Official website of the President of Russia

Transcripts   /

Anna Pluzhnikova, a participant in the Anapa environmental disaster relief mission, won the 2025 Volunteer of the Year award.

Launched in 2020 by volunteers from the nationwide #WeAreTogether mutual aid project, the award has since achieved a global footprint, garnering over 52,000 applications from 147 countries in 2025.

Earlier, the President met with volunteers participating in the #WeAreTogether International Forum of Civil Participation and took part in the Russian national charity event, the New Year Tree of Wishes.

* * *

Speech at #WeAreTogether International Award Ceremony

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon, friends,

I extend my warmest and most heartfelt welcome to all the participants and guests of this wonderful, vibrant #WeAreTogether forum.

As you all know better than anyone, this movement was born five years ago, at a time when our entire nation – indeed, the entire world – was locked in a battle against the coronavirus. No one knew what we were facing, nor how to act. There were no effective means to fight this disease, this virus. Yet, in the face of this uncertainty, people self-organised and began helping those most in need, sparing no effort. Some tragically gave their own lives in this fight, sacrificing themselves to save others.

This stands as a powerful testament to the character of our country and all the peoples of the Russian Federation. To help one’s neighbour, to support those in need – it runs in our blood. And you, along with your friends and comrades, embody this spirit so profoundly. For that, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

It is no surprise, then, that people like you have inspired so many followers and supporters across other nations. Yours is a mission that truly knows no national boundaries. What unites us all is a single, simple thing: a kind heart.

Of course, it is very important that, since the launch of the special military operation, you have also become involved in this work. By the way, the number of volunteers has almost tipled, from 10 to 32 percent of the population. When the special military operation began, 630,000 people became involved in supporting our troops, heroes of the special military operation, and their families.

What is especially important is that you engage special military operation veterans in this work. Their lives are remarkable examples for the entire country, especially for young people who can see true, real-life heroes of the modern times as they know what Motherland is and how to defend it. It is extremely important.

When you join forces together with the Defenders of the Fatherland Foundation and other organisations, including as part of the Popular Front, you achieve synergy. This is great because it produces the best possible result.

Another area of work is supporting people with health restrictions in the broad sense of this term. The International Day of Persons with Disabilities is also observed today.

Of course, any state faces a task of supporting people who require assistance from official welfare institutions. But every rule and every law become outdated already in the course of its development and adoption. Only direct communication with people and knowing what they need at this particular moment and in the nearest future helps the state to make timely efforts and steer its policy on this crucial area of social responsibility in the right direction. Overall, issues that we deal with go far beyond barrier-free environment. Thank you very much for being here and helping the country – most importantly, for helping specific people to solve their problems.

Finally, these events are taking place ahead of Volunteer Day that we celebrate on December 5. First, congratulations on this holiday. (Applause)

Second, I am pleased to present this award to this year’s winner. Thank you very much.

TV presenter Yulia Baranovskaya: Mr President, as per tradition, we would like you to present the Volunteer of the Year award.

This year, the award goes to Anna Pluzhnikova.

Anna, you have the floor.

Vladimir Putin: Anna, please accept our congratulations.

Thank you for your work. I hope that you will continue to do it as actively as you have been doing this so far. Please.

Anna Pluzhnikova: Mr President, thank you very much.

I would like to thank everyone. Receiving this high award is a great honour to me.

You know, when I went to Anapa, I saw how many caring people there are in our country, people who cannot remain indifferent to trouble, people who left their regular life and sacrificed their comforts to save our incredibly beautiful Black Sea, its inhabitants and coast.

And all the time I spent working there as a volunteer, I hardly saw a single volunteer who worked alone rather than on a team. I think that this is proof that we would not have succeeded without each other. We did what we have done in Anapa only because we were together.

Thank you very much.

Vladimir Putin: If I may, I would like to mention an extremely important part of the work Anna mentioned. She said that they were saving the Black Sea, but they also protected people’s health. Thank you for this.

I wish you and your team success.

Anna Pluzhnikova: Thank you very much.

Yulia Baranovskaya: Mr President, thank you so much for being with us here today.

We are together. Thank you.

Vladimir Putin: Thank you very much.

I wish you success, and all the best.