For Victory we need socialism!

Gennady Zyuganov, Pravda, February 26, 2026 —

On February 25, Chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation and leader of the Communist faction, G.A. Zyuganov, spoke at a plenary session devoted to the government’s report to the State Duma.

Dear deputies!

Members of the government!

Comrades and friends!

Today’s government report is of a fundamental nature. It is being delivered amidst a war we’ve been waging for four years now. NATO and the Anglo-Saxons declared this war on us, seeking the destruction of the Russian world. This leaves a special mark on our joint struggle and demands the utmost coordination and responsibility in our work.

I thank everyone who made decisions to support our valiant army, our soldiers, and our officers. Last year, we unanimously passed all the laws necessary to provide such support.

I must say frankly that the fate of Mishustin’s government is unenviable. He had to overcome COVID-19 and then keep the economy from collapsing amid the brutal sanctions imposed on our country. And in 2023-2024, despite these circumstances, the cabinet achieved growth rates above the global average. It did everything to ensure that rural areas achieved a record harvest and that construction became a true driver of the economy. The Prime Minister personally oversaw nine major areas that ensure our scientific and technological progress. And here, we managed to make significant progress.

The greatest misfortune for any people, for any country, is the loss of historical time. At the end of the last century, we lost three five-year plans and almost lost the Russian Federation. To his credit, Putin was able to propose a strategy that saved the country and kept it among the leading powers. Our president and Chinese leader Xi Jinping have together formed a broad front of BRICS and the SCO, which opposes the current aggression of the collective West and the imperial designs of the United States.

But we can’t turn a blind eye to the fact that social problems have been mounting and economic growth has been slowing significantly for over a year now. It has essentially stalled. And unless we make a number of fundamental decisions today, we will continue to slide downward. Because the setback that occurred last year, in my opinion and that of our scientists, is purely man-made. It is the result of miscalculations that could have been avoided by pursuing a more responsible policy. If we had regulated prices for food, medicine, and housing and utilities, if we hadn’t allowed interest rates to balloon to the point of stifling half the economy, there simply wouldn’t have been any setback.

But today, even official statistics paint a very alarming picture. Economic growth has slowed almost fivefold – from 4.9% to 1%. This is absolutely unacceptable! Of the 26 manufacturing and extractive industries, 21 are either stagnating or have fallen into the red. Even during the war, production in metallurgy has decreased by 14%. In the automotive industry, it’s down 30%. Tractor and combine production has fallen by 21%. And this is happening while we have a shortage of agricultural machinery in the fields! All of this should have been calculated and adjusted in advance.

Over the past year, we’ve only carried out 17 space launches. And by February 23rd alone, 500 enemy drones had been launched at us. Yes, our military shot down almost all of them. Only two missed. But who’s guiding them to our territory? If you have mounting problems in the space sector, you’ll find yourself more vulnerable to enemy strikes tomorrow.

Companies strangled by the stranglehold of debt have practically stopped investing in development and high-tech innovation. All funds are spent solely on current needs, with no resources left over for investments in the future.

The combined foreign debt of the state and private businesses has reached $380 billion. In rubles, that’s half of our budget. And the budget deficit is approaching 6 trillion rubles. And it could reach 10 trillion if things continue at this rate. We proposed our development budget, which would increase treasury revenues by at least 10 trillion. Had you accepted it, the situation today would be completely different.

And the most alarming thing is that the country continues to die out.

The question arises: why is all this happening? You know our answer: with this socioeconomic course, we cannot consolidate victory on the battlefield. We cannot! In 1945, we defeated fascism and won the most terrible war in part because the Urals defeated the Ruhr, and not vice versa. Not only were our troops on the front lines stronger than the enemy, but our economic rear was also stronger. And if we don’t invest maximum effort and maximum resources in this rear today, it could cost us dearly. Because the combined economic potential of those fighting against us is ten times greater than ours. And in our socioeconomic policy, we must decisively abandon the legacy of the devastating 1990s. Its continuation guarantees inflation, the stifling of production, economic decline, and the continuation of Western financial and economic dictatorship.

What should we do? In my opinion, the president has proposed the ideal formula. It’s sovereignty based on self-sufficiency, cutting-edge technology, excellent science and education, social cohesion, and sustainable growth at least at global rates. Everyone is in favor. But for this formula to be implemented, we need to implement the appropriate policies and invest the necessary resources in development.

Even in wartime, if you don’t regulate prices, concentrate resources, or define key objectives, you’ll lose. Therefore, our task is to take the necessary measures as quickly as possible.

What are we proposing? First and foremost, stop blaming international rules, which today only hinder our progress. We didn’t reject them, nor did we abolish them. The West itself did that. And we must understand: these rules no longer exist. They’ve been consigned to the dustbin of history. The American president is already openly claiming the role of emperor of the globe and is creating his own Peace Council, which he’s attempting to replace the UN Security Council with. And if we prove weak in the face of this dictate, we’ll ultimately be torn apart more brutally than Yugoslavia, Iraq, and Libya. We are the planet’s main storehouse. And those who aspire to global domination need us only as an obedient appendage, a source of raw materials. And if the rules that could serve our interests and our security are finally rejected, then we have no right to play by someone else’s rules. We propose rules that align with our national interests.

It’s high time to spread the unique experience of our people’s enterprises throughout the country. Why are you rejecting this? I once again invite the government to carefully study this experience. You will see how businesses operate where everyone is an owner. Where there are the highest rates of production growth, a comprehensive benefits package, the best wages, and care for children and the elderly. Where churches for believers are built independently. Come there and see for yourself!

Recently, the president hosted the governor of my native Oryol region, A.E. Klychkov. He asked: How did you manage to achieve growth rates four times higher than the national average? How did you achieve a record harvest? And our governor answered bluntly: we were able to lay an investment foundation early on, investing half a trillion in development. And we set a world harvest record because we relied on the brilliant experience of the team led by Academician Kashin. On their scientific approach to agricultural development, which had been implemented in our region for many years. We built an entire network of top-tier enterprises there, honing the most advanced management and production methods. But for two months now, I’ve been unable to get the ministry to award those who achieved such results in the Oryol region. Even though there is a corresponding instruction from the head of state.

Look at how the Ulyanovsk Region is developing under the leadership of our Governor, A.Yu. Russkikh. Their growth rate is five percent, not one percent, as is the national average. They’ve produced seven large aircraft, something no other region can boast. So let’s carefully study this experience and actively implement it everywhere!

We must recognize that the extraordinary circumstances in which these turbulent times have placed us require appropriate measures. A hundred years ago, the NEP and GOELRO saved a disintegrating Russia. And Stalin’s industrialization allowed us to create the shield that enabled us to achieve the greatest victory in world history. Stalin’s Order 227 was harsh, even cruel. But it allowed the country to mobilize to the fullest extent and go on the offensive.

We now have no choice but to mobilize all our resources. Beyond the course outlined by the president, it must be supported by the efforts of all parties, movements, and organizations.

The first and foremost condition: we must achieve victory at the front. We are doing everything to support it. We regularly send convoys to the front lines. The latest, 150th convoy, carried 250 tons. Everything our soldiers need. The faction donates every third ruble to the common fund to help those who are fighting fascism today for our future.

But why isn’t the oligarchy willing to invest in Pobeda? Look how our top 20 billionaires got rich in January alone. Their combined net worth grew by another $19 billion in just one month!

Why do they come to our deputies in Altai with machine guns and interrogate them about their aides’ work? They’re forcing them to explain completely legal activities. And even threatening them with prison time for it.

Geopolitics. We have our own civilizational space, which has evolved over a millennium. And today, we cannot allow enemies to rule over Armenia and our other historical allies. We have no right to allow this!

We must regulate prices and mobilize resources. Nabiullina can’t single-handedly set this rate for us. Fifteen and a half percent isn’t a reduction; it’s a mockery of the economy! Inflating utility rates like this and handing over this sector to private hands is unacceptable in such a vast and cold country. Private owners have already ruined everything they could in the housing sector, and now they’re fleecing citizens again just to repair anything. And when they tell us that state resources are insufficient, it’s not true! There are more than enough resources. But they must be managed wisely and fairly.

As for ideology, we’re all for sovereignty, justice, traditions, and values. But time has increasingly proven that the greatest and most compelling ideology, the salvation of all humanity, is socialism. And now we face a decisive historical choice: either socialism, which is essential for victory, or the dictates of big capital and fascism.

Our adversaries have extensive experience in stifling the sovereignty of those they dislike. When they began to strangle the Soviet Union with “perestroika” and “democratization,” we came to our senses too late. The result was the treacherous collapse of a great power—the USSR. And the flourishing republic of Ukraine was turned into a bloody Bandera-era testing ground. And to never again allow turmoil in our country, provoked by injustice and social division, we must restore order to the political system. We must ensure respectful and meaningful dialogue, full-fledged elections, and competition between programs and teams. We insistently propose this. In return, they propose a three-day workweek, distance learning, and other “innovations” that could be used in the future to declare any elections illegitimate.

We have all the resources to achieve a real breakthrough. But it cannot be achieved without discipline, without justice, without concern for every person—and above all, children, women, and the elderly. Without the adoption of the crucial package of social laws prepared by N.A. Ostanina. Without regulating migration. Without supporting the law enforcement system, which is already suffering from a nearly 50% shortage of personnel.

Our Victory Program, which will address all these issues, is right here on your desk. We will support Mishustin’s government in its work. But we must take the necessary measures immediately. Only then will this work truly be a victory.