Putin meets municipal leaders to strengthen Russia's local governance and regional growth
April 23 — On Local Self-Government Day, Vladimir Putin met with representatives of Russia's municipal communities to discuss key issues in territorial development, infrastructure, public engagement, and support for participants in the special military operation. The dialogue took place as part of the Third All-Russian Municipal Forum "Small Homeland – The Strength of Russia", organized by the All-Russian Association for the Development of Local Self-Government (VARMSU) with support from the Russian Presidential Administration.
Among the participants were municipal leaders, veterans of the special military operation, young professionals, and winners of the "Service" award. The president emphasized the pivotal role of local governance in the nation's development.
"You are carrying out a truly vital mission—not just serving a small, medium, or large municipality and its residents, but serving the entire country. Because our country is made up of municipalities and the people we all serve," Putin stated.
Irina Guseva, co-chair of VARMSU, stressed that municipal teams are professionals dedicated to serving their great nation.
"Thank you for your sincere love for our country and our citizens. We, the humble soldiers of municipal service, will do everything we can to ensure that people take pride in the municipalities where they were born, grew up, and live."
Special attention was given to the development of the regions that rejoined Russia in 2022 and the personnel potential of local governance.
"In rebuilding peaceful life, municipal teams bear a special responsibility. Every experienced professional in these teams is worth their weight in gold. We would like to see those who have devoted many years to public service pass on their expertise to the younger generation and remain in their roles," Guseva said.
She proposed lifting age restrictions for municipal employees in the new regions, an initiative the president supported.
The meeting also addressed additional support measures for participants in the special military operation. Yevgeny Chintsov, chairman of Nizhny Novgorod's City Duma and a member of the General Council of United Russia, proposed expanding social contracting to provide veterans and their families with access to sports, education, travel, and additional medical care. Putin endorsed the idea.
Tatyana Adushkina, chair of the TOS "Leader" public council in Tula's Soviet District, spoke about the role of civic activists in local development and engaging residents in addressing community issues.
"We've stopped being mere onlookers—we now make decisions alongside the authorities, and they listen to us. TOS members are proactive: we take part in programs, win grants, improve courtyards, and build playgrounds and sports facilities. This is how we create spaces for family happiness."
The head of state's annual meeting with representatives of local government is held as part of the All-Russia Municipal Forum "Small Homeland—the Strength of Russia," organized by the Russian Association of Municipal Entities (RAMS) with support from the Russian Presidential Administration. Earlier, Vladimir Putin attended the awards ceremony for the winners and laureates of the "Service" Prize and congratulated local government officials on their professional holiday.
Read also:
- American teenagers taking up farming roles previously filled by immigrants, a concept revisited from 1965's labor market shift.
- Weekly affairs in the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag)
- Landslide claims seven lives, injures six individuals while they work to restore a water channel in the northern region of Pakistan
- Escalating conflict in Sudan has prompted the United Nations to announce a critical gender crisis, highlighting the disproportionate impact of the ongoing violence on women and girls.
