MOSCOW, May 12. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin when greeting head of the Lugansk People’s Republic (LPR) Leonid Pasechnik on a national holiday expressed confidence that the republic’s sovereignty and territorial integrity would be defended by a joint effort, the Kremlin’s website reported on Thursday.

"The citizens of the LPR are marking their national holiday under complex conditions, defending their native land holding weapons. I am confident that in a joint effort we will protect the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the republic, while the Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Aid signed on February 21 will serve as a reliable foundation to bolster fraternal allied ties between our countries," the Russian leader’s statement said.

Putin wished Pasechnik good health and success and addressed all the LPR residents with wishes for perseverance, courage and tenacity in their fight for a peaceful and safe future.

The LPR declared its independence on May 12, 2014, on February 21, 2022, its sovereignty was recognized by the Russian Federation.

On Wednesday, the Russian leader congratulated head of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) Denis Pushilin on a national holiday.