OREANDA-NEWS. At a traditional meeting with representatives of religious confessions on National Unity Day, which is being held via videoconference this year, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that a difficult situation has developed in a number of countries of the world, and one can see the results of actions of various provocateurs, when some offend the feelings of believers under the guise of freedom of speech, others use it as an excuse to justify violence and intolerance.

The President called for doing everything possible to exclude such a development of events in Russia.

During the meeting, Putin congratulated all Russians on National Unity Day. Among those who rose up against internal strife and humiliation of their country, there were representatives of various nationalities and religions, the President reminded, referring to the history of today's holiday. In the struggle against foreign invaders, with treachery and treachery, they were united and therefore won, restored the integrity of the state and strong power, saved and preserved the Fatherland.

According to the President, the world is undergoing profound changes, as a result of which traditional values are facing serious challenges, and extremely sensitive issues of interethnic and interreligious relations, unfortunately, often become the subject of speculation and unscrupulous geopolitical games.

The President stressed, that Russian society and entire huge multinational and multi-confessional country today are united by patriotism and solidarity of citizens, common moral ideals. All people inhabiting Russia, in his words, experiencing difficulties and joys together, achieving grandiose victories and going through the hardest trials, "have historically proved their choice to live in peace and harmony with each other."