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"Nothing is impossible for you," Putin said in a speech to a
group of women who were then invited to step up and accept
bouquets from him as trumpet fanfares sounded.
"You can be tender and feminine and at the same time very
strong. You always strive for fairness, you do everything to
ensure that life in the family, society and the country
unfailingly improves," the president said.
International Women's Day is one of Russia's most important
public holidays, celebrated with gifts and gallantry in a
society where women are guaranteed full equality under the
constitution but in practice are often condescended to and
subjected to old-fashioned gender stereotypes.
Alluding to the war in Ukraine, Putin told the group: "Now, when
Russia is again faced with direct threats to its security and
sovereignty, we see many examples of valour and determination,
courage, readiness to stand up for the truth, protect people and
the very future of our state."
Earlier, in a video published by the Kremlin, he issued special
thanks to female military personnel, saying their courage amazes
even the "most hardened fighters".
Russia has been waging war on Ukraine for a year with no end in
sight. Kyiv and its allies call it an imperialistic land grab
that has seen thousands killed, millions of Ukrainians displaced
and cities and villages reduced to rubble.
(Reporting by Mark Trevelyan; Editing by Gareth Jones)
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