President Vladimir Putin met with participants in today’s Ecosystem event, held in the Kamchatka Territory. During the gathering, the Russian leader described the Russian Federation as a true “land of the rising sun,” noting that Kamchatka and Chukotka lie east of Japan.
“Geographically, Kamchatka deserves mention. In the broader view, Japan and its neighbors are called the land of the rising sun, yet to the east of Japan only Kamchatka, Sakhalin, perhaps New Zealand to the east, and Chukotka lie beyond that direction. The strait measures about 60 kilometers, after which the American continent begins. In this sense, Russia is the Land of the Rising Sun,” Putin stated.
“Yet the origin of Russia, as I have said before, is a person, no matter where or in which region they live,” he added.
The president also admitted that his first visit to Kamchatka left a lasting impression, describing the region as having a unique atmosphere and saying everything about it was remarkable.
“No garbage on the street”
Putin pointed to ongoing challenges with poaching and illegal dumping, but he emphasized that he increasingly sees demonstrations of environmental respect. “I rarely encounter certain behaviors when I am in nature. I notice it when fires are cleared and cans are buried in the ground,” he remarked.
“This signals a rising ecological culture among the population of our country. I see more and more people acting this way, and I am grateful for that,” the president concluded.
From childhood, he recalled, he was taught not to litter. “GARBAGE on the streets wasn’t tossed then,” he said, underscoring that this habit should start with every individual.
Young naturalists
The President supported reviving the movement of young naturalists, lamenting that it had once waned. “It was a very good, well-organized, principled movement, driven by enthusiastic people and guided by lecturers in the relevant fields. The pioneer era had produced meaningful achievements in this area.”
He pledged to work toward resurrecting the initiative, noting: “Your proposal to bring this movement back for children and youth is excellent. I will actively cooperate with regional authorities and the government to ensure this is not a temporary idea.”
Waste management plan
Putin stated that Russia’s waste management efforts are accelerating and that the plan has already surpassed a couple of milestones in progress. “Considering the country’s size, more remains to be done. The pace has been positive, and everyone involved has doubled down on the waste disposal plan.”
He mentioned that the principle of “everything produced must be destroyed or paid for” has already been introduced for manufacturers, though he acknowledged it will take time for broad application. The necessary legal framework will continue to be strengthened, he added. A state environmental operator has been created, and overall this work will expand further.
“We should have helped”
Turning to political matters, the speaker underscored that the Donbass tragedy stemmed from the actions of a neo-Nazi regime that seized power in 2014 and initiated hostilities. “Major military operations using heavy weapons and aviation have occurred repeatedly, and this remains an ongoing issue,” he asserted.
“Our responsibility is to assist these people, and Russia is doing so,” the president stated. He noted that Moscow attempted to contact Kyiv and pursue a peaceful resolution, but the effort did not succeed. “We had to help and we are helping those living in Donbass,” Putin said.
He also highlighted the resilience of Donbass residents, praising them for fighting with courage that, in his view, rivals that of professional soldiers. “These are not professional troops, but two regional corps who fight bravely and effectively,” he observed.