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The first stage of the Congress was held on June 28.

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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: I would like to extend my greetings to you and all citizens of Russia on National Flag Day.

Our flag, along with the national coat of arms and anthem, is our major national symbol. It embodies our continuous, great history, our pride in our Fatherland and responsibility for its fate, our common victories and inspiring achievements, and the unity of Russia’s multiethnic people.

Our troops carry our flag as they launch an assault, they raise it over liberated towns and villages, high grounds and positions they seize.

Our might and confidence in our future are in the unity of the frontline and home front and the robustness of the values passed on to us by our ancestors. We are one people, and we will jointly fight for our flag, for our Motherland, and defend its interests.

I believe that the upcoming elections will reaffirm the stability of the state, the maturity of our political system, its ability to withstand any external threats, blackmail or aggression. The elections will become an expression of the common will of millions of people and their desire to ensure Russia’s sovereignty and security.

The source of power is the people. The constitutional right of the citizens to elect their representatives and determine the course of their country’s development is inviolable. It is the foundation of legitimacy and legal capacity of the state’s democratic institutions.

This is why we will hold fast to the principles of democracy even under the most difficult conditions, and we hold and will keep holding election at different levels across the entire territory of our vast country, from the Far East to Novorossiya and Donbass. The troops on the frontline are also taking part in the elections.

This choice and trust from the people who are fighting and working for Russia today must definitely be cherished. And this means that the deputies to be elected to the State Duma in September will take a larger degree of responsibility. The Duma, as well as all other bodies of authority, should be ready to defend the interests of the country, serve the people and work for them.

The voters will make their choice, among other things, by comparing election programmes of different political forces and candidates.

In this regard I would like to note the following. During the election campaign, naturally, one can sometimes hear attractive, eye‑catching slogans and promises to solve all the problems, and to do so immediately, right now, overnight. But these words are not always backed by clear priorities, mechanisms for solving specific tasks, management expertise, resource estimation, and a plan for further action, as well as their own human resources. The United Russia party has all of this.

The party has never made empty promises, promises made for effect which is why it has become the leading political force consolidating society and making a significant contribution to the national agenda.

I know that the people’s programme that the United Russia Congress is going to discuss and adopt today is the result of extensive and painstaking efforts. It was drafted in dialogue with people and is based on their initiatives and proposals. Its key criteria are objectivity, realism, honesty and integrity, which means that the United Russia party takes responsibility for each line, each word in its programme, and for the practical attainment of the goals stated.

Let me reiterate: it is our voters who will ultimately assess the party’s programme.

For my part, I would like to point out what I consider particularly, exceptionally important.

The special military operation continues. And the more difficult the situation at the front is for the enemy, the more brutal and barbaric are the attacks carried out by the Kiev regime. This is how the whole neo‑Nazi, Banderite and Russophobic essence of the force we are fighting manifests itself.

At present, a great deal depends on our unity, on the courage of Russian soldiers and officers, and on everyone who works conscientiously in their place to contribute to the victory.

I am confident that our warriors will not let us down. Today, the whole of Russia stands with them — labour teams, factories, plants, and rural workers. Everyone: scientists, entrepreneurs, engineers, volunteers, our People’s Front and the entire civil society. I would like to sincerely thank everyone for such unity, loyalty to the Fatherland, for the military feat and hard work.

True, not everything and not always works out instantly in a big multifaceted effort. Still, as our people say, only those who do not do anything and are not responsible for anything make no mistakes.

We are facing many challenges and at times like these, to whom, to which party can we entrust the decision-making? Who can reliably defend our national interests and interests of the people, lead them, be a leader? I strongly believe that it is the political force which has always been with its people and which has been through the hardest trials and tribulations together with the people thus demonstrating its independence and creditworthiness through real action.

I will repeat again what I said at the previous stage of the Congress. The duty of the party, the duty of United Russia is to do everything for victory.

There are many special military operation veterans among your candidates; I can see them in this hall. Our heroes honourably fought for Russia and, I am sure, will work honourably in its parliament. They have an invaluable experience and profound understanding of the problems that the veterans and their families are facing. I believe that they will aim all their efforts at solving all those problems.

Overall, the party’s people’s programme provides systemic answers to the society’s requests. I share this approach and expect the party to make a weighty contribution to achieving national development goals, the goals of a sovereign country which determines its future itself.

The United Russia undertakes to work on all the issues that are of concern to our people. They are: support for the families with children, building a strong economy and technological leadership, protection of the values, traditions and historical memory of our people, its cultural identity, harmonious development of all Russian regions, achieving high quality of life in large and small cities as well as in rural communities.

It is also important that the United Russia traditionally drafts its programme as a living document that is being constantly updated. Having achieved its stated goals and responding to people’s proposals, it sets new, even more ambitious tasks.

Our time calls for this high level of dynamism. Despite all the challenges, the country continues to develop, launching and implementing large‑scale projects to improve the quality of public administration and defence capability, boost economic growth, and develop the social sphere.

All the new opportunities that we create together should strengthen Russia’s sovereignty and security, its position in the world, and should serve the people and work for the well‑being and prosperity of Russian families.

Here’s what I would like to draw your attention to, friends: Every life situation a person faces should matter to us. There are no secondary or insignificant issues here. To hear and respect every opinion, to be honest with people, to always meet people halfway, to try to help — this is precisely our work, a matter of honour and the foundation of the reputation of politicians and everyone who is vested with power. And the United Russia is part of the country’s large management team. The party’s calling is to serve the people and the Fatherland.

Friends,

The United Russia party has tremendous experience in political work, political struggle, and real achievements. All these years, I have counted on United Russia, and I still rely on your support, for which I would like to once again thank all our colleagues and supporters.

And in turn, today, at this crucial pre‑election congress, I would like to support you and wish you success in the elections.

Together, we will definitely implement all the planned initiatives, we will move only forward, and we will serve Russia. Victory will be ours!

Today, some of our colleagues have a triple celebration. It’s National Flag Day, the Congress of the party they are members of, and their birthday. I want to sincerely and wholeheartedly congratulate Sergei Menyailo and Hero of Russia Yevgeny Poddubny.

Thank you.