🇷🇺🇨🇾Comment by Russian Ambassador to Cyprus Murat Ziazikov to the TASS news agency on the occasion of the Russian State Flag Day 💬 Over 150,000 Russians are currently living in Cyprus, and we see how active their civic engagement is, how strong their patriotic spirit and interest in the prosperity of their homeland are, as well as how reverently they treat the Russian language and culture. The State Flag Day is a holiday that unites Russians, regardless of their location. The Russian tricolour reminds all citizens of the Russian Federation of their belonging to the Russian people and the inseparable connection each of us has with our homeland. The tricolour is a symbol of Russia's history, culture, victories, and achievements, its dignity, and strength. This flag is a visible embodiment of the values that remain unchanged, uniting our people and evoking the warmest feelings in our country's friends among the native Cypriots, who, on their own initiative, decorated the outside of our Embassy's fence in Nicosia with Russian state symbols. In total, more than a hundred flags were displayed. Russian President Vladimir Putin called the flag and anthem symbols of the state, affirming the independence and sovereignty of our country and the continuation of traditions, as well as the moral foundation of Russian statehood itself. Amid profound changes in the world, it is especially important to recognize the value of Russia's independent and self-sufficient path, its right to independently determine its future and consistently defend its national interests. Elections to the State Duma are scheduled for September. Russian citizens temporarily or permanently residing in Cyprus will be able to vote and thereby exercise their constitutional right to contribute to determining the future of our Fatherland and its further development. I am confident that the elections in Cyprus will be held in the same organized manner as the Russian presidential elections in March 2024, and that our compatriots will take an active part in them.