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Friends,

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Today, we are marking National Flag Day.

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We pay respect to Russia’s official state symbol

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that, along with its emblem and anthem,

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represents its sovereignty and independence

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and asserts the continuity between generations of our multi-ethnic people.

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Our flag that was raised on Russia’s first warship over three centuries ago,

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remained Russia’s symbol in difficult, challenging periods of its history –

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under Peter the Great when the Russian Empire was still forming,

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on the battlefields of World War I,

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and amid the dramatic changes of the contradictory, arduous 1990s. 

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On August 22, 1991, the white, blue and red flag once again flew over Russia.

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Today, it has become a fixture of our life as an inalienable element of Russian statehood, 

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a symbol of the unity of our people

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and their devotion to the Fatherland and readiness to uphold national interests.

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The national flag symbolises our faith in our traditional values

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that we will never give up –

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 truth and justice,

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solidarity and mercy,

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and respect for Russia’s centuries-long uninterrupted history,

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the achievements and victories of our ancestors

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that inspire us to care for and defend our Motherland

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and never permit any foreign hegemony or diktat.

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The desire to live according to our own will,

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to choose our own path and to follow it,

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has become part of our people’s genetic code.

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Russia is a strong, independent world power.

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On the international stage, we are committed to pursuing only such policies

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that meet the vital interests of our Fatherland.

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The national flag and the unfading Red Banner of Victory

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instil in the rising generation an appreciation for the values of patriotism,

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citizenship and responsibility for the future of the Motherland.

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From September 1 of this year,

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all schools in the country will begin every school week with a ceremony of raising the flag 

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and singing the anthem.

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I am confident that Russia’s national flag will always remain

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a sacred symbol for all generations of our citizens.

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It will inspire them to military glory,

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professional achievements and new heights in science, culture and sports.

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It will make them proud of their Motherland.

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Happy National Flag Day, friends!