Putin presents state awards to Russian, foreign citizens

Russian President Vladimir Putin presented state awards to both Russian and foreign nationals on the Day of People's Unity, the Kremlin said Saturday.

"Preserving the diversity of the peoples of Russia, their ethnic and cultural identity is of key significance to us, as are traditions of mutual trust, concord and closeness. These foundations permeate the unity of the Russian nation with special inner power," Putin said during the awards ceremony.

The Presidential Prize for contributions to strengthening the Russian nation's unity, established in 2016, was presented to Vyacheslav Mikhailov, Chair of Ethnic and Federative Relations at the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, according to a Kremlin statement.

The president also presented the Order of Friendship to seven foreign citizens for their excellent contribution to promoting peace, friendship and mutual understanding between peoples, and to popularizing the Russian language and culture abroad, the Kremlin said.