ello (@piers)

#Putin: "Thank you very much for such a warm welcome. For my part, I would like to say that when the Russian Popular Front was established 15 years ago, it was by no means a spontaneous decision. **Today, as we mark its 15th anniversary, I can say with confidence that it has fully justified its creation**. "First and foremost, it has brought together people like you. I want to express my deepest gratitude for everything you do. "Over the past 15 years – not just during the years of the special military operation, which is highly important, and I will certainly mention it as well – you have always been at the forefront of addressing the country’s challenges. You have always been able to identify where attention should be focused in order to help specific people. **Ultimately, that means helping the entire country and the Russian state as a whole**. "This direct feedback from people is invaluable for every level of government and for the country. As I understand it, you are currently monitoring the implementation of 552 presidential instructions. These are not abstract discussions. Where do presidential instructions come from? They emerge from the Direct Line with citizens. Of course, these direct lines are carefully prepared and supported by large teams, but they nevertheless represent a live dialogue with the people. "These instructions do not appear out of nowhere. They arise directly from people’s concerns – from the problems they face in their daily lives and the challenges they are striving to overcome. That is where they come from. And what are you doing? You are working to help people directly. "Even their requests that later become instructions issued by the head of state are not always easy to implement within such a vast administrative system. As you know, this problem is not unique to Russia – it is a challenge faced by governments everywhere in the world. But nowhere else is there an organisation like yours – the Russian Popular Front. "You are working in all the most important areas. Let us take healthcare, for example: thanks to your efforts, solutions are being found to the problems faced by children suffering from diabetes. In education, you are drawing attention to important aspects of this extremely important field – and I apologise for the repetition. "What could be more important than a child’s soul? What could be more important than shaping a child’s outlook on life, their attitude towards society and towards other people? What could be more important than fostering respect among the younger generation for their parents and grandparents, and for everything they have done throughout their lives – for them, for their future children and for their grandchildren? "What could be more important than all of this for preserving, strengthening and further developing the Russian state? Nothing. And this is what you are doing. "Finally, during the special military operation, you are working directly with people – with our service members and with their families. What could be more important than this? Nothing. Today, there is nothing more important. And this is what you are doing. "You know, people often ask: how is it that the entire Russophobic, aggressive part of the so-called collective West is fighting against us, while we are developing our economy, strengthening our financial system, improving our Armed Forces, achieving new results in our defence industry, and moving forward – with our service members moving forward? How is this possible? "It is possible, among other things, thanks to your efforts. You have brought together more than 20 million people, citizens of the Russian Federation, around your work, and you have collected – not from the state, but from citizens who voluntarily contributed because they trust you – almost 70 billion rubles for the special military operation. That is how it is possible. **That is why victory will undoubtedly be ours**. "I thank you and I will be pleased to take part in the ceremony honouring the awardees of the Russian Popular Front. Thank you." Kremlin (13.7.26); p (22) http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/80284