Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the 22nd Congress of the United Russia political party on Dec. 14. After thanking the party members and leadership for supporting the troops and veterans of the special military operation against Ukraine, he went on to emphasize that Russia has made progress despite unprecedented sanctions and challenges, according to the transcript of his remarks posted to the Presidential website.
“Russia is progressing, the economy is growing, which is done against the backdrop of unparalleled—in the full and direct meaning of the world—sanctions, gross interference and pressure from the ruling elites of some countries….
“The very name of the party shows the essence of our course, the image of the country that we are building, want to preserve and pass on to our descendants, the awareness that we are a unique, distinctive civilization, a multinational and multi-faith nation which, for all its internal diversity, has been and will be united. This is a crucial thing.
“Our opponents have tried to undermine this unity throughout all history, and now they are again following a scenario that has been tested out on others, trying to divide people, play the national or religious card.
“We will firmly suppress such provocations, we will respond to any threats and challenges, and we are ready to fight back, as they say, along the entire front. And it is not only along the line of combat contact. The truly global, decisive confrontation affects all aspects of our lives: culture, education, worldview, the economy and the technological sphere.”
