Following the ceremony the head of the state talked with cadets from the Leningrad Nakhimovskii Naval Academy and the Moscow Suvorovsky Academy as well of members of the youth movements Nashi and Young Russia.
While talking to youths, Vladimir Putin said that Russia is in the condition to ensure its security in a long-term perspective and this gives it the possibility to carry out independent policies.
The President declared that work must be done within Russia to improve citizens’ health. Speaking about roads, Vladimir Putin noted that infrastructural unity is one of the main conditions for development, especially in a country that has such a huge territory as Russia. Along with this it is necessary to fight against corruption so that the financial means allocated for developing infrastructure reach their purported goals.
In addition, the head of state emphasised the need to develop the Russia’s economy in a balanced way with respect to the west and the east.
Vladimir Putin noted that it is necessary to tell youth more about Russian history and added that he considered that not enough attention is given to the history of the Russian flag in educational institutions.
The young people thanked the President for restoring architectural monuments in Russia. A participant in the Nashi movement talked about her impressions of visiting the Constantine Palace near St Petersburg.