The Russian state and the country's ruling United Russia party, together with the Russian people, must defend the country's sovereignty, strengthen its development and work for the consolidation of society, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Sunday.
"Together with all the people of Russia, we must defend Russia's sovereignty, freedom, security, all that is dear to us, our history, culture, values and traditions. To strengthen the economy, social sphere, scientific and technological potential in the interests of people, the well-being of millions of Russian families, and, of course, to work for the consolidation of society," Putin said during the United Russia party congress.
Despite pressure from the West, society and all branches of power in Russia have shown "maturity, resilience and stability," Putin said.
The head of state added that Russia's long-term development program will be formed together with the country's citizens based on their appeals and questions.
"By responding to people's appeals, to the questions that concern them, it is necessary to include in the election program such areas as the development of primary health care, the construction and renovation of mass sports infrastructure, and so on. I want to emphasize that we will certainly determine these and other tasks and plans for the future together. Together with the Russian citizens, we will form a long-term development strategy," the president underlined.
The leader also promised to make Russia a "sovereign, self-sufficient" power in the face of the West, in his first campaign speech, presented at the congress, before running again for president in a March election.
"We must remember and never forget and tell our children: Russia will be either a sovereign, self-sufficient state, or it will not be there at all," he stressed.
Putin told United Russia members that his country will only make decisions by itself without foreign advice from abroad.
"Russia cannot - like some countries - give away its sovereignty for some sausage and become someone's satellite," the leader emphasized.
Putin accused Western countries of wanting to "sow internal troubles" in Russia. "But such tactics did not and will not work," he said. The Kremlin leader said "we still have a lot to do for the interests of Russia" and that the country faced "historic tasks."
The congress of the United Russia was held on Sunday in Moscow.