Большая пресс-конференция Владимира Путина
20 декабря 2018 года
15:50
Москва
Translation
Vladimir Putin's big press conference
20 December 2018 15: 50 Moscow
Большая пресс-конференция Владимира Путина
20 декабря 2018 года
15:50
Москва
Translation
Vladimir Putin's big press conference
20 December 2018 15: 50 Moscow
Vladimir Putin: good Afternoon, colleagues and friends.
We are starting our traditional new year's eve meeting, we will call it a press conference.
As usual in such cases, I will take just a few seconds to say about the results of the outgoing year. A lot has been said about this, but I have the latest data, some right now, the day before yesterday.
So. In the ten months of this year, GDP grew by 1.7 percent. The forecast of the Ministry of economic development for the year is 1.8 percent. Industrial production grew at a faster pace. If last year's growth was 2.1 percent, in January-October this year-2.9 percent, at the end of the year is projected 3 percent. At the same time, manufacturing industries are growing slightly faster – 3.2 percent.
In three quarters, investments in fixed assets amounted to 4.1 percent. Freight turnover and retail trade volumes are growing-plus 2.6 percent. The increase in consumer demand, of course, is noticeable. This is a positive factor.
After a long break, a slight but still positive trend in the growth of real disposable income of the population was recorded. According to the latest data, it will be 0.5 percent.
I hope that this trend will continue, as the real level of wages is growing. For the first ten months of this year it is 7.4 percent, and at the end of the year it is expected somewhere 6.9, about seven.
Remains acceptable for us inflation, however, for the last week she slightly grew by 0.5 percent, in my opinion, and therefore we go beyond the benchmark Central Bank four per cent, will be some 4.1–4.2 percent – four.
Unemployment is declining, which is encouraging. If last year it broke the historical minimum - was 5.2 percent, this year it will be even lower – 4.8 percent.
The trade surplus is growing: in 2017, if you remember, it amounted to about 115 billion dollars, and in the three quarters of this year-already 157. At the end of the year, 190 billion dollars are expected.
Our finances are getting stronger. Gold and foreign exchange reserves are growing by more than seven percent. At the beginning of the year they were 432 billion, now almost 464.
We have a surplus for the first time since 2011. We will reach a surplus Federal budget in the region of about 2.1 percent of GDP. The national welfare Fund is growing by about 22 percent.
Our average annual old-age insurance pension in 2017 amounted to 13,677 rubles. By the end of this year there will be 14 163.
And the duration slightly increased: in 2017 it was 72.7 years, in 2018 it will be 72.9 years.
This is in General terms what I wanted to say at the beginning. Let's not waste time, let's move on to your questions and my attempts to answer them.
Dmitry Peskov: so, let's start, first with a little bit of priority for the Kremlin pool, which has been working all year on all trips, both abroad and inside Russia.
Vladimir Putin:"how not to please a dear man." Come on.
Dmitry Peskov, ITAR-TASS, the state news Agency.
Veronika Romanenkova, TASS: Thank You.
Probably, we can say that 2018 was held under the sign of national projects, new national projects, the start of which You gave the may decree and on which you plan to spend fabulous money. But some experts, members of the state Council, in Yalta recently talked about it, fear that in General it is realistic to implement these national projects, [doubt] their expediency. How well developed are the criteria for the implementation of national projects? For example, the head of the accounts chamber says that it is impossible to assess the effectiveness. Do You have anything to say?
Vladimir Putin: You are forcing me to say a few words about expediency in General, because you said that some people doubt whether they are needed at all.
I have already said this many times, and I want to repeat it. We need breakthrough. We need to jump into a new technological landscape. Without it, the country has no future. This is a matter of principle, and we must understand this.
And how to do it? It is necessary to concentrate available resources, to find them and to concentrate on the most important directions of development. And how to organize this work? Just hand out the money, is that it?
First, they had to be found. We were engaged in the formulation of tasks, and the search for these resources throughout 2017, and the Government and the Administration worked hard on this. Therefore, by the way, when they say: there are few changes in the Government – these are the people mainly, the main financial and economic unit, which worked on the country's development program until 2024. That's why they're responsible for what they've planned. But without this it is impossible.
So how to organize the work? Just handing out money? 20.8 trillion rubles-this is only on national projects planned, another 6.5 trillion-a separate plan for the development of infrastructure. Naturally, they need to be concentrated in some breakthrough documents. And you can call these development plans whatever you want, they are called "national projects". In any case, these are clearly goals. Without setting goals, no matter what envelopes to pack these goals, it is impossible to achieve the final result. Therefore, 12 national projects were created, and another infrastructure development plan. Let me remind you what areas this will develop in.
The first is health care, education, science, human capital, without which no breakthrough is possible at all. And the second is pure production and economy. Everything is connected with the economy: the first part, and the second one is directly related to the digital economy, the development of robotics, and so on and so forth. I have already talked about infrastructure.
Why did we gather in Yalta, Crimea, and discuss with our colleagues from the Government and from the regions how to organise this work? Because, indeed, there are issues related to the control over execution, and this control should be effective, and all our measures to monitor, so to speak, from the Federal center, what is happening in the regions, should be realistic. And there are problems, it's true. But these are the problems we are working on now. What's wrong? The point is that the money is mainly Federal, as a rule, for all programs, and a significant part of the work in the regions and regions should be set up for this constructive work: not just to increase prices due to the fact that a lot of money, but to achieve a specific result that people feel. That's one.
Second. It is necessary to understand: they will cope with it or not? Of course, the question. And some say,"it's impossible." But it is said by those who must achieve results. Let them not think so, but let them work on the fulfillment, and if they feel that they are not able to fulfill, then let them free their places for those who are full of optimism and ready for this work. I honestly don't see them who don't want to and say it's impossible. People say that there is something to analyze.
But if you do not set ambitious goals, will not be achieved at all. Therefore, I very much count on consolidated, good work, coordinated work of both the Federal centre and the regions. Yes, there are some adjustments in the figures. Colleagues from the regions have made such proposals, and I very much hope that the Government will take them into account, adjust these indicators of specific work, and it will move effectively.
Pavel Zarubin, Russia TV channel. Good day!
I would like to develop a topic that has already been touched upon. Many economic experts, including Kudrin, say that in reality the Russian economy has been growing by an average of only one percent for ten years, and if this is the case, it is, in fact, stagnation. You set the task of a breakthrough, a breakthrough, but for this, even by the most minimal estimates, the growth rate should be at least four to five times higher. The Government promises to fulfill the tasks, but there, in the Government, recognize that in the next few years the GDP growth rate will not exceed even two percent. In this regard, questions arise: so what is the basis on which the Government relies in its forecasts, in the planning of its activities? Is it possible with such introductory in principle a breakthrough, which is in question, or the economy will continue to develop on the principle: earned something on oil surpluses-put aside and spent when it was impatient? Are you happy with Medvedev's team in General? Thanks.
Dmitry Peskov: Dear friends, please respect each other and ask only one question.
Vladimir Putin: Look, economic growth is one percent per year over a certain period of time. But, first, he was so, when Alexei Kudrin was a Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Government, so "there is nothing to blame the mirror, if face is crooked" – so we the people say. That's one.
The second, so to consider, mechanically, it is impossible. I have great respect for Mr. Kudrin, this is my friend, and he is a good specialist, I usually listen to his recommendations, he trusted specialist, good. But, look, from 2008 to 2018, the economy grew by about 7.4 percent. Calculate-Yes, get a small percentage. But let's not forget how the economy developed. There were also higher growth rates, there were downturns associated with the global crisis. In 2009, after the crisis in the global economy, not in ours, we were not the cause of the global financial crisis of 2008-2009, it came to us from the outside, the decline was, in my opinion, 7.8 percent. Then we slowly got out of it for many years.
Then, in 2014-2015, there was another crisis – the collapse of oil prices, the main types of our exports. So, mechanically, can not be considered.
But, of course, the country's GDP, GDP growth rate is one of the main indicators. But we will not ensure the GDP growth rates necessary for this breakthrough, if we do not change the structure of the economy. This is precisely what national projects are aimed at, and the huge funds that I have already mentioned will be invested in order to change the structure and give it an innovative character. This is what the Government expects, that if this happens, and this is what we should all strive for, then the growth rate will increase, there will be other opportunities for development.
But by the way, you said that in the next two years it will be 2 percent. Yes, in the coming years – 2019-2020 – two, and from 2021 the Government is already planning three, and then more. Therefore, I very much hope that we will be able to do all this. Probably, some fluctuations are possible, but, I repeat, the most important thing is that we need to ... you Know, what we need to do? We need to enter another League of economies, and not only in terms of volumes. I think that it is quite possible to take the fifth place in terms of volumes. At one time, we were the fifth largest economy in terms of purchasing power parity, and I think we will do it. But we need to enter another League in terms of the quality of the economy. This is what our national projects are aimed at.
Pavel Zarubin: are You satisfied overall team Medvedev?
Vladimir Putin: In General, Yes.
Question: Good afternoon.
Mr President, we had a wonderful year in Volgograd – we celebrated the 75th anniversary of the battle of Stalingrad. You thought it possible that this would be a Federal holiday, and we really appreciate it, You came to us.
We had a great world championship, and our region really began to breathe and develop.
Much more needs to be done. About the economy, I think, a lot will be said, but the great expectations of Volgograd, a big request – in 1998 we disbanded Kachin school with a great history.
In 1910, The Tsaritsyn decree created it, we were very proud of it, we are proud of it and we want to be proud of it further, so that military traditions do not die. We ask you to think about it.
Vladimir Putin: what year was it disbanded?
Remark: in 1998, unfortunately. Red banner, with a great history.
Vladimir Putin: Look, now it's 2018, 20 years ago, I do not really understand what is left of this legendary school.
Indeed, You are right, this is a legendary school. But the Ministry of defence of the Russian Federation builds training depending on the needs of the Armed Forces in these personnel.
Therefore, it is necessary to see what can be done there in order not only to remember, but maybe the remaining elements of the tradition have not been lost. I will look surely, I will consult with the Ministry of defence.
Mikhail Balyuk: Mr President, Hello. Maria Baluk, the Agency "Prime".
Mr President, the budget for this year and next year will be surplus. Nevertheless, since January 1, a number of decisions will come into force, which can cause quite a serious increase in the cost of a wide range of goods and services.
For example, the increase in VAT to 20 percent, which has already provoked next year the growth of utility tariffs in two stages, is the introduction of a tax on self-employed in the pilot regions. Please tell us how it is coordinated with the economic policy pursued by the state…
Vladimir Putin: housing and utilities Tariffs are in two stages, and what else did you say?
Mikhail Balyuk: for example, the introduction of a tax on self-employed people in pilot regions.
And is not this amount of innovation too heavy a burden on the Russians and the economy?
Vladimir Putin: you mentioned a surplus.
Yes, indeed, this is a good indicator of the economic unit of the Government. As I said in my opening remarks, this is the first time that we have had a surplus budget of 2.1 percent since 2011. That's good.
But we should not forget that as an oil-producing country and a country that has the main revenues from the sale of oil and gas, we also have a so-called non-oil and gas deficit. That is what the country gets not from oil and gas sales.
I would like to remind you that in 2009 it was around 13 percent. That's huge. In the early 2000s, it was about three, and then, as a result of the global economic crisis – I want to emphasize – we had to spend petrodollars in order to fulfill our social obligations to the people, to withstand the plans to build the Armed Forces, and spent petrodollars.
And our non-oil and gas deficit has grown to a double-digit level, to my mind, almost 13 percent. And this is very serious for our economy. Now we have reduced it to 6.6 percent, and next year it should be six percent and so keep for several years.
This is a very important indicator of the stability of the Russian economy. So, the increase in VAT is also due to the need to keep this indicator of non-oil and gas deficit. This is the first circumstance.
Second. In many countries, 20 percent or even more VAT. We also had it higher, we lowered it, and then returned now to 20.
But the so-called effective VAT rate will actually be less than 20 percent in the economy as a whole, because we have retained almost all the benefits: benefits for the production of medicines, benefits for the production of children's goods, and so on, and many benefits for IT companies have been preserved. Therefore, the effective rate will be less.
Finally, I hope that this will be a one-time event, and even a small increase in prices and inflation at the beginning of the year will pass, and then it will decline.
But the Central Bank also takes certain actions and decisions to prevent this growth and inflation. Just recently, for example, we decided to raise rates by 0.25 percent.
There are pros and cons, but this is done in order to avoid inflation and prices. Therefore, in General, I believe that the decision is correct and balanced, which, of course, gives us additional budget revenues and opportunities to implement our development plans within the framework of national projects.
As for the growth of utility tariffs, it has averaged about four percent in recent years. Indeed, next year it will be held in two stages: the first stage – in my opinion, 1.7, and then, in my opinion, 2.4. But in General, it turns out 4.1.
Why in two stages-because due to the growth of VAT is still expected some growth of services and goods associated with the need for normal functioning of the housing system.
Therefore, in order not to plant these organizations, and ultimately in the interests of citizens it is done, it was decided to do it in two stages. But the total volume should not exceed 4.1.
According to some decisions of the Government, if it is really necessary somewhere, in the regions where it has already been brought to such a state that a greater increase is required, but this should be on an exceptional basis and in agreement with the Government of the Russian Federation.
Yevgeny Gagarina: Good Afternoon, Mr President. My name is Ekaterina Gagarina. I represent the TV channel "Russia" in Novosibirsk.
The significance of the project" Akademgorodok 2.0", which You supported during your visit to Novosibirsk, is obvious not only to Siberian scientists – this project is unique for the whole country.
But behind the technological component of this project is a number of tasks of no smaller scale. This is housing construction, roads, kindergartens, schools. And our question is whether our scientific ambitions about life will not break, will there be a place for scientists to live?
Vladimir Putin: I Don't want to.
I understand that this is a very important part of the whole process. We with the head of the region, of course, will work on it. When I was in Novosibirsk, we also talked about this with our colleagues.
The first task of the Federal center is to fulfill its obligations related to the facilities that enable the development of Akademgorodok, which make it possible, by the way, to earn money on these high technologies. And behind this, and the social network will stretch.
But if we need to do something more to address the social issues of scientists, of course, we will try to do it. By the way, the mortgage has been growing recently, and we will support it too. At a high rate, by the way, for everyone. Over 20 percent growth in mortgage lending.
But, of course, for Akademgorodok we will think. If there is such an urgent need for assistance from the Federal center, we will discuss it.
Sergey Marov: Mr President, Hello. Sergei Marov, Vologda oblast, the newspaper "the Star". Question from particular to General.
Let me give you one simple example. Next to our editorial office, not far away, is the company, which for nine years…
Vladimir Putin: The Enterprise?
S. Marov: Enterprise.
Titanic efforts for nine years built a technological chain for the complete processing of flax. Imagine…
Vladimir Putin: Excuse me, please, for a complete overhaul?
S. Marov: Flax.
Vladimir Putin: Yes, I see.
S. Marov: Plant a seed and get ready-made clothes at the exit. They did.
It would seem that the message of Industrialists is clear. At the same time, when I went to this conference, I held serious consultations with those who work there, and they say: "the Last research Institute, which is engaged in the development of flax, is in a state of liquidation."
Eliminated the last institution for the training of senior staff for fluxing, that is quite a discrepancy in the promises from the manufacturers who will implement and by the state, which must support these areas.
In this regard, I have a question. Mr President, how do you assess the current state of the industry and its growth rates? Do you think at this stage the support of domestic producers is sufficient?
Vladimir Putin: Honestly, I don't know on the problems of this institution on linen, but it's really the traditional kind of production in Russia – len. It was always our thing, it was our pride. I'll see what happens there.
As usual, the problem is more complicated than it looks from the outside. I do not know just what is going on with this Institute, although, of course, flax production, I repeat, has always been Russia's pride, and if it is needed for industry, it can be maintained, then we must see how to do it. I promise you I'll look into it.
Now about industry. I have already said that industrial growth is generally higher than GDP growth – three percent, the processing industry shows 3.2 percent. In General, these are good indicators.
As for the light industry, it is developing even faster. Food production has increased by 13 percent in the first ten months of this year, which, incidentally, is confirmed by the figures related to consumption, which is increasing as a whole. And as for clothes, shoes, growth – nine percent, this is a very good indicator.
Now, about the support, is it enough or not? Insufficient. That is why we have outlined a number of programs related to the support of individual industries. And in General, by 2024 it will amount to 1 trillion 376 billion rubles, and by industry, this also applies to light industry, aviation, this concerns the defense industry, this applies to other industries.
We have worked out separate programmes in the main sectors. Next year 450 billion rubles will be allocated for these purposes, in a year – 450-470. These are the figures. Total – 1376 billion rubles.
Vernitsky: Mr President, in our childhood we were very afraid of nuclear war. Remember, even songs such were: "to the Solar world-Yes, Yes, Yes! Nuclear explosion-no, no, no!»
Vladimir Putin: aren't you afraid now?
It's been four decades, and major publications on both sides of the ocean are beginning to print the scenario of the exchange of nuclear strikes between Russia and the United States. At the household level, increasingly sounds in the kitchen, the word "war".
How can you, the President, reassure my little son, who, like me, is now afraid of nuclear war, me and all of us, what actions, words?
Vladimir Putin: I think you are right, you know.
I just thought, somehow it's all – the danger of such a development in the world-is obscured, goes away. It seems impossible or something less important. Meanwhile, if, God forbid, something like this occurs, it can lead to the death of the entire civilization, maybe the planet.
Therefore, the questions are serious, and it is a pity that such a tendency of underestimation is taking place and is even growing. There are features of today, there are dangers. What are they?
The first is the collapse. In fact, we are witnessing the collapse of the international arms deterrence system and the arms race. Following the withdrawal of the United States from the anti-ballistic missile Treaty, which I have said a thousand times, has nevertheless been a cornerstone in the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and the deterrence of the arms race. After that, we have to respond with the creation of new weapons systems to overcome these missile DEFENSE systems.
Now we hear that Russia has gained an advantage. That's true. There are no such weapons systems in the world yet. The leading powers will have them, but not yet. In this sense, there are certain advantages. But in General, in the strategic balance it is just an element of deterrence and equalization of parities. This is the preservation of parity, nothing more.
Now make another step-out of the Treaty on the elimination of intermediate-range and shorter-range missiles. What about this? It is very difficult to imagine how the situation will develop further. And if these missiles appear in Europe, what should we do?
Of course, we will have to ensure our security with some steps. Let then not a peep about the fact that we will achieve some benefits. We do not seek advantages, but maintain balance and ensure our security.
The same new start Treaty, in 2021 he finishes the existence. No negotiations are under way on this issue. It's not interesting, no need-okay, we'll live.
We will ensure our safety. We know how to do that. But in General, it is very bad for humanity, because it brings us to a very dangerous point.
And finally, there is one more circumstance that I cannot but pay attention to. There is a tendency to lower the threshold of application. Any idea to create nuclear warheads small capacity, and it is not global, and tactical use. Such ideas sound from some analysts in the West, which is okay, you can apply. But lowering the threshold could lead to a global nuclear disaster. This is one danger of today.
The second is the use of non-nuclear ballistic missiles. True, American partners seem to have refused, but the idea exists. What is that?
Ballistic missile launched-in nuclear, non-nuclear performance. The system of the SPRn (missile attack warning system) records the start, the place of the start and after a few seconds determines the flight path and the possible territory of the fall of the head parts. It's all on the verge of a possible mistake, it's terrible, it can not be brought to this. Nevertheless, such an idea of using ballistic missiles in a non-nuclear version exists.
Well, a submarine fired a ballistic missile from the world ocean, but fuck knows it, it's in nuclear or non-nuclear, go figure it out. It's a very dangerous thing. And all this is exaggerated, discussed, and it is dangerous.
But I proceed from the fact that humanity has enough common sense and a sense of self-preservation, in order not to bring to an extreme.
Dmitry Peskov: Let's go to this sector. Here I see the Ukrainian flag, the second row.
Vladimir Putin: No, that's it You have all time are, You are, in my opinion, Ukraine?
Dmitry Peskov: Yes, this is our colleague from Ukraine.
Vladimir Putin: Yes, my colleagues told me, it is better not to give him the floor, because he will arrange a scandal. You want to make a scandal, no?
Please come on.
E. Sozaev-Guriev: Egor Sozaev-Guriev, "Izvestia". Question about the incident in the Kerch Strait.
Vladimir Putin: "news" is not from Ukraine?
E. Sozaev-Guryev: My question is about Ukraine.
Vladimir Putin: come on, all right.
E. Sozaev-Guriev: the Precedent in the Kerch Strait. The fate of the captured Ukrainian military is interesting, what will happen to them next. Do not you think that in principle this provocation was successful?
And I can not ask about the detainees and even prisoners of Russian citizens in the United States – I mean Butina, Yaroshenko. How can Russia protect their rights? And maybe look at our Chinese partners? Here in Canada, a Chinese citizen was detained from Huawei, they detained canadian citizens in response. Maybe experience?
Vladimir Putin: I would share your question Here. You said, " don't you think the provocation was a success?"That is the first: we state that it was a provocation, and you agree with this. This is already correct.
Now, succeeded or failed. It seems to me that provocations are always bad. Provocation is designed to aggravate the situation. Why do our Ukrainian partners need such a development of events? It is clear that there are elections, and we need to sharpen them in order to raise the rating of one of the candidates for the Presidency, I mean the incumbent President and the current government. Well, it's bad, it's ultimately to the detriment of the interests of its people and its state. Although it is possible without any provocations to move quietly, as it has been so far.
She succeeded or failed – from the point of view of improvement of the rating can be. Because the rating of Peter Alekseevich seems to have grown a little bit, he now moved from the fifth position to somewhere in the second or third, there are fluctuations, in my opinion, occur in the region of 12 percent. Yulia Vladimirovna, in my opinion, has 20 or more, already more than 20, and all the rest, Zelensky, in my opinion, then Boyko and Poroshenko, they have around 12 percent. In this sense – Yes, he probably fulfilled his task. At the expense of the country's interests, I think. This is a bad way to raise the rating.
Well, as for the future of Ukrainian soldiers, they were sent and hoped that one of them will die in fact. And I see a great dissatisfaction in the ruling circles was caused by the fact that no one was killed. Hoped that someone from them will be lost. But thank God that didn't happen. There is a consequence. After the criminal proceedings, it will be clear what to do with them.
Still, I will ask you to give the microphone to a colleague from Ukraine.
R. Tsymbalyuk: Thank You. There will be no scandal, as there was.
Vladimir Putin: thank God. Already good.
R. Tsymbalyuk: Mr President, I would like to ask: how much money do you spend on the occupied Donbas? There's poverty under your leadership, and people have become slaves to Russia, if you call a spade a spade. Here you are afraid of nuclear war and at the same time prepare for war with NATO, and, in fact, shoot at citizens of Ukraine. It's you as the Supreme Commander gave the order to shoot at the sailors. And I have a question: what are the terms of the exchange?
And if possible, the election. You say the ratings are analyzed.
Vladimir Putin: Just A Second. Terms of exchange?
R. Tsimbalyuk: the terms of the exchange of Ukrainian prisoners, and the Ukrainian military. You need citizens of Russia or not?
And if possible, the election. You analyze constantly the ratings, and it seems that You…
Vladimir Putin: I don't analyse them, I look at them. You print them.
R. Tsymbalyuk: ... thereby interfering in the electoral process, as was once done in the United States. Do not you think that it may happen that there will be no direct dialogue between the presidents of Ukraine and Russia until you change your place of work.
Thanks.
Vladimir Putin: about the suffering of people living in Donbas. You are a citizen of Ukraine. And you consider these people living in this territory citizens of your country. Tell me, please, who established the blockade between Donbass and the rest of Ukraine? Did Russia do this? This was done by the Ukrainian authorities: they imposed a complete economic blockade of the territory they consider their own. And they shoot at these citizens, who are considered their citizens. There almost every day people are dying, and peace. Peaceful.
We do provide humanitarian and other assistance and support to the people living in this territory. But only to have them completely there not crushed, not eaten and did not break, and will continue to do so. Because attempts to resolve issues of a political nature with the help of force, and we have seen this for several years from the side of today's Kiev authorities, this is still happening, are doomed to failure. That's understandable.
Now about how to settle relations and who will remain in power, who will not remain. It's not about personalities, it's about attitude. We want peace and prosperity in the whole territory of Ukraine, including Donbas. We are interested in this because Ukraine remains one of our largest trade and economic partners.
Trade turnover between Ukraine and Russia, despite all the efforts of today's Kiev authorities, is growing, including increased over the past year, this year it has also grown. Is that weird? No, it's not weird because it's a natural connection. And these natural ties someday all -??? would give about itself know. But while in the Kiev corridors of power are Russophobes who do not understand what, in fact, the interest of their own people, this abnormal situation will continue. Regardless of who is in power in the Kremlin.
We were engaged in an exchange, all the time were engaged. Mr Medvedchuk, on behalf of Poroshenko, by the way, he has been doing this all the time. And recently, he also came to Moscow and raised the issue of the release of the Ukrainian military detained in the Kerch Strait, or rather, in the Black sea. Yes, and Medvedchuk raised this question. But, I have already said, these issues can be resolved after the completion of the criminal case.
M. nos: Good afternoon, colleagues. Good afternoon, Mr. President! Margarita Baulina, Herald " Family. Society. Traditions.»
The matter is that two years ago the initiative group of our edition took part in the social project. We began to develop a project for the construction of an indoor football field for children from disadvantaged families, as well as for children from orphanages.
Two years we knocked at doors for committees, write letters, meet, and two years, we stumble upon indifference. No offense to colleagues from other areas, but we are perceived as an ordinary flower shop or refueling, in no way reacting to the fact that we are trying to help the state to perform its functions and important mission.
Vladimir Putin: what are you trying to do?
M. Baulina: we are trying to open a football covered field for children from disadvantaged families, as well as for children from orphanages, that is, to give them the opportunity to completely free of charge to realize themselves not on the streets in some way harmful to them, but as much as possible as a person.
Vladimir Putin: have you established a non-governmental non-profit organisation or something?
M. Baulina: we have LLC, so far LLC on the basis of our publication.
Vladimir Putin: so you are a commercial organisation after all?
Mikhail Baulina: at the moment, Yes, because we cannot find a way to implement our project.
Vladimir Putin: With whom are you trying to resolve this issue?
Mikhail Baulina: we are trying to resolve this issue with several committees of our city, starting with the property Committee, the Committee on sports, youth and social policy. And every time we go from one Committee to another, according to the letters, and to the meetings, back and forth.
Vladimir Putin: How much does your project cost?
M. Baulina: at the moment there are 11 million.
Vladimir Putin: what city is it Again?
M. Baulina: St. Petersburg.
Vladimir Putin: I will talk to the acting President. I am sure the issue will be resolved.
M. nos: thank You very much.
Vladimir Putin: Sure.
K. Golovanov: Day counter-intelligence, Mr President. Today is a holiday.
Vladimir Putin: Thank you, Too. I feel like You're not far from here either.…
We have the same thing in intelligence, counterintelligence and information work. In fact, it is the same work – it is information: you are engaged in information, and intelligence agencies are also engaged in information.
K. Golovanova: recently, our society, mainly the youth part of it, has faced strange actions of the authorities, which, I think, provoke some unnecessary conflicts. This is, for example, the situation with the word you already know, with rappers. They are compressed, breaking up of concerts.
Vladimir Putin: you doubt my abilities…
K. Golovanova: No.
Vladimir Putin: "the Word You now know." Well, I've known before.
K. Golovanova: Well, you use more often.
Vladimir Putin: I Have one of my Trustees also rappers were. Timothy. What about it? There he is, all painted up like this guy. By the way, a wonderful person and a wonderful artist.
K. Golovanova: You said at the Council for culture: "If you can't resist a movement, you have to lead it." Please tell me why the state should interfere in this situation at all? Can be, to leave already in alone? Why they broke up? In General, who needed it? Well, they sing with materkom – this is it.
And the second point is probably more serious, but also affecting, in General, young people. Now all are concerned about the legislative initiative about that for the negative statements about the state, government, society to impose liability, rather, to strengthen that responsibility. This, again, will hit primarily on young people who sit in social networks. Here such actions are not you afraid to lose the youth?
Vladimir Putin: as for the loss or, on the contrary, the acquisition of some authority from young people.
You know, when I am told about young people, I always remember some tragic and heroic pages of our modern history. Well, let's remember a company of paratroopers-96 people, guys (19-20 years) who directly almost from a school bench appeared in Armed Forces, 96 people against two thousand. Six survivors. Almost three days fight went, several times passed to hand-to-hand, fought shovels and knives. Here are the heroes that youth, 19-20 years old guys. (Applause.)
And if you take volunteers. There are thousands, just thousands. In my opinion, 35 thousand volunteers worked at the world championship. And the guys who are engaged in search activity? Thousands too. All the same the young people.
And we have this layer, not a layer, it's a layer, it's a colossal depth. And it's all young people, it is the support of today and the future of Russia. And there are young scientists, talented artists and musicians. Rappers are among them.
As for the responsibility for the flag and other symbols of the state, almost all countries have it. You have to respect your country. And there are rules that must be followed everywhere. If there is responsibility outside the Internet, it should be on the Internet.
What is different about browsing behavior from the fact that the borders of the Internet? This is also a society, especially the Internet has penetrated into all spheres of our life. Therefore, I do not see anything special here.
And as for the arrest of these rappers, I agree with you. It to anything, it is the result, the return to expected, anything good in it isn't present. However, as nothing good in the fact that, as You said, "They're singing with materkom, so be it".
I recently, you saw, was on the anniversary of Temirkanov, he was 80 years old. He said, in General, the usual thing, but still correct: "Art does not exist in order to indulge the low motives, low interests and low profile of culture. The culture itself exists to raise this level."
Of course, it is impossible to miss, not to let and punish for it. This is wrong. But there are other things. For example, remember, it turns out, broadcast, it was live, and I said to my interlocutor: "Let's all swear here now, at the Council for culture." Everyone laughed. Why? It never occurs to anyone to do that. Why should we indulge? To indulge it is impossible.
But there are other elements. For example, the promotion of drugs. Why do we need our young people to use drugs, why should we condone the promotion of drug use? This is the degradation of society, the degradation of young people, the degradation of the nation.
Do we want to degrade or something? Someone wants to propagandize drugs, let him propagandize. We should not do this, and we should not encourage it in any case, and we should not look at it indifferently either. Another thing is that it is necessary to counteract these trends in a different way.
Or we have become fashionable to promote suicide among young people. So, shall we all go hang ourselves now, or what? I'm not the first, then you'll be the first. I don't want to, right? We cannot allow this to happen among young people. I said we should take the lead.
This does not mean that grab, do not let, drag, "do as I do." No, that's not aviation. Here, we need to act differently. Whether there are such means or not? Sure I do. It is necessary to carefully, calmly build, convince of the greater attractiveness of other values. But roughly you can not deny, I agree with You.
Dmitry Peskov: maybe there are representatives from other countries besides the Ukrainian media? Our Japanese comrades, "Kyodo Tsushin", please, in the middle of this Central sector. Could you pass the microphone, please?
H. Sugizaki: Good Afternoon, Vladimir Vladimirovich.
Vladimir Putin: Hello.
H. Sugizaki: Hirofumi Sugizaki, Japan, "Kyodo Tsushin".
My question, of course, unfortunately, concerns our peace Treaty, to which, as I understand it, we are striving. After the meeting in Singapore, Where you and Mr. Abe agreed to speed up the negotiations on the basis of the Soviet-Japanese Declaration of 1956, our public is concerned only with how many Islands we will get. Zero, two, three, four, we don't know. On the other hand, I understand that the Russians are also at a loss. Basically it is: "Why should we give?"We are approached by a variety of people even with a threat: "we Will not give a single inch of land." And so on. We are talking about territorial division, which we need to do. But if our new Treaty, the peace Treaty, is limited only to this-territorial division, it will be little and uninteresting, and our peoples, the public will understand. What do you think, what new idea, what moments to invest in order to promote our relations to a new, qualitatively new level?
And let me, in this regard, I can not ask a question. Recently, the Russian side, including Yourself, has been touching upon security issues. We are talking specifically about the deployment of US missile defense IN Japan and the potential deployment of us troops and military infrastructure in the case of the transfer of the Islands of Japan. We have negotiations at the level of experts, but since we are talking about defense, Japan is almost completely dependent on the United States. Do you think that these issues can be resolved on a bilateral basis, or will You have to directly with the United States? Thanks a lot.
Vladimir Putin: Let's not forget what you have finished. Security issues are extremely important, including in concluding a peace Treaty. You said about the deployment of American military infrastructure in Japan, but she's already there, on Okinawa, the largest us base have been around for decades, we know.
Now about Japan's ability to participate in these decisions. For us, this is an incomprehensible, closed part. We do not understand the level of Japan's sovereignty in making such decisions. You know better than all other colleagues, I am also aware that the Governor of Okinawa is against some decisions related to the strengthening of the base and its expansion. He's against it, but he can't do anything about it. And the people who live there are against it.
You do not need to go far, all the polls show that people go out on the street, require the withdrawal of this base. And, in any case, they are against strengthening the air force component of the us armed forces related to what is already there. There are plans for strengthening and development. All against, but this is happening.
We do not know what will happen after the conclusion of the peace Treaty. But without an answer to this question, it will be very difficult for us to make any drastic decisions. And, of course, we are concerned about the plans to deploy missile defense systems. I have said many times to the United States, and I can repeat once again: we do not believe that these are defensive weapons, they are part of the us strategic nuclear potential brought to the periphery. And these systems work synchronously, in combination with shock complexes. Therefore, here we have no illusions, we all understand this. But, understanding all this, nevertheless, we seek and will sincerely strive further to conclude a peace Treaty with Japan, because I am convinced, and Prime Minister Abe shares This conviction with me, the current state is not normal. Both Japan and Russia are interested in the full settlement of our relations, and not only because we need something from Japan in terms of the economy. It is more or less developing in our country.
Just now, the Minister of economic development Oreshkin reported to me this morning on the results of his visit to Japan. There is progress, including the agreement on supplies and the opening of the Japanese market for Russian meat products, including poultry meat. There are other advances. So it is still moving and will move, the life force. But normalization in General is extremely important for us, both for Russia and Japan. The process is complex, and we are ready to move along this path together with our colleagues.
Dmitry Peskov: Thank You. You know, the news has just come that the British media regulator Ofcom has found RT guilty of violating the broadcasting rules and is considering the possibility of imposing sanctions. I saw RT around here somewhere. Come on, here's the source.
Vladimir Putin: Please.
Igor Petrenko: Mr Medvedev, thank you.
Good afternoon. My name is Ilya Petrenko, TV channel Russia Today, as you have already said.
But that's not my question. First, I would like to ask about the recent decision to facilitate the procedure for obtaining Russian citizenship for Ukrainians. Our channel often dealt with this topic and the problem with the bureaucracy. This is certainly an important step, but I would like to ask you to clarify from a purely political point of view what the logic is. And if it is so necessary and it is simple for the help to citizens in the East of Ukraine why it couldn't be made earlier. Are you not afraid that the bureaucracy will continue and now just have to shift the paper is not on the right hand, and on the left.
And even briefly I would return to the question of colleagues from the newspaper "Izvestia". There is a scandal Kripalani and the West's reaction to it, there is a murder of Mr Khashoggi, the Saudi journalist, is a completely different reaction. There are arrests of Kirill Vyshinsky, Marina Butina, there is an arrest of the financial Director of the company "Huawei". And Donald trump openly says that it is a bargaining chip in the trade war as well. My colleague asked: can we see such a practice in Russia, when foreign citizens will be delayed on far-fetched pretexts, for example, to exchange them for someone? Thanks.
Vladimir Putin: Well, let's start with the last part of Your question. I do not want to comment on what is happening in us-Chinese relations: who, whom, for what detained, in response to what actions and so on. This is a very delicate area, and we will not act on the principles set out in the code of king Hammurabi. This principle of retaliation is called, we have it reads: "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth." It is necessary to act very carefully and proceed from the realities. If there are some people who violate Russian laws, regardless of their national and state affiliation, we will respond to this, but we will not be enough innocent people just to change them to someone.
As for the fate of our citizens, of course, we are not indifferent to it – the fact that this Butina is forced to confess something. I do not understand what she can admit, because she did not perform any tasks of the state, state bodies of Russia. This I will declare. Whatever she says, even under the influence of threats of 12-15 years ' imprisonment. Clearly, she and her lawyer are fighting to get out of jail. I don't know why they put her in that prison. Just no reason. But we must somehow all save face, get out of this situation. First of all, of course, I'm talking about American justice. The end – view. We care, we will monitor, monitor and support them accordingly.
Now about Skipala and Khashoggi. I'm not even here to comment. Khashoggi killed, it's obvious, admitted it. Squeaky, thank God, alive. Nevertheless, there are a lot of sanctions against Russia. They're still talking about it. And in the second case – silence full. This is a politicized Russophobic approach. This is an occasion, only an occasion to organize another attack on Russia. Well, there would be no Squeaks, something else would come up. That's obvious to me. And the goal is only one-to restrain the development of Russia as a possible competitor. I don't see any other goals.
Now, about the bureaucracy. Bureaucracy associated with citizenship. Bureaucracy. What are You talking about? Bureaucracy is eternal, it cannot be defeated. But to live without it is impossible, I must say. It is necessary to build only certain rules of work of this bureaucracy, it is true, the state mechanism of decision-making and so on.
As for the adoption of citizenship. This has to do not only with the events in the South-East of Ukraine, we do not only for those people who live in these areas. The government is currently preparing amendments to the relevant law on citizenship and acquisition of citizenship. What is this being done for? And this is done in order to show that we do not seek and will not support the policy associated with the split, with the separation of the Russian and Ukrainian peoples. What are today's authorities doing? What task do they perform? What do they sell against the background of Russophobia, which they develop? They carry out, they actually speak about it, a historical task – take away the Russian and Ukrainian people, here that they do. And for this they are all forgiven.
Your colleague from the Ukrainian media spoke about the hardships that fell to the share of people living in Donbass and Luhansk region, that they have a low standard of living there. A Ukraine that is better, eh? There is about the same as in the Donbass as a whole – it gets worse and worse. All in the context of war, hostilities, stresses, all is forgiven within the country and outside, for sure. Pay for it. Here is another tranche of the IMF will now receive. But we understand what the IMF tranche is-it is only to pay pensions and wages in the social sphere, and then it will be necessary to pay future generations. Therefore, in General, the situation there is unfavourable, I think, in the economy and in the social sphere, in terms of domestic political processes. And our peoples are close, bound by historical roots, and we will do everything to support this state of Affairs.
The law on citizenship is currently being amended and will be adopted early next year.
Yu Abanov: Yuri Abanov, the newspaper "Khakassia".
Dear Vladimir Vladimirovich! I would like to raise the issue of the past regional elections. It is no secret that in some regions they were quite emotional and tense, and sometimes even somewhere long, in Primorye they only ended, and Khakassia generally set a record, spending them for two months.
But the most important thing is that as a result of a protest vote, candidates from opposition parties came to power, in particular, the candidate from the Communist party won Khakassia, in Khabarovsk and Vladimir region – from the LDPR. This raises some questions.
First, why do you think it happened? Secondly, why, contrary to your established tradition, Have you not yet met with the elected heads? And most importantly, how do you intend to build relations with the territories where the opposition parties won? Because there are fears the Federal government may revoke the financing, attention, there is a concern.
Vladimir Putin: Don't worry about it, and it's even strange that this question arises.
About meetings. The elections in Vladivostok have just ended last Sunday, so there were no meetings. They will be, and they are scheduled, in my opinion, next week. We will have a state Council, and I have already instructed the Administration to hold a separate meeting with the newly elected heads of regions in these territories, which you have just mentioned. Just had to wait for the results of the elections in Vladivostok. That's one.
Second. This is not the first time that representatives of opposition parties win elections in our country. Weren't they? For several years, a representative of the LDPR has headed Smolensk, in Omsk we have, in my opinion, from United Russia, in other regions there are representatives of the Communist party. So what? They're working, all right.
I'm not a member of the party. I created United Russia, which is true, but the President is not a member of any parties. The main thing for me is to make people in the regions of the Russian Federation feel that life is changing for the better.
Actually, if they made a decision in relation to a specific person, not representing the party "United Russia", well, that's their choice. In every possible way I will only help any elected head of the region.
The only question is that the newly elected head of the region himself was on top, was able to fulfill the campaign promises that he gave to the people.
To be continued.
We are starting our traditional new year's eve meeting, we will call it a press conference.
As usual in such cases, I will take just a few seconds to say about the results of the outgoing year. A lot has been said about this, but I have the latest data, some right now, the day before yesterday.
So. In the ten months of this year, GDP grew by 1.7 percent. The forecast of the Ministry of economic development for the year is 1.8 percent. Industrial production grew at a faster pace. If last year's growth was 2.1 percent, in January-October this year-2.9 percent, at the end of the year is projected 3 percent. At the same time, manufacturing industries are growing slightly faster – 3.2 percent.
In three quarters, investments in fixed assets amounted to 4.1 percent. Freight turnover and retail trade volumes are growing-plus 2.6 percent. The increase in consumer demand, of course, is noticeable. This is a positive factor.
After a long break, a slight but still positive trend in the growth of real disposable income of the population was recorded. According to the latest data, it will be 0.5 percent.
I hope that this trend will continue, as the real level of wages is growing. For the first ten months of this year it is 7.4 percent, and at the end of the year it is expected somewhere 6.9, about seven.
Remains acceptable for us inflation, however, for the last week she slightly grew by 0.5 percent, in my opinion, and therefore we go beyond the benchmark Central Bank four per cent, will be some 4.1–4.2 percent – four.
Unemployment is declining, which is encouraging. If last year it broke the historical minimum - was 5.2 percent, this year it will be even lower – 4.8 percent.
The trade surplus is growing: in 2017, if you remember, it amounted to about 115 billion dollars, and in the three quarters of this year-already 157. At the end of the year, 190 billion dollars are expected.
Our finances are getting stronger. Gold and foreign exchange reserves are growing by more than seven percent. At the beginning of the year they were 432 billion, now almost 464.
We have a surplus for the first time since 2011. We will reach a surplus Federal budget in the region of about 2.1 percent of GDP. The national welfare Fund is growing by about 22 percent.
Our average annual old-age insurance pension in 2017 amounted to 13,677 rubles. By the end of this year there will be 14 163.
And the duration slightly increased: in 2017 it was 72.7 years, in 2018 it will be 72.9 years.
This is in General terms what I wanted to say at the beginning. Let's not waste time, let's move on to your questions and my attempts to answer them.
Dmitry Peskov: so, let's start, first with a little bit of priority for the Kremlin pool, which has been working all year on all trips, both abroad and inside Russia.
Vladimir Putin:"how not to please a dear man." Come on.
Dmitry Peskov, ITAR-TASS, the state news Agency.
Veronika Romanenkova, TASS: Thank You.
Probably, we can say that 2018 was held under the sign of national projects, new national projects, the start of which You gave the may decree and on which you plan to spend fabulous money. But some experts, members of the state Council, in Yalta recently talked about it, fear that in General it is realistic to implement these national projects, [doubt] their expediency. How well developed are the criteria for the implementation of national projects? For example, the head of the accounts chamber says that it is impossible to assess the effectiveness. Do You have anything to say?
Vladimir Putin: You are forcing me to say a few words about expediency in General, because you said that some people doubt whether they are needed at all.
I have already said this many times, and I want to repeat it. We need breakthrough. We need to jump into a new technological landscape. Without it, the country has no future. This is a matter of principle, and we must understand this.
And how to do it? It is necessary to concentrate available resources, to find them and to concentrate on the most important directions of development. And how to organize this work? Just hand out the money, is that it?
First, they had to be found. We were engaged in the formulation of tasks, and the search for these resources throughout 2017, and the Government and the Administration worked hard on this. Therefore, by the way, when they say: there are few changes in the Government – these are the people mainly, the main financial and economic unit, which worked on the country's development program until 2024. That's why they're responsible for what they've planned. But without this it is impossible.
So how to organize the work? Just handing out money? 20.8 trillion rubles-this is only on national projects planned, another 6.5 trillion-a separate plan for the development of infrastructure. Naturally, they need to be concentrated in some breakthrough documents. And you can call these development plans whatever you want, they are called "national projects". In any case, these are clearly goals. Without setting goals, no matter what envelopes to pack these goals, it is impossible to achieve the final result. Therefore, 12 national projects were created, and another infrastructure development plan. Let me remind you what areas this will develop in.
The first is health care, education, science, human capital, without which no breakthrough is possible at all. And the second is pure production and economy. Everything is connected with the economy: the first part, and the second one is directly related to the digital economy, the development of robotics, and so on and so forth. I have already talked about infrastructure.
Why did we gather in Yalta, Crimea, and discuss with our colleagues from the Government and from the regions how to organise this work? Because, indeed, there are issues related to the control over execution, and this control should be effective, and all our measures to monitor, so to speak, from the Federal center, what is happening in the regions, should be realistic. And there are problems, it's true. But these are the problems we are working on now. What's wrong? The point is that the money is mainly Federal, as a rule, for all programs, and a significant part of the work in the regions and regions should be set up for this constructive work: not just to increase prices due to the fact that a lot of money, but to achieve a specific result that people feel. That's one.
Second. It is necessary to understand: they will cope with it or not? Of course, the question. And some say,"it's impossible." But it is said by those who must achieve results. Let them not think so, but let them work on the fulfillment, and if they feel that they are not able to fulfill, then let them free their places for those who are full of optimism and ready for this work. I honestly don't see them who don't want to and say it's impossible. People say that there is something to analyze.
But if you do not set ambitious goals, will not be achieved at all. Therefore, I very much count on consolidated, good work, coordinated work of both the Federal centre and the regions. Yes, there are some adjustments in the figures. Colleagues from the regions have made such proposals, and I very much hope that the Government will take them into account, adjust these indicators of specific work, and it will move effectively.
Pavel Zarubin, Russia TV channel. Good day!
I would like to develop a topic that has already been touched upon. Many economic experts, including Kudrin, say that in reality the Russian economy has been growing by an average of only one percent for ten years, and if this is the case, it is, in fact, stagnation. You set the task of a breakthrough, a breakthrough, but for this, even by the most minimal estimates, the growth rate should be at least four to five times higher. The Government promises to fulfill the tasks, but there, in the Government, recognize that in the next few years the GDP growth rate will not exceed even two percent. In this regard, questions arise: so what is the basis on which the Government relies in its forecasts, in the planning of its activities? Is it possible with such introductory in principle a breakthrough, which is in question, or the economy will continue to develop on the principle: earned something on oil surpluses-put aside and spent when it was impatient? Are you happy with Medvedev's team in General? Thanks.
Dmitry Peskov: Dear friends, please respect each other and ask only one question.
Vladimir Putin: Look, economic growth is one percent per year over a certain period of time. But, first, he was so, when Alexei Kudrin was a Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Government, so "there is nothing to blame the mirror, if face is crooked" – so we the people say. That's one.
The second, so to consider, mechanically, it is impossible. I have great respect for Mr. Kudrin, this is my friend, and he is a good specialist, I usually listen to his recommendations, he trusted specialist, good. But, look, from 2008 to 2018, the economy grew by about 7.4 percent. Calculate-Yes, get a small percentage. But let's not forget how the economy developed. There were also higher growth rates, there were downturns associated with the global crisis. In 2009, after the crisis in the global economy, not in ours, we were not the cause of the global financial crisis of 2008-2009, it came to us from the outside, the decline was, in my opinion, 7.8 percent. Then we slowly got out of it for many years.
Then, in 2014-2015, there was another crisis – the collapse of oil prices, the main types of our exports. So, mechanically, can not be considered.
But, of course, the country's GDP, GDP growth rate is one of the main indicators. But we will not ensure the GDP growth rates necessary for this breakthrough, if we do not change the structure of the economy. This is precisely what national projects are aimed at, and the huge funds that I have already mentioned will be invested in order to change the structure and give it an innovative character. This is what the Government expects, that if this happens, and this is what we should all strive for, then the growth rate will increase, there will be other opportunities for development.
But by the way, you said that in the next two years it will be 2 percent. Yes, in the coming years – 2019-2020 – two, and from 2021 the Government is already planning three, and then more. Therefore, I very much hope that we will be able to do all this. Probably, some fluctuations are possible, but, I repeat, the most important thing is that we need to ... you Know, what we need to do? We need to enter another League of economies, and not only in terms of volumes. I think that it is quite possible to take the fifth place in terms of volumes. At one time, we were the fifth largest economy in terms of purchasing power parity, and I think we will do it. But we need to enter another League in terms of the quality of the economy. This is what our national projects are aimed at.
Pavel Zarubin: are You satisfied overall team Medvedev?
Vladimir Putin: In General, Yes.
Question: Good afternoon.
Mr President, we had a wonderful year in Volgograd – we celebrated the 75th anniversary of the battle of Stalingrad. You thought it possible that this would be a Federal holiday, and we really appreciate it, You came to us.
We had a great world championship, and our region really began to breathe and develop.
Much more needs to be done. About the economy, I think, a lot will be said, but the great expectations of Volgograd, a big request – in 1998 we disbanded Kachin school with a great history.
In 1910, The Tsaritsyn decree created it, we were very proud of it, we are proud of it and we want to be proud of it further, so that military traditions do not die. We ask you to think about it.
Vladimir Putin: what year was it disbanded?
Remark: in 1998, unfortunately. Red banner, with a great history.
Vladimir Putin: Look, now it's 2018, 20 years ago, I do not really understand what is left of this legendary school.
Indeed, You are right, this is a legendary school. But the Ministry of defence of the Russian Federation builds training depending on the needs of the Armed Forces in these personnel.
Therefore, it is necessary to see what can be done there in order not only to remember, but maybe the remaining elements of the tradition have not been lost. I will look surely, I will consult with the Ministry of defence.
Mikhail Balyuk: Mr President, Hello. Maria Baluk, the Agency "Prime".
Mr President, the budget for this year and next year will be surplus. Nevertheless, since January 1, a number of decisions will come into force, which can cause quite a serious increase in the cost of a wide range of goods and services.
For example, the increase in VAT to 20 percent, which has already provoked next year the growth of utility tariffs in two stages, is the introduction of a tax on self-employed in the pilot regions. Please tell us how it is coordinated with the economic policy pursued by the state…
Vladimir Putin: housing and utilities Tariffs are in two stages, and what else did you say?
Mikhail Balyuk: for example, the introduction of a tax on self-employed people in pilot regions.
And is not this amount of innovation too heavy a burden on the Russians and the economy?
Vladimir Putin: you mentioned a surplus.
Yes, indeed, this is a good indicator of the economic unit of the Government. As I said in my opening remarks, this is the first time that we have had a surplus budget of 2.1 percent since 2011. That's good.
But we should not forget that as an oil-producing country and a country that has the main revenues from the sale of oil and gas, we also have a so-called non-oil and gas deficit. That is what the country gets not from oil and gas sales.
I would like to remind you that in 2009 it was around 13 percent. That's huge. In the early 2000s, it was about three, and then, as a result of the global economic crisis – I want to emphasize – we had to spend petrodollars in order to fulfill our social obligations to the people, to withstand the plans to build the Armed Forces, and spent petrodollars.
And our non-oil and gas deficit has grown to a double-digit level, to my mind, almost 13 percent. And this is very serious for our economy. Now we have reduced it to 6.6 percent, and next year it should be six percent and so keep for several years.
This is a very important indicator of the stability of the Russian economy. So, the increase in VAT is also due to the need to keep this indicator of non-oil and gas deficit. This is the first circumstance.
Second. In many countries, 20 percent or even more VAT. We also had it higher, we lowered it, and then returned now to 20.
But the so-called effective VAT rate will actually be less than 20 percent in the economy as a whole, because we have retained almost all the benefits: benefits for the production of medicines, benefits for the production of children's goods, and so on, and many benefits for IT companies have been preserved. Therefore, the effective rate will be less.
Finally, I hope that this will be a one-time event, and even a small increase in prices and inflation at the beginning of the year will pass, and then it will decline.
But the Central Bank also takes certain actions and decisions to prevent this growth and inflation. Just recently, for example, we decided to raise rates by 0.25 percent.
There are pros and cons, but this is done in order to avoid inflation and prices. Therefore, in General, I believe that the decision is correct and balanced, which, of course, gives us additional budget revenues and opportunities to implement our development plans within the framework of national projects.
As for the growth of utility tariffs, it has averaged about four percent in recent years. Indeed, next year it will be held in two stages: the first stage – in my opinion, 1.7, and then, in my opinion, 2.4. But in General, it turns out 4.1.
Why in two stages-because due to the growth of VAT is still expected some growth of services and goods associated with the need for normal functioning of the housing system.
Therefore, in order not to plant these organizations, and ultimately in the interests of citizens it is done, it was decided to do it in two stages. But the total volume should not exceed 4.1.
According to some decisions of the Government, if it is really necessary somewhere, in the regions where it has already been brought to such a state that a greater increase is required, but this should be on an exceptional basis and in agreement with the Government of the Russian Federation.
Yevgeny Gagarina: Good Afternoon, Mr President. My name is Ekaterina Gagarina. I represent the TV channel "Russia" in Novosibirsk.
The significance of the project" Akademgorodok 2.0", which You supported during your visit to Novosibirsk, is obvious not only to Siberian scientists – this project is unique for the whole country.
But behind the technological component of this project is a number of tasks of no smaller scale. This is housing construction, roads, kindergartens, schools. And our question is whether our scientific ambitions about life will not break, will there be a place for scientists to live?
Vladimir Putin: I Don't want to.
I understand that this is a very important part of the whole process. We with the head of the region, of course, will work on it. When I was in Novosibirsk, we also talked about this with our colleagues.
The first task of the Federal center is to fulfill its obligations related to the facilities that enable the development of Akademgorodok, which make it possible, by the way, to earn money on these high technologies. And behind this, and the social network will stretch.
But if we need to do something more to address the social issues of scientists, of course, we will try to do it. By the way, the mortgage has been growing recently, and we will support it too. At a high rate, by the way, for everyone. Over 20 percent growth in mortgage lending.
But, of course, for Akademgorodok we will think. If there is such an urgent need for assistance from the Federal center, we will discuss it.
Sergey Marov: Mr President, Hello. Sergei Marov, Vologda oblast, the newspaper "the Star". Question from particular to General.
Let me give you one simple example. Next to our editorial office, not far away, is the company, which for nine years…
Vladimir Putin: The Enterprise?
S. Marov: Enterprise.
Titanic efforts for nine years built a technological chain for the complete processing of flax. Imagine…
Vladimir Putin: Excuse me, please, for a complete overhaul?
S. Marov: Flax.
Vladimir Putin: Yes, I see.
S. Marov: Plant a seed and get ready-made clothes at the exit. They did.
It would seem that the message of Industrialists is clear. At the same time, when I went to this conference, I held serious consultations with those who work there, and they say: "the Last research Institute, which is engaged in the development of flax, is in a state of liquidation."
Eliminated the last institution for the training of senior staff for fluxing, that is quite a discrepancy in the promises from the manufacturers who will implement and by the state, which must support these areas.
In this regard, I have a question. Mr President, how do you assess the current state of the industry and its growth rates? Do you think at this stage the support of domestic producers is sufficient?
Vladimir Putin: Honestly, I don't know on the problems of this institution on linen, but it's really the traditional kind of production in Russia – len. It was always our thing, it was our pride. I'll see what happens there.
As usual, the problem is more complicated than it looks from the outside. I do not know just what is going on with this Institute, although, of course, flax production, I repeat, has always been Russia's pride, and if it is needed for industry, it can be maintained, then we must see how to do it. I promise you I'll look into it.
Now about industry. I have already said that industrial growth is generally higher than GDP growth – three percent, the processing industry shows 3.2 percent. In General, these are good indicators.
As for the light industry, it is developing even faster. Food production has increased by 13 percent in the first ten months of this year, which, incidentally, is confirmed by the figures related to consumption, which is increasing as a whole. And as for clothes, shoes, growth – nine percent, this is a very good indicator.
Now, about the support, is it enough or not? Insufficient. That is why we have outlined a number of programs related to the support of individual industries. And in General, by 2024 it will amount to 1 trillion 376 billion rubles, and by industry, this also applies to light industry, aviation, this concerns the defense industry, this applies to other industries.
We have worked out separate programmes in the main sectors. Next year 450 billion rubles will be allocated for these purposes, in a year – 450-470. These are the figures. Total – 1376 billion rubles.
Vernitsky: Mr President, in our childhood we were very afraid of nuclear war. Remember, even songs such were: "to the Solar world-Yes, Yes, Yes! Nuclear explosion-no, no, no!»
Vladimir Putin: aren't you afraid now?
It's been four decades, and major publications on both sides of the ocean are beginning to print the scenario of the exchange of nuclear strikes between Russia and the United States. At the household level, increasingly sounds in the kitchen, the word "war".
How can you, the President, reassure my little son, who, like me, is now afraid of nuclear war, me and all of us, what actions, words?
Vladimir Putin: I think you are right, you know.
I just thought, somehow it's all – the danger of such a development in the world-is obscured, goes away. It seems impossible or something less important. Meanwhile, if, God forbid, something like this occurs, it can lead to the death of the entire civilization, maybe the planet.
Therefore, the questions are serious, and it is a pity that such a tendency of underestimation is taking place and is even growing. There are features of today, there are dangers. What are they?
The first is the collapse. In fact, we are witnessing the collapse of the international arms deterrence system and the arms race. Following the withdrawal of the United States from the anti-ballistic missile Treaty, which I have said a thousand times, has nevertheless been a cornerstone in the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and the deterrence of the arms race. After that, we have to respond with the creation of new weapons systems to overcome these missile DEFENSE systems.
Now we hear that Russia has gained an advantage. That's true. There are no such weapons systems in the world yet. The leading powers will have them, but not yet. In this sense, there are certain advantages. But in General, in the strategic balance it is just an element of deterrence and equalization of parities. This is the preservation of parity, nothing more.
Now make another step-out of the Treaty on the elimination of intermediate-range and shorter-range missiles. What about this? It is very difficult to imagine how the situation will develop further. And if these missiles appear in Europe, what should we do?
Of course, we will have to ensure our security with some steps. Let then not a peep about the fact that we will achieve some benefits. We do not seek advantages, but maintain balance and ensure our security.
The same new start Treaty, in 2021 he finishes the existence. No negotiations are under way on this issue. It's not interesting, no need-okay, we'll live.
We will ensure our safety. We know how to do that. But in General, it is very bad for humanity, because it brings us to a very dangerous point.
And finally, there is one more circumstance that I cannot but pay attention to. There is a tendency to lower the threshold of application. Any idea to create nuclear warheads small capacity, and it is not global, and tactical use. Such ideas sound from some analysts in the West, which is okay, you can apply. But lowering the threshold could lead to a global nuclear disaster. This is one danger of today.
The second is the use of non-nuclear ballistic missiles. True, American partners seem to have refused, but the idea exists. What is that?
Ballistic missile launched-in nuclear, non-nuclear performance. The system of the SPRn (missile attack warning system) records the start, the place of the start and after a few seconds determines the flight path and the possible territory of the fall of the head parts. It's all on the verge of a possible mistake, it's terrible, it can not be brought to this. Nevertheless, such an idea of using ballistic missiles in a non-nuclear version exists.
Well, a submarine fired a ballistic missile from the world ocean, but fuck knows it, it's in nuclear or non-nuclear, go figure it out. It's a very dangerous thing. And all this is exaggerated, discussed, and it is dangerous.
But I proceed from the fact that humanity has enough common sense and a sense of self-preservation, in order not to bring to an extreme.
Dmitry Peskov: Let's go to this sector. Here I see the Ukrainian flag, the second row.
Vladimir Putin: No, that's it You have all time are, You are, in my opinion, Ukraine?
Dmitry Peskov: Yes, this is our colleague from Ukraine.
Vladimir Putin: Yes, my colleagues told me, it is better not to give him the floor, because he will arrange a scandal. You want to make a scandal, no?
Please come on.
E. Sozaev-Guriev: Egor Sozaev-Guriev, "Izvestia". Question about the incident in the Kerch Strait.
Vladimir Putin: "news" is not from Ukraine?
E. Sozaev-Guryev: My question is about Ukraine.
Vladimir Putin: come on, all right.
E. Sozaev-Guriev: the Precedent in the Kerch Strait. The fate of the captured Ukrainian military is interesting, what will happen to them next. Do not you think that in principle this provocation was successful?
And I can not ask about the detainees and even prisoners of Russian citizens in the United States – I mean Butina, Yaroshenko. How can Russia protect their rights? And maybe look at our Chinese partners? Here in Canada, a Chinese citizen was detained from Huawei, they detained canadian citizens in response. Maybe experience?
Vladimir Putin: I would share your question Here. You said, " don't you think the provocation was a success?"That is the first: we state that it was a provocation, and you agree with this. This is already correct.
Now, succeeded or failed. It seems to me that provocations are always bad. Provocation is designed to aggravate the situation. Why do our Ukrainian partners need such a development of events? It is clear that there are elections, and we need to sharpen them in order to raise the rating of one of the candidates for the Presidency, I mean the incumbent President and the current government. Well, it's bad, it's ultimately to the detriment of the interests of its people and its state. Although it is possible without any provocations to move quietly, as it has been so far.
She succeeded or failed – from the point of view of improvement of the rating can be. Because the rating of Peter Alekseevich seems to have grown a little bit, he now moved from the fifth position to somewhere in the second or third, there are fluctuations, in my opinion, occur in the region of 12 percent. Yulia Vladimirovna, in my opinion, has 20 or more, already more than 20, and all the rest, Zelensky, in my opinion, then Boyko and Poroshenko, they have around 12 percent. In this sense – Yes, he probably fulfilled his task. At the expense of the country's interests, I think. This is a bad way to raise the rating.
Well, as for the future of Ukrainian soldiers, they were sent and hoped that one of them will die in fact. And I see a great dissatisfaction in the ruling circles was caused by the fact that no one was killed. Hoped that someone from them will be lost. But thank God that didn't happen. There is a consequence. After the criminal proceedings, it will be clear what to do with them.
Still, I will ask you to give the microphone to a colleague from Ukraine.
R. Tsymbalyuk: Thank You. There will be no scandal, as there was.
Vladimir Putin: thank God. Already good.
R. Tsymbalyuk: Mr President, I would like to ask: how much money do you spend on the occupied Donbas? There's poverty under your leadership, and people have become slaves to Russia, if you call a spade a spade. Here you are afraid of nuclear war and at the same time prepare for war with NATO, and, in fact, shoot at citizens of Ukraine. It's you as the Supreme Commander gave the order to shoot at the sailors. And I have a question: what are the terms of the exchange?
And if possible, the election. You say the ratings are analyzed.
Vladimir Putin: Just A Second. Terms of exchange?
R. Tsimbalyuk: the terms of the exchange of Ukrainian prisoners, and the Ukrainian military. You need citizens of Russia or not?
And if possible, the election. You analyze constantly the ratings, and it seems that You…
Vladimir Putin: I don't analyse them, I look at them. You print them.
R. Tsymbalyuk: ... thereby interfering in the electoral process, as was once done in the United States. Do not you think that it may happen that there will be no direct dialogue between the presidents of Ukraine and Russia until you change your place of work.
Thanks.
Vladimir Putin: about the suffering of people living in Donbas. You are a citizen of Ukraine. And you consider these people living in this territory citizens of your country. Tell me, please, who established the blockade between Donbass and the rest of Ukraine? Did Russia do this? This was done by the Ukrainian authorities: they imposed a complete economic blockade of the territory they consider their own. And they shoot at these citizens, who are considered their citizens. There almost every day people are dying, and peace. Peaceful.
We do provide humanitarian and other assistance and support to the people living in this territory. But only to have them completely there not crushed, not eaten and did not break, and will continue to do so. Because attempts to resolve issues of a political nature with the help of force, and we have seen this for several years from the side of today's Kiev authorities, this is still happening, are doomed to failure. That's understandable.
Now about how to settle relations and who will remain in power, who will not remain. It's not about personalities, it's about attitude. We want peace and prosperity in the whole territory of Ukraine, including Donbas. We are interested in this because Ukraine remains one of our largest trade and economic partners.
Trade turnover between Ukraine and Russia, despite all the efforts of today's Kiev authorities, is growing, including increased over the past year, this year it has also grown. Is that weird? No, it's not weird because it's a natural connection. And these natural ties someday all -??? would give about itself know. But while in the Kiev corridors of power are Russophobes who do not understand what, in fact, the interest of their own people, this abnormal situation will continue. Regardless of who is in power in the Kremlin.
We were engaged in an exchange, all the time were engaged. Mr Medvedchuk, on behalf of Poroshenko, by the way, he has been doing this all the time. And recently, he also came to Moscow and raised the issue of the release of the Ukrainian military detained in the Kerch Strait, or rather, in the Black sea. Yes, and Medvedchuk raised this question. But, I have already said, these issues can be resolved after the completion of the criminal case.
M. nos: Good afternoon, colleagues. Good afternoon, Mr. President! Margarita Baulina, Herald " Family. Society. Traditions.»
The matter is that two years ago the initiative group of our edition took part in the social project. We began to develop a project for the construction of an indoor football field for children from disadvantaged families, as well as for children from orphanages.
Two years we knocked at doors for committees, write letters, meet, and two years, we stumble upon indifference. No offense to colleagues from other areas, but we are perceived as an ordinary flower shop or refueling, in no way reacting to the fact that we are trying to help the state to perform its functions and important mission.
Vladimir Putin: what are you trying to do?
M. Baulina: we are trying to open a football covered field for children from disadvantaged families, as well as for children from orphanages, that is, to give them the opportunity to completely free of charge to realize themselves not on the streets in some way harmful to them, but as much as possible as a person.
Vladimir Putin: have you established a non-governmental non-profit organisation or something?
M. Baulina: we have LLC, so far LLC on the basis of our publication.
Vladimir Putin: so you are a commercial organisation after all?
Mikhail Baulina: at the moment, Yes, because we cannot find a way to implement our project.
Vladimir Putin: With whom are you trying to resolve this issue?
Mikhail Baulina: we are trying to resolve this issue with several committees of our city, starting with the property Committee, the Committee on sports, youth and social policy. And every time we go from one Committee to another, according to the letters, and to the meetings, back and forth.
Vladimir Putin: How much does your project cost?
M. Baulina: at the moment there are 11 million.
Vladimir Putin: what city is it Again?
M. Baulina: St. Petersburg.
Vladimir Putin: I will talk to the acting President. I am sure the issue will be resolved.
M. nos: thank You very much.
Vladimir Putin: Sure.
K. Golovanov: Day counter-intelligence, Mr President. Today is a holiday.
Vladimir Putin: Thank you, Too. I feel like You're not far from here either.…
We have the same thing in intelligence, counterintelligence and information work. In fact, it is the same work – it is information: you are engaged in information, and intelligence agencies are also engaged in information.
K. Golovanova: recently, our society, mainly the youth part of it, has faced strange actions of the authorities, which, I think, provoke some unnecessary conflicts. This is, for example, the situation with the word you already know, with rappers. They are compressed, breaking up of concerts.
Vladimir Putin: you doubt my abilities…
K. Golovanova: No.
Vladimir Putin: "the Word You now know." Well, I've known before.
K. Golovanova: Well, you use more often.
Vladimir Putin: I Have one of my Trustees also rappers were. Timothy. What about it? There he is, all painted up like this guy. By the way, a wonderful person and a wonderful artist.
K. Golovanova: You said at the Council for culture: "If you can't resist a movement, you have to lead it." Please tell me why the state should interfere in this situation at all? Can be, to leave already in alone? Why they broke up? In General, who needed it? Well, they sing with materkom – this is it.
And the second point is probably more serious, but also affecting, in General, young people. Now all are concerned about the legislative initiative about that for the negative statements about the state, government, society to impose liability, rather, to strengthen that responsibility. This, again, will hit primarily on young people who sit in social networks. Here such actions are not you afraid to lose the youth?
Vladimir Putin: as for the loss or, on the contrary, the acquisition of some authority from young people.
You know, when I am told about young people, I always remember some tragic and heroic pages of our modern history. Well, let's remember a company of paratroopers-96 people, guys (19-20 years) who directly almost from a school bench appeared in Armed Forces, 96 people against two thousand. Six survivors. Almost three days fight went, several times passed to hand-to-hand, fought shovels and knives. Here are the heroes that youth, 19-20 years old guys. (Applause.)
And if you take volunteers. There are thousands, just thousands. In my opinion, 35 thousand volunteers worked at the world championship. And the guys who are engaged in search activity? Thousands too. All the same the young people.
And we have this layer, not a layer, it's a layer, it's a colossal depth. And it's all young people, it is the support of today and the future of Russia. And there are young scientists, talented artists and musicians. Rappers are among them.
As for the responsibility for the flag and other symbols of the state, almost all countries have it. You have to respect your country. And there are rules that must be followed everywhere. If there is responsibility outside the Internet, it should be on the Internet.
What is different about browsing behavior from the fact that the borders of the Internet? This is also a society, especially the Internet has penetrated into all spheres of our life. Therefore, I do not see anything special here.
And as for the arrest of these rappers, I agree with you. It to anything, it is the result, the return to expected, anything good in it isn't present. However, as nothing good in the fact that, as You said, "They're singing with materkom, so be it".
I recently, you saw, was on the anniversary of Temirkanov, he was 80 years old. He said, in General, the usual thing, but still correct: "Art does not exist in order to indulge the low motives, low interests and low profile of culture. The culture itself exists to raise this level."
Of course, it is impossible to miss, not to let and punish for it. This is wrong. But there are other things. For example, remember, it turns out, broadcast, it was live, and I said to my interlocutor: "Let's all swear here now, at the Council for culture." Everyone laughed. Why? It never occurs to anyone to do that. Why should we indulge? To indulge it is impossible.
But there are other elements. For example, the promotion of drugs. Why do we need our young people to use drugs, why should we condone the promotion of drug use? This is the degradation of society, the degradation of young people, the degradation of the nation.
Do we want to degrade or something? Someone wants to propagandize drugs, let him propagandize. We should not do this, and we should not encourage it in any case, and we should not look at it indifferently either. Another thing is that it is necessary to counteract these trends in a different way.
Or we have become fashionable to promote suicide among young people. So, shall we all go hang ourselves now, or what? I'm not the first, then you'll be the first. I don't want to, right? We cannot allow this to happen among young people. I said we should take the lead.
This does not mean that grab, do not let, drag, "do as I do." No, that's not aviation. Here, we need to act differently. Whether there are such means or not? Sure I do. It is necessary to carefully, calmly build, convince of the greater attractiveness of other values. But roughly you can not deny, I agree with You.
Dmitry Peskov: maybe there are representatives from other countries besides the Ukrainian media? Our Japanese comrades, "Kyodo Tsushin", please, in the middle of this Central sector. Could you pass the microphone, please?
H. Sugizaki: Good Afternoon, Vladimir Vladimirovich.
Vladimir Putin: Hello.
H. Sugizaki: Hirofumi Sugizaki, Japan, "Kyodo Tsushin".
My question, of course, unfortunately, concerns our peace Treaty, to which, as I understand it, we are striving. After the meeting in Singapore, Where you and Mr. Abe agreed to speed up the negotiations on the basis of the Soviet-Japanese Declaration of 1956, our public is concerned only with how many Islands we will get. Zero, two, three, four, we don't know. On the other hand, I understand that the Russians are also at a loss. Basically it is: "Why should we give?"We are approached by a variety of people even with a threat: "we Will not give a single inch of land." And so on. We are talking about territorial division, which we need to do. But if our new Treaty, the peace Treaty, is limited only to this-territorial division, it will be little and uninteresting, and our peoples, the public will understand. What do you think, what new idea, what moments to invest in order to promote our relations to a new, qualitatively new level?
And let me, in this regard, I can not ask a question. Recently, the Russian side, including Yourself, has been touching upon security issues. We are talking specifically about the deployment of US missile defense IN Japan and the potential deployment of us troops and military infrastructure in the case of the transfer of the Islands of Japan. We have negotiations at the level of experts, but since we are talking about defense, Japan is almost completely dependent on the United States. Do you think that these issues can be resolved on a bilateral basis, or will You have to directly with the United States? Thanks a lot.
Vladimir Putin: Let's not forget what you have finished. Security issues are extremely important, including in concluding a peace Treaty. You said about the deployment of American military infrastructure in Japan, but she's already there, on Okinawa, the largest us base have been around for decades, we know.
Now about Japan's ability to participate in these decisions. For us, this is an incomprehensible, closed part. We do not understand the level of Japan's sovereignty in making such decisions. You know better than all other colleagues, I am also aware that the Governor of Okinawa is against some decisions related to the strengthening of the base and its expansion. He's against it, but he can't do anything about it. And the people who live there are against it.
You do not need to go far, all the polls show that people go out on the street, require the withdrawal of this base. And, in any case, they are against strengthening the air force component of the us armed forces related to what is already there. There are plans for strengthening and development. All against, but this is happening.
We do not know what will happen after the conclusion of the peace Treaty. But without an answer to this question, it will be very difficult for us to make any drastic decisions. And, of course, we are concerned about the plans to deploy missile defense systems. I have said many times to the United States, and I can repeat once again: we do not believe that these are defensive weapons, they are part of the us strategic nuclear potential brought to the periphery. And these systems work synchronously, in combination with shock complexes. Therefore, here we have no illusions, we all understand this. But, understanding all this, nevertheless, we seek and will sincerely strive further to conclude a peace Treaty with Japan, because I am convinced, and Prime Minister Abe shares This conviction with me, the current state is not normal. Both Japan and Russia are interested in the full settlement of our relations, and not only because we need something from Japan in terms of the economy. It is more or less developing in our country.
Just now, the Minister of economic development Oreshkin reported to me this morning on the results of his visit to Japan. There is progress, including the agreement on supplies and the opening of the Japanese market for Russian meat products, including poultry meat. There are other advances. So it is still moving and will move, the life force. But normalization in General is extremely important for us, both for Russia and Japan. The process is complex, and we are ready to move along this path together with our colleagues.
Dmitry Peskov: Thank You. You know, the news has just come that the British media regulator Ofcom has found RT guilty of violating the broadcasting rules and is considering the possibility of imposing sanctions. I saw RT around here somewhere. Come on, here's the source.
Vladimir Putin: Please.
Igor Petrenko: Mr Medvedev, thank you.
Good afternoon. My name is Ilya Petrenko, TV channel Russia Today, as you have already said.
But that's not my question. First, I would like to ask about the recent decision to facilitate the procedure for obtaining Russian citizenship for Ukrainians. Our channel often dealt with this topic and the problem with the bureaucracy. This is certainly an important step, but I would like to ask you to clarify from a purely political point of view what the logic is. And if it is so necessary and it is simple for the help to citizens in the East of Ukraine why it couldn't be made earlier. Are you not afraid that the bureaucracy will continue and now just have to shift the paper is not on the right hand, and on the left.
And even briefly I would return to the question of colleagues from the newspaper "Izvestia". There is a scandal Kripalani and the West's reaction to it, there is a murder of Mr Khashoggi, the Saudi journalist, is a completely different reaction. There are arrests of Kirill Vyshinsky, Marina Butina, there is an arrest of the financial Director of the company "Huawei". And Donald trump openly says that it is a bargaining chip in the trade war as well. My colleague asked: can we see such a practice in Russia, when foreign citizens will be delayed on far-fetched pretexts, for example, to exchange them for someone? Thanks.
Vladimir Putin: Well, let's start with the last part of Your question. I do not want to comment on what is happening in us-Chinese relations: who, whom, for what detained, in response to what actions and so on. This is a very delicate area, and we will not act on the principles set out in the code of king Hammurabi. This principle of retaliation is called, we have it reads: "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth." It is necessary to act very carefully and proceed from the realities. If there are some people who violate Russian laws, regardless of their national and state affiliation, we will respond to this, but we will not be enough innocent people just to change them to someone.
As for the fate of our citizens, of course, we are not indifferent to it – the fact that this Butina is forced to confess something. I do not understand what she can admit, because she did not perform any tasks of the state, state bodies of Russia. This I will declare. Whatever she says, even under the influence of threats of 12-15 years ' imprisonment. Clearly, she and her lawyer are fighting to get out of jail. I don't know why they put her in that prison. Just no reason. But we must somehow all save face, get out of this situation. First of all, of course, I'm talking about American justice. The end – view. We care, we will monitor, monitor and support them accordingly.
Now about Skipala and Khashoggi. I'm not even here to comment. Khashoggi killed, it's obvious, admitted it. Squeaky, thank God, alive. Nevertheless, there are a lot of sanctions against Russia. They're still talking about it. And in the second case – silence full. This is a politicized Russophobic approach. This is an occasion, only an occasion to organize another attack on Russia. Well, there would be no Squeaks, something else would come up. That's obvious to me. And the goal is only one-to restrain the development of Russia as a possible competitor. I don't see any other goals.
Now, about the bureaucracy. Bureaucracy associated with citizenship. Bureaucracy. What are You talking about? Bureaucracy is eternal, it cannot be defeated. But to live without it is impossible, I must say. It is necessary to build only certain rules of work of this bureaucracy, it is true, the state mechanism of decision-making and so on.
As for the adoption of citizenship. This has to do not only with the events in the South-East of Ukraine, we do not only for those people who live in these areas. The government is currently preparing amendments to the relevant law on citizenship and acquisition of citizenship. What is this being done for? And this is done in order to show that we do not seek and will not support the policy associated with the split, with the separation of the Russian and Ukrainian peoples. What are today's authorities doing? What task do they perform? What do they sell against the background of Russophobia, which they develop? They carry out, they actually speak about it, a historical task – take away the Russian and Ukrainian people, here that they do. And for this they are all forgiven.
Your colleague from the Ukrainian media spoke about the hardships that fell to the share of people living in Donbass and Luhansk region, that they have a low standard of living there. A Ukraine that is better, eh? There is about the same as in the Donbass as a whole – it gets worse and worse. All in the context of war, hostilities, stresses, all is forgiven within the country and outside, for sure. Pay for it. Here is another tranche of the IMF will now receive. But we understand what the IMF tranche is-it is only to pay pensions and wages in the social sphere, and then it will be necessary to pay future generations. Therefore, in General, the situation there is unfavourable, I think, in the economy and in the social sphere, in terms of domestic political processes. And our peoples are close, bound by historical roots, and we will do everything to support this state of Affairs.
The law on citizenship is currently being amended and will be adopted early next year.
Yu Abanov: Yuri Abanov, the newspaper "Khakassia".
Dear Vladimir Vladimirovich! I would like to raise the issue of the past regional elections. It is no secret that in some regions they were quite emotional and tense, and sometimes even somewhere long, in Primorye they only ended, and Khakassia generally set a record, spending them for two months.
But the most important thing is that as a result of a protest vote, candidates from opposition parties came to power, in particular, the candidate from the Communist party won Khakassia, in Khabarovsk and Vladimir region – from the LDPR. This raises some questions.
First, why do you think it happened? Secondly, why, contrary to your established tradition, Have you not yet met with the elected heads? And most importantly, how do you intend to build relations with the territories where the opposition parties won? Because there are fears the Federal government may revoke the financing, attention, there is a concern.
Vladimir Putin: Don't worry about it, and it's even strange that this question arises.
About meetings. The elections in Vladivostok have just ended last Sunday, so there were no meetings. They will be, and they are scheduled, in my opinion, next week. We will have a state Council, and I have already instructed the Administration to hold a separate meeting with the newly elected heads of regions in these territories, which you have just mentioned. Just had to wait for the results of the elections in Vladivostok. That's one.
Second. This is not the first time that representatives of opposition parties win elections in our country. Weren't they? For several years, a representative of the LDPR has headed Smolensk, in Omsk we have, in my opinion, from United Russia, in other regions there are representatives of the Communist party. So what? They're working, all right.
I'm not a member of the party. I created United Russia, which is true, but the President is not a member of any parties. The main thing for me is to make people in the regions of the Russian Federation feel that life is changing for the better.
Actually, if they made a decision in relation to a specific person, not representing the party "United Russia", well, that's their choice. In every possible way I will only help any elected head of the region.
The only question is that the newly elected head of the region himself was on top, was able to fulfill the campaign promises that he gave to the people.
To be continued.
Большая пресс-конференция Владимира Путина
Переводил Yadex. Я так быстро переводить не умею. Пока продолжения нет. Когда опубликуют, я выложу.
