INSTANT VIEW - Russian President Medvedev address to nation

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, in his first annual address to the federal assembly on Wednesday, proposed extending the presidential term to six years from four years.

Medvedev also threatened to station new missiles in its western outpost of Kaliningrad if the United States deploys an anti-missile system which Moscow says threatens its security.

Following are the reactions of officials and analysts:

ALEXEI KUDRIN, FINANCE MINISTER

"(A six-year presidential term) will allow the economy to work in a more stable manner. Pre-election squabbles will happen less frequently. Six years is a good period for any president to show himself both in economics and politics.

"It seems to me we're standing on the brink of opening up new possibilities for the liberalisation of the economy, the limitation of arbitrary rule in economic activity and a reduction in administrative pressure on business."

GENNADY ZYUGANOV, COMMUNIST PARTY LEADER

"When a president is foisted upon you for six years following dishonest elections, you then have no opportunity to criticise, to recall him, to ask questions..."

OLGA KRYSHTANOVSKAYA, HEAD OF THE CENTRE OF ELITE STUDIES

"In Russia, listen less and watch more what's happening. The announcement cannot be seen as a movement towards democracy.

"He is preparing for (Prime Minister and former President Vladimir) Putin to return for 12 years, in two six-year terms. The next presidential elections will be in 2012, so we can talk about the Putin-2024 project.

"The role of United Russia is growing, allowing it to make personnel changes in the country. The prime minister's role will be strengthened.

"It seems to me a kind of mini-USSR is in preparation, with talk for now of a union of Belarus, Abkhazia, Ossetia, and then the structure of power could change again."

BORIS MAKARENKO, CHAIRMAN, CENTRE FOR POLITICAL TECHNOLOGIES

"It's a summons for negotiations with the United States ... the Americans promised to continue dialogue with Russia on how the anti-missile system would be used. They have not fulfilled this promise."

"Political scientists argue all their life on the optimum length of a (presidential and parliamentary) term, but there's nothing anti-democratic in this."

RONALD SMITH, CHIEF STRATEGIST AND HEAD OF RESEARCH, ALFA

BANK, MOSCOW

"Medvedev was very assertive in his delivery, especially when discussing points of disagreement with the United States. The United States was mentioned repeatedly, and President Medvedev appeared to be staking out strong positions on various issues ahead of the entry of the new American presidential administration."

ROLAND NASH, RENAISSANCE CAPITAL, MOSCOW

"It seems it was his attempt at the birth of "Medvedevism." He seems to be trying to step out of Putin's shadow. He is looking to establish his own vision, which we have not really seen from Medvedev so far.

"I think he did that. The decentralisation theme is very important, since it is very different to what we saw under Putin. Constitutional changes are also key.

"His whole theme about anti-corruption and social justice came through quite strongly. I think he looked more presidential than we have seen of him so far. I was quite impressed."

COL-GEN LEONID IVASHOV, HEAD OF INSTITUTE OF GEOPOLITICAL

PROBLEMS, MOSCOW

"The retaliatory steps proposed by the president today are correct but insufficient. They deal with a particular case, while we need a systematic approach, including in Russia's relations with the West.

"As long as the West only creates security problems for us and poses threats, we need to counterbalance this with our own resources, as well as by expanding to the east and south where we have potential allies."

SERGEI KNYAZEV, CONSTITUTIONAL COURT JUDGE

"The message is substantial. From my point of view, it will allow for the development of civil society and strengthening of the state."

CHRIS WEAFER, URALSIB BANK, MOSCOW

"This is a speech designed very much for a domestic audience ... and the incoming U.S. administration. This was not a message aimed at investors or the business community. It is too early to make any strong statements about the economy.

"I think that Medvedev and the Kremlin are also embracing the idea of change, except the Kremlin's version of change means a less dominant role for the U.S. or a much greater role for countries like Russia or China. The Kremlin's view of change is that we are heading into a much more multipolar world.

"Surprisingly, there was relatively little about the economy, very little about Medvedev's previous plan to change the economy, creating a more diversified economy to lead to a more sustainable growth, which was a big part of his agenda at election time.

"It is important to see how events, both in Russia and globally, as well as the oil price, turn out over the winter. I suppose in spring he will be in a better position to make an investment case for the economy."

YAROSLAV LISSOVOLIK, DEUTSCHE BANK, MOSCOW

"The main factors for the market were his statement about extending the presidential term to six years as well as a statement regarding Russia's retaliatory measures to the U.S. missile shield.

"Judging by the market moves, the reaction to his statements was negative. At the same time, he also said relations with the new U.S. administration should improve.

"On the whole, one may say expectations ahead of the speech were somewhat different. The expectations were that Medvedev's address would be more liberal.

"However, there were some liberal elements in the speech linked to Russia's plans for integration into the world economy. These are important signals that Russia is not planning to isolate itself."

(Compiled by Moscow newsroom)