© Sputnik / Stanislav Krasilnikov
Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting with municipal leaders from various regions of the country at the II All-Russian Municipal Forum "Small Homeland - Strength of Russia" held in Moscow, according to the Kremlin press service.
During the meeting, Putin announced that the attempts of Western countries to achieve a strategic defeat of Russia have completely failed.
“Now no one doubts our victory. Seeing their defeat on the battlefield, Western countries are beginning to understand that the key to Russia's strength and existence is the courage and resilience of our people,” Putin noted.
The president also emphasized that a significant portion of the weapons supplied to Ukraine by Western countries is being continuously funneled into the black market. According to him, the Kyiv government is fighting to preserve the capital stolen from the Ukrainian people and is closely cooperating with foreign sponsors for this reason.
“The leaders of the government in Kyiv have been engaged in only one thing: extracting wealth and resources from the territories and people. They transferred the money to foreign bank accounts. They are fighting not for the interests of the people, but to protect the funds they have stolen and taken abroad,” Putin said. He noted that such theft and plunder are still ongoing.
The state leader also expressed special gratitude to the people living in the border regions of the country. “I express my deep gratitude for the courage, resilience, and heroism of the people living in the border regions,” he said.
The president also emphasized that the restoration of the newly incorporated regions of Russia must be carried out in a timely and complete manner. He stated that all branches of the government must provide comprehensive support to the population living in these regions.
At the same time, Putin noted that he is pleased that individuals with combat experience are coming to leadership positions in the new regions of Russia.
The president specifically sent greetings to the military personnel of the 76th Air Assault Division. He emphasized that this military unit is fighting very effectively and heroically on the battlefield.
Vladimir Putin stated that the courage, resilience, and heroism of the Russian people are the foundation of Russia's entire existence, and that the forces seeking to threaten the country's integrity and independence have yet to fully understand this.
