MOSCOW, November 5. /TASS/. The support of compatriots living abroad helped to consolidate the Russian society during Crimea’s reunification with Russia, Russian President Vladimir Putin told the fifth World Congress of Compatriots Living Abroad.
"We felt your solidarity during the reunification of Crimea and Sevastopol with Russia. That was a historic event. Strong support from our compatriots who were adamant in expressing their will to be with Russia, to support Russia, helped to consolidate the entire Russian society and became a major factor in the consolidation of ethnic Russians living abroad and the entire Russian world," he said.
Putin expressed gratitude to the participants in the congress "for keeping the inner connection with your historical homeland, for being proud of Russia, for cherishing its cultural and spiritual traditions, feeling you are closely connected to its destiny and current concerns."
The president also pointed to the support of compatriots abroad in the preparation of events dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the Victory over Nazism. He thanked "all those who honored veterans living abroad, took part in the Immortal Regiment march, the St.George Ribbon campaign, who countered attempts to distort the past, to downplay the decisive role of the peoples of the Soviet Union in defeating Nazism."