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The President awarded the 2024 Volunteer of the Year statuette to Maria Karpenko, the head of the Vtoraya ZhiZn (Second Life) volunteer movement, and the Order of Courage to Fyodor Gerashchenko, the head of the Archangel Tactical Training Centre.

Ahead of the ceremony, Vladimir Putin spoke with volunteers participating in the #WeAreTogether International Forum of Civil Participation.

As per tradition, the head of state also took part in the Russian national charity event, the New Year Tree of Wishes. The President chose three balloons bearing cards with New Year’s wishes from children who found themselves in a difficult life situation: 10-year-old Margarita Rutsinskaya from the Belgorod Region dreams of being a pilot on a flight simulator; 15-year-old Arina Porkhal from the Donetsk People’s Republic wants to visit St Petersburg; and 12-year-old Taisiya Leonova from the Moscow Region dreams of attending a rehearsal of the Igor Moiseyev Folk Dance Ensemble.

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Speech at #WeAreTogether International Award Ceremony

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon, friends,

I am delighted to welcome you all in Moscow. We have only recently begun to celebrate this day – Volunteer Day. I was about to say “holiday,” but somehow the word “holiday” does not quite capture the essence of what you do, because it is well known that your work never stops: whether it is a holiday or just a weekday, you are always there, whenever and wherever your help is needed – thank you for that.

Since 2017, there have been significant, unmistakable changes in society. What do I mean by this? Two-thirds of our citizens are now involved in volunteering. When you reflect on this, a simple thought comes to mind: this is not something new, but rather a revival of the age-old traditions of the peoples of our country.

For centuries, mercy and support for those in need have always been at the heart of our people, across our vast Motherland. And the fact that young people are now carrying on this tradition is especially significant, all the more so as it means that the younger generation is inheriting from our ancestors – our grandfathers, grandmothers, great-grandfathers, and so on – a deeply important legacy. This strengthens our country from within.

I have also noticed that the people standing behind me today have themselves endured great trials in our new, or our historically old regions. They have faced difficult moments in their own lives and in the lives of their families, friends, and loved ones. And when the situation in our border regions became just as challenging, they went there to make use of their experience in providing assistance and support to others. You know, it is crucial that real help is provided, but equally important is the substance of these efforts, the help itself. It demonstrates that we are all part of one large, powerful, united family – and this unity is the key to all our successes, including on the frontlines.

It is delightful that you are doing this almost in all areas. Of course, supporting our military in the combat zone, on the line of battle engagement, is of special importance today. First, I know that this is dangerous and bow low in memory of those who gave their lives while performing their duty as volunteers. Unfortunately, this can happen during the work you are doing.

It is very important that your activities have a great impact on the attitude of society, including little children, towards the moral support of our military. As you know, these more than three million letters written by children and sent to the combat zone are kept by soldiers near their hearts. I was just told that little children send videos to support our guys at the front, but they also receive feedback from our soldiers, which is very good. Families should always be taken care of and never forgotten.

But you are doing much more. Our country is large. Like any large country, it has many issues and challenges that require attention and support from caring people like you. I mean ecology, help for homeless animals, and support and help for people who need medical care. Are there many issues like these? There is a flood of them. It is always very important for any person who needs support to feel that there are caring people around who are willing to offer help and support, to feel this elbow-to-elbow connection, as they say in the army. Therefore, it is crucial that you are doing this, inspiring hundreds of thousands, and maybe even millions of people with your work.

I know that this year, International Volunteer Day coincides with Volunteer Day that we mark within the Commonwealth of Independent States. I would like to greet all our CIS friends and colleagues. Soon, we will have an informal CIS summit, which has already become a tradition ahead of the New Year holidays. We will definitely discuss this topic and think together on what should be done to support your work and your efforts.

I was indeed surprised by the geography and the number of participants in the volunteer contest: there were 50,000 applications from 142 countries, including those in North America, Latin America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. Many people took part in this contest. This goes to show that the noble mission you are carrying out knows no borders. This is what unites the entire world. I would like to thank you for this, too, and welcome all participants in this contest without exception.

Now, let us move on to the most important moment: award ceremony for the winners.

Thank you very much and good luck.

<…>

Vladimir Putin: In my speech, I have just addressed words of gratitude to those volunteers who risk their lives and health to provide assistance to others.

Fyodor is one of them. He has just recalled his loved ones who are waiting for him. This was the right thing to do, because, as I said many times, and you all understand this perfectly well, everything comes from the family.

From the first days of a person’s life, parents instill in their little child the fundamental principles on which his or her entire life will be based.

When I said that people risk their lives, I would also like to mention what happened to our award-winning hero. When on a mission to provide assistance, the three of them came under fire, and two of his comrades were killed, and he was seriously wounded.

Of course, Fyodor did the right thing recalling his family. I would like you to never forget those guys who are not here today, as well as their families. A deep bow to them.

It sounds very mundane at the level of the Government and the Russian regions, but still it is important. I want the families of Fyodor’s comrades, those guys with whom he performed his duty, to not be forgotten by either federal or regional authorities. Once again, I bow low to them. Sincere gratitude to all the people who perform their duty to our Fatherland.

I congratulate you on Volunteer Day. Thank you for your work and all the best.