Overview

• Putin said Russia’s fate remains in the people’s hands, though the military currently stands at the forefront of national efforts.
• He described the tasks facing the armed forces as “fate‑defining” for the country.
• The remarks came at a press conference in Dushanbe following his state visit to Tajikistan.
• He made the comments when asked why he spent his birthday meeting with military personnel.
• RIA Novosti reported the statements as part of official messaging around the special military operation.