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Good afternoon. We are live with the Direct Line with Vladimir Putin 

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and today’s programme hosts, Yevgeny Rozhkov and Valeriya Korableva.

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This is a joint project between Channel One and Rossiya 

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television channel. You can watch the broadcast live on Rossiya-24,

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too, and listen live on radio stations Mayak, Vesti FM,

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and Radio Rossii.

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Our colleagues Olga Ushakova, Vera Krasova, Nailya Asker-zade,

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and Olga Pautova will be helping us in the studio,

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and Tatyana Remezova and Natalya Yuryeva are working at the call centre.

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Let me say a few words about our guests.

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We have the heroes of TV reports here today,

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people from all walks of life, doctors, teachers, workers,

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businesspeople, farmers, students, scientists, military personnel,

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law enforcement officers, and others.

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The issues raised include rising prices, the drop in living standards,

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bad roads, the housing and utilities sector, health sector problems,

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and conflict zones, old and new.

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We will talk today about all that is really on Russians’ minds.

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There are already many questions and they continue coming in.

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We will discuss the main issues today and put the big questions 

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to the star of today’s programme –

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the President of the Russian Federation.

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So, here, live, we have Vladimir Putin.

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Good afternoon.

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Good afternoon.

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Mr President, this is the question processing centre,

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or the call centre, as we also call it.

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It is one of the few such centres specially established by Rostelecom 

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to collect the questions people are sending to you for this direct line.

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There are several centres because one alone would simply 

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not cope with the volume.

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Dozens of messages are coming in every second –

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SMS and MMS messages and telephone calls.

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If you look around, you see the girls busy taking the many 

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calls coming in.

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At the computers over there they are taking video calls.

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We have someone right now who wants to put a question to you live.

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Incidentally, these video calls are one of the innovations 

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of this year’s Direct Line.

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Excellent.

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Let me show you how it all works.

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The operator is taking the call right now.

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It’s a call from Omsk Region, a video call,

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and this young lady wants to put her question.

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It looks like a question about roads.

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Let’s hear the question.

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There’s a real hail of questions about roads this year.

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Yes, let’s hear what she wants to ask.

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Go ahead. So, roads then, well,

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this means we get straight into the heart of things this 

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year, without any warm-up.

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Hello, Mr President.

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My name is Yekaterina and I am calling on behalf 

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of the people of Omsk Region.

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We have a problem here, and it’s no small problem –

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it’s our roads. Take a look at what state they’re in.

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It’s just one pothole after another.

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Our cars break down on these roads, the wheels come off.

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The authorities turn a deaf ear to our problems and pleas.

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We try to take action, organise petitions,

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but the authorities ignore us.

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The people here don’t have proper roads, no bicycle paths either,

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the trees are being cut down, and there’s mud everywhere.

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Is this the centre of town or the outskirts?

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This is the centre of town.

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There’s also the question of the metro we’ve all been waiting for so 

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long, but its construction isn’t going anywhere.

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We just get told that it will be built eventually.

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Mr President, Omsk will soon celebrate its 300th anniversary.

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This is a symbolic date.

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The local people all hope that by this date at least our city will be 

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a fresh new place with the roads and green spaces we ask 

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for. Thank you very much.

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What is your name? Can she hear me?

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Yes, she can hear you. You can talk.

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My name is Yekaterina.

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Yekaterina, this is indeed a problem that has worsened of late,

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strange as it may seem, given that we set up the regional road funds 

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a while ago and have been allocating considerable funds for their work.

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I spent all of yesterday looking through the questions coming in,

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and I see that, despite the efforts,

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very many people have complaints about the state of our roads.

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This is obviously not by chance,

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because I looked at the different issues people are raising,

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and road-related issues really account for a huge share of questions,

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which means that this is a real concern for people,

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not just in Omsk Region, but in other parts of Russia too.

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I looked at how the road funds are spending their money,

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and I see that the funds are quite substantial,

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but a lot of money is getting diverted to resolving other tasks.

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The Government and I will think about this.

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In any case, I believe that what certainly needs to be done is, first,

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to make sure that road construction funds are used 

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according to their intended purpose.

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Heads of Russian regions used to be against this approach,

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since for them these funds were and still are some kind 

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of a piggy-bank, if I can say so,

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where they could source money to fund other purposes.

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In fact, they were not prevented by law from doing so.

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These funds should be earmarked specifically for road construction 

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and overhaul, especially taking into account that no more than 10 

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percent of the road construction funds go towards 

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overhauling roads. This was the first point.

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My second point is about what else can be done within a short 

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timeframe. A decision was taken to raise excise duties on motor fuel 

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by two rubles. Initially we expected to channel all this revenue 

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to regional road construction funds.

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However the Ministry of Finance, as it turns out,

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has a plan to transfer the proceeds from this two-ruble increase 

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to the federal budget due to the well-known shortfalls with the budget.

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We have to keep in mind, that these are not easy times for the Ministry 

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of Finance in terms of balancing the budget,

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as we will discuss later.

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I think that we need to find a compromise in this respect by maybe 

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leaving at least one ruble in regional road construction funds.

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This would amount to some 40 billion rubles,

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and would hopefully improve road quality.

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As for Omsk, of course, the city should benefit from improvements as it 

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approaches its 300th anniversary,

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and even more so its road network.

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For that, Russian regions should adopt the same approach 

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as we have on the federal level.

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Why not? I’m talking about the so-called full-service contracts: from 

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road construction to maintenance and repair,

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so that companies will be incentivised to do a good job from 

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the outset. I think that we should probably begin by adopting these 

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measures, and this is what we are going to do in the near future.

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Maybe we will return to this subject later on. This was a good start.

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Let’s now move to the studio. Everyone is waiting for us there.

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Thank you. Of course.

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As you have seen, this is the first time that we are taking 

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live video calls. In order to ask Vladimir Putin a question,

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you need to download a free application, register 

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(you may use your social media account) and press the call button.

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This application has already been downloaded dozens of thousands 

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of times, and we have over 10,000 video calls.

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As usual, operators in our call centre also accept pre-recorded video 

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questions, and of course MMS messages at the number 0440.

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Over this week of work the question processing centre has received 

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hundreds of thousands of questions for the President.

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Our operators at the different call centres around the country have 

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been working practically round the clock to process all 

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the messages coming in.

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As the figures stand now, we have received nearly half-a-million calls 

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and 400,000 SMS, and the total number of messages now comes 

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to more than 2.3 million.

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Let me remind you that you can put your question by calling the free 

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number 8 800 200 4040, and the short number for SMS messages is 04040.

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Among our innovations this year is that you can send your questions via 

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this programme’s official group on the social network VKontakte.

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Young people, people under thirty,

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have been making active use of this option.

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We have 20,000 registered users and more than

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70 000 questions. This new option for communicating with the President has 

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turned out to be very popular.

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Let me remind you that the live broadcast on our site is accompanied 

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by sign language interpretation.

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Well, Russia has traversed another difficult year with the Western 

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sanctions and the fall in oil prices.

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Of course, this has all had an impact on the Russian economy.

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The statistics show that for the first time in many years,

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we have had a drop in production, wages are coming down,

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and people are losing their jobs.

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Despite these difficulties, and in spite of everything, perhaps,

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Russia’s economy has pulled through and is certainly not in tatters,

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as your colleague [US President] Barack Obama predicted it would be.

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The last year certainly brought its share of good things too,

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but the specific nature of this programme means that people seldom ask 

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about the good things, they ask about their concerns, worries,

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and the things that went wrong.

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After all, the Direct Line programmes are above all a way to take 

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a look at the issues of greatest concern to ordinary people.

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When preparing for the Direct Line,

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we looked through lots of questions,

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many of which concern the economy –

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not economics but the economy in a more narrow meaning.

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For everyone is concerned about his or her personal budget,

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and many people have had to rethink their spending habits 

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and have become more thrifty.

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Let’s start with questions on essential issues.

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We are receiving them in the form of text messages and also 

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via the internet.

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Lyudmila Safronova from Moscow is asking about prices,

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of course: “Last year I spent 

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5,000 rubles on weekly food purchases for my family.

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A year later, that is today, the same amount costs 10,000 rubles,

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or twice as much, whereas the Government claims that 

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inflation is only 12.5 percent.

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Whom should I trust – the Government or supermarket till receipt?”

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You should trust both, and here’s why. There is no contradiction.

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The Government is talking about the average annual 

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inflation, which was 12.9 and not 12.5 percent last year.

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As for the different component parts making up this figure,

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the rise in food prices is a very large component.

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Last year, and especially early last year,

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food prices grew considerably, by about 14 percent, if memory serves,

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but in the third quarter the prices of basic foodstuffs decreased.

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Early this year, the growth was approximately

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2,2 percent, which means the Government is not deceiving us.

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But 12.9 percent is a lot anyway.

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However, we should pay special attention to the situation with food.

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Frankly, we are partially responsible for the growth of food prices.

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Why? Because we restricted the import of foodstuffs in response 

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to the Western sanctions against Russia.

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We did this knowingly, expecting this to create conditions 

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for the development of our agricultural industry and to set 

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the market free. And this is what we are seeing.

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Overall GDP has dropped by

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3.7 percent, and industry posted a drop of

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3.4 percent, but the agriculture sector grew by 3 percent.

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This sector plays a big part in our people’s life and our economy,

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given that 40 million people in Russia live in rural areas.

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Overall though, looking at the long term,

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we think this will produce a positive effect,

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increase our food security, and create better conditions for life 

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and work in the countryside as the prospects improve.

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I not only hope but am quite confident that what we are seeing now are 

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temporary difficulties and gradually,

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as local products fill the Russian market,

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prices will come down.

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They will stabilise at least, as we are seeing it starting to happen 

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now. Overall though, of course,

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I realise very well that these difficulties have placed 

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a burden on ordinary consumers.

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Yes, here’s a question precisely on these lines.

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“Everyone in Russia is trying to spend less and save where they can.

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What are you personally trying to save on? Tamara Georgiyevna, Moscow”.

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I try to save on time, the most valuable thing that we have.

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Natalya Prikhodko from Moscow has a question: “The Government’s 

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economic officials keep telling us that we have hit the bottom 

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in the crisis and are now on the way up again.

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They’ve already said this 7 times.

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Where is the Russian economy now as you see it?” She’s making reference 

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to the big news conference you gave, the one at the end of 2014,

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it seems, 18 months ago, and she asks,

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00:13:55.860 --> 00:13:57.825
“Is the Russian economy going through a black period 

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or a white period now?”

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It’s going through a grey period. Let me explain why.

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00:14:04.737 --> 00:14:09.012
The difficulties have not completely faded yet,

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00:14:09.012 --> 00:14:12.560
but we do see a positive trend at work.

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00:14:12.560 --> 00:14:18.560
I said just before that our GDP dropped by 3.7 percent.

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00:14:18.560 --> 00:14:24.372
This year, the Government expects a slight drop 

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00:14:24.372 --> 00:14:31.760
to continue, but they expect growth of 1.4 percent next year.

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00:14:31.760 --> 00:14:36.660
Yes, in these terms, it is difficult to say exactly where the bottom 

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00:14:36.660 --> 00:14:40.200
lies, but the Government’s forecasts show us the outlines –

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00:14:40.200 --> 00:14:43.516
we can expect a slight drop this year, but next year will bring growth.

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00:14:43.516 --> 00:14:49.080
I have this chart here with me so that I do not mess up any numbers.

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00:14:49.080 --> 00:14:52.280
I have already mentioned GDP and industrial output.

249
00:14:52.280 --> 00:14:57.000
Unfortunately, there are also other negative developments that impact 

250
00:14:57.000 --> 00:14:58.403
the people of Russia.

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00:14:58.403 --> 00:15:02.680
We should never forget this and work on overcoming these trends.

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00:15:02.680 --> 00:15:08.996
Specifically, real household disposable income declined by 4 percent,

253
00:15:08.996 --> 00:15:12.200
and real wages went down even more.

254
00:15:12.200 --> 00:15:15.120
However, there are also encouraging, absolutely positive developments,

255
00:15:15.120 --> 00:15:17.816
such as, as I have already mentioned,

256
00:15:17.816 --> 00:15:20.439
a 3 percent increase in agriculture.

257
00:15:20.439 --> 00:15:27.781
Residential construction reached an all-time high last year of over 85 

258
00:15:27.781 --> 00:15:31.918
million square metres. This is a record.

259
00:15:31.918 --> 00:15:38.640
The unemployment rate is still low in Russia at just 5.6 percent.

260
00:15:38.640 --> 00:15:41.942
It has inched up, although very slightly compared 

261
00:15:41.942 --> 00:15:43.593
to the pre-crisis period.

262
00:15:43.593 --> 00:15:47.160
The maternity capital has been adjusted for inflation,

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00:15:47.160 --> 00:15:52.480
and now stands at 453,000 rubles.

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It should be noted that despite the fact that the price of oil has 

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00:15:57.706 --> 00:16:01.451
almost halved, Russia still has a trade surplus,

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00:16:01.451 --> 00:16:04.883
which means that we make more than we spend.

267
00:16:04.883 --> 00:16:08.160
This surplus stands at 146 billion rubles,

268
00:16:08.160 --> 00:16:12.635
which is a good result. We still have our reserves.

269
00:16:12.635 --> 00:16:18.252
Russia’s international reserves have now recovered to the level 

270
00:16:18.252 --> 00:16:24.620
of early 2014 and are equal to 387 billion rubles,

271
00:16:24.620 --> 00:16:29.488
while the deficit is at its minimum of

272
00:16:29.488 --> 00:16:34.080
2.4 percent, which is below expectations.

273
00:16:35.900 --> 00:16:38.640
Here is another question: it is said that Russia’s national reserves 

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00:16:38.640 --> 00:16:41.600
will last only one year. Will it be enough to get through the crisis?

275
00:16:41.600 --> 00:16:44.120
As I have just said, reserves have recovered.

276
00:16:44.120 --> 00:16:47.400
I’m talking about the reserves held by the Central Bank 

277
00:16:47.400 --> 00:16:50.873
or the so-called international reserves of the state.

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00:16:50.873 --> 00:16:53.561
They have recovered to early 2014 levels,

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00:16:53.561 --> 00:16:57.166
and are actually a little higher than that. 

280
00:16:57.166 --> 00:16:59.198
We had 385.5 billion rubles in early 2014,

281
00:16:59.198 --> 00:17:03.000
and now Russia’s reserves are equal to 387 billion rubles.

282
00:17:03.000 --> 00:17:06.306
The reserve funds managed by the Government 

283
00:17:06.306 --> 00:17:10.045
(just to remind you, we have two funds of this kind: the Reserve Fund,

284
00:17:10.045 --> 00:17:12.897
as it is called, and the National Welfare Fund)

285
00:17:12.897 --> 00:17:15.292
have shrunk, but only slightly.

286
00:17:15.292 --> 00:17:20.160
As of today, they hold 50 and 71 billion dollars, respectively,

287
00:17:20.160 --> 00:17:24.040
or 10.5 percent of the country’s GDP.

288
00:17:24.040 --> 00:17:28.698
What does this mean? This means that if we keep spending them 

289
00:17:28.698 --> 00:17:31.328
in the same way as, say, last year,

290
00:17:31.328 --> 00:17:34.350
the reserve funds would last at least four years,

291
00:17:34.350 --> 00:17:37.610
even if they are not replenished and nothing is done to save them.

292
00:17:37.610 --> 00:17:40.340
That said, we expect the economy to grow next year,

293
00:17:40.340 --> 00:17:43.060
which means that we may not have to spend as much of our reserves.

294
00:17:43.060 --> 00:17:45.686
Maybe, we will not even have to spend as much as we already have.

295
00:17:45.686 --> 00:17:49.042
This goes to say that there should be no fears in this respect.

296
00:17:49.042 --> 00:17:50.470
Having reserves in the amount of 

297
00:17:50.470 --> 00:17:52.338
10.5 percent of GDP means that if we stopped everything, and I mean,

298
00:17:52.338 --> 00:17:57.266
just did nothing, and just laid around the house all day,

299
00:17:57.266 --> 00:18:00.440
we could live for four months, and do nothing at all.

300
00:18:00.440 --> 00:18:02.610
The country can just freeze for four months and will still get along.

301
00:18:02.610 --> 00:18:04.934
I hope we won’t come to a standstill.

302
00:18:04.934 --> 00:18:06.168
This question of when will the crisis hit the bottom is 

303
00:18:06.168 --> 00:18:08.572
a real concern on people’s minds.

304
00:18:08.572 --> 00:18:11.401
Here’s another question: “Does it worry you that economic discussions 

305
00:18:11.401 --> 00:18:13.573
boil down to three subjects now: when we will hit the bottom,

306
00:18:13.573 --> 00:18:15.695
when will oil prices rise, and should we print money or is there enough 

307
00:18:15.695 --> 00:18:19.056
in the treasury? Meanwhile, technological change keeps taking place 

308
00:18:19.056 --> 00:18:21.002
in the world, new markets emerge,

309
00:18:21.002 --> 00:18:23.974
and new trade alliances such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership are 

310
00:18:23.974 --> 00:18:25.371
forming as alternatives to the WTO.

311
00:18:25.371 --> 00:18:27.902
Do you not get the impression that we have turned inwards,

312
00:18:27.902 --> 00:18:31.641
shut ourselves off, and could end up left behind in these global 

313
00:18:31.641 --> 00:18:33.752
economic transformations?” This is a question from Oksana 

314
00:18:33.752 --> 00:18:35.289
Stychinskaya in Lipetsk Region.

315
00:18:35.289 --> 00:18:41.335
Let me say to Oksana and everyone else who follows our economic 

316
00:18:41.335 --> 00:18:48.140
developments closely that this is what gets discussed 

317
00:18:48.140 --> 00:18:51.079
at the superficial level, in the media,

318
00:18:51.079 --> 00:18:54.772
but this is not the case of the expert community.

319
00:18:54.772 --> 00:18:58.398
You hear the discussion on the three main issues you named,

320
00:18:58.398 --> 00:19:01.648
to print or not to print money, oil prices, and so on.

321
00:19:01.648 --> 00:19:07.382
In reality though, the real discussions have a different focus.

322
00:19:07.382 --> 00:19:11.000
The main issues are how to attract investment,

323
00:19:11.000 --> 00:19:16.221
make our economy more efficient, and ensure demand, in other words,

324
00:19:16.221 --> 00:19:18.560
how to raise people’s incomes.

325
00:19:18.560 --> 00:19:22.075
This is what the Government is at work on.

326
00:19:22.075 --> 00:19:27.012
We discussed just recently issues such as aid for the most 

327
00:19:27.012 --> 00:19:29.440
vulnerable population groups.

328
00:19:29.440 --> 00:19:32.600
This is extremely important because people who were living below 

329
00:19:32.600 --> 00:19:35.600
the poverty line had just started to do better,

330
00:19:35.600 --> 00:19:36.990
but now face new difficulties.

331
00:19:36.990 --> 00:19:40.280
This is a worrying situation and we see it and will definitely respond.

332
00:19:40.280 --> 00:19:45.094
What does the Government plan in this area? Most important is not 

333
00:19:45.094 --> 00:19:48.959
to print money but to change our economy’s structure.

334
00:19:48.959 --> 00:19:51.160
This is a very complicated undertaking,

335
00:19:51.160 --> 00:19:54.320
but we do have some positive movement in this direction,

336
00:19:54.320 --> 00:19:57.133
and this can be seen, for example,

337
00:19:57.133 --> 00:20:01.520
in the fact that industrial production has increased.

338
00:20:01.520 --> 00:20:06.412
In February, we saw the first positive change in this trend,

339
00:20:06.412 --> 00:20:11.550
and we also saw that high-tech exports have increased compared 

340
00:20:11.550 --> 00:20:19.360
to exports of natural resources.

341
00:20:19.360 --> 00:20:25.039
So you can see that in real life we certainly do not limit ourselves 

342
00:20:25.039 --> 00:20:27.920
to the three issues you just named.

343
00:20:28.360 --> 00:20:30.720
One more question on the same issue: is it true that Alexei Kudrin will 

344
00:20:30.720 --> 00:20:33.280
become head of the Centre for Strategic Research and will 

345
00:20:33.280 --> 00:20:35.527
prepare a new economic programme?

346
00:20:35.527 --> 00:20:40.295
Maybe Mr Kudrin and I don’t meet as often as we’d like to,

347
00:20:40.295 --> 00:20:42.680
but we still do so regularly.

348
00:20:42.680 --> 00:20:49.120
I appreciate his past contributions to our economic development;

349
00:20:49.120 --> 00:20:56.440
he is definitely one of our best and most valuable experts.

350
00:20:56.440 --> 00:21:04.360
As you know, he refused to work in the administration,

351
00:21:04.360 --> 00:21:08.440
but I see now that his stance has changed a bit.

352
00:21:08.440 --> 00:21:12.013
Our situation is not simple, and he is willing to do his part to deal 

353
00:21:12.013 --> 00:21:14.900
with the tasks facing the country.

354
00:21:14.900 --> 00:21:21.392
We have agreed that he will work more actively at the Presidential 

355
00:21:21.392 --> 00:21:25.560
Expert Council, possibly as a deputy chair.

356
00:21:25.560 --> 00:21:30.443
He can also work at one of the more effective agencies,

357
00:21:30.443 --> 00:21:33.640
including those created in the past,

358
00:21:33.640 --> 00:21:38.071
such as the Centre for Strategic Research,

359
00:21:38.071 --> 00:21:44.401
formulating a development strategy for the immediate future,

360
00:21:44.401 --> 00:21:51.680
the post-2018 period and a more distant future.

361
00:21:52.820 --> 00:21:55.000
Let’s move from the economy to foreign policy.

362
00:21:55.000 --> 00:21:58.040
The Syrian campaign has definitely been a major success,

363
00:21:58.040 --> 00:21:59.044
which no one can deny.

364
00:21:59.044 --> 00:22:01.360
Are the three of us the only ones who’ll do the talking?

365
00:22:01.360 --> 00:22:03.091
No, we’ll give the floor to others, too.

366
00:22:03.091 --> 00:22:03.694
Yes, we will.

367
00:22:03.694 --> 00:22:03.834
Ok.

368
00:22:03.834 --> 00:22:05.640
So, let’s talk about the Syrian campaign and Syria,

369
00:22:05.640 --> 00:22:07.860
all the more so since Russia’s achievements there have been 

370
00:22:07.860 --> 00:22:09.056
really recognised around the world.

371
00:22:09.056 --> 00:22:12.080
Our Aerospace Forces’ operations have seriously undermined 

372
00:22:12.080 --> 00:22:14.853
the potential of ISIS, but the bulk of our forces have pulled out 

373
00:22:14.853 --> 00:22:17.680
of Syria, though some of them are still there.

374
00:22:17.680 --> 00:22:22.080
Is it possible that the head of this terrorist hydra will grow back?

375
00:22:22.080 --> 00:22:26.591
Such a danger always exists if you do not pay enough 

376
00:22:26.591 --> 00:22:29.400
attention to combating terrorism.

377
00:22:29.400 --> 00:22:35.880
We see that many countries suffer from this scourge: the Middle East,

378
00:22:35.880 --> 00:22:42.040
Asia, the United States, and European countries.

379
00:22:42.040 --> 00:22:46.400
As for Russia, we all know about terrorism and know what losses we have 

380
00:22:46.400 --> 00:22:50.380
suffered in this fight, and the threat remains today.

381
00:22:50.380 --> 00:22:53.899
But in Syria, it is not a case of that we simply got up 

382
00:22:53.899 --> 00:22:56.230
and left, abandoning everything.

383
00:22:56.230 --> 00:23:00.720
Let me note that we did indeed withdraw a substantial portion of our 

384
00:23:00.720 --> 00:23:05.612
forces, but we made sure that after our withdrawal,

385
00:23:05.612 --> 00:23:12.520
the Syrian army would be in a fit state to carry out serious offensives 

386
00:23:12.520 --> 00:23:18.160
itself, with our remaining forces’ support.

387
00:23:18.160 --> 00:23:21.522
And we see that after our withdrawal,

388
00:23:21.522 --> 00:23:26.157
the Syrian army took Palmyra and a number of other 

389
00:23:26.157 --> 00:23:28.520
important strategic towns.

390
00:23:28.520 --> 00:23:35.360
The number of towns now enforcing the ceasefire has 

391
00:23:35.360 --> 00:23:37.731
increased since our withdrawal.

392
00:23:37.731 --> 00:23:40.637
We hope very much that this ceasefire,

393
00:23:40.637 --> 00:23:45.150
with support from whichever quarter, including from Russia,

394
00:23:45.150 --> 00:23:49.226
will pave the road to a peace settlement.

395
00:23:49.226 --> 00:23:52.160
There needs to be a political process, to get everyone to agree,

396
00:23:52.160 --> 00:23:54.320
sit down at the negotiating table and adopt a constitution,

397
00:23:54.320 --> 00:23:57.359
and then on the basis of this constitution hold early 

398
00:23:57.359 --> 00:23:59.200
elections and find a way out of the crisis.

399
00:23:59.560 --> 00:24:01.520
How long do you think it will be until Aleppo is liberated,

400
00:24:01.540 --> 00:24:03.560
and then Raqqa, ISIS’s heartland?

401
00:24:03.560 --> 00:24:08.906
The problem is that the situation with Aleppo is very complicated.

402
00:24:08.906 --> 00:24:13.119
Aleppo is a strategically important region in Syria.

403
00:24:13.119 --> 00:24:16.926
It is the second-biggest city and perhaps even 

404
00:24:16.926 --> 00:24:19.600
the country’s industrial capital.

405
00:24:19.600 --> 00:24:23.268
The armed opposition is present there, and so is Jabhat al-Nusra,

406
00:24:23.268 --> 00:24:26.880
which is internationally recognised as a terrorist organisation.

407
00:24:26.880 --> 00:24:28.840
It is very hard to tell who is who there.

408
00:24:28.840 --> 00:24:33.120
They take different tactics in behaviour and are currently all trying 

409
00:24:33.120 --> 00:24:38.480
to strengthen their own positions.

410
00:24:38.480 --> 00:24:40.760
The Syrian army does not have to try to bolster its position,

411
00:24:40.760 --> 00:24:44.000
because it achieved what it wanted before the ceasefire was announced,

412
00:24:44.000 --> 00:24:47.498
with our help, and does not have to make such attempts now,

413
00:24:47.498 --> 00:24:50.760
but the opposition is trying to take back what it lost.

414
00:24:50.760 --> 00:24:55.598
Incidentally, it is not the Syrian army that is fighting there,

415
00:24:55.598 --> 00:24:59.800
but for the most part it is Kurdish groups and a few other armed 

416
00:24:59.800 --> 00:25:07.140
groups. They are fighting each other and fighting the Kurds.

417
00:25:07.140 --> 00:25:10.879
We are following the developments closely and will do all we can 

418
00:25:10.879 --> 00:25:14.080
to prevent any worsening in the situation.

419
00:25:15.060 --> 00:25:18.960
Let’s go back to the question processing centre and Natalya Yuryeva.

420
00:25:18.960 --> 00:25:22.540
Thank you. Judging by the video questions that we are receiving here 

421
00:25:22.540 --> 00:25:25.760
at the Centre, wage arrears is one of the most pressing 

422
00:25:25.760 --> 00:25:28.560
and painful issues. This issue seemed to be a thing of the past,

423
00:25:28.560 --> 00:25:30.760
but during the crisis it has once again become a reality.

424
00:25:30.760 --> 00:25:33.600
People don’t have enough money to buy food, medicine,

425
00:25:33.600 --> 00:25:36.600
pay for utilities or make payments on their mortgages.

426
00:25:36.600 --> 00:25:39.640
In fact, this problem is relevant for almost the entire country.

427
00:25:39.640 --> 00:25:43.600
Workers building the Moscow metro, construction workers in Khakassia,

428
00:25:43.600 --> 00:25:45.840
workers of Dalspetsstroy in Khabarovsk,

429
00:25:45.840 --> 00:25:48.713
Elektoapparat plant in the Novgorod Region,

430
00:25:48.713 --> 00:25:51.920
the 20th Aircraft Repair Plant in St Petersburg,

431
00:25:51.920 --> 00:25:53.700
Sibvodokanal in the Kemerovo region, and bread bakers in Novosibirsk –

432
00:25:53.700 --> 00:25:56.123
all these people are not getting their salaries.

433
00:25:56.123 --> 00:25:58.600
People are not asking for anything supernatural.

434
00:25:58.600 --> 00:26:01.040
All they want is to get the money they earned.

435
00:26:01.040 --> 00:26:04.160
I propose that we watch a video question submitted 

436
00:26:04.160 --> 00:26:06.120
by Dmitry Dudkin from Chelyabinsk.

437
00:26:08.040 --> 00:26:13.702
Hello, Mr Putin. I’m calling you from the city of Chelyabinsk.

438
00:26:13.702 --> 00:26:19.000
My name is Dmirty and I work at the Uralavtopritsep plant.

439
00:26:19.000 --> 00:26:27.740
We work for the defence industry and make car trailers.

440
00:26:27.740 --> 00:26:38.017
The problem we have is that salaries are paid three months late and not 

441
00:26:38.017 --> 00:26:45.440
in full, only in small amounts. This is devastating.

442
00:26:45.440 --> 00:26:54.980
My salary isn’t that big to begin with, and I have four kids.

443
00:26:54.980 --> 00:26:57.488
Dmitry, what did you say the company name is? 

444
00:26:57.488 --> 00:26:59.182
(Can I see him on the screen again?)

445
00:26:59.182 --> 00:27:01.646
He can’t hear you, this is a recorded question.

446
00:27:01.646 --> 00:27:03.492
The company is called Uralavtopritsep.

447
00:27:03.492 --> 00:27:10.362
Well, let’s see. Uralavtopritsep should be operating in the automobile 

448
00:27:10.362 --> 00:27:17.040
industry. This sector is among those that has suffered the most from 

449
00:27:17.040 --> 00:27:26.400
the crisis. Sales went down sharply.

450
00:27:26.400 --> 00:27:31.448
What is actually happening? To keep it short: the price of oil has 

451
00:27:31.448 --> 00:27:35.219
dropped, and this led to a decrease in the orders from the oil and gas 

452
00:27:35.219 --> 00:27:41.801
sector, for metals companies, and farther down the chain.

453
00:27:41.801 --> 00:27:43.880
Revenues declined.

454
00:27:43.880 --> 00:27:50.519
As I have said, unemployment is at its minimal level and is very low.

455
00:27:50.519 --> 00:27:55.600
I see that many companies are trying not to lay off workers.

456
00:27:55.600 --> 00:27:59.064
It goes without saying that not paying salaries should not 

457
00:27:59.064 --> 00:28:02.231
be an option either. As for this particular plant,

458
00:28:02.231 --> 00:28:04.400
I do not know of course what is going on there,

459
00:28:04.400 --> 00:28:09.640
but since it is related to the automobile industry…

460
00:28:09.640 --> 00:28:15.741
Generally speaking, the Government’s anti-crisis plan envisages 

461
00:28:15.741 --> 00:28:22.320
specific support measures for industries that have suffered the most.

462
00:28:22.320 --> 00:28:25.000
And the automobile industry is first on that list.

463
00:28:25.000 --> 00:28:28.240
Over 40 billion rubles were allocated to support this sector.

464
00:28:28.240 --> 00:28:31.360
Of course, all the available funds were earmarked for specific 

465
00:28:31.360 --> 00:28:33.280
purposes, but I will talk to my colleagues,

466
00:28:33.280 --> 00:28:34.840
including the Ministry of Industry and Trade and its minister,

467
00:28:34.840 --> 00:28:37.040
to make sure that they pay attention to this company.

468
00:28:37.040 --> 00:28:38.972
Of course, we must help this company,

469
00:28:38.972 --> 00:28:40.800
if there is a possibility to do so.

470
00:28:40.800 --> 00:28:46.476
What else can be the problem there? The problem can be that some time 

471
00:28:46.476 --> 00:28:51.991
ago, strangely enough, with the aim of supporting our manufacturers,

472
00:28:51.991 --> 00:28:55.560
we introduced the so-called utilisation fee,

473
00:28:55.560 --> 00:28:59.508
which increases the cost of final goods,

474
00:28:59.508 --> 00:29:03.160
but factoring in these support tools,

475
00:29:03.160 --> 00:29:07.240
should not in the final count make things worse but, on the contrary,

476
00:29:07.240 --> 00:29:10.000
should help them compete with foreign manufacturers.

477
00:29:10.000 --> 00:29:14.720
Regarding the trailers that the plant manufactures,

478
00:29:14.720 --> 00:29:20.240
the utilisation fee also applies to them.

479
00:29:21.140 --> 00:29:26.840
It was introduced quite recently and I am not sure that this decision 

480
00:29:26.840 --> 00:29:29.120
was thought out well enough.

481
00:29:29.120 --> 00:29:34.985
I believe that in this particular case the utilisation fee should be 

482
00:29:34.985 --> 00:29:37.960
abolished for this type of product.

483
00:29:37.960 --> 00:29:40.240
We will definitely take this issue up with the Government.

484
00:29:40.240 --> 00:29:44.050
This should also help improve the company’s financial status.

485
00:29:44.050 --> 00:29:48.360
I promise that we will take a closer look at what is happening there.

486
00:29:48.360 --> 00:29:52.760
It so happens that wage arrears are this year’s problem. In the regions.

487
00:29:52.760 --> 00:29:53.740
That’s right.

488
00:29:53.740 --> 00:29:55.375
This did not happen before.

489
00:29:55.375 --> 00:29:57.068
There were arrears as well, but…

490
00:29:57.068 --> 00:29:57.945
Not on this scale.

491
00:29:57.945 --> 00:29:59.344
No, not on this scale.

492
00:29:59.344 --> 00:30:01.880
Let us take another phone call. Tatyana Remezova got it.

493
00:30:01.880 --> 00:30:03.040
Tatyana, please go ahead.

494
00:30:03.040 --> 00:30:05.732
Mr President, in addition to wage arrears,

495
00:30:05.732 --> 00:30:08.040
medicine is another sensitive issue.

496
00:30:08.040 --> 00:30:09.280
Here are some of the incoming messages,

497
00:30:09.280 --> 00:30:12.223
”prices in pharmacies are like those in a jewellery stores“ from 

498
00:30:12.223 --> 00:30:16.200
the Ivanovo Region; ”the greedy pharmacy mafia plunders defenceless 

499
00:30:16.200 --> 00:30:17.854
people“ from Arkhangelsk.

500
00:30:17.854 --> 00:30:20.435
I see an incoming call on this subject,

501
00:30:20.435 --> 00:30:23.419
let’s try to bring it on the air. We have Dmitry from Moscow calling us.

502
00:30:23.419 --> 00:30:25.463
Good afternoon, Dmitry, you are live on the air,

503
00:30:25.463 --> 00:30:27.645
please go ahead with your question.

504
00:30:27.645 --> 00:30:31.520
Good afternoon, Mr President. I have a question about medicine.

505
00:30:31.520 --> 00:30:34.880
My parents have complained to me that pharmacies do not carry 

506
00:30:34.880 --> 00:30:37.560
inexpensive domestic medicines.

507
00:30:37.560 --> 00:30:40.000
Recently, I had a chance to see it for myself.

508
00:30:40.000 --> 00:30:43.080
Why is that pharmacies sell only expensive imported 

509
00:30:43.080 --> 00:30:46.120
medicines? Thank you.

510
00:30:47.580 --> 00:30:51.795
I do not think that there are only expensive imported drugs on pharmacy 

511
00:30:51.795 --> 00:30:56.177
shelves (by the way, some people prefer it that way).

512
00:30:56.177 --> 00:30:59.800
There are Russian-made medicines as well.

513
00:30:59.800 --> 00:31:06.005
Several years ago, we started a national pharmaceutical 

514
00:31:06.005 --> 00:31:09.460
industry development programme.

515
00:31:09.460 --> 00:31:12.979
I am not sure about the exact number,

516
00:31:12.979 --> 00:31:17.640
but we set aside about 148 billion roubles to it.

517
00:31:17.640 --> 00:31:22.168
This year, we will release an additional 16 billion roubles.

518
00:31:22.168 --> 00:31:27.375
What is happening in this sphere? First, I want to reassure you that,

519
00:31:27.375 --> 00:31:30.876
despite all the problems, the Government maintains constant focus 

520
00:31:30.876 --> 00:31:34.269
on this issue, even if it may appear that no one is paying 

521
00:31:34.269 --> 00:31:35.366
attention to it.

522
00:31:35.366 --> 00:31:39.682
So, what is happening there? Indeed there is a certain decline 

523
00:31:39.682 --> 00:31:42.560
in the production of cheap domestic drugs,

524
00:31:42.560 --> 00:31:46.077
about 2.5 percent, but this reduction affects only the selection 

525
00:31:46.077 --> 00:31:49.920
of drugs. There are no reductions with regard to any chemical formulas,

526
00:31:49.920 --> 00:31:54.197
meaning that alternative drugs are becoming available.

527
00:31:54.637 --> 00:31:57.659
This part of inexpensive products,

528
00:31:57.659 --> 00:32:01.481
especially when it comes to critical drugs,

529
00:32:01.481 --> 00:32:03.791
is regulated by the state.

530
00:32:03.791 --> 00:32:09.480
In today's circumstances, when personal incomes are down in our 

531
00:32:09.480 --> 00:32:14.120
country, the Government is implementing price controls.

532
00:32:14.120 --> 00:32:20.615
If, overall, the prices for these life-saving drugs rose by 

533
00:32:20.615 --> 00:32:27.320
8.8 percent in the past year, the prices for cheap medicines rose,

534
00:32:27.320 --> 00:32:33.320
I may be off with the number, but, I think, they rose by 16 percent.

535
00:32:33.320 --> 00:32:38.526
What is this all about? The manufacturers claim that even such price 

536
00:32:38.526 --> 00:32:41.137
increases are not enough to cover their costs.

537
00:32:41.137 --> 00:32:45.760
The fact that the Government limits price hikes and makes adjustments 

538
00:32:45.760 --> 00:32:50.745
to rising prices causes manufacturers to lose money as they try 

539
00:32:50.745 --> 00:32:53.160
to manufacture these medicines.

540
00:32:53.160 --> 00:32:59.135
Why? Because even though these are domestically produced drugs,

541
00:32:59.135 --> 00:33:03.119
their components (the so-called substance)

542
00:33:03.119 --> 00:33:07.008
are largely imported en masse from China,

543
00:33:07.008 --> 00:33:11.480
for instance. Given the exchange rate,

544
00:33:11.480 --> 00:33:16.520
this component cannot be compensated for by increasing prices.

545
00:33:16.520 --> 00:33:21.083
In this regard, the Government has two ways of dealing with this 

546
00:33:21.083 --> 00:33:24.103
problem: either to subsidise the industry –

547
00:33:24.103 --> 00:33:29.018
but here we need to make sure that we have enough funds in the budget 

548
00:33:29.018 --> 00:33:32.880
to do so – or remove price restrictions to some extent.

549
00:33:32.880 --> 00:33:38.095
Perhaps, other solutions will be found within the next 45–

550
00:33:38.095 --> 00:33:42.570
60 days. In any case, the Government has been tasked to resolve this 

551
00:33:42.570 --> 00:33:44.840
problem within the next 45–60 days.

552
00:33:44.840 --> 00:33:46.717
That's what I have to say on this issue.

553
00:33:46.717 --> 00:33:48.769
We have pharmaceuticals representatives here in the studio.

554
00:33:48.769 --> 00:33:50.260
Let’s ask them to choose between continued subsidising 

555
00:33:50.260 --> 00:33:51.996
and price deregulation.

556
00:33:51.996 --> 00:33:52.974
Right here, in this studio?

557
00:33:52.974 --> 00:33:55.280
Yes, right here. Nailya, please introduce our next guest.

558
00:33:55.280 --> 00:33:57.820
One of our guests is Vitaly Oleinikov,

559
00:33:57.820 --> 00:34:01.564
co-owner of a pharmaceutical plant in the Samara Region,

560
00:34:01.564 --> 00:34:05.642
which produces popular medicines like Analgin and Bromhexine,

561
00:34:05.642 --> 00:34:09.320
and he claims that their medicines are of good quality.

562
00:34:09.320 --> 00:34:11.607
Let’s give him the floor.

563
00:34:11.607 --> 00:34:15.360
Mr Oleinikov, what would you like to say?

564
00:34:16.160 --> 00:34:18.823
Good afternoon. I’m Vitaly Oleinikov from the Ozon pharmaceutical 

565
00:34:18.823 --> 00:34:22.500
plant, the city of Zhigulevsk, Samara Region.

566
00:34:22.500 --> 00:34:25.853
To begin with, I don’t want to try to justify myself,

567
00:34:25.853 --> 00:34:29.840
as my colleagues and I have been working for the past 13 years 

568
00:34:29.840 --> 00:34:33.399
to produce inexpensive and moderately priced medicines.

569
00:34:33.399 --> 00:34:34.960
We have been doing this honestly,

570
00:34:34.960 --> 00:34:37.440
and I can assure you of the high quality of our medicines.

571
00:34:37.440 --> 00:34:41.566
My children and I personally take medicines produced at our plant,

572
00:34:41.566 --> 00:34:44.879
and I recommend them to my friends and acquaintances.

573
00:34:44.879 --> 00:34:47.680
Unfortunately, Mr President was right when he said that a considerable 

574
00:34:47.680 --> 00:34:53.292
number of our medicines have recently become unprofitable,

575
00:34:53.292 --> 00:34:57.840
and that we had to stop producing some of them.

576
00:34:58.600 --> 00:35:03.742
The root cause is that we have to buy not just raw materials,

577
00:35:03.742 --> 00:35:07.031
but also accessory parts and equipment,

578
00:35:07.031 --> 00:35:12.680
abroad for foreign currency. You all know about the exchange rates.

579
00:35:12.680 --> 00:35:17.611
But the retail price ceilings have been fixed by the government 

580
00:35:17.611 --> 00:35:20.000
and haven’t changed since 2009.

581
00:35:20.000 --> 00:35:25.891
What surprises me most in this respect is that the ceiling prices are 

582
00:35:25.891 --> 00:35:31.140
different for Russian and foreign medicines. Sometimes…

583
00:35:31.140 --> 00:35:34.700
Mr Oleinikov, please remember that brevity is the sister of talent.

584
00:35:34.700 --> 00:35:36.491
I can’t stop; I need to unload,

585
00:35:36.491 --> 00:35:40.480
really. Sometimes foreign medicines are 20 times more expensive than 

586
00:35:40.480 --> 00:35:43.120
Russian medicines, don’t you see? Why is that?

587
00:35:43.120 --> 00:35:45.164
The prices of raw materials have increased.

588
00:35:45.164 --> 00:35:48.160
Raw materials make up to 70 percent of the cost of cheap pills,

589
00:35:48.160 --> 00:35:49.528
and the pricing has doubled.

590
00:35:49.528 --> 00:35:52.560
But we still have to sell these pills at prices fixed in 2009.

591
00:35:52.560 --> 00:35:54.520
Who would sell at a loss? No one would.

592
00:35:54.520 --> 00:35:56.280
And so these pills are not produced,

593
00:35:56.280 --> 00:35:59.240
and their place at drugstores is taken by more expensive 

594
00:35:59.240 --> 00:36:00.720
medicines, usually foreign ones.

595
00:36:00.720 --> 00:36:04.400
We’ve tried to draw attention to this problem more than once.

596
00:36:04.400 --> 00:36:09.109
Nailya is stopping me, but let me take this opportunity to ask you 

597
00:36:09.109 --> 00:36:11.920
please to do something about this issue.

598
00:36:11.920 --> 00:36:13.440
It is really a serious problem.

599
00:36:13.440 --> 00:36:19.660
I ask you first of all to give us the same conditions as our foreign 

600
00:36:19.660 --> 00:36:24.566
partners, and second, this might sound a bit unexpected,

601
00:36:24.566 --> 00:36:29.560
but I think that price limits for the cheapest medicines 

602
00:36:29.560 --> 00:36:33.680
in the low-cost segment should be abolished so as to encourage 

603
00:36:33.680 --> 00:36:36.339
production of these medicines.

604
00:36:36.339 --> 00:36:38.080
You spoke about a compensation mechanism,

605
00:36:38.080 --> 00:36:39.920
but this is not a market mechanism as we see it,

606
00:36:39.920 --> 00:36:42.160
and it is hard to say just how it would be actually implemented.

607
00:36:42.160 --> 00:36:43.501
If we abolish the price limits,

608
00:36:43.501 --> 00:36:46.400
we would see cheap medicines on the pharmacy shelves, more of them,

609
00:36:46.400 --> 00:36:48.400
and our own pharmaceuticals industry would start doing better.

610
00:36:48.420 --> 00:36:51.560
If things continue as they are, our factories will shut down altogether.

611
00:36:51.560 --> 00:36:52.800
Thank you very much. Your question is clear.

612
00:36:52.800 --> 00:36:55.760
If prices rise too fast, the medicines will no longer be cheap.

613
00:36:55.760 --> 00:36:59.440
We need to find a balanced solution.

614
00:36:59.440 --> 00:37:03.985
I gave this instruction and the Government promised to find 

615
00:37:03.985 --> 00:37:06.106
a solution within 6–8 weeks.

616
00:37:06.106 --> 00:37:12.720
We have just looked at the possible options for fixing this situation.

617
00:37:12.720 --> 00:37:15.520
Probably, we do need to find a balance here.

618
00:37:15.520 --> 00:37:19.035
But we cannot deny the fact that some companies really are working 

619
00:37:19.035 --> 00:37:21.080
at the very limits of profitability,

620
00:37:21.080 --> 00:37:23.840
as our colleague said quite frankly just now. This is the reality.

621
00:37:23.840 --> 00:37:27.840
Costs in this cheap segment are around 50 rubles, isn’t this right?

622
00:37:29.940 --> 00:37:32.899
We have an interesting SMS on just this subject: which medicines does 

623
00:37:32.899 --> 00:37:37.000
the President take, imported or locally made?

624
00:37:37.000 --> 00:37:40.420
I try not to reach the point where I have to take medicines.

625
00:37:40.420 --> 00:37:43.840
I make an effort to play sport and lead a healthy lifestyle.

626
00:37:44.940 --> 00:37:46.524
But if you do have to take medicines?

627
00:37:46.524 --> 00:37:48.360
If it comes to that, it’s usually a case of catching a cold 

628
00:37:48.360 --> 00:37:51.200
or something, and I make sure I get my vaccinations 

629
00:37:51.200 --> 00:37:52.880
in time, before the flu season starts.

630
00:37:55.060 --> 00:37:56.606
But if there’s really no choice?

631
00:37:56.606 --> 00:37:59.184
Then I take what the doctor gives,

632
00:37:59.184 --> 00:38:02.682
a mixture of foreign and Russian medicines, no doubt,

633
00:38:02.682 --> 00:38:04.440
but it’s a very basic assortment.

634
00:38:04.440 --> 00:38:06.420
I think they are precisely the basic medicines you find 

635
00:38:06.420 --> 00:38:07.860
in the low-cost segment.

636
00:38:07.860 --> 00:38:10.656
Let’s continue with the studio and change the subject.

637
00:38:10.656 --> 00:38:12.235
I give the floor to Olga Ushakova.

638
00:38:12.775 --> 00:38:13.534
Thank you.

639
00:38:13.534 --> 00:38:17.537
Mr President, I suggest that we return to foreign policy.

640
00:38:17.537 --> 00:38:21.120
Here in the studio today we have Andrei Bystritsky,

641
00:38:21.120 --> 00:38:23.040
head of the Valdai Discussion Club.

642
00:38:23.040 --> 00:38:25.460
I think he has a question for you on foreign policy.

643
00:38:26.500 --> 00:38:29.320
Good afternoon.

644
00:38:29.320 --> 00:38:34.607
Just last September, Recep Tayyip Erdogan was considered your friend 

645
00:38:34.607 --> 00:38:37.520
and Turkey almost a strategic partner.

646
00:38:37.520 --> 00:38:42.000
You opened the new building of the Cathedral Mosque in Moscow together.

647
00:38:42.000 --> 00:38:46.920
And now the friendship has ended abruptly, turning into what –

648
00:38:46.920 --> 00:38:53.120
enmity? Looking back, Ukraine, then Moldova, Georgia, and Turkey,

649
00:38:53.120 --> 00:38:56.371
other countries – it seems like we will soon find ourselves 

650
00:38:56.371 --> 00:38:58.016
surrounded by enemies.

651
00:38:58.016 --> 00:39:02.280
Could Russia develop successfully in these circumstances?

652
00:39:04.400 --> 00:39:08.387
We are not surrounded by enemies and we will not end up in that 

653
00:39:08.387 --> 00:39:11.440
position. This is absolutely out of the question.

654
00:39:11.440 --> 00:39:15.840
We have good, friendly relations with most countries.

655
00:39:15.840 --> 00:39:20.040
I am not even talking about effective organisations such as the SCO,

656
00:39:20.040 --> 00:39:21.920
the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation,

657
00:39:21.920 --> 00:39:25.683
which is expanding by adding great powers,

658
00:39:25.683 --> 00:39:28.640
and our integration associations,

659
00:39:28.640 --> 00:39:34.720
the Eurasian Economic Union, BRICS and so on.

660
00:39:34.720 --> 00:39:39.172
On the whole, we have good relations with our neighbours.

661
00:39:39.172 --> 00:39:44.563
We see Turkey as a friend, and the Turkish people as friendly people 

662
00:39:44.563 --> 00:39:48.235
with whom we will definitely continue building 

663
00:39:48.235 --> 00:39:51.360
good-neighbourly and friendly relations.

664
00:39:51.360 --> 00:39:56.080
We have problems with certain political leaders whose behaviour is less 

665
00:39:56.080 --> 00:40:00.145
than adequate as far as Russia is concerned,

666
00:40:00.145 --> 00:40:02.640
and we react appropriately.

667
00:40:02.640 --> 00:40:05.503
But we are still operating smoothly, as you can see,

668
00:40:05.503 --> 00:40:06.680
without any sudden moves.

669
00:40:06.680 --> 00:40:11.918
We have confidence in this policy of responding to any unfriendly 

670
00:40:11.918 --> 00:40:16.760
actions towards Russia, because we should definitely respond,

671
00:40:16.760 --> 00:40:22.880
otherwise they will end up walking all over us.

672
00:40:22.880 --> 00:40:26.475
We do have a recent history of just that,

673
00:40:26.475 --> 00:40:31.060
and we will not allow a return to it.

674
00:40:31.060 --> 00:40:35.240
Yet, even keeping our interests in mind,

675
00:40:35.240 --> 00:40:37.477
we will certainly develop our relations with all our 

676
00:40:37.477 --> 00:40:40.660
partners, including our neighbours.

677
00:40:41.100 --> 00:40:43.460
Mr Putin, there is something else people are interested to know.

678
00:40:43.460 --> 00:40:46.920
Last year, you said you would come to the rescue of a drowning Obama.

679
00:40:46.920 --> 00:40:49.600
If you found Poroshenko and Erdogan drowning now,

680
00:40:49.600 --> 00:40:58.280
whom would you save first? Varya Kuznetsova, 12 years old. (Applause.)

681
00:41:00.000 --> 00:41:11.020
Varya, you have put me on the spot. I do not know what to say.

682
00:41:11.020 --> 00:41:17.920
I would say, you cannot save someone who has decided to drown.

683
00:41:24.580 --> 00:41:30.811
But of course we are ready to lend a helping hand and friendship to any 

684
00:41:30.811 --> 00:41:37.159
of our partners, if they want to take it.

685
00:41:38.819 --> 00:41:41.440
Turkey used to be the most popular destination for Russian 

686
00:41:41.440 --> 00:41:43.480
holidaymakers. There were many charter flights to Turkey.

687
00:41:43.480 --> 00:41:45.300
Now most people go to Crimea.

688
00:41:45.320 --> 00:41:49.970
I suggest we switch to Crimea for our first live report 

689
00:41:49.970 --> 00:41:51.880
with Nikolai Dolgachev.

690
00:42:14.040 --> 00:42:17.603
We are now on Tuzla Island in the Republic of Crimea,

691
00:42:17.603 --> 00:42:22.040
where the construction site of the Kerch Strait Bridge is located.

692
00:42:22.040 --> 00:42:25.807
This mammoth structure is already taking a shape.

693
00:42:25.807 --> 00:42:30.960
It will be the longest and largest bridge in Russia, 19 kilometres.

694
00:42:30.960 --> 00:42:33.440
Construction works are taking place at eight contemporaneous locations,

695
00:42:33.440 --> 00:42:37.360
including by sea, the Kerch Peninsula,

696
00:42:37.360 --> 00:42:38.960
the Taman Peninsula and Tuzla.

697
00:42:38.960 --> 00:42:42.480
All these locations will eventually be incorporated into a single 

698
00:42:42.480 --> 00:42:45.600
transit passage and Crimea will be connected to the mainland,

699
00:42:45.600 --> 00:42:47.960
a much-anticipated moment for all the Crimean people.

700
00:42:47.960 --> 00:42:51.220
Here with me is Yury Beskov, head of technical service.

701
00:42:51.220 --> 00:42:54.520
The works continue as we speak. What is happening?

702
00:42:54.520 --> 00:42:57.520
Right now, we are using a concrete pump to fill the second support 

703
00:42:57.520 --> 00:43:02.073
of the passage across the Kerch Strait with concrete.

704
00:43:02.073 --> 00:43:04.392
The first support is ready.

705
00:43:04.392 --> 00:43:08.688
As of today, some 500 piles have been driven into 

706
00:43:08.688 --> 00:43:12.640
the ground. Here you can see metal pipe piles.

707
00:43:12.640 --> 00:43:15.720
Do these figures show how deep the piles will be driven into the ground?

708
00:43:15.720 --> 00:43:17.240
Yes, it is an intermediate value.

709
00:43:17.240 --> 00:43:19.200
The maximum depth will be around 90 metres.

710
00:43:19.200 --> 00:43:22.120
Let’s have a look at the map and find where we are 

711
00:43:22.120 --> 00:43:24.680
to understand the scale.

712
00:43:24.680 --> 00:43:26.640
This is the 19-kilometre stretch and where are we right now?

713
00:43:26.640 --> 00:43:30.720
We are now right there, at the fourth location, Tuzla Island.

714
00:43:30.720 --> 00:43:32.160
Is this the middle of the bridge?

715
00:43:32.160 --> 00:43:33.480
Yes, it is the equator of the construction.

716
00:43:33.480 --> 00:43:35.960
Thank you very much.

717
00:43:35.960 --> 00:43:38.040
Tuzla sends greetings to Moscow.

718
00:43:38.040 --> 00:43:41.200
Good afternoon, colleagues. Good afternoon, Mr President.

719
00:43:41.200 --> 00:43:42.135
Good afternoon.

720
00:43:42.135 --> 00:43:47.378
People from across Crimea came here to Tuzla Island to ask 

721
00:43:47.378 --> 00:43:52.800
their questions. Please introduce yourself.

722
00:43:53.180 --> 00:43:57.800
Good afternoon, Mr President. Olga Kuzenkova, Palmira Palace, Yalta.

723
00:43:57.800 --> 00:44:00.360
We, the people of Crimea, are really looking forward 

724
00:44:00.360 --> 00:44:05.052
to the bridge opening. Crimea can and must be self-sufficient.

725
00:44:05.052 --> 00:44:07.826
As a representative of the travel industry,

726
00:44:07.826 --> 00:44:10.920
I would like to point out that we are now very busy 

727
00:44:10.920 --> 00:44:12.480
preparing for the high season.

728
00:44:12.480 --> 00:44:19.160
Crimean resorts offer a high level of hospitality and service.

729
00:44:20.380 --> 00:44:27.265
I would like to invite everybody from anywhere in our huge country 

730
00:44:27.265 --> 00:44:30.760
to Crimea for rest and relaxation.

731
00:44:30.760 --> 00:44:31.784
Your question, please.

732
00:44:31.984 --> 00:44:37.047
Perhaps I will sound nosy but my question is: Mr President,

733
00:44:37.047 --> 00:44:40.480
when are you going to Crimea on holiday?

734
00:44:41.480 --> 00:44:45.760
I have not thought about it yet but I will definitely go to Crimea 

735
00:44:45.760 --> 00:44:47.840
at some point, at least for several days,

736
00:44:47.840 --> 00:44:51.698
for some R&R as well. Thank you for the invitation.

737
00:44:51.698 --> 00:44:53.547
I would like to ask, if I may, about Turkey,

738
00:44:53.547 --> 00:44:55.416
since it has been mentioned several times as a tourist destination.

739
00:44:55.416 --> 00:44:57.503
I have vacationed there more than once with my family.

740
00:44:57.503 --> 00:44:58.466
The same goes for people I know.

741
00:44:58.466 --> 00:45:00.728
There are also a lot of questions about Egypt.

742
00:45:00.728 --> 00:45:03.007
So the question is when? When, in your opinion,

743
00:45:03.007 --> 00:45:05.260
will air service with Egypt and charter flights to Turkey 

744
00:45:05.260 --> 00:45:07.641
resume? When will it happen?

745
00:45:08.061 --> 00:45:11.924
First of all, I would like to respond about Crimea.

746
00:45:11.924 --> 00:45:15.230
I was happy to see how the construction of the bridge is progressing.

747
00:45:15.230 --> 00:45:21.680
I must say in all honesty that usually there is no shortage 

748
00:45:21.680 --> 00:45:26.321
of candidates to build construction projects like this.

749
00:45:26.321 --> 00:45:31.806
But in this case, we could hardly find a company to take on this 

750
00:45:31.806 --> 00:45:35.941
project, mostly because of the limited financing,

751
00:45:35.941 --> 00:45:41.680
as well as a number of other restrictions that contractors can face.

752
00:45:42.860 --> 00:45:46.080
Nevertheless, we found a contractor that has gotten started 

753
00:45:46.080 --> 00:45:51.080
and is successful. It went through the required selection procedures 

754
00:45:51.080 --> 00:45:56.640
that were very strict, since the cost issue was at stake.

755
00:45:56.640 --> 00:46:01.645
The related Government agencies even succeeded in lowering 

756
00:46:01.645 --> 00:46:07.160
the final price. I hope everything will be well done on schedule.

757
00:46:07.160 --> 00:46:11.960
As for trips to Turkey and Egypt,

758
00:46:11.960 --> 00:46:14.720
it didn’t depend on us.

759
00:46:15.300 --> 00:46:18.538
While the reasons behind the restrictions were different in these two 

760
00:46:18.538 --> 00:46:20.360
cases, the results were the same.

761
00:46:20.360 --> 00:46:26.679
Why different? In Egypt, the current authorities are fighting radicals,

762
00:46:26.679 --> 00:46:31.460
but it’s not always easy. We see what’s happening there.

763
00:46:31.460 --> 00:46:36.560
Hostilities take place on the Sinai Peninsula almost daily.

764
00:46:36.560 --> 00:46:42.270
The former government, which was removed from power by the current 

765
00:46:42.270 --> 00:46:47.140
president, and its supporters are quite active in this respect.

766
00:46:47.140 --> 00:46:50.520
Against this background we have no right not to tell people that 

767
00:46:50.520 --> 00:46:54.080
visiting this country could be dangerous.

768
00:46:54.080 --> 00:46:58.240
What could be the possible solution? Together with the Egyptian 

769
00:46:58.240 --> 00:47:05.716
authorities we must find a way to screen passengers, luggage,

770
00:47:05.716 --> 00:47:13.560
on-board meals and aircraft maintenance personnel so as to make 

771
00:47:13.560 --> 00:47:18.280
the stay, arrival and departure of our citizens,

772
00:47:18.280 --> 00:47:21.000
including by air, safe and secure.

773
00:47:21.000 --> 00:47:25.160
So far, we have not been able to find a solution of this kind with our 

774
00:47:25.160 --> 00:47:29.560
Egyptian colleagues, although Russian special services and law 

775
00:47:29.560 --> 00:47:33.720
enforcement agencies are working with our Egyptian friends on this 

776
00:47:33.720 --> 00:47:36.640
issue. This was the first point I wanted to make.

777
00:47:36.640 --> 00:47:38.360
My second point is about Turkey.

778
00:47:38.360 --> 00:47:42.316
We are seeing a similar picture here, although,

779
00:47:42.316 --> 00:47:47.703
we believe that the current Turkish authorities are not so much 

780
00:47:47.703 --> 00:47:52.080
fighting radicals as they are cooperating with them.

781
00:47:52.080 --> 00:47:59.520
However, the country’s domestic issues also make us consider security.

782
00:47:59.520 --> 00:48:02.560
A de facto civil war is underway in the south of the country.

783
00:48:02.560 --> 00:48:04.209
We are trying not to notice it,

784
00:48:04.209 --> 00:48:07.120
and the international community pretends that it is not taking place.

785
00:48:07.120 --> 00:48:11.147
But this is a fact. Heavy weapons, tanks,

786
00:48:11.147 --> 00:48:14.880
artillery and so forth are being used.

787
00:48:14.880 --> 00:48:19.581
In addition, Turkey suffers from terrorist attacks almost every week.

788
00:48:19.581 --> 00:48:20.997
It happens all the time.

789
00:48:20.997 --> 00:48:25.766
Who can guarantee that it won’t happen to Russian tourists? We know 

790
00:48:25.766 --> 00:48:29.203
for example that in countries like, say, Tunisia,

791
00:48:29.203 --> 00:48:32.640
some tourists came under fire right at the beach.

792
00:48:32.640 --> 00:48:38.021
By the way, I’m more than sure that the Turkish authorities will strive 

793
00:48:38.021 --> 00:48:42.207
to provide security for tourists, including from Russia,

794
00:48:42.207 --> 00:48:46.618
since tourism accounts for a substantial portion of budget 

795
00:48:46.618 --> 00:48:48.486
revenues in this country.

796
00:48:48.486 --> 00:48:53.195
Last year, almost five million Russian tourists visited Turkey.

797
00:48:53.195 --> 00:48:55.812
I have no doubt that they will try.

798
00:48:55.812 --> 00:48:59.400
But whether they will be able to actually do it,

799
00:48:59.400 --> 00:49:02.860
is another matter. For this reason, just like with Egypt,

800
00:49:02.860 --> 00:49:10.320
we had to tell our people that vacationing in Turkey is now dangerous.

801
00:49:10.320 --> 00:49:11.580
This means that we will have to spend our vacations 

802
00:49:11.580 --> 00:49:12.485
in Crimea. Everything is fine there.

803
00:49:12.505 --> 00:49:13.960
Crimea and the Caucasus.

804
00:49:14.000 --> 00:49:16.580
There are also many other countries in the world.

805
00:49:16.580 --> 00:49:18.640
Why are these two so attractive? I suppose they are cheaper 

806
00:49:18.640 --> 00:49:23.907
and not too far away. But still, there are many other countries.

807
00:49:23.907 --> 00:49:28.764
Many countries are now trying to reduce the cost of a stay 

808
00:49:28.764 --> 00:49:34.279
and lower rates. Russian companies are looking for cheaper holiday 

809
00:49:34.279 --> 00:49:39.160
transport. We have to work on this.

810
00:49:39.460 --> 00:49:42.120
Crimea is waiting for another opportunity to ask a question.

811
00:49:42.120 --> 00:49:44.240
Nikolai, we are waiting for your question on another subject.

812
00:49:45.840 --> 00:49:47.960
Yes, there are questions. Go ahead.

813
00:49:47.960 --> 00:49:50.176
Good afternoon, Mr President.

814
00:49:50.176 --> 00:49:50.732
Good afternoon.

815
00:49:50.732 --> 00:49:52.452
My name is Yulia Yeremenko.

816
00:49:52.452 --> 00:49:55.320
I am a student at Crimean Federal University,

817
00:49:55.320 --> 00:49:57.320
a resident of the Hero City Kerch.

818
00:49:57.320 --> 00:50:00.440
At present, electricity is supplied for only several hours a day,

819
00:50:00.440 --> 00:50:01.960
but we are not put off by this,

820
00:50:01.960 --> 00:50:04.720
because our children have started playing less with their electronic 

821
00:50:04.720 --> 00:50:08.380
devices, reading more books and communicating with their parents.

822
00:50:08.380 --> 00:50:12.280
However, in spite of this, we are looking forward to the commissioning 

823
00:50:12.280 --> 00:50:16.360
of the energy bridge. Tell us please when this will happen. Thank you.

824
00:50:17.780 --> 00:50:23.746
Regarding power distribution, just three or four days ago,

825
00:50:23.746 --> 00:50:29.816
Energy Minister Alexander Novak updated me on the progress 

826
00:50:29.816 --> 00:50:32.800
on the energy bridge project.

827
00:50:32.800 --> 00:50:37.200
As we remember, two lines have been laid. They are now in service.

828
00:50:37.200 --> 00:50:40.015
Today, a third line is to be commissioned.

829
00:50:40.015 --> 00:50:41.960
This is an additional 200 MW.

830
00:50:41.960 --> 00:50:45.880
On the whole, this is nearing a power transmission volume that was 

831
00:50:45.880 --> 00:50:48.960
provided from Ukrainian territory.

832
00:50:48.960 --> 00:50:53.725
I believe a fourth line will be put into operation in two 

833
00:50:53.725 --> 00:50:58.080
or three weeks at the latest. This is another 200 MW.

834
00:50:58.080 --> 00:51:02.544
This will add up to 800 [MW] along the energy bridge 

835
00:51:02.544 --> 00:51:05.240
between the Caucasus and Crimea.

836
00:51:05.240 --> 00:51:11.360
This will fully meet the demand that was once met by Ukraine.

837
00:51:11.360 --> 00:51:18.120
There was a problem related to the fact that since power supplies 

838
00:51:18.120 --> 00:51:22.660
previously came from the north and reached Kerch, say,

839
00:51:22.660 --> 00:51:26.360
and other regions on the leftover principle,

840
00:51:26.360 --> 00:51:32.320
the grids here are not of very good quality.

841
00:51:32.320 --> 00:51:35.400
The Energy Ministry thought about this.

842
00:51:35.400 --> 00:51:38.400
I hope it did, because the Minister briefed me on this.

843
00:51:38.400 --> 00:51:41.160
They are commissioning corresponding substations 

844
00:51:41.160 --> 00:51:43.520
and modernising the grid component.

845
00:51:43.520 --> 00:51:46.745
I hope everything will be done in a proper manner.

846
00:51:46.745 --> 00:51:50.680
I would like to remind you, however, that in 2017, I believe,

847
00:51:50.680 --> 00:51:56.780
another two units should be put into operation there,

848
00:51:56.780 --> 00:51:59.740
that’s over 400 MW, and in 2018, another two units,

849
00:51:59.740 --> 00:52:03.259
each over 400 MW. In other words,

850
00:52:03.259 --> 00:52:07.880
Crimea will not simply have sufficient power supply but will be 

851
00:52:07.880 --> 00:52:13.220
well-positioned to develop its economy and its social sphere.

852
00:52:14.020 --> 00:52:16.817
Mr President, we have an urgent report here.

853
00:52:16.817 --> 00:52:19.360
At the very start, we spoke about roads.

854
00:52:19.360 --> 00:52:22.800
So Omsk officials have just announced that they will repair 

855
00:52:22.800 --> 00:52:25.560
21 roads by May 1.

856
00:52:26.920 --> 00:52:29.320
Incidentally, Omsk is not the only region.

857
00:52:29.320 --> 00:52:33.160
There are also problems in Volgograd, Chelyabinsk and Saratov.

858
00:52:33.320 --> 00:52:38.545
I hope the heads of these regions will also pay attention or we will 

859
00:52:38.545 --> 00:52:41.423
definitely talk to them on this issue,

860
00:52:41.423 --> 00:52:45.210
as we will discuss it with the Russian Government,

861
00:52:45.210 --> 00:52:51.580
the Finance Ministry and the Transport Ministry regarding the issue 

862
00:52:51.580 --> 00:52:55.000
of this extra ruble from the excise tax, which was supposed –

863
00:52:55.000 --> 00:52:57.800
or, to be more precise, which the Finance Ministry wanted to impound 

864
00:52:57.800 --> 00:52:59.042
for the federal budget.

865
00:52:59.042 --> 00:53:01.040
I believe that they should be given to regional,

866
00:53:01.040 --> 00:53:02.600
road funds specifically and that this spending should be 

867
00:53:02.600 --> 00:53:04.240
designated accordingly. We will see how it will work.

868
00:53:12.500 --> 00:53:14.141
It is cold there now, right?

869
00:53:19.081 --> 00:53:23.472
The weather is windy today although yesterday it was very 

870
00:53:23.472 --> 00:53:25.533
warm. The weather changes day to day.

871
00:53:25.533 --> 00:53:27.897
So you invite us to go spend a holiday there,

872
00:53:27.897 --> 00:53:30.840
but can you guarantee that everything will be all right?

873
00:53:32.060 --> 00:53:33.974
We can, Mr President.

874
00:53:34.354 --> 00:53:35.287
Thank you.

875
00:53:35.287 --> 00:53:37.430
Thank you, Crimea.

876
00:53:37.430 --> 00:53:40.920
While developing domestic tourism and creating new infrastructure,

877
00:53:40.920 --> 00:53:44.562
we must not forget about the environment: 2017 has been declared 

878
00:53:44.562 --> 00:53:48.020
the Year of the Environment. We have ecologists here in the studio.

879
00:53:48.020 --> 00:53:49.840
Let us give them an opportunity to ask their questions.

880
00:53:49.840 --> 00:53:50.424
By all means.

881
00:53:50.424 --> 00:53:51.940
Vera, they are in your section. Please take over.

882
00:53:51.940 --> 00:53:54.120
Indeed, there are many questions concerning the ecology,

883
00:53:54.120 --> 00:53:58.040
and environmental activist Eldar Neverov is willing to ask one of them.

884
00:53:58.660 --> 00:54:00.668
Good afternoon, please ask your question.

885
00:54:00.668 --> 00:54:01.986
Good afternoon, Mr President.

886
00:54:01.986 --> 00:54:08.982
I am Eldar Neverov, a businessman specialising in garbage 

887
00:54:08.982 --> 00:54:12.360
and secondary raw materials.

888
00:54:12.360 --> 00:54:19.202
I am extremely worried that we have not yet created a comprehensive 

889
00:54:19.202 --> 00:54:23.040
solid waste recycling system.

890
00:54:23.040 --> 00:54:26.120
In particular, we have not introduced separate waste collection 

891
00:54:26.120 --> 00:54:28.400
in the current meaning of this procedure,

892
00:54:28.400 --> 00:54:30.479
when valuable secondary raw materials are sorted out from 

893
00:54:30.479 --> 00:54:32.440
non-recyclable waste.

894
00:54:32.440 --> 00:54:37.240
As a result, our landfills are growing larger with non-degradable 

895
00:54:37.240 --> 00:54:44.640
waste, which sometimes leads to environmental disasters.

896
00:54:44.640 --> 00:54:49.012
So, maybe all of us – the authorities, business and the public –

897
00:54:49.012 --> 00:54:52.360
should roll our sleeves up and clean the country?

898
00:54:52.360 --> 00:54:54.805
Look, there is one of your colleagues,

899
00:54:54.805 --> 00:54:58.280
nodding in agreement. Give him the microphone, please.

900
00:54:59.780 --> 00:55:01.357
Good afternoon, Mr President.

901
00:55:01.357 --> 00:55:07.880
I believe that Eldar has proposed a good idea.

902
00:55:07.880 --> 00:55:11.080
Thank you for declaring the Year of the Environment.

903
00:55:11.080 --> 00:55:13.680
Of course, we are waiting for the Year of the Entrepreneur,

904
00:55:13.680 --> 00:55:16.440
but I think we can make our country cleaner.

905
00:55:16.440 --> 00:55:18.577
The task is within our powers.

906
00:55:18.577 --> 00:55:21.640
Anyone else wishing to speak on the matter?

907
00:55:25.680 --> 00:55:27.277
Good afternoon, Mr President.

908
00:55:27.277 --> 00:55:31.400
I am a member of parliament representing the Astrakhan Region.

909
00:55:31.400 --> 00:55:34.934
We in Astrakhan are deeply worried about the situation 

910
00:55:34.934 --> 00:55:37.120
in the lower reaches of the Volga.

911
00:55:37.120 --> 00:55:39.800
We are grateful to you for declaring the Year of the Environment.

912
00:55:39.800 --> 00:55:43.720
We joined hands with active members from the Russian Popular Front 

913
00:55:43.720 --> 00:55:46.120
to stage a campaign in defence of the lower reaches of the Volga,

914
00:55:46.120 --> 00:55:48.760
which are the spawning ground for fish,

915
00:55:48.760 --> 00:55:51.980
the source of fresh water and are otherwise important for agriculture.

916
00:55:51.980 --> 00:55:55.720
Mr President, I believe that the hydraulic structures in the Volga-Kama 

917
00:55:55.720 --> 00:55:58.080
basin have not been adjusted to supply water properly,

918
00:55:58.080 --> 00:56:01.240
which mostly affects those who live along the Volga.

919
00:56:01.240 --> 00:56:03.720
I have found support among my colleagues in the State Duma 

920
00:56:03.720 --> 00:56:07.524
and the United Russia party.

921
00:56:07.524 --> 00:56:10.692
We are collecting signatures and have held a campaign 

922
00:56:10.692 --> 00:56:12.099
in defence of the Volga.

923
00:56:12.099 --> 00:56:15.560
We have collected over 50,000 signatures under a letter we 

924
00:56:15.560 --> 00:56:18.620
plan to send to you. As of now, this is the key priority,

925
00:56:18.620 --> 00:56:20.880
and even the housing and utility problems have receded to second place.

926
00:56:20.880 --> 00:56:22.800
Absolutely everyone, both party members and the politically 

927
00:56:22.800 --> 00:56:24.680
uncommitted, have supported my initiative.

928
00:56:24.680 --> 00:56:26.800
Mr President, this is really very important.

929
00:56:27.840 --> 00:56:34.000
I am asking you to personally monitor the adjustment of the hydraulic 

930
00:56:34.000 --> 00:56:35.578
structures in the Volga-Kama basin.

931
00:56:35.578 --> 00:56:40.880
Shallow waters affect navigation and the spawning of fish,

932
00:56:40.880 --> 00:56:42.280
and hence life. Water is life.

933
00:56:42.980 --> 00:56:43.654
Yes, I agree.

934
00:56:43.654 --> 00:56:47.820
I will say a few words about the Volga and our other great rivers.

935
00:56:47.820 --> 00:56:52.487
Indeed, there is a problem, and it requires special attention on behalf 

936
00:56:52.487 --> 00:56:55.080
of the regional and federal authorities.

937
00:56:55.080 --> 00:56:56.400
This includes shipping traffic.

938
00:56:56.400 --> 00:56:59.000
In certain localities, I am not sure how it is going to be this time,

939
00:56:59.000 --> 00:57:03.320
but in the past few years a boat would arrive at a certain point,

940
00:57:03.320 --> 00:57:04.520
the passengers would disembark,

941
00:57:04.520 --> 00:57:07.600
then take a bus to cover that portion of their itinerary,

942
00:57:07.600 --> 00:57:09.486
and then re-embark on the boat,

943
00:57:09.486 --> 00:57:13.320
because the water was too shallow for the boat to negotiate it.

944
00:57:13.320 --> 00:57:17.080
It is necessary to clean river beds.

945
00:57:17.080 --> 00:57:19.600
We must also pay attention to hydraulic facilities,

946
00:57:19.600 --> 00:57:21.296
which also pose problems.

947
00:57:21.296 --> 00:57:23.808
We are not going to discuss them now,

948
00:57:23.808 --> 00:57:28.560
but these problems have remained unresolved for years, if not decades.

949
00:57:28.560 --> 00:57:31.920
Of course, it’s also a matter of the purity of water in the Volga 

950
00:57:31.920 --> 00:57:35.489
delta, which is home to some wonderful and unusual fauna,

951
00:57:35.489 --> 00:57:41.960
including sturgeon. Do you know how wide the Volga delta is? 

952
00:57:44.980 --> 00:57:48.920
290 kilometres. It is one of the world’s largest deltas comparable 

953
00:57:48.920 --> 00:57:52.360
to the Mississippi. This is a universe of its own, and,

954
00:57:52.360 --> 00:57:56.840
of course, it needs our special attention.

955
00:57:56.840 --> 00:58:02.959
Now, with regard to waste. It is indeed a problem.

956
00:58:02.959 --> 00:58:10.943
Our country is faced with a waste problem. We are producing about 

957
00:58:10.943 --> 00:58:17.080
5.4 or 5.6 billion tonnes of waste yearly,

958
00:58:22.380 --> 00:58:29.520
and only half of it is recycled. The rest is simply buried.

959
00:58:29.520 --> 00:58:33.400
That second half, which goes into the ground or is simply dumped 

960
00:58:33.400 --> 00:58:40.155
somewhere, is out of control and has become a highly 

961
00:58:40.155 --> 00:58:42.960
criminalised business.

962
00:58:42.960 --> 00:58:48.751
In this regard, it is imperative to improve regulations and raise 

963
00:58:48.751 --> 00:58:53.840
the awareness of the regional authorities to this problem.

964
00:58:53.840 --> 00:58:58.440
Of course, the public should monitor this,

965
00:58:58.440 --> 00:59:01.800
because sometimes people have to live near such dumps,

966
00:59:01.800 --> 00:59:03.945
and their lives become unbearable.

967
00:59:03.945 --> 00:59:07.920
I would like to ask the Russian Popular Front to focus on this.

968
00:59:07.920 --> 00:59:10.080
Given the high levels of criminal activity in this area,

969
00:59:10.080 --> 00:59:15.120
it is indeed front-line work without exaggeration.

970
00:59:15.120 --> 00:59:22.480
Now, with regard to these plants and what needs to be done.

971
00:59:22.480 --> 00:59:27.680
A law was adopted in November or December 2014.

972
00:59:27.680 --> 00:59:31.960
However, these plants can be built, and they will work efficiently,

973
00:59:31.960 --> 00:59:35.560
and everything will be economically feasible if the so-called 

974
00:59:35.560 --> 00:59:38.320
environmental fee is collected.

975
00:59:38.320 --> 00:59:43.920
This fee will be collected beginning in 2017.

976
00:59:43.920 --> 00:59:47.530
Why? Precisely because of our ongoing economic difficulties,

977
00:59:47.530 --> 00:59:51.080
so as to not put too much of a burden on the manufacturers,

978
00:59:51.080 --> 00:59:54.880
so that they do not cut jobs and can pay employee salaries 

979
00:59:54.880 --> 00:59:59.524
in a timely fashion. There are many problems regarding these most 

980
00:59:59.524 --> 01:00:03.184
sensitive and most important areas for our citizens.

981
01:00:03.184 --> 01:00:06.740
The Government crunched the numbers and realised that if we ask them 

982
01:00:06.740 --> 01:00:10.320
to pay a disposal fee on top of everything else,

983
01:00:10.320 --> 01:00:11.949
the industry will find it extremely difficult to comply,

984
01:00:11.969 --> 01:00:14.592
but it should be introduced in the early 2017 anyway.

985
01:00:14.592 --> 01:00:19.082
There are three ways to go about it (I will be done with this shortly).

986
01:00:19.082 --> 01:00:22.790
First, those who produce the waste,

987
01:00:22.790 --> 01:00:27.134
the large and self-contained enterprises,

988
01:00:27.134 --> 01:00:31.160
can build recycling plants themselves.

989
01:00:32.340 --> 01:00:36.472
Second, if a waste-producing enterprise is unable to take care of its 

990
01:00:36.472 --> 01:00:40.215
waste, it can pool its resources with other enterprises of a particular 

991
01:00:40.215 --> 01:00:42.341
region and hire an operator.

992
01:00:42.341 --> 01:00:47.964
Third, if doing so does not make any economic sense for the private 

993
01:00:47.964 --> 01:00:51.851
sector, because the payback period is too long,

994
01:00:51.851 --> 01:00:56.400
the state itself should go ahead and build such plants.

995
01:00:56.400 --> 01:01:00.629
However, the issue here is about complex waste, such as batteries,

996
01:01:00.629 --> 01:01:03.680
industrial waste, television sets, refrigerators, and so on.

997
01:01:04.740 --> 01:01:06.436
We’ve been working for an hour now,

998
01:01:06.436 --> 01:01:07.760
and it wouldn’t be fair to stay only in the studio.

999
01:01:07.760 --> 01:01:10.920
We’ve already had 2.5 million calls. Let’s hear another call.

1000
01:01:10.920 --> 01:01:13.120
Let’s cross to the question processing centre and Tatyana 

1001
01:01:13.120 --> 01:01:14.280
Remezova. Tatyana, you have the floor.

1002
01:01:14.280 --> 01:01:15.180
Thank you, colleagues.

1003
01:01:15.180 --> 01:01:17.440
Mr President, we know that you are no fan of questions about your 

1004
01:01:17.440 --> 01:01:20.360
personal life and make a point of not discussing this subject,

1005
01:01:20.360 --> 01:01:23.240
but we have so many questions of this sort that we cannot 

1006
01:01:23.240 --> 01:01:25.729
simply ignore it altogether.

1007
01:01:25.969 --> 01:01:29.820
For some reason, this subject particularly interests your fellow St Petersburg people,

1008
01:01:29.820 --> 01:01:32.839
so let’s try hearing a call live now 

1009
01:01:32.839 --> 01:01:35.040
from Alexandra Kozlova in Gatchina.

1010
01:01:35.040 --> 01:01:36.920
Good afternoon, we’re listening to you.

1011
01:01:36.920 --> 01:01:39.321
Hello, Mr President.

1012
01:01:39.321 --> 01:01:39.821
Hello.

1013
01:01:39.821 --> 01:01:42.360
I have a question about your personal life.

1014
01:01:42.360 --> 01:01:48.240
The newspapers wrote recently that your former wife Lyudmila remarried.

1015
01:01:48.240 --> 01:01:53.280
When will you present to us a new First Lady?

1016
01:02:02.320 --> 01:02:06.960
Lyudmila and I see each other sometimes, not often, but we do meet,

1017
01:02:06.960 --> 01:02:09.400
and we have very good relations,

1018
01:02:09.400 --> 01:02:11.360
perhaps even better now than they were before.

1019
01:02:13.460 --> 01:02:15.240
I know that all is well with her.

1020
01:02:15.240 --> 01:02:16.479
As for what the newspapers write,

1021
01:02:16.479 --> 01:02:17.600
that is another issue.

1022
01:02:17.600 --> 01:02:19.440
But I know that she is happy with her life and all is well.

1023
01:02:19.440 --> 01:02:23.140
I am also happy, and all is well with me too.

1024
01:02:24.720 --> 01:02:29.946
I’m not sure that we ought to turn the spotlight 

1025
01:02:29.946 --> 01:02:33.680
on the matters you raised just now.

1026
01:02:34.300 --> 01:02:39.620
You never know how they might affect the exchange rate or oil prices.

1027
01:02:39.620 --> 01:02:47.060
Speaking seriously though, people elect deputies to the State Duma 

1028
01:02:47.060 --> 01:02:52.580
and elect a president in order to have them work.

1029
01:02:52.580 --> 01:02:56.400
The things you talk about, matters concerning personal life,

1030
01:02:56.400 --> 01:03:00.226
do interest people of course, and I have long since learned to live 

1031
01:03:00.226 --> 01:03:03.880
with this and I understand this interest,

1032
01:03:03.880 --> 01:03:08.080
but these things are nonetheless not of paramount importance.

1033
01:03:08.080 --> 01:03:11.000
Perhaps the moment will come when I will be able to satisfy 

1034
01:03:11.000 --> 01:03:12.940
your curiosity. Thank you for your question.

1035
01:03:13.480 --> 01:03:15.683
Well, let’s talk about doping now.

1036
01:03:15.683 --> 01:03:16.280
About what?

1037
01:03:16.280 --> 01:03:19.040
About doping, a sensitive issue.

1038
01:03:19.040 --> 01:03:23.635
We have always been proud of the success of our athletes.

1039
01:03:23.635 --> 01:03:29.280
They were recognized leaders in many sports for many years but now we 

1040
01:03:29.280 --> 01:03:33.520
are being told that many victories were achieved dishonestly.

1041
01:03:33.520 --> 01:03:37.280
We have both fans and athletes in our studio.

1042
01:03:37.280 --> 01:03:39.294
Let’s give them an opportunity to speak their mind.

1043
01:03:39.294 --> 01:03:40.480
Olga, let your section have the floor.

1044
01:03:40.480 --> 01:03:43.880
Yes, Valeriya, you noted quite rightly that this issue is worrying not 

1045
01:03:43.880 --> 01:03:47.880
only representatives of the sports community but also millions of fans 

1046
01:03:47.880 --> 01:03:51.189
all over the country because sport is a unifying force,

1047
01:03:51.189 --> 01:03:54.800
and we do have people of different walks of life here today.

1048
01:03:54.800 --> 01:03:57.240
Many are interested in this issue.

1049
01:03:57.240 --> 01:03:59.880
Thus, businessman Yan Berezin arrived here today with 

1050
01:03:59.880 --> 01:04:03.600
a question about sport rather than business.

1051
01:04:04.480 --> 01:04:05.560
Good afternoon, Mr President.

1052
01:04:05.560 --> 01:04:07.400
I am Yan Berezin from Moscow, the Leaders’ Club.

1053
01:04:07.400 --> 01:04:12.200
It is perfectly obvious that there are some things that unite all of us 

1054
01:04:12.200 --> 01:04:15.560
although we are different, and sport can play a key role in this.

1055
01:04:15.560 --> 01:04:20.240
We are always glad to see our athletes, we cheer for them, our stars,

1056
01:04:20.240 --> 01:04:22.296
for their victories when they represent Russia 

1057
01:04:22.296 --> 01:04:23.751
in the international arena.

1058
01:04:23.751 --> 01:04:28.600
To be honest, this outrageous scandal over meldonium is infuriating.

1059
01:04:28.600 --> 01:04:31.800
It has been going on for several months now.

1060
01:04:31.800 --> 01:04:34.074
It is still unclear what it will lead to.

1061
01:04:34.074 --> 01:04:37.680
They are going to deprive our athletes of their status and their 

1062
01:04:37.680 --> 01:04:39.840
careers may even come to an end.

1063
01:04:40.440 --> 01:04:44.520
What will then happen with the sports leaders of our country? 

1064
01:04:44.520 --> 01:04:48.800
What will happen – maybe some punishment? Honestly,

1065
01:04:48.800 --> 01:04:51.000
I speak from my heart, as it goes.

1066
01:04:51.000 --> 01:04:54.160
No, from the bottom of my heart.

1067
01:04:54.160 --> 01:04:59.414
Is Mutko giving you English lessons? (Applause.)

1068
01:05:00.474 --> 01:05:01.435
God forbid, no.

1069
01:05:02.175 --> 01:05:04.540
You do not take lessons from him do you?

1070
01:05:04.540 --> 01:05:05.040
No.

1071
01:05:06.208 --> 01:05:12.379
As regards this meldonium, so much has been said about it already.

1072
01:05:12.379 --> 01:05:16.400
It has never been listed as a doping agent.

1073
01:05:16.400 --> 01:05:21.440
It is absolutely certain that meldonium does not enhance results.

1074
01:05:21.440 --> 01:05:26.720
It simply keeps the heart muscle in good shape during heavy training 

1075
01:05:26.720 --> 01:05:32.400
loads but for some reason it was suddenly put on the list.

1076
01:05:32.400 --> 01:05:37.706
Basically, meldonium was invented back in the Soviet Union,

1077
01:05:37.706 --> 01:05:43.192
in Latvia, as we now know. I did not know this myself before.

1078
01:05:43.192 --> 01:05:46.880
The inventor never considered it doping –

1079
01:05:46.880 --> 01:05:50.640
it is used in medicine on a large scale, by the way.

1080
01:05:51.660 --> 01:05:54.627
Most important, when it was included,

1081
01:05:54.627 --> 01:06:00.080
there was no reliable information on how quickly it leaves the body.

1082
01:06:00.080 --> 01:06:03.930
I think now WADA has adjusted its decisions–

1083
01:06:03.930 --> 01:06:07.255
literally yesterday or the day before,

1084
01:06:07.255 --> 01:06:17.220
recently anyway. I do not believe this decision had political connotations

1085
01:06:17.220 --> 01:06:26.440
 although meldonium was used only by athletes from Eastern Europe, former Soviet Union countries,

1086
01:06:26.440 --> 01:06:30.000
and Eastern Europe in general because it originated there,

1087
01:06:30.000 --> 01:06:32.600
was produced and is still being produced,

1088
01:06:32.600 --> 01:06:34.439
but it has never been regarded as doping.

1089
01:06:34.439 --> 01:06:38.720
I don’t think there’s a political subtext here,

1090
01:06:38.720 --> 01:06:42.519
and we can see this in the fact that WADA has adjusted its position.

1091
01:06:42.519 --> 01:06:47.479
As far as I know, our colleagues from this international anti-doping 

1092
01:06:47.479 --> 01:06:52.080
organisation are now looking at the possibility of carrying out 

1093
01:06:52.080 --> 01:06:58.480
clinical tests to see how fast the body eliminates this substance.

1094
01:06:58.480 --> 01:07:01.732
The first study shows that different people eliminate it 

1095
01:07:01.732 --> 01:07:02.974
at different speeds.

1096
01:07:02.974 --> 01:07:07.200
The results of these tests could lead to some practical conclusions,

1097
01:07:07.200 --> 01:07:12.680
including with regard to individual athletes.

1098
01:07:12.680 --> 01:07:16.474
I hope that these decisions will be objective,

1099
01:07:16.474 --> 01:07:21.918
but this does not mean that we should sit on our laurels and have 

1100
01:07:21.918 --> 01:07:24.640
a chuckle over this whole affair.

1101
01:07:24.640 --> 01:07:28.391
No, what we need to do now is to improve our work with 

1102
01:07:28.391 --> 01:07:32.280
the international organisations and make swift responses 

1103
01:07:32.280 --> 01:07:38.778
to their demands. Of course, we need to pay attention to our athletes’ 

1104
01:07:38.778 --> 01:07:42.440
health and to ensuring fair competition,

1105
01:07:42.440 --> 01:07:52.040
and giving the fans the pleasure of seeing this fair competition.

1106
01:07:52.040 --> 01:07:55.102
Of course, we must make sure for certain that athletes who have nothing 

1107
01:07:55.102 --> 01:07:58.140
to do with this doping scandal,

1108
01:07:58.140 --> 01:08:00.921
and this is the case for the majority of our athletes,

1109
01:08:00.921 --> 01:08:02.628
are not penalised in any way.

1110
01:08:02.628 --> 01:08:04.630
Let’s hear from our athletes then,

1111
01:08:04.630 --> 01:08:07.280
all the more so as they certainly deserve it.

1112
01:08:07.280 --> 01:08:09.520
They are in Olga Pautova’s sector. Olga, you have the floor.

1113
01:08:09.520 --> 01:08:12.660
We have invited here to the studio Yury Borzakovsky,

1114
01:08:12.660 --> 01:08:15.560
the head coach of Russia’s track and field team.

1115
01:08:15.560 --> 01:08:18.320
He was many-times European champion, world champion,

1116
01:08:18.320 --> 01:08:20.760
and so far the only Russian runner to win an Olympic gold 

1117
01:08:20.760 --> 01:08:24.120
medal too. Yury, you have the floor.

1118
01:08:24.120 --> 01:08:26.146
Good afternoon, Mr President.

1119
01:08:26.146 --> 01:08:30.966
The anti-doping association has no problems with the majority of our 

1120
01:08:30.966 --> 01:08:34.320
athletes, whose consciences are certainly clear.

1121
01:08:34.320 --> 01:08:37.566
But all of our track and field athletes, all of them,

1122
01:08:37.566 --> 01:08:41.960
have been barred from taking part in the Olympics because of others’ faults.

1123
01:08:41.960 --> 01:08:47.000
The International Association (IAAF) will come back to this issue very soon, in May,

1124
01:08:47.000 --> 01:08:52.791
we’ve heard. In any case, my team is asking what we should do? 

1125
01:08:52.791 --> 01:08:55.935
Should we be training now, training for what,

1126
01:08:55.935 --> 01:08:59.080
preparing for the Olympics? Thank you.

1127
01:08:59.080 --> 01:09:01.542
I understand your athletes.

1128
01:09:01.542 --> 01:09:05.920
We all love them and wish them the best results.

1129
01:09:05.920 --> 01:09:10.839
It is no exaggeration to say that every sports fan knows them by name.

1130
01:09:10.839 --> 01:09:13.200
Of course, they are in a difficult situation right now,

1131
01:09:13.200 --> 01:09:15.960
but we should be ready for everything, it seems to me,

1132
01:09:15.960 --> 01:09:17.400
since you are asking my opinion.

1133
01:09:17.400 --> 01:09:20.040
This is all the more so as, like I just said,

1134
01:09:20.040 --> 01:09:23.200
we know now that WADA is re-examining some of its policies on the use 

1135
01:09:23.200 --> 01:09:27.850
of meldonium and is studying the clinical properties not only 

1136
01:09:27.850 --> 01:09:31.660
of the product itself but also the way it leaves the body.

1137
01:09:31.660 --> 01:09:32.800
Let’s wait and see.

1138
01:09:32.800 --> 01:09:36.680
Of course, we will fight to make sure that the decisions are fair.

1139
01:09:36.680 --> 01:09:41.934
The Russian Sports Ministry and our sports organisations are working 

1140
01:09:41.934 --> 01:09:46.246
with good international-level lawyers on this and are 

1141
01:09:46.246 --> 01:09:49.880
studying all aspects of the issue.

1142
01:09:50.660 --> 01:09:54.240
Let us now talk about something else that concerns everyone –

1143
01:09:54.240 --> 01:09:56.660
which is no exaggeration – the housing and utilities issues.

1144
01:09:57.599 --> 01:10:00.400
People complain that they have to spend a significant 

1145
01:10:00.400 --> 01:10:04.160
portion of their incomes on that.

1146
01:10:04.160 --> 01:10:08.400
We have a lot of such messages coming in through the VKontakte social 

1147
01:10:08.400 --> 01:10:12.354
networking site: “We are greatly concerned about housing and utilities 

1148
01:10:12.354 --> 01:10:15.040
bills and additional charges.” 

1149
01:10:15.040 --> 01:10:17.341
They must be referring primarily to major repairs.

1150
01:10:17.361 --> 01:10:21.160
It is a really big topic of discussion today: “When will you enforce 

1151
01:10:21.180 --> 01:10:23.680
some order and put a stop to the endless extortions?”

1152
01:10:23.680 --> 01:10:28.440
There is one more question: “Previously, they explained the price hikes by the rising oil price, 

1153
01:10:28.440 --> 01:10:30.894
but now, when the price of oil is falling,

1154
01:10:30.894 --> 01:10:32.680
prices continue to grow.

1155
01:10:32.680 --> 01:10:35.600
Our parents tell us that when they were young,

1156
01:10:35.600 --> 01:10:38.000
housing prices remained unchanged for decades.

1157
01:10:38.000 --> 01:10:42.399
Why not curb utility rates now?” Lyudmila Kamyshnikova from 

1158
01:10:42.399 --> 01:10:45.113
the Moscow Region asks.

1159
01:10:45.113 --> 01:10:49.043
Essentially, there are three questions: utility bills,

1160
01:10:49.043 --> 01:10:51.736
additional charges and major repairs.

1161
01:10:51.736 --> 01:10:54.240
Do you want me to go through all of them?

1162
01:10:54.260 --> 01:10:55.689
Yes, I think people are interested.

1163
01:10:55.689 --> 01:10:56.189
Ok.

1164
01:10:56.189 --> 01:11:03.600
First, about the stability in housing issues and utilities bills that 

1165
01:11:03.600 --> 01:11:09.240
Soviet people enjoyed in the Soviet Union.

1166
01:11:09.240 --> 01:11:12.109
Life was very different then.

1167
01:11:12.109 --> 01:11:16.957
True, there was stability, but I can assure you –

1168
01:11:16.957 --> 01:11:21.409
we are now seeing this, it has become clear –

1169
01:11:21.409 --> 01:11:26.455
that this industry was systematically and horribly 

1170
01:11:26.455 --> 01:11:29.720
underfunded even in Soviet times.

1171
01:11:29.720 --> 01:11:35.021
They did keep the fees low, but the Government failed to invest 

1172
01:11:35.021 --> 01:11:42.060
the required money, and gradually our housing stock was ruined.

1173
01:11:42.060 --> 01:11:48.699
On the other hand, they did invest money, even if not very effectively,

1174
01:11:48.699 --> 01:11:52.160
in the defence industry, for example.

1175
01:11:52.160 --> 01:11:55.240
The number of different types of Soviet aircraft,

1176
01:11:55.240 --> 01:11:57.754
warships and other weapons was infinite,

1177
01:11:57.754 --> 01:12:02.280
immeasurable. Did they absolutely have to do that? Many experts now say 

1178
01:12:02.280 --> 01:12:04.600
it was expensive and mostly unnecessary.

1179
01:12:04.600 --> 01:12:09.400
So where has that policy led us to? Let me recall.

1180
01:12:09.400 --> 01:12:13.791
It led us to a situation where soap and sugar were only 

1181
01:12:13.791 --> 01:12:18.120
available with coupons.

1182
01:12:18.120 --> 01:12:21.620
In those conditions, people did not even notice that they 

1183
01:12:21.620 --> 01:12:24.920
lost the country. Was it good? Of course not.

1184
01:12:24.920 --> 01:12:29.089
Still, even today, before taking any decisions in this area,

1185
01:12:29.089 --> 01:12:34.480
one very sensitive to people, I completely agree with you,

1186
01:12:34.480 --> 01:12:39.000
we must certainly think about people’s incomes and the industry's 

1187
01:12:39.000 --> 01:12:41.480
requirements, and they must be balanced.

1188
01:12:41.480 --> 01:12:46.198
What is happening with tariffs? Last year,

1189
01:12:46.198 --> 01:12:51.820
tariffs were to be increased by 8.7 percent on average.

1190
01:12:51.820 --> 01:12:55.926
What I’m going to say right now is important.

1191
01:12:55.926 --> 01:12:59.697
The tariffs actually went up by 8.5 percent on average.

1192
01:12:59.697 --> 01:13:03.400
It was decided that in July 2016 tariffs should go up 

1193
01:13:03.400 --> 01:13:06.600
by another 4 percent on average.

1194
01:13:11.560 --> 01:13:15.029
The regions can decide for themselves whether they should refrain from 

1195
01:13:15.029 --> 01:13:17.540
raising tariffs at all or increase them above the average 

1196
01:13:17.540 --> 01:13:19.568
rate all the way up to 10 percent.

1197
01:13:19.568 --> 01:13:23.799
However, the regional governors can decide on this issue only after 

1198
01:13:23.799 --> 01:13:27.240
coordinating it with the municipal council deputies,

1199
01:13:27.240 --> 01:13:31.280
so that elected officials must consent to any increase 

1200
01:13:31.280 --> 01:13:34.040
above the 4 percent level.

1201
01:13:34.040 --> 01:13:38.323
This will only be possible if the additional increase is needed 

1202
01:13:38.323 --> 01:13:41.401
to finance repairs or investment, for example,

1203
01:13:41.401 --> 01:13:43.810
to prepare utilities for the winter,

1204
01:13:43.810 --> 01:13:47.960
to keep power stations and heat generators from falling apart 

1205
01:13:47.960 --> 01:13:50.520
and maintaining them in good working condition.

1206
01:13:50.520 --> 01:13:56.460
There are 24,000 municipal entities in Russia.

1207
01:13:56.460 --> 01:14:04.480
Of this total, over 600 opted to exceed this 4-percent increase.

1208
01:14:04.480 --> 01:14:09.380
This is just about 3 percent of the population.

1209
01:14:09.380 --> 01:14:11.473
There are people elsewhere as well.

1210
01:14:11.473 --> 01:14:15.600
Let me reiterate that consent by the local deputies and an agreement 

1211
01:14:15.600 --> 01:14:18.440
with the governor is required for taking such decisions.

1212
01:14:19.920 --> 01:14:27.000
Making sure that the tariffs are transparent is very important.

1213
01:14:27.000 --> 01:14:30.649
While this tariff is regulated by the state,

1214
01:14:30.649 --> 01:14:36.454
additional services are not subject to regulation. More on that later.

1215
01:14:36.454 --> 01:14:39.030
In order for the tariff to be transparent,

1216
01:14:39.030 --> 01:14:44.360
the Government needs to complete the work on making all information 

1217
01:14:44.360 --> 01:14:49.760
on the tariff structure publicly available,

1218
01:14:49.760 --> 01:14:54.590
so that anyone in Russia can understand what he or she pays 

1219
01:14:54.590 --> 01:14:59.044
for and how much. I think that moving in this direction will also 

1220
01:14:59.044 --> 01:15:02.680
enable us to influence this very tariff.

1221
01:15:02.680 --> 01:15:06.460
As for additional services, I am talking about maintenance of entrances 

1222
01:15:06.460 --> 01:15:09.081
to residential buildings, and the like.

1223
01:15:09.081 --> 01:15:13.720
As per applicable laws, these tariffs are not regulated by the state.

1224
01:15:13.720 --> 01:15:18.036
How should this be done? People should hold meetings to determine 

1225
01:15:18.036 --> 01:15:22.680
the scope of services they would like to receive and how much they are 

1226
01:15:22.680 --> 01:15:24.332
willing to pay for them.

1227
01:15:24.332 --> 01:15:27.914
If people are unable to do it, it would be the task 

1228
01:15:27.914 --> 01:15:30.900
and responsibility of the municipality.

1229
01:15:35.960 --> 01:15:38.164
Before we move to capital repairs,

1230
01:15:38.164 --> 01:15:41.600
let me say one more thing that you know all too well.

1231
01:15:41.600 --> 01:15:45.200
However, I still think that it should be highlighted again.

1232
01:15:45.200 --> 01:15:50.703
A law was adopted and enacted a long time ago,

1233
01:15:50.703 --> 01:15:58.720
which entitles families who pay over 22 percent of their household 

1234
01:15:58.720 --> 01:16:06.240
income for housing and utilities to apply for subsidies.

1235
01:16:06.240 --> 01:16:08.565
I just wanted to remind people,

1236
01:16:08.565 --> 01:16:13.440
especially given the 4-percent decline in real disposable income,

1237
01:16:13.440 --> 01:16:16.613
that if you meet this criterion,

1238
01:16:16.613 --> 01:16:19.391
you can apply for a subsidy.

1239
01:16:19.391 --> 01:16:23.259
The numbers are substantial, and today,

1240
01:16:23.259 --> 01:16:29.122
30 million people have applied for and are receiving these subsidies 

1241
01:16:29.122 --> 01:16:32.880
through the social services.

1242
01:16:32.880 --> 01:16:39.160
The regions spend 300 billion rubles on this programme.

1243
01:16:39.160 --> 01:16:46.218
Let me reiterate that if there are people not covered by this system,

1244
01:16:46.218 --> 01:16:50.859
they can apply for these subsidies.

1245
01:16:50.859 --> 01:16:54.640
Now regarding capital repairs.

1246
01:16:54.640 --> 01:16:58.637
This is also a very important and sensitive area for the people.

1247
01:16:58.637 --> 01:17:02.482
I know that this irks a lot of people and there is a reason why it 

1248
01:17:02.482 --> 01:17:07.319
does. The Constitutional Court has upheld the Government’s decision but 

1249
01:17:07.319 --> 01:17:12.040
even if it is correct, it is important to take into account people’s 

1250
01:17:12.040 --> 01:17:15.360
real financial status, their disposable income and, of course,

1251
01:17:15.360 --> 01:17:19.319
the industry’s real needs, and these needs are huge.

1252
01:17:19.319 --> 01:17:24.109
We have over 2 billion square metres of residential space 

1253
01:17:24.109 --> 01:17:27.577
in the country, I do not remember exactly,

1254
01:17:27.577 --> 01:17:32.120
maybe 2.4 billion, and 1 billion is in need of repairs.

1255
01:17:32.120 --> 01:17:35.400
Importantly, all of this is in need of repairs but this 1 billion is 

1256
01:17:35.400 --> 01:17:37.000
in need of urgent repair.

1257
01:17:37.000 --> 01:17:40.887
And do you know how much we currently repair each year? 50–

1258
01:17:40.887 --> 01:17:43.324
70 million. If we go on at this rate,

1259
01:17:43.324 --> 01:17:47.080
the amount of housing that is unsafe for human occupancy 

1260
01:17:47.080 --> 01:17:50.560
will grow exponentially. Disaster will strike sooner or later.

1261
01:17:50.560 --> 01:17:53.380
Go to certain countries – I will not name them so as not to offend 

1262
01:17:53.380 --> 01:17:56.080
them – big, large, great countries.

1263
01:17:56.080 --> 01:17:58.560
You come and you see that [some] buildings are falling apart.

1264
01:17:58.560 --> 01:18:00.613
I was so surprised and I asked why.

1265
01:18:00.613 --> 01:18:02.620
Because it is impossible to evict those who live there but who do not 

1266
01:18:02.620 --> 01:18:04.400
contribute to building’s repairs;

1267
01:18:04.400 --> 01:18:06.159
the owners do not want [to contribute] either.

1268
01:18:06.159 --> 01:18:07.862
Buildings are simply falling apart.

1269
01:18:07.862 --> 01:18:09.774
We can definitely not allow this to happen.

1270
01:18:09.774 --> 01:18:11.960
To reiterate, extreme caution should be exercised.

1271
01:18:11.960 --> 01:18:15.235
Look, 97 billion rubles were raised last year,

1272
01:18:15.235 --> 01:18:19.507
but only 25 [billion rubles] worth of contracts were signed.

1273
01:18:19.507 --> 01:18:22.640
The remaining 70 billion ended up “in limbo.” 

1274
01:18:22.640 --> 01:18:24.720
This means we were not ready for this.

1275
01:18:24.720 --> 01:18:28.040
All of this should be done very carefully and the amount [of the levy] 

1276
01:18:28.040 --> 01:18:30.920
should, of course, be commensurate with personal incomes.

1277
01:18:30.920 --> 01:18:32.788
The Government should, of course,

1278
01:18:32.788 --> 01:18:36.640
take a very careful and balanced approach, without any abrupt moves.

1279
01:18:37.680 --> 01:18:38.960
This is a controversial issue, to say the least.

1280
01:18:38.960 --> 01:18:40.740
Let us discuss it with panellists.

1281
01:18:40.740 --> 01:18:42.268
Nailya, go ahead please.

1282
01:18:42.268 --> 01:18:46.600
Many people are also worried about the property tax issue.

1283
01:18:46.600 --> 01:18:49.920
This applies both to individuals and to legal entities.

1284
01:18:49.920 --> 01:18:52.800
We have a Moscow-based entrepreneur in our studio with 

1285
01:18:52.800 --> 01:18:55.560
years of experience under his belt. Sergei Demin.

1286
01:18:55.560 --> 01:18:57.600
Mr Demin, your question please.

1287
01:18:58.880 --> 01:19:03.040
Good afternoon, Mr President. This is the third crisis for me.

1288
01:19:03.040 --> 01:19:07.200
I am an entrepreneur. I have been in business since the 1990s.

1289
01:19:07.200 --> 01:19:10.400
I have waited eight years for an opportunity to express my sincere 

1290
01:19:10.400 --> 01:19:12.376
gratitude to you for the year 2008,

1291
01:19:12.376 --> 01:19:16.160
when the decisions that you made ensured that the economy would be 

1292
01:19:16.160 --> 01:19:18.280
saved and would not slip back into 1998 again,

1293
01:19:18.280 --> 01:19:19.880
but would survive and develop further.

1294
01:19:20.660 --> 01:19:24.560
Because you experienced all of this firsthand I should point out that 

1295
01:19:24.560 --> 01:19:28.318
back then the crisis was far tougher.

1296
01:19:28.318 --> 01:19:33.897
As I said, our present fall in the GDP is significant,

1297
01:19:33.897 --> 01:19:37.720
3.7 percent, but in 2008 it was 10.7.

1298
01:19:37.720 --> 01:19:40.560
And of course, there was very serious concern.

1299
01:19:40.560 --> 01:19:44.040
Today, thank God, the situation is not so bad but we need 

1300
01:19:44.040 --> 01:19:46.160
to restore steady growth.

1301
01:19:46.220 --> 01:19:47.799
I am sorry, please, go on.

1302
01:19:47.799 --> 01:19:49.799
Yes, and another thing, Mr President.

1303
01:19:49.799 --> 01:19:53.400
My wife, Tatyana, asked me to say thank you for your work.

1304
01:19:55.160 --> 01:19:57.739
Well, I wish her the best of health.

1305
01:19:57.739 --> 01:20:01.680
Please thank her for her approval. Thank you very much.

1306
01:20:01.680 --> 01:20:06.620
Mr President, the cadastral value of real estate and land has grown 

1307
01:20:06.620 --> 01:20:08.800
sharply in the past few years.

1308
01:20:08.800 --> 01:20:12.240
This has been an additional burden – and a heavy one –

1309
01:20:12.240 --> 01:20:14.920
for enterprises, especially industrial ones.

1310
01:20:14.920 --> 01:20:18.080
Today, the cadastral value is often above the market.

1311
01:20:18.080 --> 01:20:22.240
This is evidenced by the many cases won in court by entrepreneurs.

1312
01:20:22.240 --> 01:20:27.904
Meanwhile, the funds spent on legal fees could be invested into 

1313
01:20:27.904 --> 01:20:31.799
the development and upgrading of production.

1314
01:20:31.799 --> 01:20:36.615
Moreover, private individuals are also in for hard times,

1315
01:20:36.615 --> 01:20:41.176
because taxes on real estate will be calculated based 

1316
01:20:41.176 --> 01:20:43.120
on its cadastral value.

1317
01:20:43.120 --> 01:20:47.351
My question is: could you review, and, if possible,

1318
01:20:47.351 --> 01:20:50.920
support the following two proposals? 

1319
01:20:50.920 --> 01:20:56.042
First, to impose a moratorium on increasing the cadastral value of real estate 

1320
01:20:56.042 --> 01:21:00.880
and land for the next five years and match the cadastral value with 

1321
01:21:00.880 --> 01:21:06.664
the market value in the near future, involving entrepreneurs,

1322
01:21:06.664 --> 01:21:11.880
for instance Delovaya Rossiya and others, in this work,

1323
01:21:11.880 --> 01:21:15.840
including owners. Appraisers should by all means be responsible 

1324
01:21:15.840 --> 01:21:17.280
for their performance.

1325
01:21:17.280 --> 01:21:20.720
Now they bear no responsibility for overrated cadastral value.

1326
01:21:20.720 --> 01:21:25.960
And the second proposal: considering, as you put it,

1327
01:21:25.960 --> 01:21:28.601
the current economic difficulties,

1328
01:21:28.601 --> 01:21:33.340
to increase tax exempt square areas for citizens: for a room,

1329
01:21:33.340 --> 01:21:37.846
from 10 to 15 metres; a flat, from 20 to 50 square metres;

1330
01:21:37.846 --> 01:21:43.440
and a suburban house, from 50 to 100 square metres. Thank you very much.

1331
01:21:47.320 --> 01:21:51.178
The transfer to cadastral values was initiated by some 

1332
01:21:51.178 --> 01:21:53.563
regions of the Russian Federation.

1333
01:21:53.563 --> 01:21:56.440
This is not even a Government initiative.

1334
01:21:56.440 --> 01:22:01.240
The reason is, in some regions, including Moscow,

1335
01:22:01.240 --> 01:22:06.321
the municipal authorities got the impression that they do not receive 

1336
01:22:06.321 --> 01:22:11.040
enough revenue, which they could and should receive for spending 

1337
01:22:11.040 --> 01:22:15.500
on general municipal needs.

1338
01:22:15.500 --> 01:22:24.001
Thus, the Moscow authorities considered the available appraisal to be 

1339
01:22:24.001 --> 01:22:31.764
underrated, as a result of which they received almost nothing per year 

1340
01:22:31.764 --> 01:22:40.220
from large retail chain, and this is certainly unfair.

1341
01:22:40.220 --> 01:22:44.080
Naturally, Muscovites that are not engaged in business have the right 

1342
01:22:44.080 --> 01:22:48.980
to ask the city authorities: why do you allow this to happen? But it 

1343
01:22:48.980 --> 01:22:55.173
goes without saying that this process should lead to more justice 

1344
01:22:55.173 --> 01:22:59.960
rather than overreaction in the opposite direction.

1345
01:22:59.960 --> 01:23:01.240
I agree with you on this point.

1346
01:23:01.240 --> 01:23:04.720
This applies to the business community and to individual citizens,

1347
01:23:04.720 --> 01:23:08.440
and this is why they are worried about it.

1348
01:23:08.440 --> 01:23:14.762
Is it possible to increase the tax-exempt square area? Probably it is,

1349
01:23:14.762 --> 01:23:16.839
we must think about it.

1350
01:23:16.839 --> 01:23:20.680
I cannot answer this question as regards specific figures off the top 

1351
01:23:20.680 --> 01:23:24.840
of my head, but we can and should consider this issue.

1352
01:23:24.840 --> 01:23:29.826
As for the moratorium, we can discuss it too,

1353
01:23:29.826 --> 01:23:36.032
but the issue is that this system should be implemented 

1354
01:23:36.032 --> 01:23:39.799
by 2020, as the regions are ready.

1355
01:23:39.799 --> 01:23:42.839
Actually, this is a relatively soft solution,

1356
01:23:42.839 --> 01:23:48.485
and it has only been implemented in very few federal territories,

1357
01:23:48.485 --> 01:23:51.960
only in one or two, maybe three regions.

1358
01:23:51.960 --> 01:23:55.440
The rest should be ready by 2020,

1359
01:23:55.440 --> 01:23:58.320
which is the essence of the moratorium.

1360
01:23:58.320 --> 01:24:02.600
Of course, we can discuss setting criteria for judging the regions’ 

1361
01:24:02.600 --> 01:24:07.360
readiness, which will again amount to a moratorium.

1362
01:24:07.360 --> 01:24:10.520
The regions must themselves decide whether they are ready 

1363
01:24:10.520 --> 01:24:14.240
or not. This is the current proposal.

1364
01:24:14.240 --> 01:24:19.040
As for attracting the business community to determining the cadastral 

1365
01:24:19.040 --> 01:24:24.811
value, the trouble is that currently this is the responsibility 

1366
01:24:24.811 --> 01:24:34.467
of private companies, 

1367
01:24:34.467 --> 01:24:42.127
whereas I believe that this should be done by government agencies.

1368
01:24:42.127 --> 01:24:45.067
The reason is that unfortunately,

1369
01:24:45.067 --> 01:24:48.587
these private companies cannot be held accountable for the results 

1370
01:24:48.587 --> 01:24:52.506
of their cadastral appraisal.

1371
01:24:52.506 --> 01:24:58.217
The situation is paradoxical, as I have seen in many questions I read 

1372
01:24:58.217 --> 01:25:02.320
yesterday, when two adjacent and similar flats receive different 

1373
01:25:02.320 --> 01:25:06.960
cadastral appraisals so that one of them appears to be many times more 

1374
01:25:06.960 --> 01:25:11.319
expensive than the other. This is not just unfair but foolish.

1375
01:25:11.319 --> 01:25:15.200
Therefore, we need to bring all this into conformity with common sense.

1376
01:25:15.200 --> 01:25:19.704
We would do well to adjust this work so that government agencies are 

1377
01:25:19.704 --> 01:25:23.360
held accountable for the results of cadastral appraisal.

1378
01:25:23.360 --> 01:25:28.095
But this also means that we should create a system in which people will 

1379
01:25:28.095 --> 01:25:33.520
be able to protect their rights, not only in courts,

1380
01:25:33.520 --> 01:25:38.979
which usually takes a long time, but also out of court,

1381
01:25:38.979 --> 01:25:41.560
that is, administratively.

1382
01:25:41.560 --> 01:25:46.640
Also, I’d like to point out that the people who are entitled to housing 

1383
01:25:46.640 --> 01:25:52.360
benefits enjoy them irrespective of whether their flats were evaluated 

1384
01:25:52.360 --> 01:25:57.319
by the Bureau of Technical Inventory,

1385
01:25:57.319 --> 01:26:02.440
in accordance with their cadastral or market value.

1386
01:26:02.840 --> 01:26:06.312
There are interesting elements in your proposals,

1387
01:26:06.312 --> 01:26:10.280
which we should definitely take into account. Thank you.

1388
01:26:10.820 --> 01:26:13.840
Mr Putin, the questions come not only from adults but also from 

1389
01:26:13.840 --> 01:26:16.700
children as you could see from the question about saving drowning 

1390
01:26:16.700 --> 01:26:20.380
people. I have several short questions from Klassny Zhurnal,

1391
01:26:20.380 --> 01:26:24.340
a national magazine published for children and by children.

1392
01:26:24.340 --> 01:26:25.820
I will quote some of them. First.

1393
01:26:25.820 --> 01:26:30.270
What three wishes would you make if you caught a goldfish like 

1394
01:26:30.270 --> 01:26:33.520
in the Russian fairytale? Anzhela Solomennikova, 11, Perm Territory.

1395
01:26:33.520 --> 01:26:34.206
Eleven?

1396
01:26:34.206 --> 01:26:34.893
Eleven.

1397
01:26:34.893 --> 01:26:35.679
Anzhela?

1398
01:26:35.679 --> 01:26:36.464
Anzhela.

1399
01:26:36.464 --> 01:26:41.860
I hope Anzhela can hear us now. Three wishes,

1400
01:26:41.860 --> 01:26:48.280
let me think. You know, in the long run it is better not to rely 

1401
01:26:48.280 --> 01:26:52.520
on fairy-tale characters.

1402
01:26:52.520 --> 01:26:56.720
There was a song in the Soviet times, remember? “Nobody will help us,

1403
01:26:56.720 --> 01:27:01.080
neither God nor the tsar nor a hero.” 

1404
01:27:01.080 --> 01:27:03.640
We must build our fate with our own hands.

1405
01:27:03.640 --> 01:27:08.000
If we keep waiting around for a miracle we may end up undoing all 

1406
01:27:08.000 --> 01:27:12.400
the magic just like in Pushkin’s fairytale.

1407
01:27:12.400 --> 01:27:15.040
It is better to roll up your sleeves and work hard.

1408
01:27:15.040 --> 01:27:18.359
They are kids. They still believe in miracles.

1409
01:27:21.699 --> 01:27:24.599
Next question: I am a child prodigy. I am eight years old.

1410
01:27:24.599 --> 01:27:27.840
I am in the fifth grade and go to chemistry classes with 

1411
01:27:27.840 --> 01:27:30.839
eighth-grade students. I speak English and build robots.

1412
01:27:30.839 --> 01:27:34.160
Why am I not allowed to go to educational camps like Sirius or Artek 

1413
01:27:34.160 --> 01:27:37.500
due to my young age? When I am old enough it will not be 

1414
01:27:37.500 --> 01:27:40.957
interesting anymore. Can you as President consider this 

1415
01:27:40.957 --> 01:27:45.280
in the programme for gifted children? Ilya Rayevsky, Yaroslavl Region.

1416
01:27:45.280 --> 01:27:49.200
Ilya, this is clearly an omission that indicates that the organisers 

1417
01:27:49.200 --> 01:27:53.600
have never been child prodigies. We will change that.

1418
01:27:56.280 --> 01:27:59.400
Next question: why do grown-ups have two days-off a week while children 

1419
01:27:59.400 --> 01:28:02.040
have none? We have classes on Saturdays and do homework on Sundays.

1420
01:28:02.040 --> 01:28:05.319
This is not fair. Denis Ryabchinsky, 11, Veliky Novgorod.

1421
01:28:05.319 --> 01:28:10.660
It is fair because you are better than us and you can stand 

1422
01:28:10.660 --> 01:28:16.920
the workload and absorb much more knowledge. This is the truth of life.

1423
01:28:16.920 --> 01:28:20.143
But there is undoubtedly a problem.

1424
01:28:20.143 --> 01:28:24.880
Speaking more seriously, the problem is that children’s workload is 

1425
01:28:24.880 --> 01:28:31.718
often incommensurable to what is prescribed or should be prescribed 

1426
01:28:31.718 --> 01:28:35.440
as acceptable by child psychologists.

1427
01:28:35.440 --> 01:28:39.860
This is the perspective we should take on this issue.

1428
01:28:40.340 --> 01:28:43.440
If you had your knowledge tested would you prefer the National Final 

1429
01:28:43.440 --> 01:28:47.260
School Exam (EGE) or an oral exam? Yelizaveta Smirnova, 9, Irkutsk Region.

1430
01:28:47.260 --> 01:28:49.526
I would prefer the oral exam.

1431
01:28:54.286 --> 01:28:55.104
And the last question from children.

1432
01:28:55.104 --> 01:28:58.760
Do you like porridge for breakfast? When you were little,

1433
01:28:58.760 --> 01:29:02.040
did you like any kind of porridge and what did you do if you were 

1434
01:29:02.040 --> 01:29:06.280
forced to eat porridge you did not like? Anastasia Zaitseva, 9, St Petersburg. 

1435
01:29:06.280 --> 01:29:10.200
I was never forced to do what I did not want to,

1436
01:29:10.200 --> 01:29:13.385
that was my life. Speaking of porridge,

1437
01:29:13.385 --> 01:29:17.140
I eat it every day with pleasure.

1438
01:29:17.140 --> 01:29:20.052
Today, for example, I ate pearl barley porridge.

1439
01:29:20.052 --> 01:29:22.780
Additional question: Did your liking of porridge change with age?

1440
01:29:22.780 --> 01:29:24.746
Yes, it changed, for the better.

1441
01:29:24.746 --> 01:29:27.880
The less teeth you have the more you like porridge.

1442
01:29:27.880 --> 01:29:29.118
(Laughter, applause.)

1443
01:29:29.118 --> 01:29:29.680
Thank you.

1444
01:29:30.780 --> 01:29:34.596
It is time to connect to Sakhalin, an island so far,

1445
01:29:34.596 --> 01:29:38.265
yet so dear to us. Our colleague Pavel Zarubin is 

1446
01:29:38.265 --> 01:29:40.380
on the air. Go ahead, Pavel.

1447
01:29:55.400 --> 01:29:56.447
Good afternoon, Moscow.

1448
01:29:56.447 --> 01:29:58.603
Greetings from the village of Ozyorskoye,

1449
01:29:58.603 --> 01:30:01.854
on Sakhalin Island. I am in a plant that produces canned fish,

1450
01:30:01.854 --> 01:30:03.967
which is why I am wearing these boots and a special coat.

1451
01:30:03.967 --> 01:30:05.800
These are sanitary requirements.

1452
01:30:05.800 --> 01:30:09.760
It is a relatively new plant, opened about two years ago.

1453
01:30:09.760 --> 01:30:13.680
By the way, do not be surprised that the plant is working even though 

1454
01:30:13.680 --> 01:30:17.780
it is about 10 PM here. Yes, the plant works late.

1455
01:30:17.780 --> 01:30:21.480
In fact, it will work until 4 in the morning.

1456
01:30:21.480 --> 01:30:24.540
Good evening. What kind of fish are you canning?

1457
01:30:24.540 --> 01:30:25.741
It is mackerel pike.

1458
01:30:25.741 --> 01:30:27.795
How many tins do you produce per day?

1459
01:30:27.795 --> 01:30:31.814
Between 50,000 and 68,000 tins per shift.

1460
01:30:32.334 --> 01:30:33.907
And where is the fish from?

1461
01:30:33.907 --> 01:30:34.681
From China.

1462
01:30:34.681 --> 01:30:39.680
Chinese fish? I must say we have been surprised to learn that they can 

1463
01:30:39.680 --> 01:30:43.040
Chinese fish on Sakhalin Island.

1464
01:30:43.040 --> 01:30:45.349
But as they told us at the plant,

1465
01:30:45.349 --> 01:30:47.600
the fishing season has ended on Sakhalin,

1466
01:30:47.600 --> 01:30:51.400
which is why they buy Chinese fish. They will have local fish by summer.

1467
01:30:51.400 --> 01:30:53.880
We have been in this village for several days already,

1468
01:30:53.880 --> 01:30:56.240
and we had an opportunity to talk to the locals.

1469
01:30:56.240 --> 01:30:58.440
We know their concerns: housing and utilities,

1470
01:30:58.440 --> 01:31:00.540
healthcare and, of course, fish.

1471
01:31:00.540 --> 01:31:05.040
People complained that it is difficult or even impossible to buy local 

1472
01:31:05.040 --> 01:31:08.846
fish at the shops in these small coastal villages,

1473
01:31:08.846 --> 01:31:12.562
even though fish producing companies catch less than half 

1474
01:31:12.562 --> 01:31:14.912
of the government quota.

1475
01:31:14.912 --> 01:31:19.320
As I said, the plant is canning Chinese fish.

1476
01:31:19.320 --> 01:31:25.269
Now I’d like to let the plant workers speak.

1477
01:31:25.269 --> 01:31:31.435
They worked at a plant on the Kuril island of Shikotan,

1478
01:31:31.435 --> 01:31:35.920
and they have told us incredible things.

1479
01:31:35.920 --> 01:31:38.657
We believe you should hear them.

1480
01:31:38.657 --> 01:31:43.106
These people say that they were treated like slaves 

1481
01:31:43.106 --> 01:31:45.160
or hostages on Shikotan.

1482
01:31:45.160 --> 01:31:49.571
They were lured there from central Russia or Siberia with 

1483
01:31:49.571 --> 01:31:51.560
the promise of good wages.

1484
01:31:51.560 --> 01:31:53.880
However, after they arrived on the island,

1485
01:31:53.880 --> 01:31:57.880
their wages were delayed for months, and so they were unable to leave,

1486
01:31:57.880 --> 01:31:59.977
because you need money to buy a ticket,

1487
01:31:59.977 --> 01:32:02.240
but they did not receive their wages.

1488
01:32:02.240 --> 01:32:06.440
Since they had no money, they had to live on the plant’s compound,

1489
01:32:06.440 --> 01:32:10.359
and the plant management withheld part of their wages,

1490
01:32:10.359 --> 01:32:13.240
which these people did not receive,

1491
01:32:13.240 --> 01:32:16.432
as housing payment. Ultimately,

1492
01:32:16.432 --> 01:32:20.359
these people ended up owing money to the plant.

1493
01:32:20.359 --> 01:32:25.392
Moreover, when we learned about this and invited the victims here,

1494
01:32:25.392 --> 01:32:29.586
to Direct Line, some of them received explicit threats,

1495
01:32:29.586 --> 01:32:34.720
and were afraid to come here.

1496
01:32:34.720 --> 01:32:39.787
Yet we have convinced some of these people to speak about 

1497
01:32:39.787 --> 01:32:42.757
what they experienced on Shikotan.

1498
01:32:42.757 --> 01:32:46.400
Tatyana, please tell us about the situation there.

1499
01:32:46.660 --> 01:32:48.545
Good afternoon, Mr President.

1500
01:32:48.545 --> 01:32:50.930
My name is Tatyana. Last autumn,

1501
01:32:50.930 --> 01:32:56.000
we worked on Shikotan Island at the Ostrovnoy Fish Processing Plant.

1502
01:32:56.000 --> 01:32:58.240
We were not paid our wages there.

1503
01:32:58.240 --> 01:33:02.120
People are lured into going there through personnel recruitment 

1504
01:33:02.120 --> 01:33:05.120
agencies, but the working and living conditions there are awful.

1505
01:33:05.120 --> 01:33:07.407
People are essentially left without housing.

1506
01:33:07.407 --> 01:33:09.840
Please help us to resolve this problem.

1507
01:33:09.840 --> 01:33:13.200
Yelena, tell us please (Yelena is another of the victims), 

1508
01:33:13.200 --> 01:33:15.680
is it really practically impossible to get away from there?

1509
01:33:15.680 --> 01:33:17.640
Yes, it is impossible because you are on an island,

1510
01:33:17.640 --> 01:33:20.480
there is water all around, and so people have no way 

1511
01:33:20.480 --> 01:33:21.880
to leave and no money.

1512
01:33:21.880 --> 01:33:24.080
How many months do people go without pay?

1513
01:33:24.080 --> 01:33:26.760
It can be two or three months, even up to six months.

1514
01:33:26.760 --> 01:33:30.789
Thank you. That then is the situation on Shikotan.

1515
01:33:31.509 --> 01:33:34.583
I do not even know what to say here.

1516
01:33:34.583 --> 01:33:37.573
Did this situation begin last year,

1517
01:33:37.573 --> 01:33:41.160
or has it been going on for a longer time?

1518
01:33:43.880 --> 01:33:47.278
Since 9 August, 2015.

1519
01:33:48.178 --> 01:33:51.960
Have you turned to the authorities at all on this matter?

1520
01:33:56.940 --> 01:34:01.275
Yes, we wrote to the Sakhalin Region Prosecutor’s Office.

1521
01:34:01.275 --> 01:34:02.761
And what was the result?

1522
01:34:02.761 --> 01:34:06.520
Let me add that other victims also say they wrote to the prosecutor’s 

1523
01:34:06.520 --> 01:34:09.140
office, but they have not had any response,

1524
01:34:09.140 --> 01:34:11.500
and they only got a response after they wrote 

1525
01:34:11.500 --> 01:34:13.235
to the Presidential Executive Office.

1526
01:34:15.315 --> 01:34:18.621
Sadly, I have not seen this letter to the Presidential Executive 

1527
01:34:18.621 --> 01:34:22.280
Office, but the local officials,

1528
01:34:22.280 --> 01:34:24.840
especially the law enforcement officials,

1529
01:34:24.840 --> 01:34:35.400
the prosecutor’s office and the labour inspection,

1530
01:34:35.400 --> 01:34:39.200
should have responded promptly.

1531
01:34:39.200 --> 01:34:42.800
I hope the Prosecutor General is listening to this part of our 

1532
01:34:42.800 --> 01:34:46.800
discussion and will look into the situation and decide on whether 

1533
01:34:46.800 --> 01:34:53.280
the Sakhalin Region prosecutor is really fit for his job,

1534
01:34:53.280 --> 01:35:01.092
and I want the Labour Ministry to look into the work of its 

1535
01:35:01.092 --> 01:35:05.520
local offices on Sakhalin as well.

1536
01:35:05.520 --> 01:35:08.669
I hope to hear back about what is happening there and about 

1537
01:35:08.669 --> 01:35:12.600
the personnel decisions that result and the measures taken 

1538
01:35:12.600 --> 01:35:14.000
to sort this problem out.

1539
01:35:14.000 --> 01:35:17.920
I also want to apologise to the people who spoke to us and our 

1540
01:35:17.920 --> 01:35:21.280
reporters just now and say that we will do everything we 

1541
01:35:21.280 --> 01:35:25.200
can to fix this situation.

1542
01:35:26.140 --> 01:35:29.163
Let us field another question from Sakhalin. Pavel, please.

1543
01:35:30.923 --> 01:35:34.798
We have many questions. Go ahead, Alexei.

1544
01:35:34.798 --> 01:35:38.440
Hello, Mr Putin! My name is Alexei Obrezkov.

1545
01:35:38.440 --> 01:35:42.520
I would like to ask a question about the responsibility of government 

1546
01:35:42.520 --> 01:35:44.680
and business officials to the people.

1547
01:35:44.680 --> 01:35:49.475
You see, since the 1990s, our fishing villages have been dying,

1548
01:35:49.475 --> 01:35:53.814
with the aging fleet never renewed, but at the same time,

1549
01:35:53.814 --> 01:35:56.326
some money seems to be allocated,

1550
01:35:56.326 --> 01:35:58.280
and it just goes away.

1551
01:35:58.280 --> 01:36:02.200
It seems as though it ends up in the pockets of officials 

1552
01:36:02.200 --> 01:36:05.920
or dishonest businessmen who steal it.

1553
01:36:05.920 --> 01:36:08.476
Also, our former governor, Mr Khoroshavin,

1554
01:36:08.476 --> 01:36:10.920
who is now under investigation,

1555
01:36:10.920 --> 01:36:13.680
has embezzled billions according to the media.

1556
01:36:13.680 --> 01:36:16.680
I am just wondering, will he receive condign punishment,

1557
01:36:16.680 --> 01:36:20.480
which would be a lesson for others? And will the money be returned 

1558
01:36:20.480 --> 01:36:23.480
to the Sakhalin Region’s budget? Tell me he will not get 

1559
01:36:23.480 --> 01:36:27.799
away with it like Ms Vasilyeva? Thank you.

1560
01:36:28.799 --> 01:36:35.527
You know, it would be premature and unethical to talk about the outcome 

1561
01:36:35.527 --> 01:36:41.040
of these proceedings, and even wrong under the current law.

1562
01:36:41.040 --> 01:36:47.653
However, I can assure you that thorough work is underway on this case 

1563
01:36:47.653 --> 01:36:51.337
as well as on other high-profile cases,

1564
01:36:51.337 --> 01:36:57.900
and there are too many of them to list now.

1565
01:36:57.900 --> 01:37:03.020
No, this case is not going to be taken lightly,

1566
01:37:03.020 --> 01:37:08.467
and an appropriate punishment will be handed down,

1567
01:37:08.467 --> 01:37:12.280
if he deserves it, without a doubt.

1568
01:37:12.280 --> 01:37:16.180
It is equally hard to say now if the money will be returned even if it 

1569
01:37:16.180 --> 01:37:19.220
has been established that it is public money,

1570
01:37:19.220 --> 01:37:23.640
but part of Khoroshavin’s property has been seized.

1571
01:37:23.640 --> 01:37:29.440
This part at least can be returned to the state.

1572
01:37:31.600 --> 01:37:34.016
What about another former governor, Vyacheslav Gayzer,

1573
01:37:34.016 --> 01:37:35.569
who led the Komi Republic?

1574
01:37:35.569 --> 01:37:37.722
The same. I know the case is being worked on.

1575
01:37:37.722 --> 01:37:40.640
The Investigative Committee regularly reports to me about it 

1576
01:37:40.640 --> 01:37:43.560
in writing. I know that the work is progressing,

1577
01:37:43.560 --> 01:37:50.480
but it should be carried out in a professional manner,

1578
01:37:50.480 --> 01:37:53.240
and the case will eventually be sent to court.

1579
01:37:54.100 --> 01:37:55.868
Thank you, Sakhalin. Thank you, Pavel.

1580
01:37:55.868 --> 01:37:59.520
And we are back to the call centre with Tatyana Remezova.

1581
01:37:59.520 --> 01:38:02.760
Thank you, Yevgeny. We have more than 2.5 million questions.

1582
01:38:03.840 --> 01:38:06.960
Sorry. I would still like to say a few words about the fish.

1583
01:38:06.960 --> 01:38:11.640
We are now preparing a draft law to regulate this industry.

1584
01:38:11.640 --> 01:38:14.965
Do our colleagues hear us or not?

1585
01:38:14.965 --> 01:38:15.580
I think they do.

1586
01:38:15.580 --> 01:38:18.620
To respond to what has been said on Russian plants not working at full 

1587
01:38:18.620 --> 01:38:20.510
capacity and relying on Chinese fish.

1588
01:38:20.510 --> 01:38:22.640
What is actually happening right now? Today,

1589
01:38:22.640 --> 01:38:28.861
fish that could have been processed by Russian plants comes 

1590
01:38:28.861 --> 01:38:33.319
on shore frozen. Once it reaches the shore,

1591
01:38:33.319 --> 01:38:35.800
it goes through clearance procedures,

1592
01:38:35.800 --> 01:38:38.800
and is then transferred to another ship or is exported on the same 

1593
01:38:38.800 --> 01:38:41.262
vessel, while Chinese fish ends up at our plants.

1594
01:38:41.262 --> 01:38:48.301
There is a law being drafted, according to which fish will be brought 

1595
01:38:48.301 --> 01:38:51.520
on shore either fresh or cooled.

1596
01:38:51.520 --> 01:38:54.312
This way, it would make no economic sense,

1597
01:38:54.312 --> 01:38:56.440
as experts in this industry say,

1598
01:38:56.440 --> 01:39:00.980
to freeze this fish and send it somewhere else.

1599
01:39:00.980 --> 01:39:05.160
So there is hope that Russian plants will get this fish.

1600
01:39:05.160 --> 01:39:12.520
Moreover, quotas will be allocated to those engaged in this kind 

1601
01:39:12.520 --> 01:39:24.520
of work, and 70 percent will go to companies that use their own ships.

1602
01:39:24.520 --> 01:39:30.065
Those who meet these requirements will receive an additional quota 

1603
01:39:30.065 --> 01:39:32.713
of 20 percent of what they have,

1604
01:39:32.713 --> 01:39:37.348
while those in breach of their obligations to the state 

1605
01:39:37.348 --> 01:39:40.080
would lose the quotas altogether.

1606
01:39:40.080 --> 01:39:44.680
Another 20 percent will go toward investment activity.

1607
01:39:44.680 --> 01:39:47.879
You have mentioned that your fishing fleet is becoming obsolete.

1608
01:39:47.879 --> 01:39:50.638
Of the 20 percent that I have mentioned,

1609
01:39:50.638 --> 01:39:54.640
five percent will go toward improving land infrastructure,

1610
01:39:54.640 --> 01:39:58.890
and 15 percent, or the so-called underkeel quota,

1611
01:39:58.890 --> 01:40:01.839
will be used to build new vessels.

1612
01:40:01.839 --> 01:40:09.840
The Government will be in charge of finalising this draft law.

1613
01:40:09.840 --> 01:40:13.560
There is an endless process underway to coordinate the text with 

1614
01:40:13.560 --> 01:40:17.960
various agencies, but I believe that this draft law will be enacted 

1615
01:40:17.960 --> 01:40:23.680
by the State Duma during its 2016 spring session.

1616
01:40:24.720 --> 01:40:26.266
Thank you, Sakhalin Region.

1617
01:40:26.266 --> 01:40:28.440
Let us move to the call centre. Ms Remezova, please.

1618
01:40:28.440 --> 01:40:29.200
Thank you, Mr Rozhkov.

1619
01:40:29.200 --> 01:40:33.440
We have received over 2.5 million queries.

1620
01:40:33.440 --> 01:40:37.120
By topic, housing and utilities and social issues still lead the pack,

1621
01:40:37.120 --> 01:40:40.680
however, there is also a lot of interest this year in politics,

1622
01:40:40.680 --> 01:40:44.359
both regional and domestic, as well as foreign policy and Russia’s 

1623
01:40:44.359 --> 01:40:45.780
relations with the West.

1624
01:40:45.780 --> 01:40:48.800
We are even receiving calls from the United States.

1625
01:40:48.800 --> 01:40:51.086
We have Eduard Ladov, Balashikha,

1626
01:40:51.086 --> 01:40:54.760
on the air. Good afternoon, please ask your question.

1627
01:40:55.160 --> 01:40:56.713
Good afternoon, Mr Putin.–

1628
01:40:56.713 --> 01:40:57.331
Good afternoon.

1629
01:40:57.331 --> 01:41:00.359
Why are you not responding to the slander coming from the Western 

1630
01:41:00.359 --> 01:41:06.000
media? Perhaps you should hire good lawyers and sue the media 

1631
01:41:06.000 --> 01:41:11.820
for publishing false information about offshore businesses? Thank you.

1632
01:41:13.880 --> 01:41:15.640
I thought that we put this issue behind us,

1633
01:41:15.640 --> 01:41:17.200
but if you are interested, I can say more about it.

1634
01:41:17.200 --> 01:41:21.515
First, strange as it may seem, they do not publish false information 

1635
01:41:21.515 --> 01:41:25.080
about offshore businesses. Their information is reliable.

1636
01:41:25.080 --> 01:41:28.320
It looks like it was put together by lawyers rather than 

1637
01:41:28.340 --> 01:41:32.280
reporters – judging by the presentation style and the facts.

1638
01:41:32.280 --> 01:41:35.160
After all, they are not accusing anyone of anything specifically.

1639
01:41:35.160 --> 01:41:36.491
This is their entire point.

1640
01:41:36.491 --> 01:41:38.502
They are simply pulling the wool over our eyes.

1641
01:41:38.502 --> 01:41:42.720
Some of my friends engage in some sort of business.

1642
01:41:42.720 --> 01:41:47.000
The question is whether a portion of these offshore funds makes it 

1643
01:41:47.000 --> 01:41:50.700
to government officials, including the President.

1644
01:41:50.700 --> 01:41:57.176
However, no one could ever think that Mr Roldugin would spend all 

1645
01:41:57.176 --> 01:42:04.638
of the money that he earned there to buy musical instruments.

1646
01:42:04.638 --> 01:42:08.480
We have heard here, in Russia, about bribes in the form of borzoi 

1647
01:42:08.480 --> 01:42:12.760
greyhound puppies, but violins and cellos are something unheard of.

1648
01:42:12.760 --> 01:42:16.720
Moreover, these people’s allegations fell wide off the mark,

1649
01:42:16.720 --> 01:42:21.040
which came as a surprise to them.

1650
01:42:21.040 --> 01:42:26.203
Besides other considerations, it is also because the items I am 

1651
01:42:26.203 --> 01:42:31.560
referring to are very specific and can be appreciated 

1652
01:42:31.560 --> 01:42:37.400
by all collectors who have them.

1653
01:42:37.400 --> 01:42:42.680
Selling them to anyone is simply impossible.

1654
01:42:42.680 --> 01:42:46.320
The instruments that Mr Roldugin bought –

1655
01:42:46.320 --> 01:42:51.220
I believe, he bought two violins and two cellos are unique.

1656
01:42:51.220 --> 01:42:54.103
The last one he bought (I will say it,

1657
01:42:54.103 --> 01:42:56.711
because it was already posted online)

1658
01:42:56.711 --> 01:42:59.160
cost about $12 million.

1659
01:42:59.160 --> 01:43:02.720
I am not sure if we have instruments of such value in our country.

1660
01:43:02.720 --> 01:43:06.280
Rostropovich had one, but, unfortunately, we were unable to buy it –

1661
01:43:06.280 --> 01:43:10.840
the state had no money for that – and it went to Japan.

1662
01:43:10.840 --> 01:43:14.042
The instruments I am referring to 

1663
01:43:14.042 --> 01:43:18.280
(I spoke with Mr Roldugin) have proper names.

1664
01:43:18.280 --> 01:43:20.920
This cello is called Stuart.

1665
01:43:20.920 --> 01:43:25.200
Recently, Mr Roldugin performed in Moscow, I believe,

1666
01:43:25.200 --> 01:43:29.796
at the Philharmonic, and the reporters said he played an old,

1667
01:43:29.796 --> 01:43:35.800
apparently used, but clearly much-loved instrument.

1668
01:43:35.800 --> 01:43:39.600
Indeed, it is a used instrument.

1669
01:43:39.600 --> 01:43:50.000
It has been in use since 1732, and was made by Stradivarius.

1670
01:43:50.000 --> 01:43:56.600
The legendary King of Prussia, Frederick the Great, was its first owner.

1671
01:43:56.600 --> 01:44:02.756
Of course, such instruments can serve only one purpose — 

1672
01:44:02.756 --> 01:44:05.240
to please music lovers.

1673
01:44:05.240 --> 01:44:10.080
However, it did not occur to anyone that we have people like Mr Roldugin.

1674
01:44:10.080 --> 01:44:13.632
He is now in the process of transferring 

1675
01:44:13.632 --> 01:44:16.280
the title to this violin to the state.

1676
01:44:16.280 --> 01:44:19.560
Nevertheless, I am asking all kinds of crooks and the like 

1677
01:44:19.560 --> 01:44:22.200
to settle down. Sergei already has nothing,

1678
01:44:22.200 --> 01:44:26.460
because he has spent more money to purchase these instruments than he 

1679
01:44:26.460 --> 01:44:30.514
had, and now he is in debt, even to the agencies and foundations 

1680
01:44:30.514 --> 01:44:32.760
through which he bought all of this.

1681
01:44:32.760 --> 01:44:39.140
However, who is engaged in these provocations? We know that there are 

1682
01:44:39.140 --> 01:44:42.240
employees of official US agencies;

1683
01:44:42.240 --> 01:44:47.916
an article was written – I asked [my] press secretary Peskov where it 

1684
01:44:47.916 --> 01:44:52.240
first appeared – in Süddeutsche Zeitung.

1685
01:44:52.240 --> 01:44:59.239
Süddeutsche Zeitung is part of a media holding that belongs to the US 

1686
01:44:59.239 --> 01:45:02.839
financial corporation Goldman Sachs.

1687
01:45:02.839 --> 01:45:08.614
In other words, those behind this stick out, but they never blush.

1688
01:45:08.614 --> 01:45:12.640
We should not expect any repentance from them.

1689
01:45:12.640 --> 01:45:15.260
They will keep doing this anyway, and the nearer the elections,

1690
01:45:15.260 --> 01:45:17.740
the more such stories will be planted.

1691
01:45:17.740 --> 01:45:21.200
However, they should understand that this is not about specific 

1692
01:45:21.200 --> 01:45:24.720
individuals, whatever their position in Russia.

1693
01:45:24.720 --> 01:45:28.200
This is about a country that cannot be manipulated,

1694
01:45:28.200 --> 01:45:31.280
cannot be forced to act and dance as somebody may want it 

1695
01:45:31.280 --> 01:45:33.400
to, to dance to somebody’s tune.

1696
01:45:33.400 --> 01:45:39.880
If they treat us respectfully, if they seek compromise solutions,

1697
01:45:39.880 --> 01:45:46.411
the way we do, then we will find a solution that will suit everyone: 

1698
01:45:46.411 --> 01:45:49.440
both ourselves and our partners.

1699
01:45:49.440 --> 01:45:53.840
Russia should simply be treated as an equal partner.

1700
01:45:53.840 --> 01:45:59.319
This is the only correct conclusion based on what is happening now.

1701
01:45:59.939 --> 01:46:03.000
A question about elections, not in this country but in America.

1702
01:46:03.000 --> 01:46:06.920
“Mr President, who is worse for Russia, Clinton or Trump?”

1703
01:46:10.780 --> 01:46:14.880
You know, we should look for those who are better.

1704
01:46:14.880 --> 01:46:22.400
I can only repeat what I said at the end of my response to the previous 

1705
01:46:22.400 --> 01:46:28.083
question, namely, that we have had moments in the history of our 

1706
01:46:28.083 --> 01:46:34.203
bilateral ties when we interacted very closely and achieved very good 

1707
01:46:34.203 --> 01:46:38.400
results on the national and international level.

1708
01:46:38.400 --> 01:46:43.640
Today there are also examples of such cooperation,

1709
01:46:43.640 --> 01:46:48.322
relating to issues of nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction,

1710
01:46:48.322 --> 01:46:51.600
the fight against terrorism, the resolution, say,

1711
01:46:51.600 --> 01:46:55.319
of Iran’s nuclear problem, chemical weapons in Syria 

1712
01:46:55.319 --> 01:46:57.560
and the fight against terror in general.

1713
01:46:57.560 --> 01:47:01.480
There are also other examples of positive interaction,

1714
01:47:01.480 --> 01:47:06.560
but our partners, to reiterate, if they act on the assumption… You see,

1715
01:47:06.560 --> 01:47:09.620
it is not even a matter of specific individuals there.

1716
01:47:09.620 --> 01:47:12.960
However, if they act on the false premise of their own exclusiveness,

1717
01:47:12.960 --> 01:47:17.360
this will mean that they will lay claim to a special status 

1718
01:47:17.360 --> 01:47:20.803
and special rights. This is a gnoseological mistake,

1719
01:47:20.803 --> 01:47:25.240
some experts say. It is essential to go to the root of the problem 

1720
01:47:25.240 --> 01:47:28.880
and act not from the position of force and dictate,

1721
01:47:28.880 --> 01:47:31.280
not from the position of imperial ambitions,

1722
01:47:31.280 --> 01:47:34.809
but to act respectfully with regard to all partners,

1723
01:47:34.809 --> 01:47:37.320
and of course, with regard to Russia.

1724
01:47:37.320 --> 01:47:40.969
Without this, it is impossible to build modern democratic 

1725
01:47:40.969 --> 01:47:42.480
international relations.

1726
01:47:43.000 --> 01:47:44.099
We have many guests in our studio –

1727
01:47:44.099 --> 01:47:45.840
both familiar and unfamiliar to you ‒ and everyone is bound 

1728
01:47:45.840 --> 01:47:47.159
to have a question.

1729
01:47:47.159 --> 01:47:50.000
Perhaps you will give them an opportunity to ask these questions?

1730
01:47:50.000 --> 01:47:50.800
Yes, go ahead, please.

1731
01:47:51.800 --> 01:47:52.883
Choose a guest, please.

1732
01:47:52.883 --> 01:47:59.616
Fine.I see a colleague raising his hand.

1733
01:48:04.136 --> 01:48:06.311
Maxim Khanzhin, the Leaders’ Club.

1734
01:48:06.311 --> 01:48:07.505
Good afternoon, Mr Putin.

1735
01:48:07.505 --> 01:48:09.600
My question is about Motor Third Party Insurance.

1736
01:48:09.600 --> 01:48:12.160
Prices went up recently [as did the coverage amount ] and not all car 

1737
01:48:12.160 --> 01:48:14.640
owners are happy about it.

1738
01:48:14.640 --> 01:48:18.120
I think the biggest Third Party issue is swindling.

1739
01:48:18.120 --> 01:48:23.240
Here is my question. Could you instruct the Central Bank to look into 

1740
01:48:23.240 --> 01:48:26.320
a switch to compensation in kind, that is,

1741
01:48:26.320 --> 01:48:31.982
establish a network of regional services where car owners can get their 

1742
01:48:31.982 --> 01:48:36.859
cars repaired at the expense of insurance companies? This way,

1743
01:48:36.859 --> 01:48:40.320
we will first dramatically reduce swindling,

1744
01:48:40.320 --> 01:48:42.520
which will make it possible to reduce Third Party Liability rates;

1745
01:48:42.520 --> 01:48:44.800
second, it will create jobs and, third,

1746
01:48:44.800 --> 01:48:47.080
increase the tax collection rate. Thank you.

1747
01:48:47.620 --> 01:48:51.760
You know, we discussed this issue with Ms Nabiullina not so long ago,

1748
01:48:51.760 --> 01:48:54.560
albeit not yesterday.

1749
01:48:54.560 --> 01:48:57.799
Your proposal is probably good and correct,

1750
01:48:57.799 --> 01:49:00.839
but the Central Bank does not deal with such issues.

1751
01:49:00.839 --> 01:49:06.192
Nonetheless, I believe we should think about how your idea could be 

1752
01:49:06.192 --> 01:49:10.836
included in the Central Bank’s competence and how to carry 

1753
01:49:10.836 --> 01:49:15.480
it out in real life. We will think about it. OK. Thank you.

1754
01:49:15.480 --> 01:49:17.280
Go ahead, please.

1755
01:49:27.080 --> 01:49:31.420
Mr Putin, in 2010 you adopted a resolution as the Prime Minister 

1756
01:49:31.420 --> 01:49:34.972
on establishing the Krasnoyariye public enterprise 

1757
01:49:34.972 --> 01:49:41.260
(I am from the Krasnoyarsk Territory, from the North, from Norilsk). 

1758
01:49:41.260 --> 01:49:45.120
Later on, it was supposed to be transferred to the region 

1759
01:49:45.120 --> 01:49:51.080
for operational management with a view to supporting local airports.

1760
01:49:51.080 --> 01:49:54.280
This resolution has not been carried out to this day.

1761
01:49:54.280 --> 01:49:56.400
Various reasons are being cited,

1762
01:49:56.400 --> 01:49:59.319
but these are strategic airports in Dixon,

1763
01:49:59.319 --> 01:50:03.040
Khatanga and Yeniseisk. You know well what is deployed there.

1764
01:50:03.040 --> 01:50:05.060
We will return to this issue by all means.

1765
01:50:05.060 --> 01:50:07.720
I know that the work there is making slow headway.

1766
01:50:07.720 --> 01:50:14.214
In fact, there were two resolutions aimed at providing transportation 

1767
01:50:14.214 --> 01:50:18.760
between Russian regions, especially remote areas.

1768
01:50:18.760 --> 01:50:21.927
Therefore, this is the first point about airports.

1769
01:50:21.927 --> 01:50:24.880
Now the second point – the establishment of a regional company.

1770
01:50:24.880 --> 01:50:28.720
It is being set up in the centre but should operate in the regions.

1771
01:50:28.720 --> 01:50:32.040
Work on these projects is not moving along as quickly as we would like.

1772
01:50:32.040 --> 01:50:34.080
We will look into this by all means.

1773
01:50:34.080 --> 01:50:37.300
We will certainly deal with this and will speed up the work.

1774
01:50:37.300 --> 01:50:38.802
I have a question about villages.

1775
01:50:39.062 --> 01:50:41.214
Villages? Please go ahead.

1776
01:50:47.734 --> 01:50:51.832
The village of Galkinskoye, Sverdlovsk Region.

1777
01:50:51.832 --> 01:50:55.040
Mr Putin, we have the 2020 Strategy.

1778
01:50:55.040 --> 01:51:00.845
According to this strategy, it seems 426 rural schools,

1779
01:51:00.845 --> 01:51:08.880
over 300 hospitals and 215 kindergartens will be closed in 2016.

1780
01:51:09.580 --> 01:51:13.760
Perhaps, we should stop developing programmes like this? If we 

1781
01:51:13.760 --> 01:51:17.600
carefully read the President’s instructions of May 6, 2014,

1782
01:51:17.600 --> 01:51:21.120
they do not say anything at all about closing schools,

1783
01:51:21.120 --> 01:51:23.240
kindergartens or hospitals.

1784
01:51:23.240 --> 01:51:26.200
The purpose of the instructions was to ensure more efficient 

1785
01:51:26.200 --> 01:51:28.799
and responsible local governance,

1786
01:51:28.799 --> 01:51:33.720
create more jobs and ultimately eliminate unemployment.

1787
01:51:33.720 --> 01:51:39.580
The purpose was to create a decent and full life for us, Mr Putin. 

1788
01:51:40.837 --> 01:51:42.717
Mau will be writing to Gref,

1789
01:51:42.717 --> 01:51:44.560
Gref will be writing to Mau.

1790
01:51:44.560 --> 01:51:47.880
What are we supposed to do? Let us simply implement the President’s 

1791
01:51:47.880 --> 01:51:50.400
instructions, and perhaps this would be enough.

1792
01:51:52.360 --> 01:51:57.933
Regarding a reduction in the number of social institutions,

1793
01:51:57.933 --> 01:52:01.240
some optimisation may be necessary.

1794
01:52:01.240 --> 01:52:06.040
I do not want to say that the document was nonsense.

1795
01:52:06.040 --> 01:52:10.680
However, I totally agree with you that we must take into account this 

1796
01:52:10.680 --> 01:52:12.720
country’s peculiarities.

1797
01:52:12.720 --> 01:52:17.040
One of these peculiarities is the fact that in some of our vast areas,

1798
01:52:17.040 --> 01:52:21.920
the distance between towns may be quite significant.

1799
01:52:21.920 --> 01:52:25.619
Under these circumstances, we must, by all means,

1800
01:52:25.619 --> 01:52:30.224
preserve the social services network, even if, unfortunately,

1801
01:52:30.224 --> 01:52:32.640
somebody thinks it is excessive.

1802
01:52:32.640 --> 01:52:35.716
This includes hospitals, or more commonly,

1803
01:52:35.716 --> 01:52:40.460
paramedic centres and outpatient clinics.

1804
01:52:40.460 --> 01:52:44.359
In some areas, they can be incorporated into district hospitals,

1805
01:52:44.359 --> 01:52:47.680
but where this is impossible, the paramedic centres must be retained.

1806
01:52:47.680 --> 01:52:50.517
A pregnant woman cannot travel hundreds of kilometres 

1807
01:52:50.517 --> 01:52:53.600
on unpaved roads to have a baby.

1808
01:52:53.600 --> 01:52:56.400
Factors like this should be considered before any action is taken.

1809
01:52:56.400 --> 01:52:59.760
Unreasonable reduction of the facilities is unacceptable.

1810
01:52:59.760 --> 01:53:02.160
Of course, we will look into this situation.

1811
01:53:02.160 --> 01:53:04.239
I have spoken about this repeatedly.

1812
01:53:04.239 --> 01:53:09.440
When it comes to the social development plan for rural areas 

1813
01:53:09.440 --> 01:53:14.396
(and the plan exists), nothing can be included without 

1814
01:53:14.396 --> 01:53:17.280
thinking, let alone implemented.

1815
01:53:17.280 --> 01:53:21.200
We must focus on other indicators, and on setting positive examples.

1816
01:53:21.200 --> 01:53:27.698
For example, we had a task to ensure a sufficient number of preschool 

1817
01:53:27.698 --> 01:53:33.640
facilities in the country. This task is now 99 percent complete.

1818
01:53:33.660 --> 01:53:35.400
This result sets an example for other objectives.

1819
01:53:35.400 --> 01:53:38.580
It is absolutely inadmissible to reduce social facilities 

1820
01:53:38.580 --> 01:53:42.520
where they are in high demand. We will discuss that.

1821
01:53:42.520 --> 01:53:44.876
If we implement the President’s instructions,

1822
01:53:44.876 --> 01:53:47.360
we will get a Russian economic miracle. Nothing else is required.

1823
01:53:47.360 --> 01:53:49.420
All we need to do is follow the instructions.

1824
01:53:49.420 --> 01:53:52.440
Mr Putin, if I may, I think it would be fair to give 

1825
01:53:52.440 --> 01:53:56.500
the floor to cultural personalities. Mr Mikhalkov, please, go ahead.

1826
01:53:56.500 --> 01:53:57.098
Thank you.

1827
01:53:57.098 --> 01:53:58.494
Good afternoon, Mr Putin.

1828
01:53:58.494 --> 01:54:02.434
We have just seen officials respond to the issue of bad 

1829
01:54:02.434 --> 01:54:07.359
roads in Omsk Region. We then learned about the situation on Sakhalin.

1830
01:54:07.359 --> 01:54:12.003
It has just occurred to me that we would not want this girl to be 

1831
01:54:12.003 --> 01:54:14.940
bulldozed into the ground after what she said.

1832
01:54:14.940 --> 01:54:16.814
This is the first thing I wanted to say.

1833
01:54:16.814 --> 01:54:20.359
The second thing I have to say is that on my way here I was stopped 

1834
01:54:20.359 --> 01:54:23.080
near the entrance by two young people with disabilities.

1835
01:54:23.080 --> 01:54:25.256
They told me that they were invited,

1836
01:54:25.256 --> 01:54:28.520
but something went wrong and they were not called for.

1837
01:54:28.520 --> 01:54:30.240
So they asked whether I could bring them in.

1838
01:54:30.240 --> 01:54:32.359
I said that I could not do it, but nevertheless asked them 

1839
01:54:32.359 --> 01:54:35.980
what they wanted. One of them was Andrei Batalov,

1840
01:54:35.980 --> 01:54:42.440
who chairs an association of people with disabilities in Rostov-on-Don.

1841
01:54:42.440 --> 01:54:47.840
They have been asking their regional authorities for help.

1842
01:54:47.840 --> 01:54:51.120
They want to do business and are not asking for money,

1843
01:54:51.120 --> 01:54:52.680
they are asking for help.

1844
01:54:52.680 --> 01:54:57.440
So I thought that since they were not allowed inside,

1845
01:54:57.440 --> 01:55:01.740
it would be the right thing for me to voice their request.

1846
01:55:02.360 --> 01:55:09.926
Very well. You can later submit this document. Does it contain data?

1847
01:55:09.926 --> 01:55:12.671
No, nothing, only the notes I made on the way here.

1848
01:55:12.671 --> 01:55:16.440
This is an association of people with disabilities from Rostov-on-Don.

1849
01:55:16.440 --> 01:55:17.903
Ok, we will try to find them.

1850
01:55:19.063 --> 01:55:22.320
By the way, substantial resources were earmarked for helping people 

1851
01:55:22.320 --> 01:55:26.297
with disabilities in the Government’s anti-crisis plan.

1852
01:55:26.297 --> 01:55:31.360
It is not however related to helping them engage in business activity,

1853
01:55:31.360 --> 01:55:36.880
as the funds are intended for rehabilitation and mobility purposes.

1854
01:55:36.880 --> 01:55:38.480
This is a completely different matter.

1855
01:55:38.480 --> 01:55:40.640
Let us move here. Who will be next?

1856
01:55:46.040 --> 01:55:49.083
Good afternoon, Mr Putin. My name is Olga Krivolapova.

1857
01:55:49.083 --> 01:55:51.480
I am an associate professor at MISIS National University 

1858
01:55:51.480 --> 01:55:54.061
of Science and Technology.

1859
01:55:54.061 --> 01:55:59.720
First, I would like to thank you for supporting research.

1860
01:55:59.720 --> 01:56:03.142
Second, let me highlight the programme to develop higher educational 

1861
01:56:03.142 --> 01:56:06.660
institutions and make them more competitive.

1862
01:56:06.660 --> 01:56:08.800
It is already yielding tangible results.

1863
01:56:08.800 --> 01:56:12.760
For example, it is through this programme that we were able to design 

1864
01:56:12.760 --> 01:56:17.120
a new protective suite and received high praise for it: it won us 

1865
01:56:17.120 --> 01:56:20.300
the Russian Government’s science and technology award 

1866
01:56:20.300 --> 01:56:22.040
for young researchers.

1867
01:56:22.040 --> 01:56:26.240
The question I wanted to ask is whether the funding will remain 

1868
01:56:26.240 --> 01:56:30.400
at the same level or it will be reduced due to the crisis in Russia?

1869
01:56:30.400 --> 01:56:32.520
There will be some adjustments,

1870
01:56:32.520 --> 01:56:40.000
and part of the funding will be reallocated as grants.

1871
01:56:40.000 --> 01:56:44.458
Your university has probably carried out its programmes using grants.

1872
01:56:47.178 --> 01:56:51.206
What programme did you use? The Russian Science Foundation one,

1873
01:56:51.206 --> 01:56:55.600
or the one from the Russian Foundation for Basic Research?

1874
01:56:55.600 --> 01:56:59.040
No, we received ours through the Ministry of Emergencies.

1875
01:56:59.040 --> 01:56:59.668
Directly?

1876
01:56:59.668 --> 01:57:03.440
Yes, we won in a contest and worked along these lines.

1877
01:57:03.440 --> 01:57:06.200
How many people worked on this project?

1878
01:57:06.200 --> 01:57:08.240
In fact, we had a team working on the project,

1879
01:57:08.240 --> 01:57:10.080
including six young researchers.

1880
01:57:10.080 --> 01:57:15.319
What is the average age of a researcher?

1881
01:57:16.299 --> 01:57:17.720
Are you referring to the project or the university in general?

1882
01:57:17.720 --> 01:57:18.580
The university.

1883
01:57:18.580 --> 01:57:20.121
About 53 years.

1884
01:57:21.381 --> 01:57:22.438
Is this really the average age?

1885
01:57:22.438 --> 01:57:22.938
Yes.

1886
01:57:22.938 --> 01:57:28.500
It is even slightly above the national average, but it is fine that way.

1887
01:57:28.500 --> 01:57:31.989
Could you pass the microphone, please?

1888
01:57:34.109 --> 01:57:37.518
I am Nikolai Govorin, State Duma deputy from Trans-Baikal Territory.

1889
01:57:37.518 --> 01:57:45.760
Mr Putin, in your 2013 Address to the Federal Assembly,

1890
01:57:45.760 --> 01:57:50.972
you instructed the Government to draft regulations on priority 

1891
01:57:50.972 --> 01:57:55.440
development areas in the Russian Far East and Siberia.

1892
01:57:55.440 --> 01:57:58.800
Unfortunately, Trans-Baikal Territory was not designated as such 

1893
01:57:58.800 --> 01:58:03.957
an area. Moreover, the territory receives the smallest possible share 

1894
01:58:03.957 --> 01:58:07.715
of government allocations under federal programmes.

1895
01:58:07.715 --> 01:58:10.884
Irkutsk Region and Buryatia each receive 4.

1896
01:58:10.884 --> 01:58:15.600
5 percent, while Trans-Baikal Territory only receives 1 percent.

1897
01:58:15.600 --> 01:58:21.160
The economic situation in Trans-Baikal Territory is troublesome.

1898
01:58:21.160 --> 01:58:26.800
We have a new governor, and the number of people leaving 

1899
01:58:26.800 --> 01:58:30.335
the territory has been growing.

1900
01:58:34.615 --> 01:58:39.400
I am asking you to instruct the industry-specific ministers to include 

1901
01:58:39.400 --> 01:58:43.040
Trans-Baikal Territory in the group of priority development areas,

1902
01:58:43.040 --> 01:58:47.072
so that we have opportunities for development.

1903
01:58:47.912 --> 01:58:51.702
It is true that this issue needs additional consideration.

1904
01:58:51.702 --> 01:58:56.080
Trans-Baikal Territory was not included in the programmes designed 

1905
01:58:56.080 --> 01:58:59.520
for the Russian Far East.

1906
01:58:59.520 --> 01:59:01.980
These programmes were prepared because the situation there,

1907
01:59:01.980 --> 01:59:05.759
in particular regarding electricity and other rates,

1908
01:59:05.759 --> 01:59:08.148
was the most difficult one in the country.

1909
01:59:08.148 --> 01:59:12.160
Decisions have been taken to help the regions where the situation was 

1910
01:59:12.160 --> 01:59:16.440
truly dramatic, including in terms of the population outflow,

1911
01:59:16.440 --> 01:59:21.400
which is greater in Trans-Baikal Territory. This is true.

1912
01:59:21.400 --> 01:59:25.036
However, you do not need to have your region included 

1913
01:59:25.036 --> 01:59:28.000
in these programmes. What you need is money,

1914
01:59:28.000 --> 01:59:33.160
but the money has been distributed among the Far Eastern regions.

1915
01:59:33.160 --> 01:59:36.480
However, this does not mean that we can disregard 

1916
01:59:36.480 --> 01:59:40.120
the problems of Trans-Baikal Territory. I fully agree with you on this.

1917
01:59:40.120 --> 01:59:46.052
We do not need to decide whether to include Trans-Baikal Territory 

1918
01:59:46.052 --> 01:59:49.240
in the Far East or any other region.

1919
01:59:49.240 --> 01:59:53.240
What we should do is find the money to address your current problems.

1920
01:59:53.240 --> 01:59:55.719
I know this, and we have recently discussed this issue with 

1921
01:59:55.719 --> 01:59:57.840
the Government, or more precisely with the Far East Development 

1922
01:59:57.840 --> 01:59:59.760
Minister and with [Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District] Yury Trutnev.

1923
02:00:08.300 --> 02:00:10.025
We have been on air for two hours,

1924
02:00:10.025 --> 02:00:12.359
and we have received over three million calls.

1925
02:00:12.359 --> 02:00:13.960
Let us give the floor to the call centre.

1926
02:00:15.480 --> 02:00:16.284
Please, do so.

1927
02:00:17.484 --> 02:00:20.640
Thank you, Valeriya. We have very many video calls;

1928
02:00:20.640 --> 02:00:23.480
in fact, our centre is recording peak figures.

1929
02:00:23.480 --> 02:00:25.839
People are concerned about their future,

1930
02:00:25.839 --> 02:00:29.440
and not just for their families but for Russia as a whole,

1931
02:00:29.440 --> 02:00:33.120
and a country’s future is decided at elections.

1932
02:00:33.120 --> 02:00:35.804
I would like to remind you that we only have five months and two days 

1933
02:00:35.804 --> 02:00:38.200
until the next State Duma elections.

1934
02:00:38.200 --> 02:00:41.000
The video we are going to play has been made by Dmitry 

1935
02:00:41.000 --> 02:00:42.891
Bocharov from Moscow Region.

1936
02:00:44.191 --> 02:00:47.641
Hello Mr President, I am Dmitry Bocharov, from Moscow.

1937
02:00:47.641 --> 02:00:51.600
Everyone says we should go and vote in the State Duma elections,

1938
02:00:51.600 --> 02:00:55.000
and they assure us the elections will be faultless and transparent.

1939
02:00:55.000 --> 02:00:58.960
However, is it worth taking part in the elections when we know that 

1940
02:00:58.960 --> 02:01:03.640
the votes will be counted in United Russia’s favour anyway? Thank you.

1941
02:01:04.540 --> 02:01:06.480
Well, I have done nothing to earn your thanks yet.

1942
02:01:06.480 --> 02:01:11.814
It was Stalin who once said that it is not whom people vote for that 

1943
02:01:11.814 --> 02:01:14.520
matters, but who does the counting.

1944
02:01:14.520 --> 02:01:18.096
I hope though, that this will not be the case.

1945
02:01:18.096 --> 02:01:23.382
First of all, no one has any doubt about the electoral commissions’ 

1946
02:01:23.382 --> 02:01:28.046
effectiveness and objectivity, and if people do have doubts,

1947
02:01:28.046 --> 02:01:32.400
there are also ways for them to protect their interests.

1948
02:01:32.400 --> 02:01:34.319
However, this is not the real issue.

1949
02:01:34.319 --> 02:01:37.160
Let me say a few words about United Russia.

1950
02:01:37.160 --> 02:01:41.660
As you know, this party has been in power for many years now and it has 

1951
02:01:41.660 --> 02:01:45.840
always carried a great burden of responsibility for all of the problems 

1952
02:01:45.840 --> 02:01:49.500
we still have to solve, including perhaps those for which 

1953
02:01:49.500 --> 02:01:53.440
it is not directly responsible.

1954
02:01:53.440 --> 02:01:55.759
People are in their right to demand and expect effective 

1955
02:01:55.759 --> 02:01:58.480
work from this party. They are perfectly justified to do so.

1956
02:01:58.480 --> 02:02:02.359
It is also true, however, that United Russia acts as a stabilising 

1957
02:02:02.359 --> 02:02:05.920
force in our political system.

1958
02:02:05.920 --> 02:02:10.432
Why does it carry this particular responsibility? You can make all 

1959
02:02:10.432 --> 02:02:15.080
kinds of decisions, of course, as was the case in the mid-1990s, say,

1960
02:02:15.080 --> 02:02:21.080
when everyone was busy making promises but no one actually did anything 

1961
02:02:21.080 --> 02:02:23.141
and the economy, social sector,

1962
02:02:23.141 --> 02:02:26.000
and budgeting were simply heading for ruin.

1963
02:02:26.000 --> 02:02:29.200
But when you start making responsible decisions about organising 

1964
02:02:29.200 --> 02:02:31.960
a complete overhaul of apartment blocks, say,

1965
02:02:31.960 --> 02:02:34.359
what to do about the housing and utilities sector,

1966
02:02:34.359 --> 02:02:38.000
how to make sure that needy groups have the medicines they require,

1967
02:02:38.000 --> 02:02:40.400
decent medicines and at reasonable prices,

1968
02:02:40.400 --> 02:02:43.945
this always involves compromises of one kind or another,

1969
02:02:43.945 --> 02:02:47.460
always. It is impossible to completely satisfy all demands.

1970
02:02:47.460 --> 02:02:50.180
This is a sad fact, but it is the reality all around the world.

1971
02:02:50.180 --> 02:02:53.120
Look at Europe’s most developed countries.

1972
02:02:53.120 --> 02:02:59.040
Are people entirely happy with the healthcare systems there? No,

1973
02:02:59.040 --> 02:03:00.588
I assure you that they are not.

1974
02:03:00.588 --> 02:03:02.680
Are they all happy with their education systems? No.

1975
02:03:02.680 --> 02:03:06.460
Are they all happy with their pension provisions? No,

1976
02:03:06.460 --> 02:03:09.040
there are problems everywhere, absolutely everywhere.

1977
02:03:09.040 --> 02:03:13.440
Yes, we maybe have more problems, bigger problems,

1978
02:03:13.440 --> 02:03:18.680
and so we will have to work harder than some other countries.

1979
02:03:18.680 --> 02:03:22.356
In this respect, United Russia plays a tremendously important role,

1980
02:03:22.356 --> 02:03:26.799
but this in no way means that the party benefits from 

1981
02:03:26.799 --> 02:03:28.680
preferential treatment of any kind.

1982
02:03:28.680 --> 02:03:34.560
If you look back to the recent gubernatorial elections in Irkutsk 

1983
02:03:34.560 --> 02:03:39.280
Region, the United Russia candidate did not make it through 

1984
02:03:39.280 --> 02:03:44.080
in the first round, did not get the required number of votes.

1985
02:03:44.080 --> 02:03:51.760
He was short on votes by only 0.36 percent.

1986
02:03:51.760 --> 02:03:57.101
Following your logic, it should have been a piece of cake to fiddle 

1987
02:03:57.101 --> 02:04:01.980
this figure slightly, but no one did this.

1988
02:04:01.980 --> 02:04:07.380
In the second round, he lost to the Communist Party candidate.

1989
02:04:07.380 --> 02:04:12.080
Candidates from parties other than United Russia have won elections 

1990
02:04:12.080 --> 02:04:16.840
in a number of large cities, in Yekaterinburg,

1991
02:04:16.840 --> 02:04:22.980
Novosibirsk and several others, and recently in Petrozavodsk.

1992
02:04:22.980 --> 02:04:27.205
My point is that if people take seriously their duties as voters,

1993
02:04:27.205 --> 02:04:31.780
no matter whether they want to vote for United Russia or for other 

1994
02:04:31.780 --> 02:04:37.500
candidates they think worthy, we will end up with 

1995
02:04:37.500 --> 02:04:42.440
the government the country desires.

1996
02:04:42.440 --> 02:04:49.542
I therefore support those who want to come and will come to the polling 

1997
02:04:49.542 --> 02:04:55.560
stations and cast their votes in the parliamentary elections.

1998
02:04:55.560 --> 02:04:58.000
Let us talk about elections in detail,

1999
02:04:58.000 --> 02:05:00.319
especially as both the parliamentary and the regional 

2000
02:05:00.319 --> 02:05:02.160
elections, are coming soon, in September.

2001
02:05:02.160 --> 02:05:04.480
Olga, over to you and your guests.

2002
02:05:04.480 --> 02:05:05.799
Thank you, Yevgeny.

2003
02:05:05.799 --> 02:05:08.440
As we were preparing for the direct line and talking to our guests,

2004
02:05:08.440 --> 02:05:10.640
it became clear that almost everyone is concerned about this issue,

2005
02:05:10.640 --> 02:05:14.040
but, of course, political experts are especially outspoken.

2006
02:05:14.040 --> 02:05:16.640
Today we have political commentator Alexei Mukhin in our studio.

2007
02:05:16.640 --> 02:05:18.640
Alexei, please go ahead with your question.

2008
02:05:19.020 --> 02:05:20.919
Political Information Centre, Moscow.

2009
02:05:20.919 --> 02:05:22.240
Good afternoon, Mr President.

2010
02:05:22.240 --> 02:05:26.282
What our voters have on offer is a set stock of party brands: 

2011
02:05:26.282 --> 02:05:28.760
United Russia that you just mentioned,

2012
02:05:28.760 --> 02:05:31.720
the Communist Party of the Russian Federation,

2013
02:05:31.720 --> 02:05:34.500
the Liberal Democratic Party and A Just Russia.

2014
02:05:34.500 --> 02:05:37.480
They are led by respected politicians and so on.

2015
02:05:37.480 --> 02:05:41.313
However, unfortunately, all other brands,

2016
02:05:41.313 --> 02:05:45.520
all other party associations are kept at bay.

2017
02:05:45.520 --> 02:05:48.960
It seems to me that there is a kind of conspiracy here on the part 

2018
02:05:48.960 --> 02:05:52.520
of the brands that have struck root and are part of the established 

2019
02:05:52.520 --> 02:05:57.770
setup in parliament, and they simply do not allow others to move 

2020
02:05:57.770 --> 02:06:02.132
forward. In addition, a similar situation is emerging 

2021
02:06:02.132 --> 02:06:05.040
in the non-establishment opposition.

2022
02:06:05.040 --> 02:06:07.560
The same faces have been around for years now.

2023
02:06:07.560 --> 02:06:10.239
Tell me please, are we doomed to this kind of stability 

2024
02:06:10.239 --> 02:06:12.839
or is there still a chance?

2025
02:06:12.839 --> 02:06:18.017
First of all, I would not call our political parties brands;

2026
02:06:18.017 --> 02:06:22.160
after all, these are large public organisations,

2027
02:06:22.160 --> 02:06:29.211
not some market commodity. And millions of voters are behind them.

2028
02:06:29.211 --> 02:06:31.759
“Brands” mostly likely refers to the leaders of these parties.

2029
02:06:31.759 --> 02:06:34.560
I understand and still, I will state my position on the way 

2030
02:06:34.560 --> 02:06:37.713
the question was formulated. This is first.

2031
02:06:37.713 --> 02:06:42.333
Second, as a matter of fact, the situation is exactly the same 

2032
02:06:42.333 --> 02:06:46.440
in countries that cast themselves as mature democracies.

2033
02:06:46.440 --> 02:06:51.400
This is confusing and it can even be dangerous.

2034
02:06:51.400 --> 02:06:55.675
Look, over centuries, there have been only two parties at the top 

2035
02:06:55.675 --> 02:07:00.080
in the United States: the Democratic Party and the Republican Party.

2036
02:07:00.080 --> 02:07:05.600
In Europe, say, in France, there are socialists and conservatives;

2037
02:07:05.600 --> 02:07:07.824
in Germany, there are Christian Democrats,

2038
02:07:07.824 --> 02:07:11.160
the Christian Democratic Union and the Social-Democratic Party,

2039
02:07:11.160 --> 02:07:15.297
and they are all together; there are liberals,

2040
02:07:15.297 --> 02:07:18.804
but they are, rather, on the sidelines.

2041
02:07:18.804 --> 02:07:21.592
Today, amid the ongoing crises,

2042
02:07:21.592 --> 02:07:25.640
the refugee flow and the [public] discontent,

2043
02:07:25.640 --> 02:07:28.080
new parties are emerging: Alternative for Germany.

2044
02:07:28.080 --> 02:07:32.798
I cited the example of Yekaterinburg where a representative 

2045
02:07:32.798 --> 02:07:37.752
of the Democratic Platform or whatever it is called has become 

2046
02:07:37.752 --> 02:07:41.606
the mayor of one of the country’s largest cities,

2047
02:07:41.606 --> 02:07:44.280
so this is already happening here.

2048
02:07:46.820 --> 02:07:51.634
As for specific individuals, take the United States as an example.

2049
02:07:51.634 --> 02:07:55.636
First Bush Sr was in power there, later on Bush Jr –

2050
02:07:55.636 --> 02:07:58.900
all from the same family.

2051
02:07:58.900 --> 02:08:02.840
Clinton was in power for two terms and now his wife is laying claim 

2052
02:08:02.840 --> 02:08:05.880
to this position, and the family may remain in office.

2053
02:08:05.880 --> 02:08:09.154
What does this have to do with turnover? As the saying goes,

2054
02:08:09.154 --> 02:08:13.314
“Husband and wife are a single devil,” 

2055
02:08:13.314 --> 02:08:16.800
and they will be at the helm.

2056
02:08:18.280 --> 02:08:22.400
I am not saying this is all bad. There are pros and cons to it.

2057
02:08:22.400 --> 02:08:24.600
As for the leaders of our parties,

2058
02:08:24.600 --> 02:08:28.000
you know that the revolutionary events of the early 1990s brought 

2059
02:08:28.000 --> 02:08:31.560
to the fore charismatic people who can lead others –

2060
02:08:31.560 --> 02:08:35.600
this is my first point.

2061
02:08:35.600 --> 02:08:37.850
Secondly, and most importantly,

2062
02:08:37.850 --> 02:08:41.480
they have a position. This is extremely important.

2063
02:08:41.480 --> 02:08:47.000
The CPRF and the liberal democrats have their own ideologies.

2064
02:08:47.000 --> 02:08:53.160
Sergei Mironov’s party also has a socialist ideology.

2065
02:08:53.160 --> 02:08:58.040
I am referring to the members of A Just Russia.

2066
02:08:58.040 --> 02:09:01.939
I believe United Russia has generally a conservative,

2067
02:09:01.939 --> 02:09:07.302
centrist platform. It is guiding our national ship between Scylla 

2068
02:09:07.302 --> 02:09:12.909
and Charybdis, choosing options that are acceptable for large strata 

2069
02:09:12.909 --> 02:09:15.834
of the population, for our citizens,

2070
02:09:15.834 --> 02:09:21.360
and assuming responsibility for what are not such popular decisions.

2071
02:09:21.360 --> 02:09:25.560
This is the current situation, but this does not mean that our list 

2072
02:09:25.560 --> 02:09:31.680
of political parties is not expanding. It is.

2073
02:09:31.680 --> 02:09:35.000
What decision did we make? To remove certain restrictions 

2074
02:09:35.000 --> 02:09:39.700
for access to elections.

2075
02:09:39.700 --> 02:09:43.657
I do not remember the exact figures and I would not want to make 

2076
02:09:43.657 --> 02:09:47.920
a mistake, but the number of parties admitted to regional and federal 

2077
02:09:47.940 --> 02:09:52.960
elections has increased dramatically.

2078
02:09:52.960 --> 02:09:57.570
It turns out access to elections is not the main issue.

2079
02:09:57.570 --> 02:10:03.353
First and foremost, they must show the voters what they want and how 

2080
02:10:03.353 --> 02:10:06.120
they plan to achieve their goals.

2081
02:10:07.120 --> 02:10:09.903
Let us give Sergei Dorenko an opportunity to ask a question, as you wished. 

2082
02:10:09.903 --> 02:10:15.340
Olga, this is in your sector.

2083
02:10:15.360 --> 02:10:17.600
I believe we will continue talking about the opposition.

2084
02:10:17.600 --> 02:10:19.500
But please pass a microphone so that the audience can hear us.

2085
02:10:19.500 --> 02:10:21.360
Our colleague, journalist, Editor-in-Chief of the radio 

2086
02:10:21.360 --> 02:10:23.120
station “This is Radio Moscow!”

2087
02:10:23.440 --> 02:10:25.660
When you started talking about elections and the year of elections,

2088
02:10:25.660 --> 02:10:28.418
Mr Putin, I was sure that this would be a nerve-racking 

2089
02:10:28.418 --> 02:10:30.400
discussion, and it has begun.

2090
02:10:30.400 --> 02:10:34.714
We have already been told that the opposition are the “enemies 

2091
02:10:34.714 --> 02:10:38.480
of the people” and we have been shown our former prime 

2092
02:10:38.480 --> 02:10:42.000
minister in the sights of a gun.

2093
02:10:42.000 --> 02:10:46.160
I think the role of the state is to set the formats, that this,

2094
02:10:46.160 --> 02:10:50.720
the limits beyond which nobody should go.

2095
02:10:50.720 --> 02:10:54.120
Could you tell governors and the public forces here and now,

2096
02:10:54.120 --> 02:10:58.480
using your massive authority, where it is allowed to fight 

2097
02:10:58.480 --> 02:11:03.156
for the horizons of the future without rules,

2098
02:11:03.156 --> 02:11:07.319
and where rules must be observed?

2099
02:11:09.039 --> 02:11:12.237
Nowhere is it allowed to fight without rules! If we are a civilized state…

2100
02:11:12.237 --> 02:11:15.560
Does this mean permission to hunt for public enemies? You know,

2101
02:11:15.560 --> 02:11:18.080
if we begin this year with attempts to uncover public 

2102
02:11:18.080 --> 02:11:20.720
enemies, it will not end well. I do not even want to say how.

2103
02:11:20.940 --> 02:11:26.280
Yes, I see who you are referring to.

2104
02:11:26.280 --> 02:11:28.960
You are referring to the head of one of Russia’s regions 

2105
02:11:28.960 --> 02:11:32.800
in the Caucasus. I see that. I raised this issue with him personally.

2106
02:11:32.800 --> 02:11:36.440
That said, let’s look at how things are in reality.

2107
02:11:36.440 --> 02:11:40.840
What is this reality all about? Who is the person you are talking about?

2108
02:11:40.840 --> 02:11:44.080
It is true that he now heads one of Russia’s regions,

2109
02:11:44.080 --> 02:11:45.920
the Chechen Republic.

2110
02:11:45.920 --> 02:11:49.799
Where did he start? By conducting a partisan war against us.

2111
02:11:49.799 --> 02:11:55.760
Have you forgotten it? He was armed and fighting alongside his father.

2112
02:11:55.760 --> 02:12:02.680
No one forced his father; no one recruited or coerced him.

2113
02:12:02.680 --> 02:12:06.382
He came to the conclusion on his own that Chechnya should be with 

2114
02:12:06.382 --> 02:12:09.720
the Russian people and be part of Russia.

2115
02:12:09.720 --> 02:12:14.120
This meets the interests of the Chechen people.

2116
02:12:14.120 --> 02:12:18.400
This calls for a complex transformation of mentality.

2117
02:12:18.400 --> 02:12:22.700
It was challenging and the need for it came from within.

2118
02:12:22.700 --> 02:12:28.520
And I know that Ramzan Kadyrov shares these beliefs.

2119
02:12:28.520 --> 02:12:32.359
He would have never headed any republic within the Russian Federation 

2120
02:12:32.359 --> 02:12:37.680
if he had not been confident that he was making the right choice.

2121
02:12:37.700 --> 02:12:41.789
You know, these people are ready to risk everything,

2122
02:12:41.789 --> 02:12:43.520
including their lives.

2123
02:12:43.520 --> 02:12:49.752
One day he said to me “Let me die in dignity!” They are ready for it,

2124
02:12:49.752 --> 02:12:54.359
but only if it meets the interests of their people.

2125
02:12:54.359 --> 02:12:59.640
Still, we need to understand who these people are.

2126
02:12:59.640 --> 02:13:04.080
I am not even mentioning here that people in the Caucasus are hotheads.

2127
02:13:04.080 --> 02:13:09.967
Therefore, it is not easy for these people to learn 

2128
02:13:09.967 --> 02:13:16.380
to serve as high-ranking government officials.

2129
02:13:16.380 --> 02:13:20.920
We are all human, we all have our past.

2130
02:13:20.920 --> 02:13:26.664
However, I believe that the head of Chechnya and the heads of other 

2131
02:13:26.664 --> 02:13:32.663
Russian regions will understand the level and degree to which they are 

2132
02:13:32.663 --> 02:13:37.647
liable to the people living on the territories they govern 

2133
02:13:37.647 --> 02:13:39.760
and to Russia in general.

2134
02:13:39.760 --> 02:13:50.562
They must understand that extreme actions or radical statements 

2135
02:13:50.562 --> 02:14:02.040
regarding opponents do not lead to greater stability in the country.

2136
02:14:02.040 --> 02:14:09.160
On the contrary, this is detrimental to stability.

2137
02:14:09.160 --> 02:14:13.240
Once they understand this, and I am confident that they will,

2138
02:14:13.240 --> 02:14:16.600
as they are sincerely committed to serving national interests,

2139
02:14:16.600 --> 02:14:21.480
there will be no statements of this kind.

2140
02:14:21.480 --> 02:14:24.640
It may also be that there were omissions on my behalf in this respect.

2141
02:14:25.080 --> 02:14:26.791
Let us move from politics to economics again,

2142
02:14:26.791 --> 02:14:28.640
or should I say applied economics,

2143
02:14:28.640 --> 02:14:30.520
as I am referring to import-substitution.

2144
02:14:30.520 --> 02:14:31.960
We have a new region live with us.

2145
02:14:31.960 --> 02:14:34.404
So, this is Voronezh Region, Molvest dairy plant.

2146
02:14:34.404 --> 02:14:37.319
Our colleague Dmitry Kaistro is working there.

2147
02:14:52.519 --> 02:14:54.739
Good afternoon. We are in the village of Arkhangelskoye,

2148
02:14:54.739 --> 02:14:56.545
Anninsky District, Voronezh Region.

2149
02:14:56.545 --> 02:15:00.875
This is the Molvest Company, one of the largest dairy 

2150
02:15:00.875 --> 02:15:04.242
enterprises in Russia. Not only in Russia,

2151
02:15:04.242 --> 02:15:08.652
actually. If you take a closer look at this dairy farm,

2152
02:15:08.652 --> 02:15:11.378
it is also Europe’s largest, with 

2153
02:15:11.378 --> 02:15:13.520
5,000 cows of different lear.

2154
02:15:13.520 --> 02:15:16.594
This company makes all kinds of dairy products,

2155
02:15:16.594 --> 02:15:20.200
but primarily commercial milk and milk used to make a variety 

2156
02:15:20.200 --> 02:15:23.880
of cheeses sold at our grocery stores.

2157
02:15:23.880 --> 02:15:28.400
Today, we have invited to take part in the conversation those people 

2158
02:15:28.400 --> 02:15:31.180
who work and live on the land and are trying to make a difference 

2159
02:15:31.180 --> 02:15:34.800
for themselves and this country. What problems are on your mind today?

2160
02:15:35.760 --> 02:15:39.520
Good afternoon, Mr Putin. My name is Dmitry Zykov.

2161
02:15:39.520 --> 02:15:42.560
I am a farmer, and I work in livestock production.

2162
02:15:45.760 --> 02:15:49.560
We are concerned about the possibility of the sanctions being lifted.

2163
02:15:49.560 --> 02:15:56.160
If they are, our products will never find their way to the market.

2164
02:15:56.160 --> 02:16:03.400
We also have bank loans to repay.

2165
02:16:03.400 --> 02:16:10.555
If cheap foreign products make it to Russia, we, unfortunately,

2166
02:16:10.555 --> 02:16:15.440
will be unable to make good on these loans.

2167
02:16:15.440 --> 02:16:19.520
And this will be the end for us.

2168
02:16:23.060 --> 02:16:26.343
Well, it is not a question, as far as I can tell…

2169
02:16:26.343 --> 02:16:27.671
A cry for help.

2170
02:16:27.671 --> 02:16:33.160
You have outlined your situation and made your concerns known.

2171
02:16:33.160 --> 02:16:39.119
You know, I do not think that our partners will repeal the restrictions 

2172
02:16:39.119 --> 02:16:43.920
and limitations with regard to this country any time soon,

2173
02:16:43.920 --> 02:16:48.663
even despite the fact that the Minsk agreements regarding southeastern 

2174
02:16:48.663 --> 02:16:52.204
Ukraine are being complied with in a dreadful manner.

2175
02:16:52.204 --> 02:16:56.480
It is not our fault, but, as I am sure everyone understands now,

2176
02:16:56.480 --> 02:16:58.560
the fault of the Kiev authorities.

2177
02:16:58.560 --> 02:17:07.880
Still, they are unable to admit that they are now in a dead end.

2178
02:17:07.880 --> 02:17:12.039
Therefore, they will come up with something in order 

2179
02:17:12.039 --> 02:17:14.880
to keep these restrictions in place.

2180
02:17:14.880 --> 02:17:18.198
Accordingly, we will maintain the appropriate restrictions 

2181
02:17:18.198 --> 02:17:20.960
on their food exports to our market.

2182
02:17:20.960 --> 02:17:25.240
If eventually they come to the realisation that repealing these 

2183
02:17:25.240 --> 02:17:30.237
restrictions serves their own interests, then, of course,

2184
02:17:30.237 --> 02:17:35.930
they will create a difficult situation for us,

2185
02:17:35.930 --> 02:17:40.820
because under the WTO rules, we will wind up unprotected if 

2186
02:17:40.820 --> 02:17:47.760
we keep our counter-sanctions in place.

2187
02:17:47.760 --> 02:17:51.760
We will closely monitor this process.

2188
02:17:51.760 --> 02:17:58.080
There are many ways to support our agricultural sector.

2189
02:17:58.080 --> 02:18:02.240
We can see – I have already mentioned it today –

2190
02:18:02.240 --> 02:18:06.000
our farmers picking up momentum and producing more milk, meat,

2191
02:18:06.000 --> 02:18:12.392
fruits and vegetables, as well as increasing their 

2192
02:18:12.392 --> 02:18:15.400
processing capabilities.

2193
02:18:15.400 --> 02:18:17.973
There is an extensive support programme in place,

2194
02:18:17.973 --> 02:18:20.600
and we will certainly do our best to carry it out.

2195
02:18:20.600 --> 02:18:24.360
However, let us look at this problem not with fear,

2196
02:18:24.360 --> 02:18:28.120
but rather with optimism.

2197
02:18:28.640 --> 02:18:31.547
Dmitry, let’s have another question from Voronezh.

2198
02:18:32.687 --> 02:18:35.200
Yes, the farmers and people in the agricultural sector in general have 

2199
02:18:35.200 --> 02:18:36.720
a lot of questions about product quality.

2200
02:18:36.720 --> 02:18:39.560
Our hero here has one of these questions.

2201
02:18:40.340 --> 02:18:46.960
Hello Mr President, I am Alexander Knyazev,

2202
02:18:46.960 --> 02:18:49.920
a farmer with 20 years’ experience.

2203
02:18:49.920 --> 02:18:57.440
We are engaged in horticulture and dairy farming.

2204
02:18:57.440 --> 02:19:03.440
Our question concerns palm oil.

2205
02:19:06.800 --> 02:19:14.024
Milk cannot compete with palm oil because palm oil is so 

2206
02:19:14.024 --> 02:19:18.080
much cheaper than milk. 

2207
02:19:20.380 --> 02:19:23.760
However, the nation’s health is more important.

2208
02:19:23.760 --> 02:19:29.440
We have the words ‘Smoking Kills’ written on all our cigarette packets.

2209
02:19:29.440 --> 02:19:36.680
Mr President, can’t we do the same for palm oil?

2210
02:19:36.980 --> 02:19:41.280
You want us to write that palm oil kills? That would be going too far.

2211
02:19:41.280 --> 02:19:45.009
Not everyone thinks it is so bad for our health,

2212
02:19:45.009 --> 02:19:49.360
though misleading consumers is a problem to some extent.

2213
02:19:49.360 --> 02:19:55.888
You have cheese, butter and other products often made with palm oil,

2214
02:19:55.888 --> 02:20:01.958
but sold as if they were natural products,

2215
02:20:01.958 --> 02:20:07.800
and this is to some extent deceiving the consumers.

2216
02:20:07.800 --> 02:20:14.757
As for whether we should write on the packaging just what is inside 

2217
02:20:14.757 --> 02:20:21.306
the product, including palm oil, yes, we can and should do this,

2218
02:20:21.306 --> 02:20:26.320
and in this respect, I completely agree with you.

2219
02:20:26.320 --> 02:20:31.440
This matter can be settled through our technical regulations.

2220
02:20:31.440 --> 02:20:36.451
In other words, we need to take a decision making it obligatory 

2221
02:20:36.451 --> 02:20:40.992
for producers to write the necessary information, in bold,

2222
02:20:40.992 --> 02:20:42.480
on their packaging.

2223
02:20:45.740 --> 02:20:52.575
The Eurasian Economic Commission is now responsible 

2224
02:20:52.575 --> 02:20:57.440
for deciding on matters of this sort.

2225
02:20:59.860 --> 02:21:05.148
In this area, we need to coordinate our decisions with our partners,

2226
02:21:05.148 --> 02:21:07.792
including Kazakhstan, and Belarus,

2227
02:21:07.792 --> 02:21:12.536
whose representative currently heads the relevant commission 

2228
02:21:12.536 --> 02:21:16.680
or sub-commission within this organisation.

2229
02:21:17.860 --> 02:21:24.734
Our partners in Belarus, and the Government and President there will 

2230
02:21:24.734 --> 02:21:31.608
need to support this decision, but I think they too have an interest 

2231
02:21:31.608 --> 02:21:38.681
not so much in the transit and import of palm oil and using it in food 

2232
02:21:38.681 --> 02:21:44.360
products, as in developing their own agricultural sector.

2233
02:21:44.360 --> 02:21:47.933
The Belarusian President takes this area very seriously 

2234
02:21:47.933 --> 02:21:51.040
and gives it much attention.

2235
02:21:51.040 --> 02:21:54.967
If for some reason we do not succeed in this,

2236
02:21:54.967 --> 02:21:58.632
there is another option we could consider,

2237
02:21:58.632 --> 02:22:01.880
perhaps even an option-and-a-half.

2238
02:22:01.880 --> 02:22:09.060
We could, for example, introduce excise duties on palm oil,

2239
02:22:09.060 --> 02:22:17.560
and this would increase the costs of produce made with it,

2240
02:22:17.560 --> 02:22:23.571
or we could reach agreements with producers on having them voluntarily 

2241
02:22:23.571 --> 02:22:28.397
write on the packaging information about the ingredients,

2242
02:22:28.397 --> 02:22:33.393
and in return, the Government will not introduce an excise 

2243
02:22:33.393 --> 02:22:39.320
duty on palm oil. This is a subject we can discuss with the producers.

2244
02:22:39.320 --> 02:22:44.130
However, I want you to know that I am completely on your side.

2245
02:22:44.130 --> 02:22:48.320
Consumers have the right to know what they are buying.

2246
02:22:48.320 --> 02:22:53.319
Let us try to settle this matter at least through the ways 

2247
02:22:53.319 --> 02:22:57.040
I just outlined and see how it works.

2248
02:22:57.360 --> 02:22:58.315
Thank you, Voronezh.

2249
02:22:58.315 --> 02:22:59.469
Now, back to the studio.

2250
02:22:59.469 --> 02:23:02.560
I saw that Konstantin Khabensky wanted to ask a question.

2251
02:23:02.560 --> 02:23:04.500
Perhaps we will give him this opportunity, if you do not mind.

2252
02:23:04.500 --> 02:23:05.283
Please.

2253
02:23:06.943 --> 02:23:08.240
With pleasure, thank you.

2254
02:23:08.240 --> 02:23:11.363
Naturally, many people know Konstantin Khabensky as an actor 

2255
02:23:11.363 --> 02:23:14.766
and National Artist of Russia, but today, Konstantin is here,

2256
02:23:14.766 --> 02:23:17.926
above all, as the founder of the Konstantin Khabensky Charity 

2257
02:23:17.926 --> 02:23:21.280
Foundation, which helps children with serious brain disorders.

2258
02:23:21.280 --> 02:23:24.140
As far as I know, your question is of a medical nature.

2259
02:23:24.940 --> 02:23:27.975
My question is more of a medical nature,

2260
02:23:27.975 --> 02:23:33.438
yes. Today I have been entrusted to bring up an issue that is in urgent 

2261
02:23:33.438 --> 02:23:36.853
need of your support, specifically the issue 

2262
02:23:36.853 --> 02:23:40.040
of resuscitation and intensive care wards.

2263
02:23:40.040 --> 02:23:43.402
We have a wonderful law, which has been adopted,

2264
02:23:43.402 --> 02:23:47.744
and which really works, stating that the parents or relatives 

2265
02:23:47.744 --> 02:23:52.437
of a child or a young person under 18 in a critical condition have 

2266
02:23:52.437 --> 02:23:56.920
the right to be in these resuscitation and intensive care wards.

2267
02:23:56.920 --> 02:23:59.154
This is wonderful because there is no need to explain that when 

2268
02:23:59.154 --> 02:24:01.258
a person opens his or her eyes,

2269
02:24:01.258 --> 02:24:03.321
effectively [returning] from another world,

2270
02:24:03.321 --> 02:24:05.715
it is very important for this person to not only see the ceiling,

2271
02:24:05.715 --> 02:24:08.752
but also to feel the warmth of [other people’s] hands, and so on.

2272
02:24:08.752 --> 02:24:15.160
However it turns out that this law may be “amended” at the local level.

2273
02:24:15.160 --> 02:24:19.040
Sometimes these amendments are just crazy: they are simply impediments.

2274
02:24:19.040 --> 02:24:22.689
Although I also understand that chief physicians and directors want 

2275
02:24:22.689 --> 02:24:26.600
everything to be sterile and in order.

2276
02:24:26.600 --> 02:24:29.320
Nevertheless, at times this comes to the point of absurdity.

2277
02:24:29.320 --> 02:24:32.209
What happens is that relatives run around nervously,

2278
02:24:32.209 --> 02:24:35.377
having already found themselves in a difficult situation,

2279
02:24:35.377 --> 02:24:38.990
trying to obtain some form or another and wondering if overnight 

2280
02:24:38.990 --> 02:24:41.880
[the authorities] would come up with something else.

2281
02:24:41.880 --> 02:24:46.053
It is simply necessary to combine and supplement this law with 

2282
02:24:46.053 --> 02:24:50.226
the draft law that was submitted to the State Duma on March 22;

2283
02:24:50.226 --> 02:24:52.279
simply to come to an agreement,

2284
02:24:52.279 --> 02:24:56.320
so that there are no unpleasant surprises at the local level.

2285
02:24:56.320 --> 02:24:58.760
It seems to me that this is not very difficult.

2286
02:24:58.760 --> 02:25:03.880
I believe we should go beyond age limitations of under 18 there.

2287
02:25:03.880 --> 02:25:05.990
It seems to me that all people who have found themselves in this kind 

2288
02:25:05.990 --> 02:25:08.760
of situation have this right.

2289
02:25:08.760 --> 02:25:14.519
First of all, they are helpless and need human warmth and assistance.

2290
02:25:14.519 --> 02:25:20.960
I do not think this requires any serious financial input.

2291
02:25:20.960 --> 02:25:23.662
We should simply agree and say: folks,

2292
02:25:23.662 --> 02:25:27.502
let the same regulations apply to everyone: stringent,

2293
02:25:27.502 --> 02:25:31.660
but equal. It seems to me that it is not so difficult to get together 

2294
02:25:31.660 --> 02:25:33.548
and come to an agreement.

2295
02:25:33.548 --> 02:25:36.645
Unlike the story that has been mentioned 

2296
02:25:36.645 --> 02:25:40.320
(and thank you very much for throwing your support behind the manual 

2297
02:25:40.320 --> 02:25:45.841
ventilation issue last year), thank you very much for responding 

2298
02:25:45.841 --> 02:25:51.447
promptly and deciding that the state should assume responsibility 

2299
02:25:51.447 --> 02:25:57.478
for providing these ventilators to children so that they do not occupy 

2300
02:25:57.478 --> 02:26:02.320
hospital beds, so they can stay at home, not in hospital.

2301
02:26:02.320 --> 02:26:07.493
We received a formal reply saying that meetings were held,

2302
02:26:07.493 --> 02:26:10.080
and the issue was considered.

2303
02:26:10.080 --> 02:26:14.963
The Ministry of Healthcare even sent us a letter saying 

2304
02:26:14.963 --> 02:26:19.760
that they understand everything. Just two seconds more.

2305
02:26:19.760 --> 02:26:22.480
Here is a letter from the Ministry of Healthcare dated July 6: 

2306
02:26:22.480 --> 02:26:26.360
“The issue of providing healthcare services to critically ill children 

2307
02:26:26.360 --> 02:26:30.800
in need of artificial lung ventilation at home has been settled 

2308
02:26:30.820 --> 02:26:35.287
and does not require any amendments to the laws 

2309
02:26:35.287 --> 02:26:37.800
of the Russian Federation.”

2310
02:26:37.800 --> 02:26:43.673
This is wonderful. However, ten days ago, and I fully trust my team,

2311
02:26:43.673 --> 02:26:48.039
which has investigated this issue on its own,

2312
02:26:48.039 --> 02:26:49.960
I was told a very simple thing.

2313
02:26:49.960 --> 02:26:55.062
In reality, the situation remains as it was before this issue was 

2314
02:26:55.062 --> 02:26:59.160
raised and the Presidential instructions were issued.

2315
02:26:59.160 --> 02:27:02.533
For a short moment, the problems of this group of patients came into 

2316
02:27:02.533 --> 02:27:04.880
the spotlight, but the issue remains unresolved.

2317
02:27:04.880 --> 02:27:11.576
A week ago yet another child was denied what was agreed 

2318
02:27:11.576 --> 02:27:16.240
upon one year ago. Thank you very much.

2319
02:27:17.300 --> 02:27:23.000
The second question is a matter of budget financing.

2320
02:27:23.000 --> 02:27:26.080
That is all there is to it.

2321
02:27:26.080 --> 02:27:33.474
When a hospital has artificial lung ventilators, they are working,

2322
02:27:33.474 --> 02:27:41.320
and of course, patients are able to stay in such hospitals.

2323
02:27:41.320 --> 02:27:47.786
I understand that such people need these devices constantly,

2324
02:27:47.786 --> 02:27:52.960
which means that they have to live in hospitals.

2325
02:27:52.960 --> 02:27:56.820
This is very difficult. I understand that.

2326
02:27:57.460 --> 02:28:00.080
You know, this is something that I would not like to say,

2327
02:28:00.080 --> 02:28:01.600
but have to mention: even hospitals did not have devices 

2328
02:28:01.600 --> 02:28:04.200
of this kind until recently.

2329
02:28:04.200 --> 02:28:08.260
At least now they have them, and the numbers are growing.

2330
02:28:08.260 --> 02:28:13.082
It goes without saying that the Ministry of Healthcare will address 

2331
02:28:13.082 --> 02:28:17.480
this issue with the expansion of regional and federal budgets.

2332
02:28:20.180 --> 02:28:27.560
You were right to say that at least there are no legal restrictions.

2333
02:28:27.560 --> 02:28:31.420
This device can be installed at home,

2334
02:28:31.420 --> 02:28:35.940
and if relatives take the necessary training, they can use it.

2335
02:28:37.320 --> 02:28:42.436
As for your first question about relatives being present in intensive 

2336
02:28:42.436 --> 02:28:47.843
care units, this is certainly a sensitive issue,

2337
02:28:47.843 --> 02:28:55.299
and I understand why you brought it up.

2338
02:28:56.499 --> 02:29:03.326
The law does not prevent relatives from being present in the intensive 

2339
02:29:03.326 --> 02:29:08.519
care unit, but hospital management usually opposes it.

2340
02:29:09.779 --> 02:29:12.003
It is not hard to understand why,

2341
02:29:12.003 --> 02:29:15.240
since in most cases these are not private wards.

2342
02:29:15.240 --> 02:29:22.030
There can be people nearby who also need special care.

2343
02:29:22.030 --> 02:29:27.186
If these visitors disturb other patients,

2344
02:29:27.186 --> 02:29:33.600
the hospital management has to impose restrictions.

2345
02:29:33.620 --> 02:29:36.800
That said, I do understand where this issue is coming from.

2346
02:29:37.480 --> 02:29:41.320
Mr Putin, trust me. I know first-hand that there is always a place 

2347
02:29:41.320 --> 02:29:45.360
for a person who wants to help.

2348
02:29:45.360 --> 02:29:50.640
Believe me, such people are always very helpful,

2349
02:29:50.640 --> 02:29:56.800
including for the medical staff, who often ask for help.

2350
02:29:58.940 --> 02:30:00.032
You are probably right.

2351
02:30:00.032 --> 02:30:03.340
I will definitely raise this issue with Ms Skvortsova,

2352
02:30:03.340 --> 02:30:09.350
and I will ask her to think of ways of improving 

2353
02:30:09.350 --> 02:30:14.920
the situation and to do something to this effect.

2354
02:30:15.800 --> 02:30:16.384
Thank you.

2355
02:30:18.004 --> 02:30:20.180
Mister President, if you do not object,

2356
02:30:20.180 --> 02:30:22.440
let us return to agricultural issues. Vera, your section has the floor.

2357
02:30:22.740 --> 02:30:27.631
We have here a representative of an agricultural farm from Kaluga Region,

2358
02:30:27.631 --> 02:30:32.080
 third-generation agricultural producer Alexander Sayapin. Go ahead, please.

2359
02:30:32.440 --> 02:30:35.400
Good afternoon. Mister President,

2360
02:30:35.400 --> 02:30:39.675
I took part in the programme “Grants for Family Farms” in 2012.

2361
02:30:39.675 --> 02:30:43.680
At that time, I had 40 cows, whereas now I have almost 500.

2362
02:30:43.680 --> 02:30:46.840
We no longer receive grants – we do not need them.

2363
02:30:46.840 --> 02:30:50.482
You know, farming is making steady headway but our produce appears 

2364
02:30:50.482 --> 02:30:53.280
at retail chains next to that of swindlers.

2365
02:30:53.280 --> 02:30:58.280
You said they must mention palm oil – this is already fixed by law –

2366
02:30:58.280 --> 02:31:03.280
but they simply do not do this. When will they be punished for this?

2367
02:31:03.280 --> 02:31:08.135
Instead of punishing fakers, veterinarians have invented electronic 

2368
02:31:08.135 --> 02:31:10.120
vet-certification for us.

2369
02:31:10.120 --> 02:31:12.110
It will come into effect in 2018 –

2370
02:31:12.110 --> 02:31:15.540
we will have to produce a vet-certificate for each consignment.

2371
02:31:15.540 --> 02:31:18.447
In other words, I will have to issue 

2372
02:31:18.447 --> 02:31:21.122
1,500 vet-certificates per day for two tonnes of produce –

2373
02:31:21.122 --> 02:31:23.009
I bring fresh produce every day.

2374
02:31:23.009 --> 02:31:26.560
This is sheer madness and should be stopped somehow. Thank you.

2375
02:31:26.820 --> 02:31:33.480
Naturally, as we say the road to hell is paved with good intentions 

2376
02:31:33.480 --> 02:31:38.096
and veterinarian services are certainly explaining such zeal 

2377
02:31:38.096 --> 02:31:41.880
by the need to protect the interests of consumers.

2378
02:31:41.880 --> 02:31:46.205
However, we understand what this may lead to and how this 

2379
02:31:46.205 --> 02:31:50.754
may be organised. Therefore, if you see excessive regulation 

2380
02:31:50.754 --> 02:31:56.049
or control, we will definitely look at the performance of veterinarian 

2381
02:31:56.049 --> 02:31:59.550
services, although I will hardly say anything specific 

2382
02:31:59.550 --> 02:32:03.273
on the direct line. You know, the common trend is to get rid of red 

2383
02:32:03.273 --> 02:32:06.557
tape in the activities of small- and medium-sized companies 

2384
02:32:06.557 --> 02:32:08.200
and agriculture in particular.

2385
02:32:08.200 --> 02:32:12.680
We cannot leave this without control. I hope you will agree with this.

2386
02:32:12.680 --> 02:32:14.360
We need quality products.

2387
02:32:14.360 --> 02:32:22.640
They must be clean and they should not be diluted with water.

2388
02:32:22.640 --> 02:32:25.520
Common sense should prevail in this regard.

2389
02:32:25.520 --> 02:32:28.600
I promise we will look into this as a separate issue.

2390
02:32:29.080 --> 02:32:31.600
Irina Yarovaya has long been dealing with draft laws on trade.

2391
02:32:31.600 --> 02:32:34.240
Let us give her an opportunity to express her opinion.

2392
02:32:35.260 --> 02:32:39.649
Yes, regarding the law, I would like to return to this law on trade 

2393
02:32:39.649 --> 02:32:43.200
that you mentioned, which should have these provisions.

2394
02:32:43.200 --> 02:32:48.048
However, our colleague suggested writing it in large letters the way 

2395
02:32:48.048 --> 02:32:51.560
they do on cigarette packs.

2396
02:32:51.560 --> 02:32:55.485
If the letters are so small nobody could read them,

2397
02:32:55.485 --> 02:33:00.180
then this is a formalistic approach that does not do the job.

2398
02:33:00.180 --> 02:33:03.160
As Vladimir Lenin said in his time: correct in form but 

2399
02:33:03.160 --> 02:33:05.480
sheer mockery de facto. We will look into it.

2400
02:33:06.140 --> 02:33:08.780
Ms Yarovaya has been dealing with the law on trade 

2401
02:33:08.780 --> 02:33:11.200
for a very long time, among other things.

2402
02:33:11.500 --> 02:33:12.880
I will just add a few words.

2403
02:33:12.880 --> 02:33:16.120
This law is designed to make life easier for farmers like Alexander Sayapin

2404
02:33:16.120 --> 02:33:18.320
 and help them finally get access to the consumer at large.

2405
02:33:18.320 --> 02:33:20.120
Ms Yarovaya, when will this law be adopted?

2406
02:33:20.620 --> 02:33:22.880
Good afternoon, Mr President.

2407
02:33:22.880 --> 02:33:26.280
When sanctions were still a long way off,

2408
02:33:26.280 --> 02:33:29.940
when everyone day-dreamed about imports and when it seemed that this 

2409
02:33:29.940 --> 02:33:32.360
would save the world, in 2009, remember,

2410
02:33:32.360 --> 02:33:34.680
you chaired what I believe was a fateful Government meeting with 

2411
02:33:34.680 --> 02:33:36.960
the participation of retail chains and producers,

2412
02:33:36.960 --> 02:33:39.840
and when prior to that you had paid a visit to a retail chain 

2413
02:33:39.840 --> 02:33:43.160
and “inspected the scene,” establishing how much things really cost 

2414
02:33:43.160 --> 02:33:45.960
and how much a customer had in fact to pay for them.

2415
02:33:45.960 --> 02:33:49.820
At the time, thanks to you, a law was adopted because many people were 

2416
02:33:49.820 --> 02:33:52.820
sure that there was no need for rules,

2417
02:33:52.820 --> 02:33:55.760
although we understand that the farmer and the retail chain are 

2418
02:33:55.760 --> 02:33:58.340
entities of a different economic weight and that their 

2419
02:33:58.340 --> 02:34:00.400
rights can only be equated by law.

2420
02:34:00.400 --> 02:34:02.800
At the time, crucial decisions were made.

2421
02:34:02.800 --> 02:34:05.540
Thanks to you, [financial] settlement deadlines were established 

2422
02:34:05.540 --> 02:34:08.320
and rules and prohibitions appeared.

2423
02:34:08.320 --> 02:34:11.600
However, as you may remember, there were also compromise solutions 

2424
02:34:11.600 --> 02:34:13.880
at the time because retail chains made many promises and,

2425
02:34:13.880 --> 02:34:16.040
as responsible people, we trusted those promises,

2426
02:34:16.040 --> 02:34:18.240
but stayed alert and verified compliance.

2427
02:34:18.240 --> 02:34:22.683
Today, there are two problems that we will probably be able 

2428
02:34:22.683 --> 02:34:26.560
to resolve with your support.

2429
02:34:26.560 --> 02:34:29.800
Business always complains about high taxes and costly money.

2430
02:34:29.800 --> 02:34:33.160
Today, the 10 percent turnover premium that we agreed to allow 

2431
02:34:33.160 --> 02:34:37.360
the retail chains to keep at the time has turned into a permanent tax 

2432
02:34:37.360 --> 02:34:40.960
on all producers for whatever they supply to a retail chain.

2433
02:34:40.960 --> 02:34:42.328
The second problem is, of course,

2434
02:34:42.328 --> 02:34:43.200
settlement deadlines.

2435
02:34:43.200 --> 02:34:49.611
It is probably difficult to imagine an entrepreneur who has shouldered 

2436
02:34:49.611 --> 02:34:52.410
the costs and takes high risks,

2437
02:34:52.410 --> 02:34:56.771
to be compensated for the products that he has supplied and no longer 

2438
02:34:56.771 --> 02:35:00.821
owns not in 30 or even 45 days, as we stipulated in the law, but,

2439
02:35:00.821 --> 02:35:02.440
under all sorts of pretexts and tricks,

2440
02:35:02.440 --> 02:35:04.400
in another 30 and 45 days, in addition to this.

2441
02:35:04.400 --> 02:35:07.680
Therefore, Mr President, a year ago, we drafted amendments,

2442
02:35:07.680 --> 02:35:11.440
realising that if promises are not kept the situation should be 

2443
02:35:11.440 --> 02:35:15.560
rectified and our producers and buyers have to be protected.

2444
02:35:15.560 --> 02:35:19.280
However, for an entire year now, in advance of the second reading,

2445
02:35:19.280 --> 02:35:22.880
everything has been bogged down in bureaucratic procedures that 

2446
02:35:22.880 --> 02:35:25.120
lobbyists pursue through issue-specific agencies,

2447
02:35:25.120 --> 02:35:27.600
effectively impeding the final resolution.

2448
02:35:27.600 --> 02:35:29.880
I completely support our farmers.

2449
02:35:30.320 --> 02:35:31.960
Ms Yarovaya, if you could get to the point.

2450
02:35:31.960 --> 02:35:33.440
Could you formulate your question to the President?

2451
02:35:33.620 --> 02:35:35.720
The fact is that there is no question. There is a request.

2452
02:35:35.720 --> 02:35:40.040
Mr President, as you were directly involved in taking the initial decision, 

2453
02:35:40.040 --> 02:35:44.000
if we can adopt [the law] in its second and third readings 

2454
02:35:44.000 --> 02:35:48.480
at this spring session and put an end to bureaucratic delays and red tape

2455
02:35:48.480 --> 02:35:51.577
 on this issue I believe this will be serious support for our 

2456
02:35:51.577 --> 02:35:54.273
farmers with regard to import substitution.

2457
02:35:54.733 --> 02:36:00.760
Yes, the issue really was very serious during the crisis of 2008–2009. 

2458
02:36:00.760 --> 02:36:06.540
We had to make extra efforts to support our agricultural sector 

2459
02:36:06.540 --> 02:36:11.860
and our famers. We were active on this then and passed a law.

2460
02:36:11.860 --> 02:36:15.719
I see that these efforts are starting to slip now, sadly,

2461
02:36:15.719 --> 02:36:19.800
and are no longer producing the results they should.

2462
02:36:19.800 --> 02:36:23.805
This is happening because the appropriate government bodies are not 

2463
02:36:23.805 --> 02:36:27.320
giving this matter the attention they should.

2464
02:36:27.320 --> 02:36:31.240
Overall, if the law we passed back then were working as it should be,

2465
02:36:31.240 --> 02:36:33.984
perhaps we would not be seeing the situation we see today,

2466
02:36:33.984 --> 02:36:37.280
and would not need to make additions and amendments.

2467
02:36:37.280 --> 02:36:41.805
However, back then, results were obtained not through my efforts,

2468
02:36:41.805 --> 02:36:46.680
but those of Viktor Zubkov, who set up the special commission in this 

2469
02:36:46.680 --> 02:36:48.760
area and brought it together every week,

2470
02:36:48.760 --> 02:36:52.480
trying to maintain a balance between the interests of the producers 

2471
02:36:52.520 --> 02:36:58.480
and sellers, and between the retail chains.

2472
02:37:00.860 --> 02:37:05.200
I see that there are various obstacles now.

2473
02:37:05.200 --> 02:37:09.040
On the one hand, lobbyists from the retail chains are at work,

2474
02:37:09.040 --> 02:37:13.035
working through the Trade Ministry, and this is natural,

2475
02:37:13.035 --> 02:37:15.440
this is their job, and on the other hand,

2476
02:37:15.440 --> 02:37:17.680
we have the Agriculture Ministry,

2477
02:37:17.680 --> 02:37:20.480
which is trying to lobby the agriculture sector’s interests.

2478
02:37:20.480 --> 02:37:21.840
There are three areas of work here.

2479
02:37:21.840 --> 02:37:25.420
You essentially already spoke about this.

2480
02:37:26.940 --> 02:37:30.600
It seemed to me that back then they settled the issue of speeding up 

2481
02:37:30.600 --> 02:37:34.330
payment for goods coming to the retail chains,

2482
02:37:34.330 --> 02:37:38.791
and took decisions on products with a short shelf life 

2483
02:37:38.791 --> 02:37:43.840
(I think they set a 10-day payment deadline).

2484
02:37:43.840 --> 02:37:45.240
 However, if there are still outstanding issues,

2485
02:37:45.240 --> 02:37:47.360
we should come back to these problems and arrange 

2486
02:37:47.360 --> 02:37:49.000
the necessary legal provisions to sort them out.

2487
02:37:49.000 --> 02:37:56.640
We also need to work out fair prices for the so-called shelf space bonus. 

2488
02:37:56.640 --> 02:37:58.800
There are various proposals here,

2489
02:37:58.800 --> 02:38:01.400
from zero to quite big figures.

2490
02:38:01.400 --> 02:38:04.464
As far as I know, or as I was told at any rate,

2491
02:38:04.464 --> 02:38:07.920
a compromise has been found at somewhere around five 

2492
02:38:07.920 --> 02:38:13.080
rubles, or five percent of the cost.

2493
02:38:13.080 --> 02:38:17.597
What we absolutely do need to do in this area, in my view,

2494
02:38:17.597 --> 02:38:22.505
is to give broader powers to the Federal Anti-Monopoly Service,

2495
02:38:22.505 --> 02:38:27.880
because it currently hardly works at all in this area of the economy.

2496
02:38:27.900 --> 02:38:34.280
This too should be fixed by law. We should not delay here.

2497
02:38:34.280 --> 02:38:38.160
I hope the Government will complete the approvals process 

2498
02:38:38.160 --> 02:38:40.760
and the State Duma will examine the draft laws during the spring session.

2499
02:38:41.220 --> 02:38:42.920
News continues coming in.

2500
02:38:42.920 --> 02:38:45.720
The TASS news agency reports that a criminal case has been opened 

2501
02:38:45.720 --> 02:38:48.580
against the fish processing plant on Shikotan that we heard about 

2502
02:38:48.580 --> 02:38:51.360
before from our reporter Pavel Zarubin.

2503
02:38:51.360 --> 02:38:53.320
We do not know the details yet,

2504
02:38:53.320 --> 02:38:56.540
but we are following the news feed and we see the responses.

2505
02:38:56.540 --> 02:39:00.000
Nailya, you probably have more questions about business in your sector.

2506
02:39:00.540 --> 02:39:02.400
True, there are many entrepreneurs in our sector.

2507
02:39:02.400 --> 02:39:05.480
One of our guests is a man who does not leave ministries 

2508
02:39:05.480 --> 02:39:08.300
and departments in peace, because he monitors their cooperation with 

2509
02:39:08.300 --> 02:39:11.040
small and medium-scale businesses.

2510
02:39:11.040 --> 02:39:17.240
His name is Artyom Avetisyan, and he is from the Agency for Strategic Initiatives, Chair of the Leaders’ Club.

2511
02:39:17.240 --> 02:39:20.040
Mr Avetisyan, will you once again scold the controllers?

2512
02:39:21.320 --> 02:39:22.640
Good afternoon, Mr President.

2513
02:39:22.640 --> 02:39:26.760
We not only travel to Antarctica and the North Pole with the Leaders’ Club, 

2514
02:39:26.760 --> 02:39:30.760
but we also continuously monitor the situation among businessmen.

2515
02:39:30.760 --> 02:39:33.000
Not long ago, we took a look at how things stand with 

2516
02:39:33.000 --> 02:39:34.240
inspections of business.

2517
02:39:34.240 --> 02:39:36.680
For objectivity’s sake, I should say that life has indeed 

2518
02:39:36.680 --> 02:39:38.760
become easier for some.

2519
02:39:38.760 --> 02:39:42.399
But for the majority, I would like to point out,

2520
02:39:42.399 --> 02:39:47.556
when you ask them “Well, have you had fewer inspectors?” their eyes 

2521
02:39:47.556 --> 02:39:52.636
open wide in surprise: “What? They are like a mad dog on the loose,

2522
02:39:52.636 --> 02:39:54.760
and don’t you dare complain.” 

2523
02:39:54.760 --> 02:40:01.400
Some businessmen have up to four inspections a year.

2524
02:40:01.400 --> 02:40:05.880
We have tried to figure out why this is so.

2525
02:40:05.880 --> 02:40:11.560
It turned out that there is a certain principle,

2526
02:40:11.560 --> 02:40:13.720
I would call it punitive.

2527
02:40:13.720 --> 02:40:18.950
When inspectors come, even if everything is all right,

2528
02:40:18.950 --> 02:40:25.440
they simply cannot leave without finding at least some minor fault.

2529
02:40:25.440 --> 02:40:30.160
This reminds me of the “rod” system the police used to practice before.

2530
02:40:30.160 --> 02:40:35.600
In these complicated times, instead of treating businesses gently,

2531
02:40:35.600 --> 02:40:40.680
they continue pressing them.

2532
02:40:40.680 --> 02:40:43.880
And no matter what the Government does, and the Government does a lot,

2533
02:40:43.880 --> 02:40:46.280
or what [tax] vacations are being granted,

2534
02:40:46.280 --> 02:40:50.586
busineses remain just as they used to be: a milking cow,

2535
02:40:50.586 --> 02:40:53.492
if you’ll forgive me this old-fashioned comparison.

2536
02:40:53.492 --> 02:40:57.739
That said, Mr President, my question is clear: 

2537
02:40:57.739 --> 02:41:04.101
when will the authorities finally take their attitude to business to a new level,

2538
02:41:04.101 --> 02:41:09.740
from unilateral milking to a normal healthy partnership?

2539
02:41:16.340 --> 02:41:19.805
If I may, we have many businessmen facing this problem.

2540
02:41:19.805 --> 02:41:22.200
May I give the floor to somebody else?

2541
02:41:23.060 --> 02:41:24.280
Introduce yourself, please.

2542
02:41:24.280 --> 02:41:27.040
Vyacheslav Zykov, Bris-Bosfor company,

2543
02:41:27.040 --> 02:41:29.920
Novorossiysk. We produce footwear.

2544
02:41:29.920 --> 02:41:32.160
We are the largest footwear producer in Russia.

2545
02:41:32.160 --> 02:41:37.360
I started my business as an ordinary private entrepreneur in the 1990s.

2546
02:41:37.360 --> 02:41:42.120
In the late 90s, we built a factory and have expanded 

2547
02:41:42.120 --> 02:41:45.680
to where we are today. The factory employs more than 2,000 people. 

2548
02:41:45.680 --> 02:41:49.492
We are doing fairly well,

2549
02:41:49.492 --> 02:41:53.480
production is growing.

2550
02:41:53.480 --> 02:41:57.700
And my question is in tune with the previous one: when will they leave 

2551
02:41:57.700 --> 02:42:00.086
us, businesses, alone, since we have really been tormented 

2552
02:42:00.086 --> 02:42:01.639
by inspections?

2553
02:42:02.879 --> 02:42:07.321
I see. Is that all regarding the theme of inspection?

2554
02:42:07.321 --> 02:42:11.680
You know, we are constantly working on this problem.

2555
02:42:11.680 --> 02:42:16.042
But such is our mentality, especially when it comes to bureaucrats,

2556
02:42:16.042 --> 02:42:23.300
if someone has some status, they try to squeeze maximum advantage out 

2557
02:42:23.300 --> 02:42:27.440
of it and secure annuity.

2558
02:42:27.440 --> 02:42:29.960
They are laughing over there, but this is not funny.

2559
02:42:29.960 --> 02:42:35.109
Yet, I believe that both the first speaker and our second colleague,

2560
02:42:35.109 --> 02:42:39.955
who asked his question, surely know that after we imposed rules 

2561
02:42:39.955 --> 02:42:44.347
stipulating that all inspections must be coordinated with 

2562
02:42:44.347 --> 02:42:49.800
the prosecutor’s office, the number of applications for inspections has 

2563
02:42:49.800 --> 02:42:53.760
decreased by one-third.

2564
02:42:53.760 --> 02:42:58.017
Of the total number of applications filed,

2565
02:42:58.017 --> 02:43:04.740
the prosecutor’s office turns down 50 percent.

2566
02:43:04.740 --> 02:43:07.440
And this work will continue.

2567
02:43:07.440 --> 02:43:10.298
Together with the business community,

2568
02:43:10.298 --> 02:43:14.469
we will also look for additional means and apply them 

2569
02:43:14.469 --> 02:43:18.340
to create a favourable business climate.

2570
02:43:18.340 --> 02:43:21.608
As you may know, a decision has been made on inspection holidays 

2571
02:43:21.608 --> 02:43:23.520
for small and medium-sized businesses.

2572
02:43:23.520 --> 02:43:28.104
A colleague involved in agriculture has mentioned to me that they are 

2573
02:43:28.104 --> 02:43:30.200
”pestered“ by sanitary services.

2574
02:43:30.200 --> 02:43:33.109
These cases should be considered separately,

2575
02:43:33.109 --> 02:43:36.704
and we will do this. Constant efforts should be made together with you,

2576
02:43:36.704 --> 02:43:40.219
and we should seek issues that raise the greatest concern.

2577
02:43:40.219 --> 02:43:41.578
We will work together on this.

2578
02:43:42.698 --> 02:43:45.800
We have people involved in inspecting activities present 

2579
02:43:45.800 --> 02:43:46.880
here today, in this sector.

2580
02:43:47.360 --> 02:43:50.880
You have eagerly raised your hand to ask a question.

2581
02:43:50.880 --> 02:43:55.260
Yes, you. Pass the microphone, please.

2582
02:43:58.620 --> 02:44:00.320
Good afternoon, Mr President.

2583
02:44:00.320 --> 02:44:03.840
My name is Avdotya Smirnova and I am the director of the Foundation 

2584
02:44:03.840 --> 02:44:08.619
for Assistance to Autistic Children in Russia.

2585
02:44:08.619 --> 02:44:12.360
A very good and progressive law on education has been passed.

2586
02:44:12.360 --> 02:44:16.488
This law stipulates that each and every child should have access 

2587
02:44:16.488 --> 02:44:20.171
to education, including those with severe forms of autism.

2588
02:44:20.171 --> 02:44:24.681
However, in general education schools and kindergartens in all regions,

2589
02:44:24.681 --> 02:44:29.127
except Voronezh Region, where they take a consistent approach to this 

2590
02:44:29.127 --> 02:44:33.509
issue, and Belgorod Region, where significant efforts are being made 

2591
02:44:33.509 --> 02:44:37.320
in this regard, such children are nearly always turned down.

2592
02:44:37.320 --> 02:44:41.765
Schools refuse to teach them for various reasons: under subordinate 

2593
02:44:41.765 --> 02:44:45.622
acts, due to the lack of a special environment or the lack 

2594
02:44:45.622 --> 02:44:49.480
of specialists. They suggest home schooling for these kids.

2595
02:44:49.480 --> 02:44:52.829
As a result, we have not just one child but an entire 

2596
02:44:52.829 --> 02:44:55.000
family closed up within four walls.

2597
02:44:55.000 --> 02:44:59.706
What should be done to have the law on education work 

2598
02:44:59.706 --> 02:45:03.280
for autistic children as well? Thank you.

2599
02:45:04.080 --> 02:45:06.242
Thank you. You should be thanked, not me,

2600
02:45:06.242 --> 02:45:07.720
for your work in this field.

2601
02:45:07.720 --> 02:45:12.921
It is early to thank me – you have just said that the law 

2602
02:45:12.921 --> 02:45:18.840
fails to work in this respect. What is there to thank us for then?

2603
02:45:18.840 --> 02:45:24.117
However, generally speaking, I think the problem is not about us but 

2604
02:45:24.117 --> 02:45:28.840
about society not yet being ready for fully inclusive education.

2605
02:45:28.840 --> 02:45:33.874
But the government should support efforts made by such people 

2606
02:45:33.874 --> 02:45:39.640
as yourself, and should itself promote the idea of inclusive education,

2607
02:45:39.640 --> 02:45:44.919
and all the more so as children with autism deserve such support 

2608
02:45:44.919 --> 02:45:47.923
in full. As you are involved in this,

2609
02:45:47.923 --> 02:45:50.360
you probably know this better.

2610
02:45:50.360 --> 02:45:54.587
I mean, you are fully aware that such kids are often very 

2611
02:45:54.587 --> 02:45:57.440
talented and even gifted.

2612
02:45:57.440 --> 02:46:01.440
They have the ability to focus their attention on one matter in a way 

2613
02:46:01.440 --> 02:46:04.480
that is impossible for other people, and can achieve surprising,

2614
02:46:04.480 --> 02:46:07.560
even outstanding, results.

2615
02:46:07.560 --> 02:46:10.600
Of course, their families should receive support.

2616
02:46:10.600 --> 02:46:14.920
What can I say? We will make every effort in this regard.

2617
02:46:15.220 --> 02:46:18.480
If you allow us to take back the reins of hosting this programme,

2618
02:46:18.480 --> 02:46:21.920
we will return to oversight agencies, since there are also thousands,

2619
02:46:21.920 --> 02:46:25.660
if not tens of thousands of unfair cases.

2620
02:46:26.140 --> 02:46:28.659
You know, as we were talking, I saw a question that 

2621
02:46:28.659 --> 02:46:31.740
appeared on the screen.

2622
02:46:31.740 --> 02:46:36.800
I think that it was an interesting one: “Will the EurAsEC get a national currency?”

2623
02:46:36.800 --> 02:46:39.240
 This is a vast subject.

2624
02:46:39.240 --> 02:46:42.680
Generally speaking, it is an interesting one.

2625
02:46:42.680 --> 02:46:46.458
Perhaps one day this will become possible,

2626
02:46:46.458 --> 02:46:51.506
but only at a stage when the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union 

2627
02:46:51.506 --> 02:46:55.360
 are on the same page in terms of economic development 

2628
02:46:55.360 --> 02:46:56.920
and structure.

2629
02:46:56.920 --> 02:47:02.223
We should by all means avoid the mistakes of the European Union when it 

2630
02:47:02.223 --> 02:47:04.360
introduced a single currency.

2631
02:47:04.360 --> 02:47:08.240
The difference between the economies of its member states was so huge 

2632
02:47:08.240 --> 02:47:11.055
that it led to major challenges,

2633
02:47:11.055 --> 02:47:13.200
such as for example the Greek crisis.

2634
02:47:13.200 --> 02:47:15.720
The country received handouts from the EU,

2635
02:47:15.720 --> 02:47:19.440
but those handouts did nothing to foster economic development 

2636
02:47:19.440 --> 02:47:21.560
or improve the structure of the Greek economy.

2637
02:47:21.560 --> 02:47:26.471
We have to take these issues into account within EAEU 

2638
02:47:26.471 --> 02:47:29.200
and move forward step by step.

2639
02:47:29.200 --> 02:47:31.855
Of course, this is all voluntary,

2640
02:47:31.855 --> 02:47:35.880
and we need to have full consensus on this matter.

2641
02:47:35.880 --> 02:47:41.940
We must all want it, including Russia and its EurAsEC partners.

2642
02:47:41.940 --> 02:47:45.240
There was also an observation rather than a question.

2643
02:47:45.240 --> 02:47:48.235
Someone wrote, “Your work is anything but easy.

2644
02:47:48.235 --> 02:47:52.760
But working behind the counter or in a mine is not easier.” Good point.

2645
02:47:52.760 --> 02:47:58.203
I fully agree. My best wishes to those working in mines,

2646
02:47:58.203 --> 02:48:03.220
behind the counter and anywhere else.

2647
02:48:08.100 --> 02:48:09.000
Here is another interesting message.

2648
02:48:09.000 --> 02:48:14.247
A family with many children in Stavropol received a land plot,

2649
02:48:14.247 --> 02:48:20.340
but later it was taken away from them because some kind of regional law 

2650
02:48:20.340 --> 02:48:25.164
was adopted, under which the family was no longer viewed 

2651
02:48:25.164 --> 02:48:27.280
as in need of assistance.

2652
02:48:27.280 --> 02:48:29.500
How is it possible that a land plot was taken away from a family with 

2653
02:48:29.500 --> 02:48:31.240
many children? I do not understand.

2654
02:48:31.240 --> 02:48:34.640
I will surely raise this issue with the Governor of Stavropol 

2655
02:48:34.640 --> 02:48:38.120
Territory, Mr Vladimirov, who by the way is my complete namesake.

2656
02:48:38.560 --> 02:48:42.916
Shall we give oversight bodies an opportunity to speak out?

2657
02:48:42.916 --> 02:48:43.416
Yes.

2658
02:48:43.416 --> 02:48:44.364
After all, those who are inspected had their chance,

2659
02:48:44.364 --> 02:48:45.386
while those who inspect them did not.

2660
02:48:45.386 --> 02:48:46.273
Go ahead.

2661
02:48:46.273 --> 02:48:47.612
Ms Pautova, your turn.

2662
02:48:47.612 --> 02:48:50.080
It is true that we have quite a few guests here who can contradict what 

2663
02:48:50.080 --> 02:48:51.490
businesspeople have said.

2664
02:48:51.490 --> 02:48:54.800
I would like to present Alexei Mikhan, a fire safety inspector.

2665
02:48:54.800 --> 02:48:56.200
Alexei, what your question to the President?

2666
02:48:57.000 --> 02:48:58.440
Good afternoon, Mr President.

2667
02:48:58.440 --> 02:49:02.080
Unfortunately, it is impossible to fully renounce inspections.

2668
02:49:02.080 --> 02:49:04.640
Even during this event, we can see that the state has 

2669
02:49:04.640 --> 02:49:06.360
a major role to play.

2670
02:49:06.360 --> 02:49:11.080
Nevertheless, in order to reach some kind of balance and compromise 

2671
02:49:11.080 --> 02:49:16.143
with the entrepreneurs, we need to think about some law or framework 

2672
02:49:16.143 --> 02:49:21.281
that would enable us to issue instructions at the first stage instead 

2673
02:49:21.281 --> 02:49:23.702
of imposing sanctions right away,

2674
02:49:23.702 --> 02:49:28.840
and apply sanctions only if the instructions are not followed up upon.

2675
02:49:31.760 --> 02:49:33.055
Apply them to the full extent.

2676
02:49:34.675 --> 02:49:38.280
You and I work and think on the same wavelength.

2677
02:49:38.280 --> 02:49:42.120
In fact, Presidential instructions have already been issued,

2678
02:49:42.120 --> 02:49:45.840
saying that this is how oversight bodies and regulators should work.

2679
02:49:45.840 --> 02:49:49.477
Moreover, regulatory amendments to this effect are in the pipeline,

2680
02:49:49.477 --> 02:49:56.240
and I hope that the Government will enact them in the near future. (Applause.) 

2681
02:49:57.340 --> 02:49:58.480
Well, on to a different subject.

2682
02:49:58.480 --> 02:50:00.160
Here is a question from our programme’s website.

2683
02:50:00.160 --> 02:50:02.600
You have mentioned the Minsk agreements already today.

2684
02:50:02.600 --> 02:50:05.560
The question is “Why all this talk about Minsk-2? The Minsk agreements 

2685
02:50:05.560 --> 02:50:07.639
have not been implemented and, to all appearances,

2686
02:50:07.639 --> 02:50:09.200
will not be implemented by Kiev.

2687
02:50:09.200 --> 02:50:11.680
What will become of Donbass? Will another war break out?”

2688
02:50:12.920 --> 02:50:16.273
Right, much has been left hanging in terms of implementing 

2689
02:50:16.273 --> 02:50:18.927
the Minsk agreements.

2690
02:50:18.927 --> 02:50:23.167
I will try to be very careful, but there are obvious things.

2691
02:50:23.167 --> 02:50:27.200
Their obviousness lies in the following:

2692
02:50:27.200 --> 02:50:35.091
Political issues are the top priority when we address all those 

2693
02:50:35.091 --> 02:50:39.160
problems in southeastern Ukraine.

2694
02:50:39.160 --> 02:50:44.739
The population of these territories must feel safe and know that they 

2695
02:50:44.739 --> 02:50:52.880
have modern civilised rights, and the right to exercise these rights.

2696
02:50:52.880 --> 02:50:57.013
What I mean is this. Constitutional changes should come first.

2697
02:50:57.013 --> 02:50:59.280
According to the Minsk agreements,

2698
02:50:59.280 --> 02:51:03.640
the Ukrainian Constitution had to be amended before the end of 2015.

2699
02:51:03.640 --> 02:51:08.225
However, as we know, these changes were approved in the first reading 

2700
02:51:08.225 --> 02:51:10.760
but got stuck in the second.

2701
02:51:10.760 --> 02:51:15.080
After all, it is not up to us to change the Ukrainian Constitution.

2702
02:51:15.080 --> 02:51:20.238
As stipulated, the law on the special status was to be introduced 

2703
02:51:20.238 --> 02:51:23.080
de facto within 30 days upon its signing.

2704
02:51:23.080 --> 02:51:24.640
It has not been introduced, however.

2705
02:51:24.640 --> 02:51:28.120
The endorsement of the amnesty law was also stipulated.

2706
02:51:28.120 --> 02:51:30.280
It has been adopted but the President has not signed it.

2707
02:51:30.280 --> 02:51:33.600
It is not our duty to do that.

2708
02:51:33.600 --> 02:51:36.500
Is this clear? They keep complaining that shooting is heard from time 

2709
02:51:36.500 --> 02:51:39.160
to time along the demarcation line.

2710
02:51:39.160 --> 02:51:42.461
It is a false excuse, however convenient it might be for those who do 

2711
02:51:42.461 --> 02:51:45.340
not want to comply with the Minsk agreements – excuse my bluntness.

2712
02:51:45.340 --> 02:51:47.302
They start shooting and get return fire,

2713
02:51:47.302 --> 02:51:49.000
and there they have a skirmish.

2714
02:51:49.000 --> 02:51:52.121
Does this mean that there is no need to implement the Minsk 

2715
02:51:52.121 --> 02:51:54.680
agreements? No. There is no alternative to the implementation 

2716
02:51:54.680 --> 02:51:57.480
of the Minsk agreements if the problem is to be settled.

2717
02:51:57.480 --> 02:52:01.430
The United States, Europe and our other partners say: You know,

2718
02:52:01.430 --> 02:52:05.380
they have a complicated domestic political situation,

2719
02:52:05.380 --> 02:52:06.760
so they cannot do it.

2720
02:52:06.760 --> 02:52:10.399
Maybe they cannot, but what do we have to do with it? You see,

2721
02:52:10.399 --> 02:52:13.040
that is what the problem boils down to.

2722
02:52:13.040 --> 02:52:18.523
However, if the Ukrainian authorities and our European partners really 

2723
02:52:18.523 --> 02:52:22.771
want us to travel that road and come to the right goal,

2724
02:52:22.771 --> 02:52:28.100
this requires teamwork with the partners in Kiev, where the President,

2725
02:52:28.100 --> 02:52:31.297
the incoming and outgoing prime ministers,

2726
02:52:31.297 --> 02:52:35.864
and the entire opposition are linked with Western countries 

2727
02:52:35.864 --> 02:52:40.460
one way or another. Exercise your influence on them, then,

2728
02:52:40.460 --> 02:52:43.622
instead of repeating again and again that Moscow should 

2729
02:52:43.622 --> 02:52:45.800
implement this and that.

2730
02:52:45.800 --> 02:52:47.983
We have done everything we were supposed to do,

2731
02:52:47.983 --> 02:52:50.080
and now they have to do something.

2732
02:52:50.080 --> 02:52:54.960
Let us see how the situation develops.

2733
02:52:54.960 --> 02:53:00.320
We are willing to promote the process in every possible way.

2734
02:53:00.320 --> 02:53:04.553
I proceed from the assumption that there will be no active 

2735
02:53:04.553 --> 02:53:06.992
fighting anymore. On the contrary,

2736
02:53:06.992 --> 02:53:11.800
when I spoke to President Pyotr Poroshenko recently, he suggested –

2737
02:53:11.800 --> 02:53:17.356
it was really his suggestion – that OSCE presence should be increased,

2738
02:53:17.356 --> 02:53:22.356
particularly, that armed OSCE officers should be present along 

2739
02:53:22.356 --> 02:53:27.040
the demarcation line, to have the ceasefire fully observed.

2740
02:53:27.040 --> 02:53:30.320
I think this is the right thing to do,

2741
02:53:30.320 --> 02:53:34.200
and we support it. Now, we should work with our Western partners 

2742
02:53:34.200 --> 02:53:36.440
for the OSCE to pass this decision,

2743
02:53:36.440 --> 02:53:39.920
increase its staff substantially and, if necessary,

2744
02:53:39.920 --> 02:53:44.080
authorise its officers to bear firearms.

2745
02:53:44.080 --> 02:53:47.600
While we have been on the air, Ukraine has gotten a new prime minister.

2746
02:53:47.600 --> 02:53:52.920
As expected, Vladimir Groisman is heading the Cabinet.

2747
02:53:52.920 --> 02:53:57.160
What do you think of the new Ukrainian Government?

2748
02:53:57.540 --> 02:54:00.580
Nothing. I cannot think anything of the new Ukrainian Government,

2749
02:54:00.580 --> 02:54:02.860
as I know nothing about it.

2750
02:54:02.860 --> 02:54:07.820
I know nothing about its composition, about the priorities it will set,

2751
02:54:07.820 --> 02:54:11.040
about what it is going to do.

2752
02:54:11.040 --> 02:54:16.560
I only know what they planned to do and what has really been done.

2753
02:54:16.560 --> 02:54:20.025
If I am not mistaken, the Ukrainian Government,

2754
02:54:20.025 --> 02:54:22.679
the former Ukrainian Government now,

2755
02:54:22.679 --> 02:54:25.554
approved a plan of action in late 2014,

2756
02:54:25.554 --> 02:54:27.840
which consisted of nine points.

2757
02:54:27.840 --> 02:54:30.468
Only two of them were implemented,

2758
02:54:30.468 --> 02:54:33.620
though incompletely. I am not going to comment on them,

2759
02:54:33.620 --> 02:54:36.920
you can find this information on the Internet.

2760
02:54:39.080 --> 02:54:41.287
The results are certainly painful.

2761
02:54:41.287 --> 02:54:45.136
In Russia, we have an expression “to shift the burden onto 

2762
02:54:45.136 --> 02:54:48.920
the people’s shoulders.” Today’s Ukraine is just the case.

2763
02:54:48.920 --> 02:54:51.440
We say we have very high inflation –

2764
02:54:51.440 --> 02:54:58.740
12.9 percent. Yes, it is high, but it tends to decrease quite 

2765
02:54:58.740 --> 02:55:07.520
significantly. However, inflation in Ukraine is over 48 percent,

2766
02:55:07.520 --> 02:55:12.000
can you imagine that? It is beyond all reason.

2767
02:55:12.000 --> 02:55:17.189
Gas prices rose not by a few percent but 3.

2768
02:55:17.189 --> 02:55:23.639
3 times; heating prices – by over 50 percent, if I am not mistaken;

2769
02:55:23.639 --> 02:55:29.876
electricity prices grew by some 53 percent last year and are expected 

2770
02:55:29.876 --> 02:55:33.440
to rise by another 63 percent this year.

2771
02:55:33.440 --> 02:55:39.120
I think it is economically unfeasible.

2772
02:55:39.120 --> 02:55:43.271
Why? Because the collectability of payments for gas, for example,

2773
02:55:43.271 --> 02:55:47.360
was the lowest among CIS countries: I do not remember the exact 

2774
02:55:47.360 --> 02:55:49.420
figure –about 20 percent, Mr Miller told me.

2775
02:55:49.420 --> 02:55:53.348
But if gas prices have gone up more than threefold,

2776
02:55:53.348 --> 02:55:59.220
nobody will pay– that is the problem.

2777
02:55:59.220 --> 02:56:05.200
However, we need a stable and prosperous Ukraine.

2778
02:56:05.200 --> 02:56:08.200
And we do hope that our expectations will come true.

2779
02:56:08.200 --> 02:56:12.264
Although the crisis that began there due to the well-known EU 

2780
02:56:12.264 --> 02:56:15.739
Association Agreement is some kind of man-made thing,

2781
02:56:15.739 --> 02:56:20.320
utter nonsense. I cannot understand why this was done.

2782
02:56:20.320 --> 02:56:24.040
It seems to me that it just served as a tool for regime change,

2783
02:56:24.060 --> 02:56:26.800
nothing more, and nobody cared for the people.

2784
02:56:26.800 --> 02:56:31.180
They signed an agreement; it came into force.

2785
02:56:31.180 --> 02:56:33.408
“This was a civilized choice.” 

2786
02:56:33.408 --> 02:56:36.620
What civilized choice are we talking about? Oligarchs are 

2787
02:56:36.620 --> 02:56:41.697
still in power. Some are trying to raise a scandal over offshore 

2788
02:56:41.697 --> 02:56:46.931
assets, but in Ukraine, even the national leaders are billionaires 

2789
02:56:46.931 --> 02:56:50.440
and entrepreneurs with offshore companies.

2790
02:56:50.440 --> 02:56:55.366
Fine, he earned a few billion and then handed the controls over 

2791
02:56:55.366 --> 02:56:58.550
to a nice girl who, for example, is a great lawyer –

2792
02:56:58.550 --> 02:57:02.800
and so what? Did he forget about these offshore assets? Nonsense.

2793
02:57:02.800 --> 02:57:07.880
Anyway, he will continue to control them and give instructions.

2794
02:57:12.360 --> 02:57:17.440
De-tycoonisation? No way, oligarchy is becoming stronger.

2795
02:57:17.440 --> 02:57:20.088
It is not even about specific individuals,

2796
02:57:20.088 --> 02:57:23.432
but about a clan management system that has strengthened in recent 

2797
02:57:23.432 --> 02:57:26.520
years. This is not just our assessment but also that of our Western 

2798
02:57:26.520 --> 02:57:30.200
partners. I am telling you, I know what I am talking about.

2799
02:57:30.200 --> 02:57:34.770
Nevertheless, we are interested in Ukraine getting back on its feet,

2800
02:57:34.770 --> 02:57:37.741
in having a reliable partner and in ensuring that what is happening 

2801
02:57:37.741 --> 02:57:40.080
now, even in the economic sphere,

2802
02:57:40.080 --> 02:57:41.776
does not happen again.

2803
02:57:41.776 --> 02:57:46.243
We have established zero customs tariffs with Europe for them,

2804
02:57:46.243 --> 02:57:51.214
while [their] trade turnover with Europe fell by 23 percent and with 

2805
02:57:51.214 --> 02:57:52.800
Russia, by 50 percent.

2806
02:57:52.800 --> 02:57:58.800
Who has gained from this? Why was this done? This is incomprehensible.

2807
02:57:58.800 --> 02:58:04.268
Yes, we introduced countermeasures in response to Ukraine joining 

2808
02:58:04.268 --> 02:58:06.920
the EU sanctions against Russia,

2809
02:58:06.920 --> 02:58:10.698
but we introduced them six months after they did.

2810
02:58:10.698 --> 02:58:14.539
And then my colleagues ask me, “Why did you do this?” 

2811
02:58:14.539 --> 02:58:18.680
I say, “Listen, it was you, the EU, who introduced sanctions against us and we did 

2812
02:58:18.680 --> 02:58:21.840
nothing for six months; we were waiting for you to come to your 

2813
02:58:21.840 --> 02:58:24.600
senses.” “Well, this makes no difference to you,

2814
02:58:24.600 --> 02:58:27.939
but it is hurting us because of this and that…”

2815
02:58:27.939 --> 02:58:29.920
 Well then, they should not have done that.

2816
02:58:29.920 --> 02:58:35.876
Nevertheless, I hope that the new government will draw conclusions from 

2817
02:58:35.876 --> 02:58:40.840
what has been happening recently and will act pragmatically 

2818
02:58:40.840 --> 02:58:45.450
and in the interest of the people, its own people,

2819
02:58:45.450 --> 02:58:50.891
and not be guided by some phobia or another just to please 

2820
02:58:50.891 --> 02:58:52.920
some foreign agencies.

2821
02:58:54.060 --> 02:58:55.965
We have been working for almost three hours now.

2822
02:58:55.965 --> 02:58:57.980
They tell me over 3 million questions have been submitted 

2823
02:58:57.980 --> 02:58:59.448
to our programme’s website.

2824
02:58:59.448 --> 02:59:01.560
The rate at which calls are coming in is also growing.

2825
02:59:01.560 --> 02:59:05.079
Let us go to the processing centre. Tatyana, go ahead please.

2826
02:59:05.299 --> 02:59:07.460
Thank you, Yevgeny. The rate at which calls are coming in,

2827
02:59:07.460 --> 02:59:14.621
I can tell you, is 2,500 calls per minute and 8,000 SMS and MMS messages per minute.

2828
02:59:14.621 --> 02:59:18.400
The Russian people are displaying great interest in the decision that 

2829
02:59:18.400 --> 02:59:20.640
you, Mr President, announced last week,

2830
02:59:20.640 --> 02:59:22.360
i.e., the creation of the National Guard.

2831
02:59:22.360 --> 02:59:24.519
We can put through a call on this subject.

2832
02:59:24.519 --> 02:59:28.920
Abdurakhman Khavchayev from Dagestan. Go ahead please.

2833
02:59:31.200 --> 02:59:34.680
Good afternoon, Mr President.

2834
02:59:34.680 --> 02:59:38.320
I would like to ask what prompted you to issue an executive order 

2835
02:59:38.320 --> 02:59:42.280
on the creation of the National Guard? Why did the Internal Troops 

2836
02:59:42.280 --> 02:59:45.600
cease to meet the requirements? And will the National Guard have 

2837
02:59:45.600 --> 02:59:49.280
functions and powers that the Internal Troops did not have? Thank you.

2838
02:59:50.380 --> 02:59:54.000
What prompted me to do this? I must tell you that this matter had been 

2839
02:59:54.000 --> 02:59:59.840
considered for a long time and from various angles.

2840
02:59:59.840 --> 03:00:05.382
The first and perhaps the most important consideration behind this 

2841
03:00:05.382 --> 03:00:11.339
decision is the need to place the circulation of weapons in the country 

2842
03:00:11.339 --> 03:00:13.159
under special control.

2843
03:00:13.159 --> 03:00:17.911
If you paid attention, this decision involves not simply removing 

2844
03:00:17.911 --> 03:00:21.295
the Internal Troops from the Interior Ministry,

2845
03:00:21.295 --> 03:00:26.119
but has to do with the fact that everything connected with weapons,

2846
03:00:26.119 --> 03:00:29.720
with firearms, is concentrated within this agency.

2847
03:00:29.720 --> 03:00:34.598
This includes all kinds of guard services, the licensing system,

2848
03:00:34.598 --> 03:00:39.132
oversight of private security companies and also 

2849
03:00:39.132 --> 03:00:42.000
the Internal Troops themselves.

2850
03:00:42.000 --> 03:00:49.589
We hope to make this work more efficient and to minimise maintenance 

2851
03:00:49.589 --> 03:00:52.559
costs for various services.

2852
03:00:52.559 --> 03:01:01.220
The Finance Ministry also actively promoted this idea of optimising 

2853
03:01:01.220 --> 03:01:08.079
primarily administrative and staff structures.

2854
03:01:08.079 --> 03:01:12.480
This is also related to what happens and should happen 

2855
03:01:12.480 --> 03:01:16.640
in the Interior Ministry and the National Guard itself.

2856
03:01:17.700 --> 03:01:21.320
The reform of the Interior Ministry turned out to be fairly 

2857
03:01:21.320 --> 03:01:24.040
large-scale. Employees of the FMS and the FDCS,

2858
03:01:24.040 --> 03:01:27.800
the Federal Migration Service and the Federal Drug Control Service are 

2859
03:01:27.800 --> 03:01:31.500
asking, “Why have these services been disbanded?” 

2860
03:01:31.500 --> 03:01:34.920
We receive the following queries: “Tell us what will happen to FMS employees,

2861
03:01:34.920 --> 03:01:36.920
as there seem to be no vacancies in the Ministry of the Interior?” 

2862
03:01:36.920 --> 03:01:39.880
I will add a question of my own: Will this reform affect the passport 

2863
03:01:39.880 --> 03:01:41.920
issue time? It would be nice to know.

2864
03:01:41.920 --> 03:01:43.800
And one more question: the FDCS has also been disbanded.

2865
03:01:43.800 --> 03:01:46.600
What will happen to the thousands of its employees? Mass-scale cuts 

2866
03:01:46.600 --> 03:01:48.920
and, hence, thousands of unemployed?

2867
03:01:49.460 --> 03:01:52.800
No, there will be no mass-scale cuts.

2868
03:01:52.880 --> 03:01:56.586
Certain optimisation is inevitable as I have already said,

2869
03:01:56.586 --> 03:02:00.420
but it will be carried out for the most part at the expense 

2870
03:02:00.420 --> 03:02:03.680
of servicing departments: staff, finance and so on.

2871
03:02:03.680 --> 03:02:08.001
As for the FDCS, the Federal Drug Control Service,

2872
03:02:08.001 --> 03:02:11.200
this is what should take place there.

2873
03:02:11.200 --> 03:02:13.720
Let us say it has an investigating unit.

2874
03:02:13.760 --> 03:02:19.514
Naturally, it should merge with the Interior Ministry Investigating Department.

2875
03:02:19.514 --> 03:02:23.639
The same applies to servicing units: accounting and so on.

2876
03:02:23.639 --> 03:02:26.360
Some optimisation is possible at this point,

2877
03:02:26.360 --> 03:02:28.120
which is what the Ministry of Finance is counting on.

2878
03:02:28.120 --> 03:02:34.047
As for the operatives, the main workforce,

2879
03:02:34.047 --> 03:02:39.200
we realise full well that they cannot be reduced.

2880
03:02:39.200 --> 03:02:41.900
Nobody is going to do this by virtue of the tremendous 

2881
03:02:41.900 --> 03:02:44.440
tasks that this agency addresses.

2882
03:02:44.440 --> 03:02:48.740
That said we believe we will manage to avoid overlapping between 

2883
03:02:48.740 --> 03:02:51.080
the Ministry of the Interior and the former FDCS,

2884
03:02:51.080 --> 03:02:57.120
because the ministry’s job was to counter drug trafficking as well.

2885
03:02:57.120 --> 03:03:00.460
What’s the point of two departments working in parallel? 

2886
03:03:00.460 --> 03:03:03.620
On the contrary, we hope for a positive change here.

2887
03:03:03.620 --> 03:03:08.200
The same applies to the Federal Migration Service.

2888
03:03:08.200 --> 03:03:13.822
First, there will be no delays in the issue of passports or other 

2889
03:03:13.822 --> 03:03:19.615
documents; and, second, it is impossible to monitor migration flows 

2890
03:03:19.615 --> 03:03:23.960
without the Interior Ministry’s active involvement.

2891
03:03:23.960 --> 03:03:25.400
This is simply impossible.

2892
03:03:25.400 --> 03:03:30.408
Considering how sensitive migration processes are,

2893
03:03:30.408 --> 03:03:37.520
the state should enhance its attention to them rather than decrease it.

2894
03:03:37.520 --> 03:03:43.360
In effect, these were the considerations for making these decisions.

2895
03:03:43.360 --> 03:03:46.006
Let me repeat that we discussed them many times, in part,

2896
03:03:46.006 --> 03:03:47.680
at the Security Council level.

2897
03:03:48.700 --> 03:03:50.440
Nagorno-Karabakh is another topic.

2898
03:03:50.440 --> 03:03:53.360
Many Russian citizens are ethnic Armenians,

2899
03:03:53.360 --> 03:03:56.080
and over one and a half million ethnic Azerbaijanis have 

2900
03:03:56.080 --> 03:03:58.519
Russian passports. It is not uncommon for them to live side by side,

2901
03:03:58.519 --> 03:04:00.080
engage in joint ventures, and even become relatives.

2902
03:04:00.080 --> 03:04:02.660
It goes without saying that what is now happening in Nagorno-Karabakh 

2903
03:04:02.660 --> 03:04:04.440
is a matter of grave concern for them.

2904
03:04:04.440 --> 03:04:07.020
So the question is, “What prospects do you personally see for settling 

2905
03:04:07.020 --> 03:04:09.520
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?”

2906
03:04:11.260 --> 03:04:13.480
This is a very sensitive issue,

2907
03:04:13.480 --> 03:04:20.525
and I believe that we should be very cautious in dealing with it,

2908
03:04:20.525 --> 03:04:26.162
applying the well-known principle of medical ethics,

2909
03:04:26.162 --> 03:04:30.931
“Do no harm”. This is a long-standing issue,

2910
03:04:30.931 --> 03:04:34.720
a conflict that has been frozen.

2911
03:04:34.720 --> 03:04:37.280
Unfortunately, there has been a surge in violence.

2912
03:04:37.280 --> 03:04:43.116
We will do our best to resolve it and find solutions that 

2913
03:04:43.116 --> 03:04:46.840
would be acceptable for both parties.

2914
03:04:46.840 --> 03:04:50.760
Of course, Karabakh needs long-term solutions.

2915
03:04:50.760 --> 03:04:56.476
Let me emphasise that they can be reached only through political means 

2916
03:04:56.476 --> 03:05:00.261
and compromise, which is a common thing to say,

2917
03:05:00.261 --> 03:05:03.460
but I cannot think of anything else.

2918
03:05:03.460 --> 03:05:12.420
A few years ago, it seemed that we had come close to a compromise.

2919
03:05:12.420 --> 03:05:15.680
Unfortunately, it turned out that this was not the case.

2920
03:05:15.680 --> 03:05:21.551
We will continue our international efforts and carry on bilateral 

2921
03:05:21.551 --> 03:05:26.000
cooperation to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh issue.

2922
03:05:26.000 --> 03:05:29.253
No matter what is being said on this subject,

2923
03:05:29.253 --> 03:05:32.433
Russia is interested in settling this issue,

2924
03:05:32.433 --> 03:05:36.337
as we want to have full-fledged cooperation with both 

2925
03:05:36.337 --> 03:05:38.000
Azerbaijan and Armenia.

2926
03:05:38.000 --> 03:05:44.132
You were right in saying that many people of Armenian and Azerbaijani 

2927
03:05:44.132 --> 03:05:50.220
descent live in Russia; there are millions of them.

2928
03:05:50.220 --> 03:05:53.880
Thank God, there are no problems of this kind in Russia.

2929
03:05:53.880 --> 03:05:57.581
Moreover, I know both Armenians and Azerbaijanis who,

2930
03:05:57.581 --> 03:06:01.770
despite all the tragic events, maintain very good relations 

2931
03:06:01.770 --> 03:06:06.240
on a personal level. I believe that this is the right way to go.

2932
03:06:06.240 --> 03:06:09.080
Russia will do what it can in this respect.

2933
03:06:09.080 --> 03:06:13.090
Of course, the people of Armenia and Azerbaijan must have the final say 

2934
03:06:13.090 --> 03:06:15.040
in the resolution of this conflict.

2935
03:06:16.300 --> 03:06:17.840
It is now time to move to another region –

2936
03:06:17.840 --> 03:06:21.320
Tomsk. We are live with Tomsk State University and our 

2937
03:06:21.320 --> 03:06:23.420
correspondent there is Pavel Krasnov.

2938
03:06:38.580 --> 03:06:40.320
Good afternoon to the Moscow studio.

2939
03:06:40.320 --> 03:06:41.600
Greetings from Tomsk.

2940
03:06:41.600 --> 03:06:43.480
This is a city of students, researchers,

2941
03:06:43.480 --> 03:06:46.280
one of the key research and educational centres in Siberia,

2942
03:06:46.280 --> 03:06:48.120
as well as Russia in general.

2943
03:06:48.120 --> 03:06:50.880
We are now in Tomsk State University.

2944
03:06:50.880 --> 03:06:54.800
This was actually the first higher educational institution 

2945
03:06:54.800 --> 03:06:58.800
east of the Urals. It was established in the late 19th century.

2946
03:06:58.800 --> 03:07:02.600
Back then, the name of the university was much longer.

2947
03:07:02.600 --> 03:07:07.360
It was called the First Siberian Tomsk Imperial State Classical University.

2948
03:07:07.360 --> 03:07:09.935
Since then, the name got shorter,

2949
03:07:09.935 --> 03:07:13.120
while the university itself grew and expanded. And it was not alone.

2950
03:07:13.120 --> 03:07:16.120
Tomsk is now home to a number of major universities,

2951
03:07:16.120 --> 03:07:19.000
and 20 percent of local residents are students.

2952
03:07:19.000 --> 03:07:24.980
Of course, there are no students without faculty and researchers.

2953
03:07:24.980 --> 03:07:28.329
They are all here today: students, faculty,

2954
03:07:28.329 --> 03:07:33.004
researchers and those who dedicated their lives to academia 

2955
03:07:33.004 --> 03:07:34.640
and higher education.

2956
03:07:34.640 --> 03:07:38.357
We invited them here, to the so-called professor’s hall 

2957
03:07:38.357 --> 03:07:41.040
of Tomsk University research library.

2958
03:07:41.040 --> 03:07:45.120
I would like to start by introducing Professor, Doctor of Science,

2959
03:07:45.120 --> 03:07:48.312
Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences Yevgeny Choynzonov,

2960
03:07:48.312 --> 03:07:50.460
who heads the Tomsk Cancer Research Institute.

2961
03:07:50.460 --> 03:07:53.200
Mr Choynzonov, you can put ask your question to the President.

2962
03:07:54.060 --> 03:07:56.160
Good day, Mr President!

2963
03:07:56.160 --> 03:08:01.360
This country has been pursuing the reform of the Russian Academy 

2964
03:08:01.360 --> 03:08:04.640
of Sciences for two and a half years now.

2965
03:08:04.640 --> 03:08:10.148
Nearly all research institutions of the country have been involved 

2966
03:08:10.148 --> 03:08:14.753
in the process, and a large medical research centre has 

2967
03:08:14.753 --> 03:08:16.480
been set up in Tomsk.

2968
03:08:16.480 --> 03:08:22.826
However, the research community is divided on the deadlines, phases,

2969
03:08:22.826 --> 03:08:26.000
and ways of reforming the Academy.

2970
03:08:26.000 --> 03:08:30.157
Perhaps, it is premature to draw even preliminary conclusions,

2971
03:08:30.157 --> 03:08:33.376
but I would still like to ask you, Mr President,

2972
03:08:33.376 --> 03:08:37.400
whether the first years of the reform have lived up to your 

2973
03:08:37.400 --> 03:08:40.685
expectations. And how effective, in your opinion,

2974
03:08:40.685 --> 03:08:44.676
is the interaction between the Federal Agency for Scientific 

2975
03:08:44.676 --> 03:08:48.129
Organisations and the Russian Academy of Sciences?

2976
03:08:48.129 --> 03:08:48.800
Thank you.

2977
03:08:51.120 --> 03:08:54.240
I would tend to say they have, rather than not.

2978
03:08:54.240 --> 03:09:03.684
One of our priorities when we launched the reform of the Academy 

2979
03:09:03.684 --> 03:09:11.240
of Sciences was to involve young people in research.

2980
03:09:11.240 --> 03:09:18.320
We have recently seen a sharp rise in the number of young researchers.

2981
03:09:18.320 --> 03:09:31.400
If I am not mistaken, young scientists under 35 now make up over 40 percent

2982
03:09:31.400 --> 03:09:36.920
— almost 50, or 49 percent.

2983
03:09:36.920 --> 03:09:41.040
And this is a good indicator, first of all.

2984
03:09:41.040 --> 03:09:47.407
Secondly, we have been talking about how to overhaul the way research 

2985
03:09:47.407 --> 03:09:53.320
institutes operate, how to make them focus on breakthrough areas.

2986
03:09:53.320 --> 03:09:57.180
Here I also see positive changes, because,

2987
03:09:57.180 --> 03:10:03.246
as you know better than I do, modern science is developing mostly 

2988
03:10:03.246 --> 03:10:09.680
at the junction of subjects, and when we merge large research centres 

2989
03:10:09.680 --> 03:10:14.920
that survived from the Soviet times, we can — and we do –

2990
03:10:14.920 --> 03:10:18.480
come up with very good, efficient,

2991
03:10:18.480 --> 03:10:23.732
young and promising creative research teams working in breakthrough 

2992
03:10:23.732 --> 03:10:28.420
areas of modern science, working for the future.

2993
03:10:28.420 --> 03:10:33.194
I believe we are proceeding very carefully because we introduced 

2994
03:10:33.194 --> 03:10:38.854
a moratorium on the use of real estate,

2995
03:10:38.854 --> 03:10:46.600
material values and all the property that was left from Soviet times.

2996
03:10:46.600 --> 03:10:50.160
This was generally done properly,

2997
03:10:50.160 --> 03:10:53.120
I mean we did not lose anything.

2998
03:10:53.120 --> 03:10:57.444
Still, we are following the path of reform,

2999
03:10:57.444 --> 03:11:03.478
at least in the sense that we are merging some fairly large 

3000
03:11:03.478 --> 03:11:10.720
and promising research centres. So there is headway, and it is positive.

3001
03:11:12.100 --> 03:11:13.760
Another question from Tomsk.

3002
03:11:15.480 --> 03:11:18.080
Thank you. I would like to add that Tomsk,

3003
03:11:18.080 --> 03:11:21.080
a city that boasts vast scientific and educational traditions,

3004
03:11:21.080 --> 03:11:24.960
is known not only in Russia but also far beyond its borders.

3005
03:11:24.960 --> 03:11:28.520
Students from almost 50 countries study at the city's universities,

3006
03:11:28.520 --> 03:11:30.800
and there are even professors from abroad.

3007
03:11:30.800 --> 03:11:34.040
One of them is present here today.

3008
03:11:34.040 --> 03:11:40.181
Eva Burbo, who was born in Lithuania and arrived in Tomsk after her 

3009
03:11:40.181 --> 03:11:44.787
studies in the Netherlands, would also like to ask 

3010
03:11:44.787 --> 03:11:48.400
the President a question. Go ahead, Eva.

3011
03:11:48.400 --> 03:11:50.720
Good afternoon, Mr President.

3012
03:11:50.720 --> 03:11:55.520
I am a graduate of the Maastricht University Faculty of Law.

3013
03:11:55.520 --> 03:11:58.520
Honestly, it is a great honour for me to ask you a question,

3014
03:11:58.520 --> 03:12:00.939
as I follow the Direct Line every year.

3015
03:12:00.939 --> 03:12:04.040
My question has to do with security.

3016
03:12:04.040 --> 03:12:10.226
Currently, the situation in Europe is complicated following the recent 

3017
03:12:10.226 --> 03:12:16.151
events, and I no longer associate the word ”security“ with the word 

3018
03:12:16.151 --> 03:12:20.160
”Europe,“ as the feeling of safety is lacking.

3019
03:12:20.160 --> 03:12:23.719
I have worked here in Tomsk, at Tomsk State University,

3020
03:12:23.719 --> 03:12:28.249
for six months already and, frankly, I feel very comfortable here and,

3021
03:12:28.249 --> 03:12:30.320
I can say with confidence, safe.

3022
03:12:30.320 --> 03:12:33.113
My colleagues from other European countries,

3023
03:12:33.113 --> 03:12:35.840
such as Italy and Germany are also here.

3024
03:12:35.840 --> 03:12:39.600
So, my question is, what do you think of the possibility of more 

3025
03:12:39.600 --> 03:12:43.480
European students and teachers arriving in Russia in the near future? 

3026
03:12:43.480 --> 03:12:47.773
Is there any way to make it easier for them to be admitted 

3027
03:12:47.773 --> 03:12:50.320
to Russian universities? Thank you.

3028
03:12:50.900 --> 03:12:55.621
Indeed, Europe is facing serious challenges,

3029
03:12:55.621 --> 03:13:00.880
and you probably feel safer in Siberia than, say,

3030
03:13:00.880 --> 03:13:03.280
in Paris or Brussels.

3031
03:13:03.280 --> 03:13:07.647
I say this without any irony, on the contrary, I am totally serious,

3032
03:13:07.647 --> 03:13:09.960
giving due credit to our colleagues,

3033
03:13:09.960 --> 03:13:16.627
who are making attempts to effectively tackle terrorism amidst 

3034
03:13:16.627 --> 03:13:23.580
the complicated conditions of European liberalism.

3035
03:13:23.580 --> 03:13:28.678
The freedom of movement, the Schengen Area and many other things 

3036
03:13:28.678 --> 03:13:33.620
related to today's freedoms are used effectively by terrorists,

3037
03:13:33.620 --> 03:13:39.500
and it is quite difficult to combat this under the present laws.

3038
03:13:39.500 --> 03:13:42.518
Russia is not part of the Schengen Area,

3039
03:13:42.518 --> 03:13:47.016
and I think as a person living currently in Tomsk in Siberia you can 

3040
03:13:47.016 --> 03:13:52.120
rightly speak of a greater feeling of security than in Europe.

3041
03:13:52.140 --> 03:13:57.517
We will definitely welcome foreign specialists and students arriving 

3042
03:13:57.517 --> 03:14:02.446
to work and study here, and I have to say,

3043
03:14:02.446 --> 03:14:05.620
their numbers are growing.

3044
03:14:05.620 --> 03:14:11.773
I do not know if there are any restrictions – I believe there are none;

3045
03:14:11.773 --> 03:14:18.013
there are only restrictions as to publicly-funded education for foreign 

3046
03:14:18.013 --> 03:14:22.580
students – these do exist, that is true.

3047
03:14:22.580 --> 03:14:24.760
In other words, the Russian budget –

3048
03:14:24.760 --> 03:14:28.160
this mostly applies to developing countries –

3049
03:14:28.160 --> 03:14:31.559
provides government-subsidised slots for free tuition,

3050
03:14:31.559 --> 03:14:34.265
but otherwise for the most part, of course,

3051
03:14:34.265 --> 03:14:38.546
you have to pay. However, I do not think there are any restrictions 

3052
03:14:38.546 --> 03:14:40.120
on paid forms of tuition.

3053
03:14:40.120 --> 03:14:43.650
Still, if you see that something is hindering the increase 

3054
03:14:43.650 --> 03:14:48.420
in the number of interested parties, we will look at this again.

3055
03:14:48.420 --> 03:14:53.641
Regarding additional methods of enlisting, say, foreign specialists,

3056
03:14:53.641 --> 03:14:59.092
these include grants; we have maintained mega-grant programmes for all 

3057
03:14:59.092 --> 03:15:02.931
scientists regardless of whether they are Russian 

3058
03:15:02.931 --> 03:15:08.080
or foreign or Russians living abroad.

3059
03:15:08.080 --> 03:15:12.437
If their areas of research are of particular value to us,

3060
03:15:12.437 --> 03:15:15.266
they come here, hire local personnel,

3061
03:15:15.266 --> 03:15:21.080
employ domestic researchers and work. We will continue this practice.

3062
03:15:21.080 --> 03:15:22.280
I wish you success. All the best.

3063
03:15:24.460 --> 03:15:25.678
Thank you, Tomsk.

3064
03:15:25.678 --> 03:15:29.240
There is a question on our website related to the Timiryazev Academy.

3065
03:15:29.240 --> 03:15:30.995
It comes from Yekaterina Lavrova,

3066
03:15:30.995 --> 03:15:34.400
a postgraduate student at the Russian State Agrarian University.

3067
03:15:34.400 --> 03:15:37.390
Here is her question: “In the current situation,

3068
03:15:37.390 --> 03:15:40.383
when the issue of import substitution and training highly skilled 

3069
03:15:40.383 --> 03:15:43.048
personnel is looming large in Russia,

3070
03:15:43.048 --> 03:15:46.480
all of a sudden it became necessary to impound the lands 

3071
03:15:46.480 --> 03:15:48.279
of our Timiryazev Academy.

3072
03:15:48.279 --> 03:15:52.068
Tell me please, is it really necessary to take land from an academy 

3073
03:15:52.068 --> 03:15:53.906
where unique tests are conducted,

3074
03:15:53.906 --> 03:15:56.080
and what is the rationale behind this?”

3075
03:15:56.080 --> 03:16:00.812
Recently, just a few days ago, I was brought up to date 

3076
03:16:00.812 --> 03:16:03.854
on the situation by Andrei Fursenko,

3077
03:16:03.854 --> 03:16:08.780
my aide and former science and education minister.

3078
03:16:08.780 --> 03:16:13.122
We agreed that, first, the Timiryazev Academy will be left alone,

3079
03:16:13.122 --> 03:16:16.662
although of course Moscow should develop and housing 

3080
03:16:16.662 --> 03:16:19.700
construction should continue.

3081
03:16:20.380 --> 03:16:24.240
We will certainly discuss the issue with the Government.

3082
03:16:24.240 --> 03:16:26.120
I do not think there will be any problems here.

3083
03:16:26.120 --> 03:16:32.746
Nevertheless, the Timiryazev Academy itself should make efficient use 

3084
03:16:32.746 --> 03:16:40.840
of the resources that is has, including its land resources.

3085
03:16:40.840 --> 03:16:45.595
If this land was provided in its time for research and the for carrying 

3086
03:16:45.595 --> 03:16:49.294
out this primary activity, then this activity should be 

3087
03:16:49.294 --> 03:16:50.880
carried out efficiently.

3088
03:16:51.640 --> 03:16:55.760
Let us give the floor to Tatyana Remezova at the call centre.

3089
03:16:56.400 --> 03:16:57.519
Thanks, Valeriya.

3090
03:16:57.519 --> 03:17:00.400
Let us not waste time and answer a call.

3091
03:17:00.400 --> 03:17:03.160
The editors are telling me that we have Natalia Kindikova 

3092
03:17:03.160 --> 03:17:04.918
from Moscow on the line.

3093
03:17:04.918 --> 03:17:07.160
Good afternoon, Natalia. What is your question, please.

3094
03:17:07.880 --> 03:17:11.639
My name is Natalia Kindikova.

3095
03:17:11.639 --> 03:17:16.200
I am speaking on behalf of all the stakeholders from Solnechnogorsk 

3096
03:17:16.200 --> 03:17:19.685
District of Moscow Region, 850 families in total. 

3097
03:17:19.685 --> 03:17:23.460
We invested over 4.5 billion rubles in the construction of two villages,

3098
03:17:23.460 --> 03:17:27.480
Bely Gorod and Nemetskaya Derevnya.

3099
03:17:27.500 --> 03:17:31.324
The owners of the Sabidom company began the construction but then 

3100
03:17:31.324 --> 03:17:34.960
dropped it, pocketing our money.

3101
03:17:34.960 --> 03:17:39.160
Some stakeholders used their maternity capital to pay for the housing.

3102
03:17:39.160 --> 03:17:41.840
Despite hundreds of complaints to the Interior Ministry,

3103
03:17:41.840 --> 03:17:44.020
criminal proceedings have not been initiated for almost a year.

3104
03:17:44.020 --> 03:17:46.960
We understand that you cannot return our money to us,

3105
03:17:46.960 --> 03:17:50.720
but could we ask you to order an investigation to find and punish 

3106
03:17:50.720 --> 03:17:54.905
the defrauders and to help us find reliable investors 

3107
03:17:54.905 --> 03:17:59.960
to complete the construction? Thank you.

3108
03:18:00.340 --> 03:18:03.026
Have you turned to the law enforcement authorities?

3109
03:18:03.026 --> 03:18:05.397
Of course, we have.

3110
03:18:05.397 --> 03:18:08.440
Could you repeat the address of the construction site?

3111
03:18:08.440 --> 03:18:13.840
The village of Nikolo-Cherkizovo in the rural town of Kutuzovskoye.

3112
03:18:13.840 --> 03:18:16.541
Solnechnogorsk District, Moscow Region.

3113
03:18:16.541 --> 03:18:20.560
Our non-existing village already has a name – Bely Gorod –

3114
03:18:20.560 --> 03:18:23.720
and the second village, Nemetskaya Derevnya, is located nearby.

3115
03:18:24.100 --> 03:18:28.280
I promise you I will make every effort to draw the law enforcement 

3116
03:18:28.280 --> 03:18:30.440
agencies’ attention to the problem.

3117
03:18:30.440 --> 03:18:36.240
We do not know yet how this story will end, but we will do our best.

3118
03:18:36.240 --> 03:18:38.419
While we were speaking with you,

3119
03:18:38.419 --> 03:18:41.756
I looked up at the scrolling text on the screen –

3120
03:18:41.756 --> 03:18:44.208
not just a line, but a whole screen,

3121
03:18:44.208 --> 03:18:48.840
and saw a question about the National Guard: 

3122
03:18:48.840 --> 03:18:52.000
“The National Guard is subordinate to the President.

3123
03:18:52.000 --> 03:18:55.800
Do you not trust the law enforcement ministers?” It is not about trust 

3124
03:18:55.800 --> 03:19:00.360
but about the fact that the National Guard has been established 

3125
03:19:00.360 --> 03:19:03.680
as a separate independent federal agency with the authority 

3126
03:19:03.680 --> 03:19:07.240
of a government ministry, and all law enforcement ministries 

3127
03:19:07.240 --> 03:19:09.799
and agencies are subordinate to the President.

3128
03:19:10.699 --> 03:19:12.600
Now we will connect to one more location where our 

3129
03:19:12.600 --> 03:19:14.240
colleagues are working. This is Tula,

3130
03:19:14.240 --> 03:19:17.160
Russia’s weapons capital. I am giving the floor to Anton Vernitsky.

3131
03:19:29.180 --> 03:19:31.480
Tula is Russia’s weapons capital.

3132
03:19:31.480 --> 03:19:34.920
This is the Instrument Design Bureau of the Rostekh Corporation.

3133
03:19:34.920 --> 03:19:37.400
Its workers simply call it IDB.

3134
03:19:37.400 --> 03:19:43.660
The latest Russian weapons are being assembled at this munitions factory. 

3135
03:19:43.660 --> 03:19:45.050
What is this complex called?

3136
03:19:45.050 --> 03:19:45.892
Bakhcha.

3137
03:19:46.432 --> 03:19:51.159
Bakhcha is a unique module that can be installed practically on any 

3138
03:19:51.159 --> 03:19:57.080
platform, from ICVs and airborne combat vehicles to warships.

3139
03:19:57.080 --> 03:19:59.600
They fire practically automatically,

3140
03:19:59.600 --> 03:20:01.200
without human involvement.

3141
03:20:01.200 --> 03:20:04.784
And this is the Pantsir air defence complex, or, to be more precise,

3142
03:20:04.784 --> 03:20:07.789
its combat element, which is also produced at this plant.

3143
03:20:07.789 --> 03:20:09.951
Such complexes protect the Russian skies,

3144
03:20:09.951 --> 03:20:11.691
including the skies above Moscow.

3145
03:20:11.691 --> 03:20:13.800
Some of them are now operating in Syria.

3146
03:20:13.800 --> 03:20:16.760
They are located around the Hmeimim air base,

3147
03:20:16.760 --> 03:20:18.879
where our Russian pilots are deployed.

3148
03:20:18.879 --> 03:20:23.485
Here we have people of completely different occupations,

3149
03:20:23.485 --> 03:20:28.540
and we will of course talk about the defence industry.

3150
03:20:28.540 --> 03:20:30.760
The first question comes from a young specialist.

3151
03:20:31.060 --> 03:20:32.320
Good afternoon, Mr President.

3152
03:20:32.320 --> 03:20:40.160
Our operation in Syria demonstrated top-notch Russian-made weapons.

3153
03:20:40.160 --> 03:20:43.280
How can we consolidate this success and sign more contracts with 

3154
03:20:43.280 --> 03:20:46.760
foreign countries for our arms supplies?

3155
03:20:47.120 --> 03:20:49.320
This is exactly what we will do.

3156
03:20:49.320 --> 03:20:59.080
To begin with, recently we held a meeting of the Special Commission on Military-Technical Cooperation.

3157
03:20:59.080 --> 03:21:03.896
In its open part, I described what our weapons makers have achieved 

3158
03:21:03.896 --> 03:21:06.800
in conquering international arms markets.

3159
03:21:06.800 --> 03:21:09.160
We occupy a stable second place.

3160
03:21:09.160 --> 03:21:11.842
The first place belongs to the United States: they sell 

3161
03:21:11.842 --> 03:21:14.620
more weapons than anyone else.

3162
03:21:14.620 --> 03:21:18.480
We are lagging a bit behind the US but not much.

3163
03:21:18.480 --> 03:21:25.000
The gap between us and those behind is huge, a factor of several times.

3164
03:21:25.000 --> 03:21:31.160
I believe last year we sold almost $15 billion worth of arms.

3165
03:21:31.160 --> 03:21:33.800
The year before last was $15 billion,

3166
03:21:33.800 --> 03:21:35.880
and last year we sold $14.5 billion worth of arms.

3167
03:21:35.880 --> 03:21:39.240
The total portfolio of orders for the next few years 

3168
03:21:39.240 --> 03:21:41.240
amounts to $50 billion.

3169
03:21:41.240 --> 03:21:43.622
The interest in our weapons, especially 

3170
03:21:43.622 --> 03:21:47.554
(as you rightly pointed out) after or during the operation of our 

3171
03:21:47.554 --> 03:21:51.009
Aerospace Forces, and generally our Armed Forces in Syria,

3172
03:21:51.009 --> 03:21:52.320
has sharply increased.

3173
03:21:52.320 --> 03:21:58.996
We cannot meet the requirements of the foreign market in certain types 

3174
03:21:58.996 --> 03:22:03.040
of arms, for instance, air defence systems.

3175
03:22:03.040 --> 03:22:07.669
This is exactly why – or this is one reason, among others –

3176
03:22:07.669 --> 03:22:12.612
we even had to build two new plants for the production of this 

3177
03:22:12.612 --> 03:22:15.560
hardware. It is even possible to say three,

3178
03:22:15.560 --> 03:22:18.020
and I visited one of them recently.

3179
03:22:18.020 --> 03:22:24.160
So, we are on the upsurge in this respect.

3180
03:22:25.020 --> 03:22:27.780
And how did our combat equipment manifest itself in Syria? 

3181
03:22:27.780 --> 03:22:30.020
Were any shortcomings revealed?

3182
03:22:30.020 --> 03:22:35.240
Yes, everything was revealed, including shortcomings.

3183
03:22:35.240 --> 03:22:38.480
I must openly admit that there were quite a few.

3184
03:22:38.480 --> 03:22:41.400
Specialists are now meticulously analysing them.

3185
03:22:41.400 --> 03:22:46.893
Moreover, when military hardware was used in combat conditions,

3186
03:22:46.893 --> 03:22:52.909
specialists from many plants came to the site to bring this hardware 

3187
03:22:52.909 --> 03:22:56.920
to the required condition. The work continues.

3188
03:22:57.260 --> 03:23:00.360
We are waiting for another question from our arms manufacturers. Anton?

3189
03:23:00.640 --> 03:23:03.260
Mr President, you have often been to Tula,

3190
03:23:03.260 --> 03:23:05.200
including this enterprise.

3191
03:23:05.200 --> 03:23:08.440
As we talked to the employees before going live,

3192
03:23:08.440 --> 03:23:12.540
we recalled how one worker asked you for a souvenir 

3193
03:23:12.540 --> 03:23:17.160
and wheedled a watch out of you.

3194
03:23:17.160 --> 03:23:19.760
We tried to invite him to this call-in show…

3195
03:23:19.760 --> 03:23:22.440
I have come without a watch today. (Applause.)

3196
03:23:28.940 --> 03:23:33.280
We wanted to invite this worker to the show but the management said he 

3197
03:23:33.280 --> 03:23:35.920
had left on an urgent out-of-town assignment.

3198
03:23:35.940 --> 03:23:39.080
Even so, we have a question from the head of the department where this 

3199
03:23:39.080 --> 03:23:40.960
wonderful man works and where we have gathered today.

3200
03:23:41.420 --> 03:23:43.700
First of all, give my best regards to your employee.

3201
03:23:43.700 --> 03:23:46.240
I hope that he uses this timepiece.

3202
03:23:47.360 --> 03:23:51.520
He does. He is now at Alabino, preparing the equipment for the parade.

3203
03:23:51.720 --> 03:23:52.150
I see.

3204
03:23:52.550 --> 03:23:53.446
Good afternoon, Mr President.

3205
03:23:53.446 --> 03:23:54.344
Good afternoon.

3206
03:23:54.344 --> 03:23:58.320
I am Yury Kuznetsov, head of the heavy machinery assembly shop.

3207
03:23:58.320 --> 03:24:01.840
My question will surely be of interest to all defence industry workers.

3208
03:24:01.840 --> 03:24:04.482
At present, we have a lot of orders,

3209
03:24:04.482 --> 03:24:07.639
a lot of work. We are buying new equipment.

3210
03:24:07.639 --> 03:24:10.160
A large number of young people have joined us.

3211
03:24:10.160 --> 03:24:13.600
However, there has been frequent talk recently to the effect that it is 

3212
03:24:13.600 --> 03:24:15.840
necessary to reduce state defence procurement orders.

3213
03:24:15.840 --> 03:24:18.360
Could it so happen that we will be left out of work and that,

3214
03:24:18.360 --> 03:24:22.519
as in the 1990s, we will have to carry out conversion programmes such 

3215
03:24:22.519 --> 03:24:25.680
as manufacturing saucepans, frying pans, and other household appliances?

3216
03:24:25.880 --> 03:24:27.760
Indeed, this is not an idle question.

3217
03:24:27.760 --> 03:24:30.877
However, first of all, I should tell you that state defence 

3218
03:24:30.877 --> 03:24:32.280
orders will not be reduced.

3219
03:24:32.280 --> 03:24:35.542
True, we are reducing the budgets of the Defence Ministry and some,

3220
03:24:35.542 --> 03:24:37.149
in fact, practically all defence,

3221
03:24:37.149 --> 03:24:39.600
security and law enforcement agencies.

3222
03:24:39.600 --> 03:24:43.218
Yes, we are doing this in connection with well-known 

3223
03:24:43.218 --> 03:24:44.720
budgetary constraints.

3224
03:24:44.720 --> 03:24:48.820
And this is absolutely natural in the present-day situation.

3225
03:24:48.820 --> 03:24:51.108
We should temper the appetites of defence,

3226
03:24:51.108 --> 03:24:53.178
security and law enforcement agencies,

3227
03:24:53.178 --> 03:24:56.120
just as we are doing with regard to civilian agencies.

3228
03:24:56.120 --> 03:24:59.440
It is essential to make more efficient use of budget resources.

3229
03:24:59.440 --> 03:25:05.018
However, these constraints apply to current operations, I stress,

3230
03:25:05.018 --> 03:25:08.880
current operations, not state defence orders.

3231
03:25:08.880 --> 03:25:13.320
The state defence order will be fulfilled in full.

3232
03:25:13.320 --> 03:25:17.770
However, you are right in that the number of contracts 

3233
03:25:17.770 --> 03:25:22.934
and the utilisation of manufacturing capacities this year and next are 

3234
03:25:22.934 --> 03:25:27.860
at a peak level, but then it will start to fall as our Armed Forces are 

3235
03:25:27.860 --> 03:25:31.219
provided with modern arms and equipment,

3236
03:25:31.219 --> 03:25:33.600
which should account for up to 70 percent.

3237
03:25:33.600 --> 03:25:35.880
Naturally, the question of how to utilise manufacturing 

3238
03:25:35.880 --> 03:25:38.327
capacities in the future will come up.

3239
03:25:38.327 --> 03:25:40.759
Needless to say, we should think about this now,

3240
03:25:40.759 --> 03:25:43.760
and not only we but also you should think about this.

3241
03:25:43.760 --> 03:25:46.680
We should think about the conversion of enterprises.

3242
03:25:46.680 --> 03:25:52.632
As defence enterprises are supplied with modern equipment,

3243
03:25:52.632 --> 03:25:59.200
a total of about 3 trillion rubles has been earmarked for this –

3244
03:25:59.200 --> 03:26:04.225
we act on the assumption that the equipment that will be procured can 

3245
03:26:04.225 --> 03:26:08.320
also be used for conversion in the future.

3246
03:26:08.620 --> 03:26:12.824
Perhaps it makes sense to give more leeway, so to speak,

3247
03:26:12.824 --> 03:26:16.952
on certain positions with regard to the implementation of state defence 

3248
03:26:16.952 --> 03:26:19.624
orders… By the way, this is exactly what we are doing,

3249
03:26:19.624 --> 03:26:20.960
but without any reductions.

3250
03:26:20.960 --> 03:26:26.216
We meet regularly, twice a year in Sochi to discuss these 

3251
03:26:26.216 --> 03:26:28.120
issues, among others.

3252
03:26:28.120 --> 03:26:32.189
Why Sochi? We go, or I take everyone along with me so as not be 

3253
03:26:32.189 --> 03:26:35.560
distracted by any other, also quite important issues.

3254
03:26:35.560 --> 03:26:39.920
However, we specifically discuss the implementation of state defence 

3255
03:26:39.920 --> 03:26:44.281
orders, the status of the industry and the objectives of modernising 

3256
03:26:44.281 --> 03:26:48.768
the Armed Forces, how these plans are implemented and what needs to be 

3257
03:26:48.768 --> 03:26:52.560
done to accomplish everything on time and with good quality.

3258
03:26:58.060 --> 03:26:59.260
Thank you, Valeriya.

3259
03:26:59.260 --> 03:27:03.160
By now, we have already received nearly 50,000 MMS messages,

3260
03:27:03.180 --> 03:27:05.520
nearly 12,000 video calls 

3261
03:27:05.520 --> 03:27:08.440
and over 10,000 video questions. Apart from serious questions,

3262
03:27:08.440 --> 03:27:12.320
we have had unusual ones as well.

3263
03:27:12.320 --> 03:27:15.915
Some have invited you, Mr President, to their birthday party,

3264
03:27:15.915 --> 03:27:18.935
and some have asked to be invited to see you in the Kremlin.

3265
03:27:18.935 --> 03:27:22.437
Most of the questions come from the Central Federal District followed 

3266
03:27:22.437 --> 03:27:25.717
by the Southern and the Northwestern Districts.

3267
03:27:25.717 --> 03:27:29.197
Interestingly, for the first time men are sending in more 

3268
03:27:29.197 --> 03:27:32.637
video questions than women. Children are also very active.

3269
03:27:32.637 --> 03:27:34.937
And girls are the leaders here.

3270
03:27:34.937 --> 03:27:38.878
Here is a video sent in by Alina, a first-grade schoolgirl.

3271
03:27:39.698 --> 03:27:42.617
Good afternoon, Mr President.

3272
03:27:42.617 --> 03:27:43.340
Hello.

3273
03:27:43.340 --> 03:27:48.394
My name is Alina, and I am in first grade.

3274
03:27:48.394 --> 03:27:56.819
Could a woman become president of our Russia? Because daddy says that 

3275
03:27:56.819 --> 03:28:02.115
only Putin can deal with America. (applause)

3276
03:28:05.255 --> 03:28:11.814
Alina, we should not focus on how to deal with America.

3277
03:28:11.814 --> 03:28:16.179
We have to think about how to deal with our domestic affairs 

3278
03:28:16.179 --> 03:28:22.669
and problems, our roads, our healthcare, education,

3279
03:28:22.669 --> 03:28:28.905
how to develop our economy, restore it and reach 

3280
03:28:28.905 --> 03:28:32.087
the required growth pace.

3281
03:28:32.087 --> 03:28:35.807
If we do all this, we will not have to deal with anybody because then –

3282
03:28:35.807 --> 03:28:44.417
only in this case – we will be invulnerable people with bright 

3283
03:28:44.417 --> 03:28:53.027
prospects who want to live in this country and are proud of it.

3284
03:28:53.027 --> 03:29:00.053
As for a woman president, maybe a woman would do best 

3285
03:29:00.053 --> 03:29:03.567
at tackling these problems.

3286
03:29:04.367 --> 03:29:06.965
Here is another child’s video question.

3287
03:29:08.385 --> 03:29:14.657
What university does one need to study to become president? Thank you.

3288
03:29:15.537 --> 03:29:18.477
Any one, the main thing is to be a good student.

3289
03:29:23.957 --> 03:29:29.116
Now let us hear from not just one child, but a whole group of children.

3290
03:29:29.116 --> 03:29:29.758
Certainly.

3291
03:29:50.718 --> 03:29:52.730
Mr President,

3292
03:29:52.730 --> 03:29:57.033
We ask you on behalf of our hockey team to have an indoor ice palace 

3293
03:29:57.033 --> 03:30:00.453
built for our team and our city.

3294
03:30:06.173 --> 03:30:08.797
I see the boys are playing bandy,

3295
03:30:08.797 --> 03:30:11.818
which is also known as Russian hockey.

3296
03:30:11.818 --> 03:30:16.791
How can we decline to help Birobidzhan to build a facility for Russian 

3297
03:30:16.791 --> 03:30:19.032
hockey? We will certainly do it.

3298
03:30:19.032 --> 03:30:22.716
I recently met with our bandy players.

3299
03:30:22.716 --> 03:30:29.295
It is no exaggeration to say that they are outstanding: they score 

3300
03:30:29.295 --> 03:30:33.213
brilliant results year after year.

3301
03:30:33.213 --> 03:30:38.266
Overall, certain decisions are made to promote that sport,

3302
03:30:38.266 --> 03:30:43.145
but I think we should give it greater attention than we 

3303
03:30:43.145 --> 03:30:45.149
do – bandy deserves it.

3304
03:30:45.149 --> 03:30:51.073
We will see what can be done for that wonderful team in Birobidzhan.

3305
03:30:52.193 --> 03:30:54.371
We have been working for more than three and a half hours.

3306
03:30:54.371 --> 03:30:57.255
With your permission, we will ask you some questions we have selected 

3307
03:30:57.255 --> 03:30:58.861
ourselves while preparing for this programme.

3308
03:30:58.941 --> 03:31:01.232
Look, there are two messages on your screens,

3309
03:31:01.232 --> 03:31:04.365
though without addresses: “Help save a palace,

3310
03:31:04.365 --> 03:31:09.132
the face of our city. There is no money in the budget [to keep it up].”

3311
03:31:09.132 --> 03:31:11.212
I am not sure whether such messages are recorded.

3312
03:31:11.212 --> 03:31:13.035
We should find them, though there is no return address.

3313
03:31:13.035 --> 03:31:14.405
What is it all about?

3314
03:31:14.685 --> 03:31:16.242
They sometimes do not specify their name but give the phone 

3315
03:31:16.242 --> 03:31:17.406
number to trace them.

3316
03:31:17.746 --> 03:31:18.688
So much for that one.

3317
03:31:18.688 --> 03:31:21.668
And another, from Hydrostroi or something like that.

3318
03:31:21.668 --> 03:31:24.828
It passed very quickly, it was about wages five months overdue.

3319
03:31:24.828 --> 03:31:27.928
We should see the address, all right?

3320
03:31:27.928 --> 03:31:30.976
So there are questions from Ms Korableva and me,

3321
03:31:30.976 --> 03:31:34.088
which we selected while preparing this programme.

3322
03:31:34.088 --> 03:31:39.027
Alexander from Dubna asks: “How would you comment on Barack Obama’s 

3323
03:31:39.027 --> 03:31:42.368
admission that Libya was his biggest mistake?”

3324
03:31:46.968 --> 03:31:52.400
First, it proves once again that the incumbent US President 

3325
03:31:52.400 --> 03:31:55.868
is a man of integrity.

3326
03:31:55.868 --> 03:31:59.986
I am not being ironical in the slightest,

3327
03:31:59.986 --> 03:32:03.588
because it takes courage to make such confessions.

3328
03:32:03.588 --> 03:32:11.919
Even when he was a Senator, Mr Obama came down on the then 

3329
03:32:11.919 --> 03:32:17.568
Administration for the campaign in Iraq.

3330
03:32:17.568 --> 03:32:21.939
Regrettably, when he became President,

3331
03:32:21.939 --> 03:32:26.728
he made the blunders in Libya he has mentioned now.

3332
03:32:26.728 --> 03:32:32.120
It is good and correct for my colleague to be brave enough 

3333
03:32:32.120 --> 03:32:36.508
to make such statements. Not everyone can do it.

3334
03:32:36.508 --> 03:32:39.808
Whatever criticisms might be piled on him from all sides,

3335
03:32:39.808 --> 03:32:45.728
it takes a real strong man to do so. This is good.

3336
03:32:45.728 --> 03:32:50.308
What is bad about it is that more blunders are following.

3337
03:32:50.308 --> 03:32:53.050
There was a narrow escape from a repeat of the same error in Syria,

3338
03:32:53.050 --> 03:32:55.028
and we do not know what the end will be.

3339
03:32:55.028 --> 03:33:02.133
However, I would like to call your attention to the fairly positive 

3340
03:33:02.133 --> 03:33:09.030
turn which we have given the job of late: we are working together 

3341
03:33:09.030 --> 03:33:13.210
fairly intensively through the military,

3342
03:33:13.210 --> 03:33:18.957
secret services and foreign ministries to find the way 

3343
03:33:18.957 --> 03:33:21.988
to settle the Syria conflict.

3344
03:33:21.988 --> 03:33:26.848
I hope that these team efforts will bring us a positive result we will 

3345
03:33:26.848 --> 03:33:30.750
share, as was the case in other areas in the recent past.

3346
03:33:31.170 --> 03:33:34.748
Mr President, Nikita, a MIFI student asks what other enemies of Russia 

3347
03:33:34.748 --> 03:33:37.790
will be hit by our Aerospace Forces?

3348
03:33:45.530 --> 03:33:50.811
You know, our first task is to deal a blow against sloppy work and bad 

3349
03:33:50.811 --> 03:33:56.140
roads in the broadest sense of this phrase.

3350
03:33:59.240 --> 03:34:02.982
If we do this well and efficiently, if we achieve results,

3351
03:34:02.982 --> 03:34:11.927
our Armed Forces will really be invincible and the best in the world,

3352
03:34:11.927 --> 03:34:16.723
as we would like them to be: compact,

3353
03:34:16.723 --> 03:34:19.705
inexpensive and modern.

3354
03:34:19.705 --> 03:34:23.920
And then we will recall this wonderful song of the Soviet era: 

3355
03:34:23.920 --> 03:34:28.100
“The Red Army is the strongest from the taiga to the British seas."

3356
03:34:28.100 --> 03:34:31.352
It is the strongest of all as it is but it should fortify 

3357
03:34:31.352 --> 03:34:32.653
itself in this position.

3358
03:34:32.653 --> 03:34:36.113
First, about the information you saw on the screen: Hydrostroi,

3359
03:34:36.113 --> 03:34:37.598
the enterprise and organization,

3360
03:34:37.598 --> 03:34:39.353
are located in the city of Alagir, North Ossetia.

3361
03:34:39.513 --> 03:34:40.833
I will make a note of it later.

3362
03:34:40.873 --> 03:34:41.581
Sure.

3363
03:34:41.601 --> 03:34:43.762
A question from Crimea, the city of Simferopol.

3364
03:34:43.762 --> 03:34:46.009
Oleg Krasov asks you: “Mr President,

3365
03:34:46.009 --> 03:34:51.620
could you promise to Crimeans to run for presidency in 2018?”

3366
03:34:52.980 --> 03:34:58.040
Thank you very much for the question but I think it is premature.

3367
03:34:58.040 --> 03:35:04.640
In such cases I always say the same thing and will now repeat it again: 

3368
03:35:04.640 --> 03:35:09.379
we should be thinking today not about where and how we will work 

3369
03:35:09.379 --> 03:35:14.045
in the future, but how to justify the trust of our people today,

3370
03:35:14.045 --> 03:35:18.079
how to achieve the goals that we are setting before us and how 

3371
03:35:18.079 --> 03:35:20.280
to fulfil the promises we have made.

3372
03:35:20.280 --> 03:35:24.465
Relevant decisions will be made depending on future 

3373
03:35:24.465 --> 03:35:26.800
developments and performance.

3374
03:35:30.820 --> 03:35:34.736
One more question: “Is it convenient to have such a weak Government?” –

3375
03:35:34.736 --> 03:35:36.549
Yelena Ivanova, Nizhny Novgorod.

3376
03:35:36.949 --> 03:35:39.389
I do not think our Government is weak.

3377
03:35:39.389 --> 03:35:43.587
The Government and the Central Bank are operating 

3378
03:35:43.587 --> 03:35:47.610
in a professional manner. Of course,

3379
03:35:47.610 --> 03:35:50.170
this is a complicated job.

3380
03:35:50.170 --> 03:35:52.410
As you may know, I worked in the Government myself.

3381
03:35:52.410 --> 03:35:54.850
I think this is the most complicated job we have,

3382
03:35:54.850 --> 03:35:56.610
but also the most interesting one.

3383
03:35:56.610 --> 03:36:01.510
Needless to say, much has to be done to improve this work.

3384
03:36:01.510 --> 03:36:04.910
We discussed this issue at length.

3385
03:36:04.910 --> 03:36:08.590
Thus, the Prime Minister and I spoke about this quite recently.

3386
03:36:08.590 --> 03:36:12.132
Our shared opinion is that we lack a targeted approach in the work 

3387
03:36:12.132 --> 03:36:15.050
of ministries and departments.

3388
03:36:15.050 --> 03:36:18.150
In other words, we have a common task but it is sometimes unclear how 

3389
03:36:18.150 --> 03:36:20.350
we are moving toward the goal.

3390
03:36:20.350 --> 03:36:23.930
Sometimes everything gets bogged down in daily routine,

3391
03:36:23.930 --> 03:36:26.915
whereas it is necessary to monitor progress towards the goal –

3392
03:36:26.915 --> 03:36:30.381
for instance, such and such a ministry and department should reach such 

3393
03:36:30.381 --> 03:36:32.211
and such parameters by a certain time.

3394
03:36:32.211 --> 03:36:36.515
We need to establish what was done in three months,

3395
03:36:36.515 --> 03:36:39.722
half a year or during a longer period.

3396
03:36:39.722 --> 03:36:43.062
In this case, it will be clear who is working how,

3397
03:36:43.062 --> 03:36:47.002
who is responsible for what and how they can be influenced.

3398
03:36:47.002 --> 03:36:48.930
This is what we are definitely lacking,

3399
03:36:48.930 --> 03:36:51.302
and we must upgrade the performance of not only 

3400
03:36:51.302 --> 03:36:53.822
the Government but also the entire state machinery.

3401
03:36:54.202 --> 03:36:56.402
Here is a very interesting question that arrived in an SMS: 

3402
03:36:56.402 --> 03:37:00.467
“Mr President, do you use profanities when you are certain that you are not 

3403
03:37:00.467 --> 03:37:03.290
being recorded? If so, to whom are they directed?”

3404
03:37:03.790 --> 03:37:05.830
I do, sometimes, but only at myself.

3405
03:37:06.210 --> 03:37:07.350
What about your subordinates?

3406
03:37:07.610 --> 03:37:09.604
This means I am displeased with myself.

3407
03:37:09.604 --> 03:37:13.811
I am guilty, perhaps I should not have said this,

3408
03:37:13.811 --> 03:37:16.473
but there is no use denying it.

3409
03:37:16.473 --> 03:37:20.613
This sin does exist in Russia. We will atone for it.

3410
03:37:25.293 --> 03:37:29.373
“We hear that the Russian Government has drafted a bill that allows 

3411
03:37:29.373 --> 03:37:32.213
the operation of so-called lottery houses.

3412
03:37:32.213 --> 03:37:35.628
Under the law, they will have not only sprint lotteries but 

3413
03:37:35.628 --> 03:37:39.669
also game machines. Why then were casinos closed across the country 10 

3414
03:37:39.669 --> 03:37:41.433
years ago only to be reopened?”

3415
03:37:41.873 --> 03:37:47.313
Yes, indeed, this issue was discussed in the Government.

3416
03:37:47.313 --> 03:37:50.433
We agreed not to do this.

3417
03:37:50.433 --> 03:37:54.621
I will tell you frankly that I am against this decision,

3418
03:37:54.621 --> 03:37:59.333
because no matter how it is disguised by modern gaming methods 

3419
03:37:59.333 --> 03:38:04.493
and procedures, these are essentially gambling machines all the same.

3420
03:38:04.493 --> 03:38:09.657
We took this decision so as not to get our people addicted in this 

3421
03:38:09.657 --> 03:38:14.667
respect, but rather, to concentrate gaming zones in four or five 

3422
03:38:14.667 --> 03:38:19.600
places. By the way, if we take this decision on gaming machines,

3423
03:38:19.600 --> 03:38:25.073
this will impair the capitalisation of these zones as well as interest 

3424
03:38:25.073 --> 03:38:30.516
in them, and people who invest money there as in a lucrative business 

3425
03:38:30.516 --> 03:38:34.793
will end up at a disadvantage, so from any perspective,

3426
03:38:34.793 --> 03:38:38.293
it is better not to do this. And we will not.

3427
03:38:38.973 --> 03:38:43.074
Well, we have been working for three hours and 38 minutes.

3428
03:38:43.074 --> 03:38:45.761
Over 3 million questions have arrived.

3429
03:38:45.761 --> 03:38:47.216
We have visited five population centres.

3430
03:38:47.216 --> 03:38:51.225
Several criminal cases have been initiated,

3431
03:38:51.225 --> 03:38:55.185
I am told. So our Direct Line has already produced some results.

3432
03:38:55.185 --> 03:38:58.205
We hope that all officials who have watched our show have seen 

3433
03:38:58.205 --> 03:39:00.805
the problems of their subordinates, their people,

3434
03:39:00.805 --> 03:39:08.365
have heard the concerns of average people and will promptly respond 

3435
03:39:08.365 --> 03:39:11.865
to your instructions, those that have already been issued 

3436
03:39:11.865 --> 03:39:13.665
and those that are yet to come. So thank you very much.

3437
03:39:13.785 --> 03:39:15.162
Thank you.

3438
03:39:15.162 --> 03:39:17.586
We are wrapping up, but you know, before we finish,

3439
03:39:17.586 --> 03:39:21.422
I would like to go to the screen again.

3440
03:39:21.422 --> 03:39:27.620
I noticed a very interesting message and I will read it: 

3441
03:39:27.620 --> 03:39:32.513
“I wish you a long life. Granny Zina.” 

3442
03:39:32.513 --> 03:39:38.469
I believe Granny Zina wishes a long life not only to all those 

3443
03:39:38.469 --> 03:39:42.867
in this studio but also to all people of Russia.

3444
03:39:42.867 --> 03:39:49.329
For our part, let us thank Granny Zina for this post and hope that she 

3445
03:39:49.329 --> 03:39:54.699
stays healthy and strong and that she is happy and healthy.

3446
03:39:54.699 --> 03:39:56.479
Thank you all very much.

3447
03:39:56.479 --> 03:39:59.579
And another thing. Yesterday, I took a look at these questions.

3448
03:39:59.579 --> 03:40:03.582
I saw that there were quite a few, not rude,

3449
03:40:03.582 --> 03:40:06.039
but rather angry questions.

3450
03:40:06.039 --> 03:40:10.804
For the most part, I share the concerns, to put it mildly,

3451
03:40:10.804 --> 03:40:13.927
of the people who ask these questions,

3452
03:40:13.927 --> 03:40:17.526
almost 100 percent. We are aware of this but we cannot always do 

3453
03:40:17.526 --> 03:40:20.349
everything the way we would like things to be done.

3454
03:40:20.349 --> 03:40:23.907
Still, we will all work together actively to ensure that there are 

3455
03:40:23.907 --> 03:40:28.421
fewer problems and more happy days. Thank you very much!