Putin says preliminary results of national projects to be summed up in 2020

MOSCOW - The preliminary results of the implementation of Russia's national projects should be summed up in 2020, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday.

"This year people should feel real changes for the better. It is on the basis of their opinion and assessments at the beginning of next year that we will evaluate the first results of our work on the national projects," Putin said at his annual address to the Russian Federal Assembly.

The government will then draw appropriate conclusions about the work quality and performance at all levels of executive power, he added.

According to Putin, the national projects are designed to improve the quality of life for all Russian citizens, which can only be achieved by "generating momentum in Russia's development."

Currently, the Russian government has completed the stage of outlining tools for achieving these long-term strategic goals and the work to achieve the goals has to begin immediately, Putin said.