“We hope that lasting peace will pave the way to a better future for the Russian people and more constructive relations between our countries” – said US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a statement posted on the Department of State's website on the occasion of Russia Day.
An earlier statement, issued in 2022 by then-Secretary of State Antony Blinken, had a much firmer tone. In it, Blinken condemned the Russian authorities' repression of society and expressed hope for a more peaceful and open future for Russian citizens. Additionally, he criticized censorship regarding Russian military activities in Ukraine.
Russia Day, celebrated annually on June 12, commemorates the adoption of Russia's declaration of sovereignty in 1990. This event is considered a key moment in the history of the modern Russian Federation and is the most important public holiday in the country.
