Putin asked deputies to “absolutely rule out destructive populism” on the first day of the new Duma’s work

Putin asked deputies to “absolutely rule out destructive populism” on the first day of the new Duma’s work

Vladimir Putin addressed deputies of the new, ninth convocation of the State Duma. Speaking about the three-year budget, he said it must be “balanced” and “realistic.”

“I ask you to absolutely rule out any populism that destroys us from within. Mistakes, especially now, are absolutely unacceptable,” Putin said, adding that Russia “cannot run around the world humiliatingly begging for handouts with an outstretched hand.”

In addition, Putin:

called the day of the annexation of the “DPR,” “LPR,” and Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions to Russia “a symbol of a righteous struggle”;

said that voters in those regions “were not frightened by shelling and threats” and came to polling stations;

said that the State Duma had been renewed “by almost half,” and that participants and veterans of the war had received voters’ support;

called on deputies to “do everything for our victory” and support the military and their families;

Video: Vedomosti

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