Vladimir Putin spoke at a meeting of the Council for Interethnic Relations. Main

Western countries continue to make attempts to attack the spiritual values ​​and culture of Russia in order to make the country weaker and divide the people. This was stated by Russian President Vladimir Putin during a meeting of the Council for Interethnic Relations in Pyatigorsk.

On the diversity of Russia and attacks on culture

“Attacks on our history, culture, spiritual values ​​do not stop – just like attempts to drive a wedge into harmony, the brotherhood of the peoples of our country. <...> Our opponents have decided that there are vulnerabilities in Russia’s multinationality, and they are doing everything to divide us,” he said.

Putin stressed that it is Russia’s diversity that makes it stronger. According to the president, people who are trying to divide the people and have a neo-colonial mindset are “stupid”. “In vain they count on the effect for which they are trying. <...> And they would have taken second place in the competition of idiots. Why only the second? Yes, because they are stupid. They do not understand that in the conditions of external aggression and pressure, we are only strengthening our multinational people,” he added.

Among the provocations that the opponents arrange are calls to divide Russia into several small parts, which later can be “subdued to one’s will, exploited, used in one’s own selfish interests.” According to the head of state, Western countries cannot have other goals.

About migration policy

Russia faces a number of migration challenges, all acute and important, Putin said. According to him, the opponents are trying to create additional problems in this matter, although “they themselves have problems through the roof – they absolutely cannot cope with them.” According to Putin, in 1.5 months, a special interdepartmental working group, created following the meeting of the Interior Ministry board in March, will submit proposals on a number of sensitive issues.

At the same time, the leadership of those countries from which migrants most often come to Russia are ready to cooperate to resolve emerging issues. “We are talking about opening Russian schools, about working closer with our public organizations, with national associations of Russia,” the head of state added.

Putin also urged to proceed from the interests of Russians in matters of migration policy, so as not to create risks in the field of security, social and labor sectors.

The President added that amendments should appear in the National Policy Strategy related to the entry into Russia of new regions, which are multinational in their composition. The socio-economic development programs of the DPR, LPR, Kherson and Zaporozhye regions already have separate areas for strengthening the common civic identity.

Earlier, Vedomosti wrote that Putin could hold a meeting of the Council on Interethnic Relations on May 18. According to the newspaper, the issue of updating the Strategy of the state national policy should have been on the agenda.

The last meeting of the Council for Interethnic Relations with the participation of the President was held on March 30, 2021 via videoconference. Then the main topic of the meeting was “strengthening the all-Russian civic identity.”