Vladimir Putin launched the Year of the Family at the RUSSIA EXPO

The President talked to families from different regions of the country and gave a start to the Year of the Family in Russia at the Dear – Loved Ones Forum in Moscow.

"I can say without any doubt that a family with many children is the backbone of the country, well, a family in general is, but a [family] with many children is all the more of a supporting pillar. Why is having many children so important? Because - you know it better than I do - this is where the basic qualities of a person are brought up, which, in fact, are the foundation of the family and the country: respect for the elders, love and care for the younger, diligence, everything that is connected with this organism - the family. These are the very traditional values that we constantly talk about and support. As a matter of fact, all our domestic policy and economic policy are in one way or another connected with the support of the family," Vladimir Putin said.

The President noted in his speech that the decree he signed on establishing the status of a family with many children gives guaranteed support to such families in all regions of the country.

"It is important that there are more families with many children. Strengthening the well-being of families is our national priority for years to come," the President emphasized.

"Russia is indeed a huge family, one could say a family of families. After all, people of different nationalities have lived here in peace and harmony for centuries, and the diversity of their cultures, languages, customs does not divide, no, but on the contrary, unites Russia. Because we have common values of a big friendly family. They make us stronger, more confident and united. Any difficulties can be overcome when a huge country like ours is united. And any goals can be achieved when we are all together. When in a large family with many children, where there is always help and support, such wonderful children like ours grow up," the President said.