President Vladimir Putin spoke about aligning the newly incorporated regions with Russia’s legal framework at a meeting of the Security Council, emphasizing the priority of rapid integration into the country’s economic, legal, and educational systems. The briefing, broadcast by Russia 24, highlighted a clear directive: the historical lands of Donbass and Novorossiya should be brought into the fold as soon as possible, ensuring their full participation in nationwide governance and development programs.
The head of state acknowledged that the situation in the liberated and newly affiliated territories remains challenging. He underscored the ongoing need for stability, reconstruction, and sustained investment, noting that difficulties are part of the broader process of incorporating these regions into Russia’s legal and social order.
In recalling his recent visit to Mariupol, Putin pointed to the extensive construction efforts underway in the city. He stressed that the rebuilding process is a testament to the commitment to restore infrastructure, housing, and public services, with a focus on long-term resilience for residents and local institutions.
On March 19, the president traveled by helicopter to Mariupol, then toured multiple city districts by car. He engaged with residents in the Nevsky microdistrict, inspected housing developments, examined the coastline, visited the theater building, and observed other key sites. When questioned by a journalist about the choice of visiting a region deemed unsafe by some observers, Putin described the trip as a long overdue, comprehensive study of the area intended to assess needs firsthand and guide informed decision-making for future projects.