Website of the President of Russia: Security Council

Meeting with members of the Security Council

2026-07-17T15:33:57+04:00

The President held a briefing session with members of the Security Council, via videoconference. The discussion focused on Russia’s foreign policy priorities in the Asia-Pacific region and the work of various agencies in this area. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov delivered a keynote report.

Also participating in the meeting were Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko, State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev, Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Anton Vaino, Secretary of the Security Council Sergei Shoigu, Presidential Aide Nikolai Patrushev, Defence Minister Andrei Belousov, Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev, Director of the Federal Security Service Alexander Bortnikov, and Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service Sergei Naryshkin.

Meeting with Security Council members

2026-07-10T15:07:40+04:00

The President held, via videoconference, a briefing session with members of the Security Council to discuss threats and challenges to the Russian Federation’s information security arising from the development and deployment of new information technologies.

The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko, State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Anton Vaino, Secretary of the Security Council Sergei Shoigu, Presidential Aide Nikolai Patrushev, Defence Minister Andrei Belousov, and Director of the Federal Security Service Alexander Bortnikov.

Meeting with Security Council members

2026-07-01T15:54:21+04:00

The President held a briefing session with members of the Security Council.

The discussion focused on matters concerning the socioeconomic development of the Kaliningrad Region.

The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko, State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev, Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Anton Vaino, Secretary of the Security Council Sergei Shoigu, Presidential Aide Nikolai Patrushev, Defence Minister Andrei Belousov, Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Director of the Federal Security Service Alexander Bortnikov, Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service Sergei Naryshkin, as well as Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova, Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Northwestern Federal District Igor Rudenya, and Kaliningrad Region Governor Alexei Besprozvannykh.

Meeting with permanent members of the Security Council

2026-06-25T15:20:02+04:00

Vladimir Putin held a briefing session, via videoconference, with permanent members of the Security Council.

Taking part in the meeting were Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev, Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Anton Vaino, Presidential Aide Nikolai Patrushev, Defence Minister Andrei Belousov, Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Director of the Federal Security Service Alexander Bortnikov, and Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service Sergei Naryshkin.

* * *

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Colleagues, good afternoon.

There are two items on the agenda today. The first pertains to the safeguarding of internal security and stability. The second concerns our relations – the development of our relations with our immediate neighbours.

I propose that we begin with the domestic agenda. We have two speakers: Director of the Federal Security Service Alexander Bortnikov and Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev.

Please proceed.

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Meeting with permanent members of the Security Council

2026-06-19T14:49:05+04:00

Vladimir Putin held a briefing session with permanent members of the Security Council via videoconference.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov presented a report on one of the foreign policy areas.

Taking part in the meeting were Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko, State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev, Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Anton Vaino, Secretary of the Security Council Sergei Shoigu, Defence Minister Andrei Belousov, Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Director of the Federal Security Service Alexander Bortnikov, and Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service Sergei Naryshkin.

Meeting with permanent members of the Security Council

2026-06-11T12:50:06+04:00

Vladimir Putin held via videoconference a briefing session with permanent members of the Security Council.

Steps needed to ensure public safety ahead and during the upcoming State Duma elections, which will be held in September, were on the agenda.

Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev delivered a report on the topic.

Taking part in the meeting were Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko, State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev, Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Anton Vaino, Secretary of the Security Council Sergei Shoigu, Presidential Aide Nikolai Patrushev, Defence Minister Andrei Belousov, Minister of the Interior Vladimir Kolokoltsev, and Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service Sergei Naryshkin.

Meeting with permanent members of the Security Council

2026-05-22T21:40:58+04:00

The President held a briefing session, via videoconference, with permanent members of the Security Council.

Taking part in the meeting were Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko, State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev, Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Anton Vaino, Secretary of the Security Council Sergei Shoigu, Presidential Aide Nikolai Patrushev, Defence Minister Andrei Belousov, Minister of the Interior Vladimir Kolokoltsev, Director of the Federal Security Service Alexander Bortnikov, and Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service Sergei Naryshkin.

***

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Good evening, colleagues,

Today we have got an issue related to the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

However, I want to begin with what I said today at the meeting with the first cohort of the Time of Heroes alumni – the terrorist attack by the Kiev junta against the Lugansk People’s Republic.

In general, I have spoken up in that regard. I think, I have said what could and should be said. But if you have your assessments or proposals in this respect, I want you also to speak up about it in the course of our today’s meeting.

I think we would rather begin with this. And then we will pass over to the report by Minister of the Internal Affairs Vladimir Kolokoltsev.

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Meeting with permanent members of the Security Council

2026-05-18T14:51:11+04:00

The President held a briefing session, via videoconference, with permanent members of the Security Council.

Taking part in the meeting were Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko, State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev, Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Anton Vaino, Secretary of the Security Council Sergei Shoigu, Defence Minister Andrei Belousov, Minister of the Interior Vladimir Kolokoltsev, Director of the Federal Security Service Alexander Bortnikov, and Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service Sergei Naryshkin.

***

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Colleagues, today we will address an issue that, upon the first look, has no direct relation to the work of the Security Council and its briefing session. However, I believe it is no coincidence that it is on our agenda. I am talking about the development of the rare and rare earth metals industry to ensure the technological sovereignty and national security of the Russian Federation. This issue is extremely important for all participants in our meeting – and it is clear why.

Let’s get down to work.

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Meeting with permanent members of the Security Council

2026-05-09T10:30:35+04:00

The President held a briefing session, via videoconference, with permanent members of the Security Council.

Taking part in the meeting were Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko, State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, Deputy Secretary of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev, Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Anton Vaino, Secretary of the Security Council Sergei Shoigu, Defence Minister Andrei Belousov, Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Director of the Federal Security Service Alexander Bortnikov, Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service Sergei Naryshkin, as well as Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Savelyev and Minister of Industry and Trade Anton Alikhanov.

* * *

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Good evening, colleagues,

I would like to welcome everyone.

Today we will discuss several issues, the first and principal one being the events that took place early this morning. The Kiev regime carried out yet another attack that was unquestionably terrorist in nature, namely a strike on the Rostov Regional Air Traffic Management Centre.

This could undoubtedly have affected the safety of civilian aircraft. Fortunately, thanks to the highly professional work of our air traffic controllers, no tragic consequences occurred.

I would ask Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Vitaly Savelyev to brief us on this incident and on additional measures to ensure the stable and safe functioning of the Russian Federation’s air transport system.

Please, Mr Savelyev.

Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Savelyev:

Thank you.

Mr President,

Members of the Security Council,

Today, on May 8, between 4:15 a.m. and 5:45 a.m., three strikes were carried out against the building of the Russian Federation’s Regional Air Traffic Management Centre in Rostov-on-Don.

Following the strikes, air traffic control procedures were conducted in accordance with contingency and emergency response plans and were transferred to airfield control centres.

Thanks to the actions of the security service, personnel were evacuated to a bomb shelter. There were no casualties. The extent of the damage and additional details are currently being clarified. Engineers from Almaz-Antey and Rostec will assess the condition and operational capability of the centre’s systems over the next 15 hours.

The following 13 airports in the Rostov air traffic zone were temporarily closed: Astrakhan, Volgograd, Vladikavkaz, Gelendzhik, Grozny, Krasnodar, Makhachkala, Magas, Mineralnye Vody, Nalchik, Sochi, Stavropol and Elista. Operations are currently being conducted from backup facilities, while safety assessments continue.

Instructions have been issued to airlines regarding flight schedule adjustments, including cancellations and arrangements for passenger assistance. Airports and airlines have also been instructed to organise bus and rail transport as alternative means of transportation for passengers.

Within the next two to three days, we expect to fully restore air traffic operations in the Rostov zone. From 1 p.m., flights to the 13 airports listed above resumed on a reduced schedule.

All passengers have been informed, and airports are systematically working with passengers. There have been no complaints or issues; passengers are treating the current situation with understanding.

That concludes my report.

Vladimir Putin: Very well, thank you.

Mr Savelyev will now provide further details on the proposed measures to ensure, as I have already said, the stable and safe functioning of the air transport system.

Before we move to the closed discussion, however, I would like to congratulate you on the approaching Victory Day holiday.

We continue to keep this matter in close focus and discuss it with our colleagues and friends in the People’s Republic of China, India and other countries of the anti-Hitler coalition. Incidentally, I recently discussed this issue during a telephone conversation with the President of the United States, recalling that we fought Nazism together and achieved victory together.

A number of leaders from countries friendly to Russia have arrived personally to attend the Victory Day events and will take part in tomorrow’s commemorations.

Through the Presidential Executive Office, we are continuing consultations on what more can be done with our partners to lend this holiday truly significant international importance and to ensure that the real heroes of the Second World War are not forgotten, and that the truth about the sacrifices made by the Soviet Union, the peoples of the Soviet Union and the peoples of Russia in securing our common Victory over Nazism is preserved.

Let us proceed to the discussion of the proposed agenda item. Mr Savelyev, you have the floor.

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Meeting with permanent members of the Security Council

2026-04-24T18:52:41+04:00

The President held a briefing session with permanent members of the Security Council via videoconference.

The meeting participants discussed additional measures to prevent and combat offenses and crime.

Taking part in the meeting were Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matvienko, State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev, Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Anton Vaino, Secretary of the Security Council Sergei Shoigu, Presidential Aide Nikolai Patrushev, Minister of Defence Andrei Belousov, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Director of the Federal Security Service Alexander Bortnikov, Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service Sergei Naryshkin, Prosecutor General Alexander Gutsan, and Deputy Minister of Defence and Head of the Main Military-Political Directorate of the Armed Forces of Russia Viktor Goremykin.

Meeting with permanent members of the Security Council

2026-04-17T19:19:59+04:00

The President held a briefing session with permanent members of the Security Council via videoconference.

Taking part in the meeting were State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Anton Vaino, Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu, Presidential Aide Nikolai Patrushev, Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Director of the Federal Security Service Alexander Bortnikov, and Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service Sergei Naryshkin.

* * *

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Colleagues, good afternoon,

Today, we will discuss an issue that we address on a regular basis: interaction with our closest neighbours, the CIS countries.

We have always had, and I believe will continue to have, a special approach to this cooperation, both for historical reasons and due to the extensive work we carry out together with these countries, including economic cooperation.

These are our neighbours, and over the decades we have developed unique ties in the cultural and humanitarian spheres and in the human dimension: there are numerous mixed families, many shared interests in culture and other areas of fundamental importance.

With that, I would like to invite Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to begin our discussion. I am certain that our colleagues from the relevant sectors will have much to contribute and add to the report that he has prepared.

Please, Mr Lavrov.

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Meeting with permanent members of the Security Council

2026-04-03T16:15:14+04:00

The President held a briefing session with permanent members of the Security Council via videoconference.

The discussion focused on measures to counter the financing of terrorism and other criminal activities.

The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev, Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Anton Vaino, Secretary of the Security Council Sergei Shoigu, Presidential Aide Nikolai Patrushev, Defence Minister Andrei Belousov, Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Director of the Federal Security Service Alexander Bortnikov, Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service Sergei Naryshkin, and Head of the Federal Service for Financial Monitoring Yury Chikhanchin.

Meeting with permanent members of the Security Council

2026-03-27T17:11:49+04:00

The President held a briefing session with permanent members of the Security Council via videoconference.

Taking part in the meeting were Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko, State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev, Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Anton Vaino, Secretary of the Security Council Sergei Shoigu, Presidential Aide Nikolai Patrushev, Defence Minister Andrei Belousov, Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Federal Security Service Director Alexander Bortnikov, and Foreign Intelligence Service Director Sergei Naryshkin.

* * *

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon, colleagues.

We regularly discuss Russia’s policy in various spheres and assess the situation in various regions of the world and Russia’s relations with the countries of these regions.

Today, I propose we hear the Foreign Minister’s report on our activities on the European track.

It is clear that Russia's relations with European countries are going through a crisis, for which we are not to blame. References to the events in Ukraine do not provide sufficient grounds, because this crisis arose due to the actions of both the previous US administration and a number of leading European nations. They supported the coup in Ukraine, which subsequently triggered the entire chain of tragic events that continue to unfold there.

We will not talk about the reasons behind this. We will talk about our relations with European countries and the EU as a whole. Let me reiterate: we have never abandoned the idea of developing these relations or restoring them.

Let us listen to Mr Lavrov, who will offer relevant assessments and his considerations on what we should do next in the European direction.

Mr Lavrov, go ahead please.

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Meeting with permanent members of the Security Council

2026-03-20T19:37:47+04:00

The President held a briefing session with permanent members of the Security Council via videoconference.

The discussion focused on issues pertaining to the development of the Interior Ministry system.

Meeting with permanent members of the Security Council

2026-03-13T13:37:33+04:00

The President held a briefing session with permanent members of the Security Council via videoconference.

Additional measures for protecting critical infrastructure were on the agenda.

Taking part in the meeting were Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko, State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev, Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Anton Vaino, Secretary of the Security Council Sergei Shoigu, Defence Minister Andrei Belousov, Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev, Federal Security Service Director Alexander Bortnikov, and Foreign Intelligence Service Director Sergei Naryshkin.

Reports were delivered by Deputy Prime Ministers of the Government Alexander Novak and Vitaly Savelyev, and Minister of Construction, Housing and Utilities Irek Fayzullin.

Meeting with permanent members of the Security Council

2026-02-28T16:48:40+04:00

The President held a briefing session with permanent members of the Security Council via videoconference

The situation surrounding Iran was on the agenda.

Meeting with permanent members of the Security Council

2026-02-27T14:17:56+04:00

Vladimir Putin held a briefing session with permanent members of the Security Council via videoconference.

The discussion focused on steps needed to strengthen the constitutional order. Justice Minister Konstantin Chuichenko delivered the report.

Taking part in the meeting were Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko, State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev, Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Anton Vaino, Secretary of the Security Council Sergei Shoigu, Presidential Aide Nikolai Patrushev, Defence Minister Andrei Belousov, Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Federal Security Service Director Alexander Bortnikov, and Foreign Intelligence Service Director Sergei Naryshkin.

Meeting with permanent members of the Security Council

2026-02-20T19:22:01+04:00

The President chaired a briefing session with permanent members of the Security Council.

The meeting was attended by Speaker of the Federation Council Valentina Matviyenko, Speaker of the State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev, Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Anton Vaino, Secretary of the Security Council Sergei Shoigu, Presidential Aide Nikolai Patrushev, Defence Minister Andrei Belousov, Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Director of the Federal Security Service Alexander Bortnikov, Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service Sergei Naryshkin, as well as Presidential Aide Vladimir Medinsky and Chief of the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces – Deputy Chief of the General Staff Igor Kostyukov.

* * *

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon, colleagues,

Today, we have a significant and, I believe, highly pertinent item on our agenda – namely, measures to enhance the efficiency of fundamental and applied research in the interests of national defence and state security. We will proceed to discuss this matter.

However, before we commence our work and move to the main discussion, I would like to invite our colleagues who have recently returned from Geneva – where they held meetings with American and Ukrainian delegations to explore solutions, peaceful solutions, regarding developments on this track – to deliver their remarks.

The delegation was headed by Vladimir Medinsky. I would like to give him the floor, to be followed by a colleague from the Defence Ministry, so that our colleagues share with us how the discussions proceeded and what agreements were reached – they have already reported to me, but I would like all permanent members of the Security Council to also be briefed directly, so to speak, first-hand.

Please, let us begin.

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Meeting with permanent members of the Security Council

2026-02-06T18:16:53+04:00

Vladimir Putin chaired a briefing session with permanent members of the Security Council.

The discussion focused on additional measures to prevent and mitigate floods and wildfires in 2026, as well as measures to ensure cybersecurity in the communications and mass media sectors.

The meeting was attended by Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko, State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev, Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Anton Vaino, Presidential Aide Nikolai Patrushev, Defence Minister Andrei Belousov, Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Director of the Federal Security Service Alexander Bortnikov, Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service Sergei Naryshkin, and Minister of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media Maksut Shadayev.

Meeting with permanent members of the Security Council

2026-01-22T15:59:14+04:00

Vladimir Putin chaired, via videoconference, a briefing session with permanent members of the Security Council.

Taking part in the meeting were Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko, State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev, Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Anton Vaino, Secretary of the Security Council Sergei Shoigu, Presidential Aide Nikolai Patrushev, Minister of Defence Andrei Belousov, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Director of the Federal Security Service Alexander Bortnikov, Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service Sergei Naryshkin, Special Presidential Representative for Environmental Protection, Ecology and Transport Sergei Ivanov, and Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Savelyev.

* * *

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Good evening, colleagues.

Today, we will discuss an important matter. Vitaly Savelyev will report on the implementation prospects of the North-South International Transport Corridor.

Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko: Mr President, may I ask two questions before we address the main issue on today’s agenda?

Vladimir Putin: Please, go ahead.

Valentina Matviyenko: First, what is your attitude to US President Donald Trump’s initiative regarding the Board of Peace?

And second, what are our overall assessments and forecasts, and what is our position on the situation around Greenland?

Vladimir Putin: Regarding the Board of Peace, we have received a personal invitation from US President Donald Trump to join the new international structure, the Board of Peace, which is being established at his initiative.

In this connection, I would like to begin by expressing my gratitude to the US President for the invitation. We have always supported and continue to support any efforts aimed at strengthening international stability. We also appreciate the contribution of the current US administration to the search for a solution to the Ukrainian crisis.

Speaking about our participation in the Board of Peace, the Foreign Ministry has been instructed to analyse the documents we have received and consult our strategic partners on this matter. Only after doing this can we formulate our reply to the invitation that has been extended to us.

The proposal we have received primarily concerns a settlement in the Middle East and the search for possible solutions to the pressing problems of the Palestinian people and the acute humanitarian issues in the Gaza Strip.

In this connection, I will emphasise the main points. The main point is that this process should have a beneficial effect on the long-term settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict based on the relevant decisions of the UN. It is important for all essential needs and desires of the Palestinians to be taken into account. This concerns the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip and its basic social infrastructure, including the healthcare and water supply systems, as well as uninterrupted food supplies.

Therefore, I believe that even before we formulate our decision regarding our participation and work on the Board of Peace, and taking into account Russia’s special relations with the Palestinian people, we can transfer the $1 billion from the Russian assets frozen under the previous US administration.

Incidentally, the remaining part of the Russian assets frozen in the US could also be used for rebuilding the territories damaged during the hostilities after a peace agreement is signed between Russia and Ukraine. We are discussing this possibility with the envoys of the US administration. I plan to discuss these matters with President of the State of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas, with whom I will hold talks tomorrow, and with US representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who will arrive in Moscow tomorrow to continue our dialogue on a settlement in Ukraine.

Now, as for Greenland. What is happening around Greenland does not concern us in any way. However, we do have experience of resolving similar issues with the United States. In the 19^th century – if I am not mistaken, in 1867 – Russia sold Alaska to the United States, and the United States purchased it from us.

As far as I remember, the area of Alaska is about 1.717 million square kilometres, slightly more. The United States purchased Alaska for $7.2 million. These figures should, of course, be checked, but to the best of my recollection, this is correct. In today’s prices, adjusted for inflation over all these decades, this amount would come to around $158 million.

The area of Greenland, meanwhile, is slightly over 2.166 million square kilometres. That is, roughly speaking, about 449,000 to 450,000 square kilometres more than the area of Alaska. If we compare this with the price paid by the United States for Alaska, the price of Greenland would be somewhere in the range of $200–250 million.

If we compare this using gold prices at the time, the figure would likely be higher, perhaps approaching $1 billion. But I think the United States would be able to afford that as well. Most importantly, Denmark and the United States also have their own historical experience in this regard. As far as I recall, in 1917 Denmark sold the Virgin Islands to the United States. So, such precedents do exist.

Incidentally, Denmark has always treated Greenland as a colony and has governed it rather harshly, not to say brutally. But that is a different matter and is unlikely to be of interest to anyone today. In any case, this certainly does not concern us. I believe they will sort it out among themselves.

Let us now move on to the main issue on our agenda and give the floor to Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Savelyev.

Please.

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