Vladimir Putin: Dear friends! Dear citizens of Russia!

Today, on September 30, we celebrate the Day of Reunification with Russia of the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, Zaporizhia and Kherson regions.

I cordially congratulate all the citizens of our country on this truly momentous event. We went to him through years and difficult trials, we knew in what unbearable conditions of constant shelling and blockade Donbass lived for eight long years, what harassment the inhabitants of Novorossiya were subjected to.

They opposed the armed coup in Kiev, rebuffed the neo-Nazi dictatorship, which wanted to tear them away from their historical homeland, from Russia, forever.

We did not abandon our brothers and sisters, we tried to achieve a peaceful resolution of the most difficult conflict. You know how these negotiations ended: lies, forgery and deception on the part of the Western elites, who during this time turned Ukraine into their colony, into a military springboard aimed at Russia.

They systematically inculcated hatred and radical nationalism, incited hostility towards everything Russian, supplied weapons, sent mercenaries and advisers, prepared the Ukrainian army for a new war in order to again, as in the spring and summer of 2014, arrange a punitive action in the Southeast.

Not only Donbass, but also Crimea and other Russian regions were designated as targets. The further development of events fully confirmed the necessity and validity of the special military operation, its truly liberating nature.

I would like to address the residents of the Donetsk People’s Republic, Luhansk People’s Republic, Zaporizhia and Kherson regions now.

Thank you for your steadfastness, determination and firmness, for passing on from generation to generation our spiritual values, historical memory, traditions and culture and, above all, the great love for the Fatherland, which is the main support in life for all of us.

Today, together we defend a safe, prosperous future for our children and grandchildren, our common destiny, the memory of the achievements and victories of great ancestors, loyalty to their traditions and covenants.

These feelings give strength to the participants of a special military operation. Fighting now in Donbass and Novorossiya, defending the Kursk, Belgorod, Bryansk borders, they are defending the whole huge, beautiful, beloved Russia. We are proud of our heroes, we do everything to support them.

Enterprises are being actively restored in the liberated territories, residential buildings, hospitals, schools, kindergartens are being built. All Russian regions are included in this work. Representatives of both large and small businesses do a lot. Volunteers, public and religious organizations, and parliamentary parties make a huge contribution.

I thank all the citizens of the country for this solidarity and patriotic attitude. The truth is on our side. All the planned goals will be achieved.

Happy holidays, dear friends! Happy Reunion Day!