Russia Day - world leaders congratulate Putin and Russian citizens

© Photo: Maria Novoselova / Vestnik Kavkaza

Russia Day is a national holiday in the Russian Federation celebrated annually on June 12.

By presidential decree on June 2, 1994, the date was again proclaimed Russia's national holiday. However, the holiday was officially renamed in 2002.

On the occasion of the national holiday, the leaders of a number of foreign countries sent congratulations to the country's leadership and its citizens.

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin on the occasion of Russia Day.

"I sincerely congratulate you and through you, the entire people of friendly Russia on your national holiday - Russia Day. The strong traditions of friendship and good neighborliness between our peoples, formed over many centuries, are a reliable foundation for the successful and consistent development of relations between Azerbaijan and Russia. We highly value the achieved level of Azerbaijani-Russian cooperation, which has an allied character," the letter reads.

President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko has congratulated Russian President Vladimir Putin and all Russians on Russia Day.

“Russian statehood is steadily developing, relying on centuries-old historical experience and traditional spiritual and moral values, as well as the continuity of generations and the patriotism of the nation. At all times, its citizens have been and remain the greatest wealth and value for Russia,” Lukashenko said.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan sent congratulatory messages to the Russian government on the occasion of Russia Day. The PM expressed hope that Armenia-Russia ties, based on the unshakable principles of equality and respect for the interests of the peoples of both countries, will continue to develop constructively.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has sent a congratulatory telegram to Russian President Vladimir Putin on the occasion of Russia Day.

"I extend warm congratulations and comradely greetings on behalf of the DPRK government and all the Korean people to the Russian president and, through him, to the friendly Russian government and people on the occasion of the national day of Russia," Kim Jong Un said.

King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain also sent a congratulatory telegram to Vladimir Putin ahead of Russia Day. The King wished the President and the people of Russia "further progress and prosperity" and "highly praised the historical relations between the two friendly countries and the level of coordination in various areas of cooperation in the light of strategic partnership." Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain sent a similar telegram to the Russian President.

In addition, congratulations on the national holiday were sent by President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, Nicaragua President Daniel Ortega and Vice President Rosario Murillo, Venezuela Vice President Delcy Rodríguez and others.