Official website of the President of Russia

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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Friends,

From the bottom of my heart, I welcome and congratulate you all on the anniversary of the reunification of Crimea and Sevastopol with Russia!

Exactly ten years ago, taking the same stage on Red Square, I recalled that Crimea is often called the unsinkable aircraft carrier. This is what prompted me to say that Crimea had returned to its home harbour.

However, Crimea is not only a strategically vital territory, not only part of our history, our traditions and Russia’s pride. Crimea is primarily its people. The people of Sevastopol and Crimea, they are our pride. They remained faithful to the homeland over the decades, they never separated themselves from Russia, and this is precisely what made it possible for Crimea to come back to our common family.

The same is true of Donbass and Novorossiya. The people living there expressed their will to return to their family during the days of the “Russian Spring.” Their path home involved much greater difficulty and tragedy. Nevertheless, we did it, and it is also a great event in the history of our state. 

Now we are making progress and moving forward together, side by side. Just this morning, I received a report that the railway from Rostov to Donetsk, Mariupol and Berdyansk has been restored. We will continue this work and soon trains will go straight to Sevastopol. This would be yet another alternative route – instead of the Crimean Bridge.

We will carry on like this together, hand in hand. This is what makes us truly stronger – not in words but in deeds. And credit for all this goes to you, citizens of Russia.

Friends,

I have just met with my colleagues who travelled their own path in the presidential campaign. They are all here. I have invited them – much to their surprise – to join you here for this celebration. We have different approaches to achieving our national goals but we have one Motherland, and they are here.

I wish you a happy holiday and would like them to say a few words today as well.

Nikolai Kharitonov: Friends,

You remember that unsettling time when the entire country was worried, but everyone believed and hoped that Crimea would return home to its native harbour. We all remember how President of Russia Vladimir Putin spared no effort to ensure that the aspirations of the people of Crimea prevailed and that they return home.

Russia and Crimea have one and the same Motherland. Happy holiday, friends, happy 10^th anniversary! Hooray!

Leonid Slutsky: Good evening, Russia! Good evening, Crimea! Good evening, Sevastopol!

We remember those exciting days 10 years ago. Since that day, Crimea and Sevastopol have been on the political map of the world as part of great Russia and will forever be.

Those were challenging days, but there was no other choice but to return it to its home. We remember the happy faces and – all these ten years – the radiant eyes and smiles of those who returned home, who returned to their home harbour, those who returned to the great Russia.

Today, as we mark the tenth anniversary of this historic day, which is forever inscribed in golden letters in Russian history, I once again wish a happy anniversary to the courageous people of Crimea and Sevastopol.

To Russia! To our great future! To the President of the great Russia!

Vladislav Davankov: Friends,

I will never forget that sense of pride for my country and for my President ten years ago.

I wish you a happy holiday!

Vladimir Putin: Happy holiday! Long live Russia!

(The National Anthem of the Russian Federation plays.)

We are proud of Russia!

Thank you!