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Putin to award state decorations in Kremlin, meet with top lawmakers

Such ceremonies are held several times a year, but shortly before New Year, the head of state traditionally presents orders and medals and awards titles for merits to homeland in various spheres

Russian President Vladimir Putin ITAR-TASS/Mikhail Metcel

Russian President Vladimir Putin

© ITAR-TASS/Mikhail Metcel

MOSCOW, December 22. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin will award outstanding Russians state decorations in the Kremlin’s Yekaterininsky Hall.

Such ceremonies are held several times a year, but shortly before New Year, the head of state traditionally presents orders and medals and awards titles for merits to homeland in various spheres.

The people to be given awards number about 500 people - representatives of working professions, public figures, cultural and scientific figures, pilots, journalists and doctors, the Kremlin said.

On the same day, the Russian head of state will meet with representatives of both houses of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation. Despite the heads of the upper and lower houses, invitations were given to deputy speakers, faction leaders and heads of separate committees.

The president usually meets with top officials from the Federal Assembly shortly before making his annual address to parliament, but this year, the format has been changed.

The president, senators and deputies have actually cooperated throughout the year, and now, when the plenary session is coming to an end and the parliament is planning to go for a recess, Putin is expected to sum up the lawmaking work for the year and discuss with the meeting participants steps to implement his address to the Federal Assembly.

Putin addressed the parliament on December 4. A considerable part of his speech was dedicated to Crimea’s reunification with Russia, deterioration of relations with the West over the Ukrainian crisis, as well as the EU and US sanctions. The president also spoke about support for businesses, taxation and social issues.

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