It is a firm will of the Russian people to build a powerful Russia.

To this end, Russia is pushing ahead with making the economy independent and modern and diversifying foreign trade despite the continued sanctions and pressure by the Western countries.

Recently, Russian President Putin said at a meeting with members of an all-Russia social organization that the European countries' anti-Russian sanctions have resulted in their own economic situation being aggravated, adding that Russia is achieving stable economic growth despite external pressure.

This year alone, the US imposed sanctions on more than 250 Russian objects and the UK announced new large-scale sanctions against Russia's energy and financial sectors. The EU extended a vast range of sanctions against Russia for six more months and has recently approved a package deal on the 17th anti-Russian sanctions.

It, however, has only led to economic stagnation in European countries while Russia is achieving steady economic growth.

According to the report on the review of the work of the government of the Russian Federation last year, the growth rate of Russia’s GDP in 2023 doubled the average growth rate of Western countries. And in view of GDP according to the purchasing power parity standard, Russia has become the largest economic power in Europe and the fifth economic power in the world. The budgetary revenue of the federation last year increased by 26 percent over the previous year.

Furthermore, Russia reportedly leads the world in rare-earth metal deposits. This shows that Russia has enough material potential to create an infrastructure for an independent digital economy and develop different fields including the electronics industry and power.

Russia is expanding cooperative relations with many other countries beside member nations of BRICS, the Eurasian Economic Union and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in order to develop its external economic relations in a diversified way.

It also has set a goal to lead the world in the field of ultra-modern technology.

The Russian government is paying great attention to the development of the bio-economy closely related to the cutting-edge fields of biotechnology, renewable biological resources and new material development. Russia, with 225 production bases and 50 research institutes in the field of the bio-economy, has set a goal of achieving technical independence by 2030 and taking the lead in the field by 2036 by focusing on supporting the field and implementing a policy for relevant talents.

It also attaches importance to the development of science and technology in all other fields including that of space.

To provide all residential areas with a modern, safe and convenient environment is one of the important policy-oriented tasks set forth by the Russian government today. Accordingly, comprehensive planning and housing and infrastructure construction for residential area development are being pushed forward.

Now Russia plans to move 345 000 people living in old houses into new ones by 2030.

The state’s support to ensure people living conditions is also intensified.

Meanwhile, Russia is directing great efforts to bolstering up the national defence capability.

The efforts of the Russian government to build a powerful country are warmly supported by broad masses of people.

June 12 is the national day of the Russian Federation.

The DPRK people extend warm congratulations to the Russian people on their national day.