MOSCOW, March 8. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin said he believes women are a very important part of the Russian people.

He made the statement when meeting with prominent Russian women on the International Women’s Day.

"One of the speakers said - I think, you said it, ‘Thank you very much to the Russian people.’ I want to say that you, and the women of the country in general, are the most important part of the Russian people," the president said to one of the meeting’s participants.

Anna Zheleznaya, a professor at Donetsk Gorky National Medical University, who received the title of an Honored Employee of Russian Health Care, said at an award giving ceremony that she was thankful to the president and "all of the Russian people for the help" that made it possible for the Donetsk People’s Republic to become a Russian constituent region.

The president separately thanked the women that are helping the soldiers now.

"I know guys congratulate women at the frontline as well, treat you with a lot of care and feel very grateful to you for the help that’s given to those who need it. Thank you very much and good luck," he said.