December 22
![](https://www.foreignbrief.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/President-Putin-holds-ann-017.jpg)
PUTIN HOLDS ANNUAL MEETING
![Putin](http://54.221.93.237/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/President-Putin-holds-ann-017.jpg)
Vladimir Putin will hold his annual meeting with government members on Thursday where he will run through major events of the year. The meeting will be followed by high-level talks with Russian business representatives.
Putin made a speech earlier this week, asking the government to formulate an economic plan for the country to see it to 2025. At the centre of the plan is a goal to outstrip average global economic growth rates by 2020. While Russia’s unemployment rate is hovering around a respectable 5%, economic activity has been sluggish following a drop in demand for natural resources, presenting the plan’s architects with serious challenges.
Outside of Russia, 2016 has been a good year for Mr Putin. His support for Bashar al-Assad appears to be paying dividends as the regime solidifies its control over western Syria. Just a week ago, the president rounded off a series of diplomatic talks with a visit to Japan, concluding several economic deals.