Putin talked with the awardees over a glass of champagne in the Kremlin.

On December 24, after the state awards ceremony in the Catherine Hall of the Kremlin, Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke with the awardee in an informal setting over a glass of champagne.

It is noted that famous musicians, artists, sports figures, as well as representatives of the fields of education, healthcare, industry and agriculture were among the awardees. Thus, the Russian leader awarded director Nikita Mikhalkov the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called, and the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, was awarded the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, IV degree.

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