PETROPAVLOVSK-KAMCHATSKY, March 14. /TASS/. Russia must continue following the path of independence, defending its values and traditions, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a video address to the nation ahead of the presidential election.
"We have already demonstrated that we can be together defending Russia’s freedom, sovereignty and security, advocating our values, traditions, history, and culture, being true to our conscience and justice," he said.
According to the president, Russians have their own vision of which country they want to build and how, or which plans to implement. "And today, it is critically important to continue on this path, to achieve what is planned, to attain the large-scale goals. That is why much depends on each of you in the coming days," he stressed.
The Russian Federation Council, or upper house of parliament, officially designated March 17, 2024 as the day of the presidential election. The Russian Central Election Commission (CEC) then announced that voting will take place over three days on March 15-17.