Vladimir Putin: “I commend the energy and initiative of the people of Buryatia, and their sincere love for the Motherland.”

I think it's another mistake, a serious one. And in my view it clearly runs counter to the interests of the German people.

Understanding that he is entering a difficult situation, he nevertheless does not stop his efforts to help bring about a settlement and to make his contribution to resolving the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.

We must realize that the moment when nothing can be changed any longer may come very quickly and unexpectedly for everyone. The logic of escalating, increasingly harsh retaliatory measures leads to a fatal point of no return.

Such a high, even record, number of people who came out and voted shows that the people of Russia support our efforts aimed at strengthening the country.