"I would like to congratulate all Russian women with March 8 holiday. I would like to address and congratulate you not only as President, but also as Supreme Commander-in -Chief," stated Vladimir Putin at the meeting with women in the Kremlin.
Female veterans of the Great Patriotic War, veterans of the Afghan campaign and women who currently serve in Chechnya attended the meeting.
Addressing the female audience, the president pointed out, "amazing women have gathered here today, women who made a great personal contribution to the defense of our country at various stages of its development."
"The defense of the country certainly can not be considered a secondary task," the president said.
He noted that among women gathered in the Kremlin were medical personnel, who helped soldiers and officers, the marines and spetsnaz soldiers, pilots, frontline scouts and intelligence officers, those who provided security during the 1943 Tehran Conference.
"I would also like to congratulate all mothers, who raised their children and brought them up to be loyal defenders of the Motherland, those who worked at the home front and exhibited the same degree of heroism as those who fought at the frontlines did," Vladimir Putin stressed.
"I want to congratulate, as well, those who are fighting today against terrorism and do it in an exemplary way," the president added.
He wished all the gathered women good health, happiness, to be in high spirits, and to have success. Then, Vladimir Putin gave a toast "to all women of Russia and those present at the Kremlin meeting."
