Putin warns a group of schoolchildren that ‘schisms’ in society expose Russia to ‘powerful and traitorous enemies’

Vladimir Putin visited a group of schoolchildren today in Sochi, where he warned how "destructive" it is for Russia to endure "any schisms," explaining that only unity among the people can "help repel any powerful and traitorous enemy." 

Putin's remarks came at Sochi's "Sirius School for the Gifted," where the students are between 10 and 17 years old. In his comments, the President mentioned "the lessons of unrest, revolution, and civil war" that Russia has learned over the years. Putin also said "a sense of patriotism is passed between us from generation to generation," which he says explains the "colossal spiritual might" of the Russian people.

Putin also addressed the experiences of Peter the Great and his associates, who went to Europe to get educated, and then returned to Russia, where they "created a new, but distinctly Russian nation, and not a copy of some other country." 

"Peter was only 11 years old, when he formed the so-called Toy Army," which later became the "victorious and unconquerable Russian Guard," Putin said. As a modern-day example of Russia's military might, he cited the developers of the mobile short-range "Iskander" ballistic missile system. "The most important component of this system was engineered by young people who hadn't even turned 30 yet," the President said.

We are rightly proud of the tremendous contributions of Russian composers, musicians, writers, and artists to the development of world civilization and culture. [...] Only a society with a clear moral center and a firm spiritual basis is capable of creating and developing a harmonious society, capable of harmonious technological progress.