æz wˈɛl, ɪn ɐ dʒuːlˈaɪ nˈaɪn spˈiːtʃ tə ðə fˈɛdɚɹəl ɐsˈɛmbli, pjˈuːtɪn stˈeɪɾᵻd ðæt ðɛɹwˌʌz nˌoʊ lˈɑːŋɡɚɹ ɐ nˈiːd fɚðə tɹˈeɪd jˈuːniənz tə pɚfˈɔːɹm stˈeɪt fˈʌŋkʃənz sˈʌtʃ ɐz ðə dˌɪstɹɪbjˈuːʃən ʌv sˈoʊʃəl bˈɛnɪfˌɪts.
As well, in a July 9 speech to the Federal Assembly, Putin stated that there was no longer a need for the Trade Unions to perform state functions such as the distribution of social benefits.