Putin Tells Citizens To Stand United In Russia Day Speech

Vladimir Putin has urged Russian citizens to "be united" and build on "deep feelings of patriotism", in a speech to mark Russia Day as the war in Ukraine rages on. Speaking at the Kremlin, the Russian president said the importance of unity and patriotism was "as clear as ever".

- Zaina Alibhai

Mr Putin praised Russian ruler Peter the Great, the 18th-century tsar to whom he compared himself last week. Calling him a "great reformer", Mr Putin paid tribute to his "profound transformations" and urged Russian citizens to recognise the strength of century-old traditions.

"Our ancestors gifted us this unity, our loyalty to the motherland, and a responsibility for its future," he said. "We know the strength of these century-old traditions, moral values, and spiritual foundations, which have reaffirmed themselves throughout the entirety of our multi-ethnic nation's thousand years of history, bringing us together today.