Speech at Russia Day reception
President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Friends, colleagues, ladies and gentlemen,
I congratulate you on Russia Day.
This holiday’s very name expresses its great significance for every person in our country. This holiday was established in Russia’s honour and is infused with the deep, sincere and precious feelings we have towards our Motherland.
Russia is our homeland. It is in our hearts, our acts and deeds, our parents and children, our hopes and dreams, our understanding and perception of our native land, and, of course, our sense of responsibility for Russia’s present and future.
We are inseparable from our homeland and its centuries-old history and spiritual roots. This unbroken link between time and events that continues from one generation to the next is our invaluable heritage. Based on our past experience, we can map our future horizons more clearly, set the most ambitious goals and feel confident that we will resolve the tasks before us. The guarantee of this is our common belief in Russia and our desire to work for its prosperity and our people’s prosperity and security.
These qualities distinguish the laureates of the National Awards, who, as is tradition, we honour on Russia Day. Once again, let me congratulate you sincerely on this high recognition of your work.
We all know that our multi-ethnic nation has never been stopped by difficulties ahead. Our people’s unity, constructive work, strong will, courage and strength of spirit are our country’s support today and a reliable foundation for finding worthy responses to today’s challenges.
Friends, we still have much to do, but we have everything we need to advance with success. We have what is most important: a united society and our people’s aspirations to take part in building and developing our country and resolving the concrete tasks that we face today.
When we set our minds on a goal, we always achieve it.
I would like to raise a toast for our country’s success and our people’s prosperity. Happy holiday, friends, happy Russia Day!