Address of Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov on the occasion of the National Day of Unity

Dear Tatarstan citizens!

From the bottom of my heart I congratulate you on the National Day of Unity.

This date draws us to the glorious pages of national history that is four centuries old. The capitulation of foreign invaders who conquered the heart of our Motherland, the ancient Moscow Kremlin, marked the beginning of a challenging and long-term process of the definitively overcoming of the Time of Troubles.

Due to the courage, resilience and determination of the militia members, Russia escaped a national disaster. The peoples of the Volga region, in particular, the Tatars, the Chuvash, the Mari, the Udmurts, who bravely fought shoulder to shoulder together with the Russians in the ranks of the liberators of Moscow under the command of Minin and Pozharsky, played a significant role in these events.

This day we also emphasize a significant role, played by the national holy thing, the Kazan icon of the Mother of God, in defeating the enemy.

Memorable events of that time further strengthened in the public consciousness the need for a strong state and bringing the multinational people of Russia together.

That is equally important today, when unjustified economic sanctions are being campaigned against the Russian Federation and unprecedented information pressure is being waged. For the first time since the end of the Cold War, military threats are becoming increasingly real.

The enemies of Russia are once again trying to divide our society along national and religious lines.

The history has shown time and again that external challenges only unite Russian people under centuries-old traditional values, patriotism and readiness to confront any aggressor. Russia is being reborn as a great power.

Our republic is inextricably linked with the whole country with a common past, present and future. Significant achievements in preserving the rich historical and cultural heritage, in the economy and the social sphere allow Tatarstan citizens to look at tomorrow with optimism and confidence.

Dear friends! I wish all of you peace, family happiness and well-being.

Happy Holiday! Happy National Unity Day!

Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov.