MOSCOW, May 19. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has praised Russian Muslim servicemen taking part in the special military operation in Ukraine for bravery, courage and self-sacrifice.
"Muslim servicemen engaged in the special military operation in Ukraine have been showing bravery, courage and self-sacrifice," Putin said in his statement to mark the 1,100 years of Islam in Tatarstan.
In his statement, published on Thursday on the Kremlin’s website, the Russian leader stressed that the new generation of Russian Muslims revered the traditions and practices of their predecessors, while remaining committed to the ideals of patriotism and justice, cherished by their forefathers.
Russia places great importance on bolstering friendly ties with Muslim countries in the hope to develop further cooperation in trade, economy, science and technologies as well as in humanitarian issues.
"We have been coordinating efforts to address lots of major issues on the regional and global agenda, while staying opposed to the use of blackmail, discrimination and political or economic dictates in international relations," the president said.