Vanguard News Network
VNN Media
VNN Digital Library
VNN Reader Mail
VNN Broadcasts

Old May 12th, 2020 #61
Alex Him
Senior Member
 
Alex Him's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,834
Blog Entries: 219
Post

Laying flowers to monument to Anatoly Sobchak



On the 20th anniversary of Anatoly Sobchak’s death Vladimir Putin paid homage to his memory by laying flowers at his monument on Vasilyevsky Island in St Petersburg.



February 19, 2020 - 14:20 - St Petersburg







Anatoly Sobchak was St Petersburg’s Mayor from 1991 to 1996. The granite half-length figure of the politician in a Doctor Honoris Causa mantle stands in the square near the Faculty of Law of St Petersburg State University where Anatoly Sobchak taught. The sculpture was erected in 2006. It was designed by sculptor Ivan Korneyev and architect Vyacheslav Bukhayev.








The flower-laying ceremony was attended by President of the Anatoly Sobchak St Petersburg Public Foundation Lyudmila Narusova, St Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Dmitry Kozak, Accounts Chamber Chairman Alexei Kudrin, Sberbank CEO German Gref, Rector of St Petersburg State University Nikolai Kropachev and Anatoly Sobchak’s daughter Kseniya Sobchak.





After the flower-laying ceremony, the President spoke with St Petersburg residents.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/62830






Working meeting with St Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov



During his trip to St Petersburg, Vladimir Putin had a working meeting with Governor of St Petersburg Alexander Beglov.



February 19, 2020 - 18:00 - St Petersburg







The Governor reported that 2019 was a relatively successful year. The assistance provided to the city helped build 44 kindergartens, 12 schools and 16 healthcare facilities.

Mr Beglov also thanked the President for helping create an Art Park in the historical centre of St Petersburg. An international contest was held to design the large park, and the winner will be chosen in June. When the President asked how much time it would take to build the park, the Governor said that the design and construction would take two to two and a half years.





The Governor also reported that the city had reached almost all the 2019 targets for the national projects. A transport reform is underway in the city as well as preparations for the 75th Victory anniversary.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/62832






Concert in memory of Anatoly Sobchak



Vladimir Putin attended a concert in memory of Anatoly Sobchak at the Grand Hall of the Shostakovich St Petersburg Academic Philharmonic.



February 19, 2020 - 20:30 - St Petersburg







President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

Dear friends,

Today we are paying tribute to Anatoly Sobchak, my mentor and friend. I am proud to say this. He was a very dynamic person. As we all know, he was St Petersburg Governor, this is an important post, but he was not the first, second or third person of the state. However, he surely was a politician of national scale.

He lived and developed as a politician (and he covered a short but exceptional and momentous path of development in politics) during a very difficult and critical period in our recent history. And the thing is that a person like Sobchak related to the spirit of that era. He was the kind of person our country needed, and he was there.

Of course, I am sure that there are no indifferent people in this hall; you saw his public speeches, and you know what a brilliant speaker he was. And I could see all this backstage from the inside. I will share my observations.

You know, in 1996, Anatoly Sobchak travelled as a confidant of Boris Yeltsin around the country, and to a very difficult region at that time, and proposed that I accompany him. I watched it happen in real life.





Those were very difficult times. We lacked everything. The economy had “cracked,” and the social sphere fell apart, to put it bluntly. People lived in very difficult conditions. You know, I remember how we would enter a hall (in 1996) met by hooting and whistling.

What was different about Anatoly Sobchak? Not only was he a very scholarly man, a well-trained person, but do you know what his peculiarity was? He was a very decent and honest man. And that was his essence.

You will now understand why I combine all of the above. We would enter a hall to hooting and whistling, but he would leave to applause.

We were on stage. I was receiving notes and, to be honest (this was a great lesson for me), at first I tried to put aside rude and abusive notes. When he saw that I was weeding out the rude comments he said to me, “Let me have them.” He took them and started answering the most difficult questions, but he spoke so sincerely, honestly and with feeling that people believed him. People believed him and this is the main thing that a politician must have: honesty, frankness and sincerity. He had all of these qualities.





Yes, of course we remember the year he lost the election in St Petersburg. This was no accident, either. He also had his drawbacks, but maybe some of them were in way virtues at the same time. He was too straightforward. He never fawned over anyone and was not a yes-man. He almost always said what he thought even when a seasoned politician would at least keep quiet. He was never silent and always was honest and straight talking. But these were hard times.

All his friends, the people that worked with him got a lot from him. This includes me, too. He did much for the city. What matters is not just that he returned the original name to the city. No, this is not the whole point. He returned a sense of dignity to St Petersburg as the true northern capital and gave it a new lease on life; more than anything, he gave the city its spirit back. He did a lot for the city and for this country and we – at any rate those who knew and loved him, and were his friends – will never forget this.

Thank you very much for your attention.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/62833






Meeting of Federal Security Service Board



February 20, 2020 - 12:20 - Moscow







Vladimir Putin took part in an expanded meeting of the Federal Security Service (FSB) Board. The President reviewed the performance of FSB bodies in 2019 and outlined their short-term priorities.

In particular, the President noted a positive trend in the Federal Security Service’s efforts to counteract terrorism: the total number of terrorist criminal acts continues to fall; in 2019, 57 such crimes were prevented, including 34 terrorist acts.







President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

Good afternoon, comrades.

Reliable protection of Russia and our citizens from internal and external threats has always been and remains a national priority.

We have come together for a traditional expanded meeting of the Federal Security Service Board to review your performance in these crucial areas and discuss the main goals for the short term.

First of all, I would like to say that the past year was challenging and far from simple for the service and all of you. However, the FSB staff and their colleagues from other agencies dealt with serious national security challenges and risks promptly and professionally.

I would like to thank all of you, as well as the staff of the FSB central office, territorial departments and special units for your good service, competent actions, courage and resolve.

The fight against terrorism remains one of the FSB priorities. You may remember that last time we spoke in detail about the results achieved in this vital sphere and the trends of the past 10 years. It is notable that we maintained the positive dynamic, this trend in the period under review.

The total number of terrorist crimes decreased from nine in 2018 to four in 2019. You also successfully prevented 57 such crimes, compared to 36 in 2018, including 34 terrorist attacks.

All of us know what terrorist attacks are, and we are aware of the potential consequences had you not prevented them.

There have been positive changes in many areas, including in exposing and eliminating sleeping terrorist cells, and intercepting funding channels and weapon supplies for terrorist groups.

I would like to particularly note our cooperation with our foreign colleagues. Thanks to the timely information received from the FBI, two ISIS supporters who were plotting bloody terrorist attacks during the New Year holidays were detained in St Petersburg on December 27.

Certainly, we appreciate our partners’ support and professional solidarity in the fight against our common threat. We will definitely respond in kind.

The Federal Security Service’s International Counter-Terrorist Database is becoming increasingly in demand. Last year, seven more security services from foreign countries and one specialised body within an international organisation joined the database while the number of inquiries, mainly from foreign partners, grew by 160 percent (roughly from 10,000 to 26,000). This level of data exchange significantly boosts the efficiency of global counterterrorism efforts.

I would like to ask you to continue stepping up the proactive and assertive fight against terrorism, with the National Anti-Terrorist Committee playing a constructive and coordinating role. I instruct you to ensure the highest level of protection during large-scale international events to be held in Russia, primarily, the 75th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War.

The counter-extremism system must become more flexible and up-to-date. In this work, it is important to rely on society’s support and trust. I expect prompt measures from you with regard to preventing any calls for aggression and violence. Any manifestations of nationalism and religious hostility must be suppressed.

We need to work with people of all generations, including, of course, young people, and cooperate with public organisations. The media must be persistent in shaping an environment that does not tolerate any kind of radicalism in any form.

It is important to clearly realise the destructive danger of radicalism for Russia’s statehood and stable development.

Our counterintelligence staff accomplished a great deal last year. Statistics show that foreign intelligence services have not slackened their activities in Russia, and you must act confidently and efficiently, just as you did in the past, paying special attention to the protection of information about our latest weapons and equipment, forward-looking defence and industrial technology, as well as innovative projects that are enhancing Russia’s competitive edge.

Protecting the economic security of the country and combatting corruption remains one of your top priorities.

Even more resolute action must be taken to purge our strategic industries of crime and to make use of the positive experience in exposing criminal schemes in such sectors as finance, tax, fuel and energy, as well as defence.

At the same time, I would like to say once again that you must strictly respect the rights of citizens and economic operators. If you learn that the rights of businesspeople have been violated by regulatory and supervisory bodies, you must react to this information not in a perfunctory manner but quickly and efficiently.

The fight against corruption must gather momentum; you should wage it together with your colleagues from the Prosecutor General’s Office, the Interior Ministry, the Accounts Chamber, the Federal Service for Financial Monitoring and other bodies, as well as rely on support from society and individual citizens.

This must be done with regard to our national projects. Colleagues, I ask you to give special attention to this.

I have said this before, but I would like to repeat that we have earmarked huge resources to achieving our national development goal, which must be a results-based job. Much depends on you in this regard.

We need to strictly monitor the movement of these huge funds. At the same time, I would like to remind you that this must not hinder the work of the government and economic agencies concerned.

In the past few years, we have seen a rise in the number of information security threats. We conducted a detailed discussion about the increasingly frequent and well-coordinated cyberattacks at the 2019 board meeting.

Today, a number of countries have already established special centres for conducting such action, and they are drafting strategies for the preventive use of cyber-systems. It goes without saying that, considering the rapid development of digital technologies, such information-warfare weapons will become more powerful.

Instead of merely considering this, we need to implement preventive measures to protect Russia’s interests.

We should focus on shielding the computer systems of state-power agencies, state electronic services, operators of communications systems, banking organisations and our major companies, expanding the capabilities of the State System for Detecting, Preventing Computer Attacks and Eliminating Their Consequences.

In addition, we need to guarantee security during the development of fifth-generation communications technologies and the satellite communications systems within our remit.

And, of course, it is important to strengthen Russia’s reputation as a reliable international partner in the area of information security, primarily by expanding cooperation with other countries and organisations.

I hope that the National Coordinating Centre for Computer Incidents that was established in 2018 will make a noticeable contribution to this work.

I would like to dwell separately on the tasks of the Federal Security Service’s Border Service. In late 2019, border sectors with upgraded infrastructure accounted for almost 70 percent of the entire length of the state border, the technical equipment levels of border control divisions reached 80 percent, and their share of modern weapons increased to more than 63 percent.

Certainly, these are good results. I would like to recall that this indicator was just ten percent in 2003.

We should continue to expand our efforts to improve and reequip the border infrastructure, more actively introduce automated passport control systems that considerably boost the efficiency of border control divisions and make border control formalities more convenient and less burdensome for law-abiding citizens and our foreign guests.

Colleagues,

In conclusion, I would like to once again thank you all for conscientiously accomplishing your tasks.

I am confident that you will continue to act professionally, efficiently and reliably.

Thank you.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/62834






On the tasks of the new Government (Interview to TASS News Agency)



The first part of Vladimir Putin's interview to TASS News Agency has been published.

The 20 Questions with Vladimir Putin project is an interview with the President of Russia on the most topical subjects of social and political life in Russia and the world. Total recording time is 3.5 hours.



February 20, 2020 - 17:00







Andrei Vandenko:

How are you doing?



Vladimir Putin:

Honestly?



Andrei Vandenko:

Honestly.



Vladimir Putin:

I am doing very well.



Andrei Vandenko:

I am happy for you.

I will ask questions, and you will hopefully answer.



Vladimir Putin:

I will try. Depends on the questions.



Andrei Vandenko:

We are facing a non-trivial task today. There are actually 20 topics. There are 20 because you have been in office, at the helm for 20 years. Now, the year is 2020 and that is quite symbolic.



Vladimir Putin:

Let us not forget that I was Prime Minister for four years, not President.



Andrei Vandenko:

The resignation of the Government. There are a lot of jokes and witticisms on this subject on the Internet. The first was probably as follows: because of the unusually warm weather in Russia, its Government has melted away like the snow.



Vladimir Putin:

That is funny.



Andrei Vandenko:

Here is what it looks like. (Showing a photo collage)



Vladimir Putin:

Ok, but why exactly did it melt away in parliament, I do not understand.



Andrei Vandenko:

Well, I suppose they just found this picture.



Vladimir Putin:

You know, the Internet is an interesting tool, but at times inaccurate.



Andrei Vandenko:

True. And now, all kidding aside, in fact, Medvedev’s government, his cabinet, underwent a reshuffle not that long ago, just in 2018, after the election. Some left – Dvorkovich, Shuvalov, Men’, Abyzov, though let us not even go there in the latter's case; so they started to work. What happened over this year and a half to provoke…





Vladimir Putin:

First, more might have happened in a year and a half, or two years. Secondly, the previous cabinet has really done a lot in terms of preparing the main phase of the implementation of national projects. They had to identify national development goals. And this only seems easy at first glance. In fact, it is an enormous effort.

Then, tools needed to be developed on which to rely in order to achieve these national goals. The Government did that as well. But then, I felt some inner certainty that this is when new people should come in to pursue work in new areas of crucial importance; people with modern training and commitment to achieving the overarching goal on key development elements.

I would like to draw your attention to the fact that the core has remained. Some people from the Executive Office, including those directly involved in the work on national projects, have moved to the Government. This is of paramount importance, I believe. I will tell you why. If they were behind the development of these national projects and the goals we are expected to achieve in terms of national development, it stands to logic that they should be tasked with putting into practice exactly what they have suggested as these goals and tools to achieve them. Therefore, some people from the Executive Office have come to the Government to do it because that is where it is done.



Andrei Vandenko:

And some from the Government have moved on to the Executive Office…



Vladimir Putin:

Yes, yes, let them work here.



Andrei Vandenko:

So changing the order of the addends does change the sum?



Vladimir Putin:

Yes, it does, for sure. That is why there is nothing unusual or unexpected here. You can of course ask me, I did say there would be no change, no plans for that. Yes, I did. If I had said that I was going to change the Government tomorrow, all work would have just stopped the day after tomorrow. As the saying goes, call it a day and hit the hay.



Andrei Vandenko:

That is why we call it a “special operation”.



Vladimir Putin:

It is not.



Andrei Vandenko:

No one knew. Did anyone know?



Vladimir Putin:

I did.



Andrei Vandenko:

Anybody else?



Vladimir Putin:

Is that not enough?



Andrei Vandenko:

When did you make the decision?



Vladimir Putin:

I will not say.



Andrei Vandenko:

When did you tell Medvedev?



Vladimir Putin:

That is between the two of us.





Andrei Vandenko:

But we should know, shouldn’t we?



Vladimir Putin:

We have enjoyed very frank, collegial, friendly relations with Mr Medvedev for many years. We have no secrets from one another. Therefore, we discussed this issue with him.



Andrei Vandenko:

You mean earlier? Or did you just confront him with the fact?



Vladimir Putin:

We discussed it earlier and he knew what was going on.



Andrei Vandenko:

He has been given a position invented for him specifically, which never existed. You even had to hastily adopt a law to provide for this post.



Vladimir Putin:

Why hastily? The law was adopted.



Andrei Vandenko:

The appointment came first, and the law followed…



Vladimir Putin:

There is nothing out of the ordinary here. If there is something in the legislation that needs adjustment, the President in accordance with the Fundamental Law has the right to fill in this gap in the legislation by issuing an executive order, which will be followed by the adoption of a relevant law. This is normal practice. Nothing unusual.



Andrei Vandenko:

There is a certain feeling of hastiness. As if you needed some solution…



Vladimir Putin:

Your feeling is not exactly the same as reality. You may have all sorts of feelings. You may feel that you are running a high temperature judging by your senses, but this might not be the case. You need a thermometer to know whether you have a fever or not. So, we have nothing out of the ordinary here. I will say it again. The legal practice is as follows: if there is a gap in the legislation, a President issues an executive order, and the provision is later implemented through a law. Just wait a second. This is number one.

Number two is the question: why should we wait to decide on such issues? What will that achieve? According to those who do not have a clear understanding of what is going on or are critical about it, would it be better to spend another six months after the resignation of the Government in order to form a new one? Can you imagine what a mess the country would be in? There should never be a gap in power. Never.

Everything should be discussed and thought through in advance, in a calm and business-like manner, each step should be prepared, and then the decision should be taken and implemented. We cannot afford to muddle along here. Russia is not Belgium that can stay a whole year without any government.



Andrei Vandenko:

The new Government is yet another topic. And I would like to get back to the old one. Zhirinovskiy suggested that the Security Council deputy Chairman be referred to as vice-president. Is it so, at face value?



Vladimir Putin:

No. Because a vice-president is the one to step in for the President assuming all his or her rights and responsibilities. We have introduced the post of deputy Chairman of the Security Council. The President is Chairman of the Security Council. And now I have a deputy on this particular track.



Andrei Vandenko:

Another joke on the Internet: the duo has fallen out of sync.



Vladimir Putin:

Nothing is out of sync.



Andrei Vandenko:

The tandem…



Vladimir Putin:

We are working with Mr Medvedev as we used to. He has switched to another track in his career. That is true. And natural, too.



Andrei Vandenko:

As for the choice you made of the new Prime Minister. Who was on the short list? They mentioned Mishustin, Sobyanin… You had two executive orders for signing on the table, and you were hesitating till the last moment.



Vladimir Putin:

No one mentioned Mishustin except me. I can tell you that there were three candidates.





Andrei Vandenko:

Three?



Vladimir Putin:

Yes. Three, or maybe even four candidates were submitted. But Mishustin was not on the list.



Andrei Vandenko:

So this was your…



Vladimir Putin:

Mine.



Andrei Vandenko:

What was your reasoning?



Vladimir Putin:

I took into account Mr Mishustin’s personal traits and professional skills.



Andrei Vandenko:

And the result of the digitalization he carried out at the institution he headed, did you take it into account?



Vladimir Putin:

I did. Not so much the fact that he carried it out, but the fact that he really became an expert in this area. A man of practice, who understands very well what needs to be done and who knows how to do it; and he is doing it and achieving concrete results.



Andrei Vandenko:

But what about the fact that he is a tax collector by trade, in other words, he is accustomed to taking, while this position is more about giving?



Vladimir Putin:

This is a very primitive understanding of the work of the tax service.

Yes, of course, it is one of the main bodies bringing funds to the state treasury; however, to think that a tax collector walks around with a club, squeezing money out of people is very primitive. No, it is quite the opposite. His mission was to ease the situation for taxpayers, to make the procedure more transparent and clear and less burdensome for citizens.

An honest man who knows he properly pays all due taxes has the right to expect that the state will use the money wisely.

But the first thing to do is not to simply extract money from people – it is to organize the system in such a way that both the state and the tax payers could comfortably work with each other and it would be clear how things are arranged, and everybody could pay taxes without impediment, without unnecessary hassle and stress, and without running the risk of doing something that the state may interpret as illegal.



Andrei Vandenko:

When this team was formed, some noticed, first of all, that you had broken, or at least it was perceived that way, certain rules that you had used to stick to, such as ”not to turn your back on your old mates“, to avoid dismissals of those criticized and not to pay heed to critics on the Internet, to public opinion. This time, the most toxic figures, who had been most fiercely criticized in the media or social networks, walked away to be replaced by ‘no-names’ – that is, people you had to ‘google’ or ‘yandex’.



Vladimir Putin:

You know, the criterion was not lack of knowledge about those people, it was their professional qualifications. I know, and Mikhail Mishustin knows these people as competent professionals. And I was to a considerable extent guided specifically by his opinion in this regard. There were a number of candidates whom I had doubts about, but Mr Mishustin would prove to me that this or that person was best fit for the job. I agreed with him because, at the end of the day, he was forming his own team and the final concrete result it achieves will depend on the efficiency of its work.



Andrei Vandenko:

What window of time do they have? I mean, when will you evaluate their professional efficiency?



Vladimir Putin:

There is no window of time. All of these people are, I will say it again, competent, they all are well informed and know their job. Many of them worked, one way or another, on the national projects and national development targets, so they are totally in the know. Thus, there can be no window, no time for warming up.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/62843






Ukraine (Interview to TASS News Agency)



The second part of Vladimir Putin's interview to TASS News Agency has been published.

The 20 Questions with Vladimir Putin project is an interview with the President of Russia on the most topical subjects of social and political life in Russia and the world. Total recording time is 3.5 hours.



February 21, 2020 - 15:00







Andrei Vandenko:

The next subject is Ukraine.

Have you seen the ”Servant of the People“ series?



Vladimir Putin:

No.



Andrei Vandenko:

Even the segment when president Goloborodko is choosing a wristwatch like Putin's?



Vladimir Putin:

I haven't seen it. I don't know either Goloborodko or who is choosing what there. I haven't seen it.



Andrei Vandenko:

Ok. Though a very interesting pair forms: a galley slave and a servant of the people.



Vladimir Putin:

As you know, whatever goes around comes around. Ultimately, it’s not how you call yourself, it’s what you do and how you do it.



Andrei Vandenko:

Is there a chance that you come to terms with Zelensky?



Vladimir Putin:

What about?



Andrei Vandenko:

About peace, about friendship.



Vladimir Putin:

Hope is the last thing to die. Yes, there is a chance. But unfortunately, after his return from Paris he started talking about the necessity to revise the Minsk Agreements. This begs the question.

Nevertheless, we managed to agree on the exchange of detained persons and we now managed to agree on gas.



Andrei Vandenko:

Does the fact that today we are not friends with Ukraine represent a loss for us?



Vladimir Putin:

Yes, of course, but as I have repeatedly said I believe that we are one and the same people.



Andrei Vandenko:

The Ukrainians don't like it very much either.



Vladimir Putin:

I don't know whether they like this or not but if you look at the reality that is true. You see, we had no difference in our languages until the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries.

And only as a result of Polonization, the part of the Ukrainians who lived in the territory under the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, only around the 16th century the first language differences appeared. In general, the Ukrainians [with an accent on the first a] were called the people who lived …



Andrei Vandenko:

Ukrainians [with an accent on the first i].





Vladimir Putin:

Ukrainians [with an accent on the first a] were the people who lived on the frontiers of the Russian state. There were Ukrainians in Pskov; Ukrainians were the people who defended the southern frontiers from attacks by the Crimean khan. Ukrainians were in the Urals. Ukrainians were everywhere. We had no language differences.

Moreover, around the same time, before the 14th and 15th centuries, even those people, the east Slavs, who lived in the territory of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth – both in Muscovy and in Poland – were called Russians. The first language differences appeared much later…



Andrei Vandenko:

History is history, but now we are talking about the present day.



Vladimir Putin:

To talk about today or tomorrow we need to know history, need to know who we are, where do we come from, what unites us.

What unites us is…



Andrei Vandenko:

Now many things divide us.



Vladimir Putin:

Many things divide us. But we should not forget about things that unite us. And should not destroy what we have. For example, the Church. Why did one need to destroy the unity of the Russian Orthodox Church?

You know that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate is in fact fully autonomous; it has been fully autonomous before, including in terms of the election of hierarchs of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate. The Moscow Patriarchate has never had any influence on the election of hierarchs of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate.

In fact, it has always been independent, completely. There has been only spiritual unity and mentioning. The Patriarch of Moscow has been mentioned, recalled all the time in churches. That's it! It has been the only thing uniting the Russian Orthodox Church and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate. But they needed to cut the cords that bind. Why?

You say people do not understand. They simply do not know it. If they know, they will understand better. They should be told that. Why should one be embarrassed? Is it insulting for people?

Some time passed. As a result of people sharing the border with the Catholic world, with Europe, a community of people feeling to some extent independent from the Russian State began to emerge. How should we feel about that? I have already said: we should respect that. But we should not forget about our shared community.

Moreover, in the modern world our joint efforts give us huge competitive advantages. And, vice versa, division makes us weaker.

The Ukrainian factor was specifically played out on the eve of World War I by the Austrian special service. Why? It is well-known – to divide and rule. Absolutely clear.

Nevertheless, if it happened this way, and a big part of the Ukrainian population got a sense of their own national identity and so on, we should respect that. We should proceed from the reality but not forget who we are and where we come from.

By the way, the fathers of the Ukrainian nationalism, they never spoke about the urgent need to break up with Russia. Strange as it may seem, but their major works of the 19th century say that Ukraine is: a) multinational and should be a federal state, and b) should build good relations with Russia.

Today’s nationalists seem to have forgotten that. I will tell you why they have forgotten that. You know why? Because the interests of the Ukrainian people are not the main issue on their agenda.

How can it be the interest of the Ukrainian people if the break-up with Russia has led to loss of space engineering, shipbuilding, aircraft engineering and engine manufacturing; it is virtually the deindustrialization of the country that is happening. How can it be among interests?

The World Bank demands to stop cross-subsidizing. What's good in it? Or, they make them export round wood from the Carpathians. Soon the Carpathians will turn bald.

Why do this if, by joining efforts, we increase our competitive advantages manifold? Why lose it? Why throw everything away, what for?

Because the Ukrainian leaders or those who got power pursued their self-interests. And what were they? It was not even to earn more by robbing the Ukrainian people but to retain what has been plundered before. This was the main objective.

So, where is the ‘dough’? Pardon my French. Where is the money? In foreign banks. What do they need to do for this? Show that they serve those who have this money.

Hence, the only thing they sell is Russophobia. Because some like dividing Ukraine and Russia, they believe it's a very important mission. Because any integration of Russia and Ukraine, along with their capacities and competitive advantages, would lead to the emergence of a rival, a global rival for Europe and the world. No one wants it. That's why they'll do anything to pull us apart.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/62835






Meeting with permanent members of the Security Council



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



February 21, 2020 - 16:30 - Novo-Ogaryovo, Moscow Region







The participants discussed current issues of national socio-economic development.








The situation around Idlib, including in the context of a telephone conversation between the Russian and Turkish presidents scheduled for the evening of February 21, was discussed in detail.








In addition, Vladimir Putin informed the meeting participants about a telephone conversation he had earlier today with President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, during which the two presidents exchanged views on the prospects for the further developments of Russia-Belarus relations.








The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev, Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Anton Vaino, Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev, Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev, Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, Director of the Federal Security Service Alexander Bortnikov, Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service Sergei Naryshkin, and Special Presidential Representative for Environmental Protection, Ecology and Transport Sergei Ivanov.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/62842
__________________
Where should they dig the Very Deep Pit?
Piglet said that the best place would be somewhere where a Heffalump was, just before he fell into it, only about a foot farther on.
(c) Alan Alexander Miln
 
Old May 12th, 2020 #62
Alex Him
Senior Member
 
Alex Him's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,834
Blog Entries: 219
Post

Combat Sambo League championship



Vladimir Putin attended the first Combat Sambo League championship held at the Ice Cube Olympic arena in Sochi.



February 22, 2020 - 21:30 - Sochi







Taking part in the tournament were 14 top athletes of the Russian national combat sambo junior team, including 11 Masters of Sport, three candidates to the title of the Master of Sport, winners and medallists of the 2019 Russian Junior Combat Sambo championship.

The declaration on the establishment of the Combat Sambo League was signed ahead of the championship by the League’s President Arkady Rotenberg, President of the FIAS International Sambo Federation Vasily Shestakov and heads of continental sambo federations.







Vladimir Putin:

Friends,

Sambo means self-defence without arms. It is a martial art that has become a bold signature card of our national fitness culture and a sport recognisable for hundreds of thousands, if not millions of people.











It is a national sport – spectacular, beautiful and dynamic. And that did not happen by chance. Specialists are aware that it incorporated the best achievements of the holds and takedowns from ethnic martial arts of the peoples of the Soviet Union.











Today, sambo has broken through national borders and is practiced in 84 countries on all continents. From the onset, sambo comprised two parts – athletic and combat. Combat sambo developed step by step, quietly and steadily as a particular kind of training for intelligence, counterintelligence and Defence Ministry special units.











But now we can see that owing to its organisers this sport is attracting a broad audience. Combat sambo is becoming a popular sport. I am confident that thousands of people in our country and abroad will recognise and love its combat part as well.











I would like to sincerely thank all those who organised today’s event as well as the athletes – gifted, valiant and handsome people with truly manly personalities.











There are no losers here – everyone is on the podium. Congratulations to you all!




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/62847






President laid wreath at Tomb of Unknown Soldier on Defender of Fatherland Day



The President honoured the memory of fallen soldiers by laying flowers at the Eternal Flame.



February 23, 2020 - 12:30 - Alexander Garden, Moscow







The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko, State Duma Speaker Vyachelasv Volodin, Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Anton Vaino, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev, Constitutional Court President Valery Zorkin, Supreme Court President Vyacheslav Lebedev, Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, Secretary of the Security Council Nikolai Patrushev, Prosecutor General Igor Krasnov, heads of federal ministries and agencies, leaders of political parties, and representatives of veteran organisations.























The ceremony in front of the memorial concluded with a ceremonial march of the Guards of Honour and a military orchestra.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/62848






Concert to mark Defender of Fatherland Day



Vladimir Putin attended a concert marking Defender of the Fatherland Day. The President extended his greetings on the holiday to veterans, service members and civilian personnel of the Armed Forces and to all citizens of Russia.



February 23, 2020 - 16:15 - The Kremlin, Moscow







Vladimir Putin:

Comrades, veterans,

I am happy to be with you at this gala event in the Kremlin. I would like to congratulate the veterans, military personnel and civilian employees of the Armed Forces as well as all Russian citizens on Defender of the Fatherland Day.

This holiday has been marked for decades with great enthusiasm by the entire nation and serves as a symbol of deep respect for the people who served in the Armed Forces or chose a challenging military profession, those who reliably safeguard the sovereignty of the Motherland, ensure peace for our citizens, and as Mikhail Kutuzov said, those who have no greater honour than wearing the Russian military uniform.

Our soldiers served the Fatherland faithfully and loyally at all times, and sacrificed themselves to protect their native land, while our people took pride in their persistence, courage and strength of spirit, and honoured the feats of the glorified commanders, officers and soldiers who stood behind truly great, legendary victories.





Many of those combat triumphs had truly pivotal significance not only for our Motherland but also for other countries and continents, for world history in general. The Victory in the Great Patriotic War was such a momentous, outstanding event, the 75th anniversary of which we will celebrate on May 9.

On that sacred and joyful holiday, we will pay tribute to the memory of the fallen heroes, and we will honour our merited veterans whom we justly call the generation of victors. Our warriors not only pushed the aggressors out of our land in difficult bloody battles but also completed a noble liberating mission with honour and helped liberate other countries from the invaders, the Nazis and their proxies.





It is our duty to always remember the price we paid for that victory, and we will never let anyone erase that heroic page from our history. We will expose any attempts to distort history and to bury in oblivion the spirit of allied relations and brotherhood in arms.

I am confident that the strength, bravery and splendour of the Great Patriotic War heroes will serve for the current and future generations of defenders of Russia as a worthy example of love for the Motherland, of loyalty to their oath and military duty.





Comrades,

Today, Russia’s security is in good hands. Our officers and soldiers persevere in consistent combat training, improving their military skills during strategic drills and exercises, battle marches and long campaigns.

They confidently showed high professionalism, combat capability, strength of spirit and the best qualities of the Russian military during the operation in the Syrian Arab Republic, destroyed large, well-equipped terrorist groups, thwarted big threats to our Motherland far from its borders, and helped Syrians to preserve the sovereignty of their country. On this day, I would like to thank all the participants of combat activities in Syria for their service.

We will keep striving to make our Army and Navy ever more modern, which means enhancing the capabilities of the strategic forces and sending cutting-edge weaponry and equipment to all services and branches of the Armed Forces, including lasers, hypersonic and high precision systems.





Many of our weapons, as I have already said, are unrivalled throughout the world, whereas a number of promising samples, which are, in fact, weapons of the future, have already passed from the testing stage to combat duty. This means, as I have already said, that the defence capabilities and security of Russia have been reliably ensured for the long term.

And, of course, the courageous soldiers and sergeants, and I will specially stress, our officers, the officer corps of our country, loyal to the Fatherland, true patriots, have always been and remain the main and most robust foundation of our Armed Forces. The duty of all commanders at any level is not only to master the military art but also to educate and bring up their subordinates, to be an all-around role model for them. It is no accident that they always used to say, “the officer will teach it, the soldier will do it.”

I would like to underscore that the state greatly values military professionals, and we will continue providing proper living and service conditions for them. This work will definitely continue.





Friends,

Let me congratulate you again on Defender of the Fatherland Day. I would like to extend my best wishes to your loved ones, those who are waiting for you and love you, who keep the warmth of your home. They are all rightly entitled to share the joys of this holiday with you.

I am confident that the Russian Army and Navy will always stand guard of the Motherland’s interests and will suitably resolve all the tasks set before them.

I wish you good health and new achievements in your service.

Thank you. Happy holiday!




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/62851






Meeting with Head of North Ossetia-Alania Vyacheslav Bitarov



Vladimir Putin had a working meeting with Head of the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania Vyacheslav Bitarov to discuss the region’s socioeconomic development.



February 25, 2020 - 13:35 - Novo-Ogaryovo, Moscow Region







Vyacheslav Bitarov reported to the President that all his instructions regarding the region were being fulfilled and resulted in the implementation of projects improving the quality of people’s lives. In particular, the most high-pressure hydropower plant in Russia, the Zaramagskaya Hydropower Station, was launched at the beginning of the month. The construction of a strategically important road, Mozdok – Vladikavkaz, is underway and will be completed by the end of the year. The building of the Mamison ski resort is resumed. The project is now subject to a state expert assessment. It will create over 3,000 jobs and increase the republic’s appeal as a tourist destination.





The construction of hospitals, schools and kindergartens as part of the national projects was also discussed. The republic has a positive demographic tendency, so the construction of additional schools is envisaged in the three-year budget.





Answering the President’s question about the region’s readiness to provide free hot meals for primary school pupils, Mr Bitarov said that almost all schools had canteens. In addition, the region’s capital, Vladikavkaz, has a large school meal plant, which provides hot meals to schools. Mr Bitarov suggested launching a pilot project in the republic to fulfil this task set in the President’s Address to the Federal Assembly, starting on September 1.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/62853






On first steps to implement National Projects (Interview to TASS News Agency)



The third part of Vladimir Putin's interview to TASS News Agency has been published.

The 20 Questions with Vladimir Putin project is an interview with the President of Russia on the most topical subjects of social and political life in Russia and the world. Total recording time is 3.5 hours.



February 25, 2020 - 15:00







Andrei Vandenko:

The National Projects. This is a classic. The first step is always the hardest.



Vladimir Putin:

Why?



Andrei Vandenko:

At the end of the year, you said they still had not taken off.



Vladimir Putin:

First, that is not what I said. Well, not exactly. That is the first thing.

Secondly, I always have to…



Andrei Vandenko:

“People did not feel the results.” This is a quote, very close to the original.



Vladimir Putin:

First of all, I have to not only constantly keep my finger on the pulse of things, but I have to keep them – those who are responsible for handling these tasks – all under pressure. And believe me…



Andrei Vandenko:

Do you have to jolt them into action?



Vladimir Putin:

Yes, jolting them into action is necessary. It is essential to keep people on top of their responsibility. They need to be under constant administrative pressure. Otherwise, as I have seen from sufficiently significant experience, as soon as the pressure, the heat is gone, people generally begin to slack off. This is why I said what I said. That is one thing.

Another thing is that it is true that not everything has been accomplished. Out of the 38 tasks set for this year, 26 have been accomplished, and the others have not.



Andrei Vandenko:

For this year – do you mean 2019?



Vladimir Putin:

The others have not been accomplished. Nevertheless, 26 targets were met. And you say that the people have not felt this yet.



Andrei Vandenko:

It was you who said this.



Vladimir Putin:

Well, yes, in some respects… I said the effects should have been felt, but in some respects they were not felt. But what is really important is to ensure that the people not just know, but feel the real effects of this.

Take relocation from dilapidated housing. We have accomplished innumerably more than we had anticipated. And people were definitely able to feel the effects. That is obvious. This is the first thing. A solution does not appear out of thin air, it has to be worked on and appropriate resources must be allocated, that will have to be redirected from resolving other tasks. Things will not appear out of the blue. We can say, ‘it should not be this way.’ Is that it? But who is going to do this? It is the people who do it. Or take the objective of raising life expectancy. It has increased already, and in the past year as well. That is the result of a lower mortality rate, which has gone down significantly. That is an actual fact. You understand, don’t you?



Andrei Vandenko:

But the year ended with a population decline.



Vladimir Putin:

Last year saw a population decline because…



Andrei Vandenko:

And the rate was significant.



Vladimir Putin:

260,000. I know. I know nearly every figure.



Andrei Vandenko:

I have no doubt.



Vladimir Putin:

And you do not need to. Because I deal with this every day. It was clearly understood well in advance.

Look at our situation. The number of schoolchildren has grown, and it will continue to grow in the coming years. Why? Because a rather sizable generation reached their reproductive age several years ago, some 7–10 years ago. Yet, now the number of people that have entered into their childbearing years is far lower. That was a result of two plunges in the birthrate: one in 1943–1944 and the other in the mid-1990s. These two bottomed out, causing a depression. Therefore, we have fewer people in their childbearing years. The number of women aged 20 to 29 is down by 4.5 million. That is it. These are objective statistics.



Andrei Vandenko:

I am not saying that we should not have the National Projects. I am talking about what could be. You have extensive experience. Take, for example, hosting the Sochi Olympics, the FIFA World Cup, or the APEC summit in Vladivostok. A specific target is set, a powerful shot follows and we score! Hurrah!



Vladimir Putin:

I do not need any ‘hurrahs’. I want to see the country developing steadily, confidently, rhythmically and comprehensively.

What you have just said, yes, I certainly find it very pleasing. Not what you said, but when I see the outcome, I am pleased.

When I visit Vladivostok, during the drive from the airport, I glance back at the airport building first. How it was built is a different story. Then I look at the Federal University – a whole campus has been built there. It is always a pleasure to see. And look at how Sochi is developing. But these are singular results, while we need comprehensive achievements. Singular projects are not enough.

All the instruments that might have been used before, including state programs, no longer meet the objectives that we are faced with. I have already said this and would like to repeat: the difference between a National Project and a state program is that we identify specific tasks, for instance, demographic ones…



Andrei Vandenko:

Seems so German.



Vladimir Putin:

Yes, absolutely right – one, two, three… Yes, specific tasks. Secondly, we determine the amount of resources, the extra resources needed to fulfil these tasks. Thirdly, we appoint those responsible. We have never had this sort of targeting before.

There are certain problems arising from the fact that we have national targets and the National Projects as a means of achieving these goals. We might need to combine these elements. Some colleagues have been calling for this. All this is to be arranged and fine-tuned in the process of practical work. We cannot just wait and watch the water flow under the bridge.



Andrei Vandenko:

What makes your National Projects different from Medvedev's?



Vladimir Putin:

There were no Medvedev national projects, in the sense of the projects we are working on now.



Andrei Vandenko:

In other words, back then it was just a campaign slogan.



Vladimir Putin:

It was not a slogan; there were state programs back then. Let me point out the difference once again. A common problem was identified and then joint work was organized to tackle it. But it was unclear how to do it.

Now, as I have said, we have set the goals, for instance, demographically related ones: to reach certain thresholds on average life expectancy. To achieve these goals we allocate specific resources to fight cancer, to address cardio-vascular diseases, to improve traffic rules and to reduce road mortality rates, to build up the road network, and so on. Each issue implies personal responsibility. That is what the National Projects are all about. We have never used such tools before.



Andrei Vandenko:

Are any of these National Projects under your constant control?



Vladimir Putin:

All of them are.



Andrei Vandenko:

All of them?



Vladimir Putin:

Yes, of course.



Andrei Vandenko:

In other words, in a way that…



Vladimir Putin:

Yes, of course.



Andrei Vandenko:

One of them that you would monitor all the time…



Vladimir Putin:

Life expectancy is the main integrator.



Andrei Vandenko:

I have noticed that you mentioned it three times.



Vladimir Putin:

Well, it reflects all the other issues. The mortality rate should diminish and life expectancy should increase. By the way, we have certain achievements in addressing these issues – cardio-vascular diseases and tuberculosis, road accidents – the number of victims has abated, the number of fatalities, those killed in accidents, has significantly declined.



Andrei Vandenko:

Yet, some skepticism remains regarding…



Vladimir Putin:

Skepticism has always been there; it is here and will always be here. This is good.



Andrei Vandenko:

Kudrin again said that these are not the ties that bond and are unlikely to become that.



Vladimir Putin:

Skepticism always pushes forward those who must achieve concrete results.

Kudrin has been doing a good job, and when he was Minister of Finance, he advocated a strict macroeconomic policy and less spending. Now he believes that…



Andrei Vandenko:

Are you being ironic?



Vladimir Putin:

No, I am not. It has always been this way. I remember him well enough as Minister of Finance. He was against on every issue.

For instance, he strongly opposed building the ring road around St. Petersburg. He and Gref, the Minister of Economics and the Minister of Finance, visited me twice. They agreed to allocate funds to build the ring road around St. Petersburg only when I snapped at them. The same happened with many other projects. For instance, they were against building a bridge to Russky Island because it was too expensive. They were against certain infrastructure facilities in Sochi. “We do not need them. Too expensive,” they said. In the end, everything was built and it keeps on working and lives on, thank God.

In all cases, they kept saying that there were other more important objectives, that the macroeconomic situation must be taken care of, that the budget must not be thrown off balance. Now, he believes that we have enough resources, that we can ease our macroeconomic and fiscal policy a bit and revise the cutoff price applied to oil and gas revenues, while allocating more oil and gas income, roughly speaking, to consumption.



Andrei Vandenko:

Well, the viewpoint has changed.



Vladimir Putin:

The viewpoint has certainly changed, and apparently one can see better, because the viewer is no longer afraid of being socked in the eye.



Andrei Vandenko:

Aha… Like that?



Vladimir Putin:

Well, of course. He has no direct responsibility. And the people he worked with – his disciples to an extent – they feel somewhat perplexed.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/62854






Meeting of the Interior Ministry Board



Vladimir Putin took part in the annual expanded meeting of the Interior Ministry Board.



February 26, 2020 - 14:45 - Moscow







The meeting participants focused on the performance of law enforcement agencies in 2019 and various priorities of investigative activities for 2020.

The meeting was attended by heads of legislative, executive and judicial bodies.

Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev delivered the main report.







President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

Good afternoon,

Let me begin with a few obvious things; there is no harm in repeating them. We can never forget that the Interior Ministry traditionally holds the key position in Russia’s law enforcement system, has direct responsibility for public order and stands on the frontline of the fight against crime.

Today, at the annual expanded meeting of the Interior Ministry Board, we will discuss how you addressed your tasks, what problems we have and, of course, outline the main priorities for the near future.

Assessing your performance in 2019, I will note the high clearance rate of the most dangerous crimes such as murders, wilful infliction of grievous bodily harm, robbery-related assaults and others.

Juvenile crime and street crime has decreased. These changes are important for people. You are directly responsible for making people feel safe and protected in their courtyard, in the entrance hall, in their village or city.

The positive local trends in the regions include a crime drop in the Siberian and Far Eastern federal districts, which has been the case for the fourth consecutive year.





In the meantime, this year it is important to considerably step up our efforts in a number of areas and, before anything else, increase the overall clearance rate.

I would like to stress once again that it is one of the main goals for the Ministry. Achieving this goal requires commitment from criminal units, investigators and all other departments.

Additional measures must be taken with regard to work at the pre-trial stage of criminal proceedings, with a specific focus on ensuring due process by inquiry and preliminary investigation bodies.

I request that any incidents of arbitrary conduct, evidence tampering, direct forgery – which are felonies per se – receive an extremely tough response. Such activity must be prevented, and officers who go beyond the law must be dismissed without hesitation.

The requirements concerning a reasonable term of criminal proceedings must be strictly observed. When dealing with these issues of high relevance for society, it is important to closely cooperate with prosecutors and other colleagues.





Next. Preventing delinquency, especially among minors, is a considerable and substantial segment of your work. Despite the decrease in juvenile crime over the previous period, which I have already mentioned, it is important to intensify these efforts and engage public and religious organisations in work with troubled youth and high-risk groups.

Cyberspace must remain a focus of your constant attention as this is where various radical groups continue to operate, propagating the criminal subculture and encouraging teenagers to commit suicide or break the law.

Once again, the work to expose such groups must never stop, and the organisers and instigators of their activity must receive a well-deserved punishment. I would like to ask you to be scrupulous about the comprehensive safety and security of children’s and educational facilities, including kindergartens, schools, vocational schools, and so on.

Countering extremism remains an urgent task for the Interior Ministry. Yes, last year the number of extremist crimes decreased by more than half. However, this is not a reason for complacency.

The Interior Ministry has a special responsibility to maintain stability in society. And of course, ensuring security in public places requires the most serious attention. Especially during large-scale events to mark the 75th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War.





I spoke about this at a recent Federal Security Service Board meeting. And I repeat: this is a task for all our special services and law enforcement agencies.

Colleagues, I would like to comment separately on a number of important areas of your work.

The first one is road safety.

Over the past eight years, road traffic deaths have declined by more than one-third, and this is certainly thanks to the traffic police.

But I would like to pay attention to the following. I looked through some reports before the Board meeting: almost 90 percent of those killed in road accidents were citizens aged 18 to 50. That’s too bad that people die from accidents at this age. Therefore, work should continue in this direction.





I ask you to fully use your rights as a coordinator in this area, including rights related to infrastructure development, the introduction of new requirements here, and to more actively and meaningfully participate in the implementation of the national project Safe and High-Quality Roads.

It is necessary to make wider use of modern technical means of control and automated systems and more closely monitor the quality of driver training in driving schools, the provision of emergency medical care and the evacuation of victims from road accident sites.

Particular attention must be paid to passenger transport compliance. Yes, last year there were some slight positive changes in bus transport, but at the same time the number of accidents involving taxi drivers has almost doubled.

The number of people killed has increased by more than a third, and the number of injured has risen 1.5 times. I am asking you and your colleagues from the Transport Ministry and other agencies to focus on this and come up with effective solutions.





Next: further de-criminalisation of the economy and the fight against corruption as well as protection of budget money and other resources we allocate for our country’s development from embezzlement and other criminal intrusions.

Work carried out to prevent the production and sale of fake alcohol, counterfeit and low-quality medicines and other goods from the risk group that can harm and threaten people’s lives requires a more systematic approach.

I am also asking you to work hard to detect crime in environmental management, such as illegal logging and extraction of water biological resources.

Here I would like to draw attention to the fact that there are still a lot of complaints from entrepreneurs about pressure from law enforcement agencies as well as illegal and unjustified actions, including from Interior Ministry officers.

Economic security is not about treating every entrepreneur as a potential criminal, but about protecting our Russian businesses and law-abiding people who create new jobs and work themselves.





Such work in the sphere of economic security must serve as the most important element in creating an attractive, comfortable and civilised business climate in Russia.

The third sphere is migration and citizenship status. You know that measures have been taken to simplify the process of obtaining Russian citizenship for Donbass residents, as well as to facilitate the resettlement and citizenship procedures for compatriots.

We must continue to improve our legislation and, more importantly, law enforcement practice in this area. I ask you to show consideration for each individual case, show sympathy and compassion, and in general treat in a humane manner those who want a future in Russia.

At the same time, we must securely block illegal migration. In this work and in our efforts to control the labour market, we must above all take into account the interests of our citizens, people of the Russian Federation.





Next, we must fight drug trafficking. It is a crucial part of our work. We must be more flexible yet resolute, acting toughly but also strictly within the framework of the law.

Please note that the Interior Ministry must work together with the Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology and Mass Media (Roskomnadzor) to prevent access to websites and social media accounts that encourage drug abuse.

In addition, I would like to ask the State Duma and the Government to resume a detailed analysis of the legislative initiative on criminal responsibility for online promotion of drug abuse.

The State Duma has returned this draft law for revision. We must do this.

Comrade officers,

Last year we adjusted the remuneration of the Interior Ministry staff and pensions for inflation. The state will continue to give appropriate attention to social support and the provision of resources to the Interior Ministry.





In general, I hope that the Interior Ministry personnel will work even more efficiently in all these areas.

And, of course, I would like to thank the senior executives and personnel of the Interior Ministry bodies for their service. True, there is still much to do. There are unresolved problems, which I mentioned, but overall the Ministry is working smoothly.

Thank you very much.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/62860
__________________
Where should they dig the Very Deep Pit?
Piglet said that the best place would be somewhere where a Heffalump was, just before he fell into it, only about a foot farther on.
(c) Alan Alexander Miln
 
Old May 12th, 2020 #63
Alex Him
Senior Member
 
Alex Him's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,834
Blog Entries: 219
Post

High-profile cases, National Guard and dispersing rallies (interview to TASS)



The fourth part of Vladimir Putin's interview to TASS News Agency has been published.

The 20 Questions with Vladimir Putin project is an interview with the President of Russia on the most topical subjects of social and political life in Russia and the world. Total recording time is 3.5 hours.



February 26, 2020 - 15:00







Andrei Vandenko:

When was the last time you called a judge?



Vladimir Putin: ?



Andrei Vandenko:

When was the last time you called a judge?



Vladimir Putin:

I never call judges. At all. I meet with judges from time to time, I mean my former university classmates. There are many judges among them.



Andrei Vandenko:

What about those who are in office?



Vladimir Putin:

There are some who are currently in office. However, I meet with them as my classmates and not in their capacity as judges.



Andrei Vandenko:

With whom?



Vladimir Putin:

With my class-… Uni mates.



Andrei Vandenko:

Does that expression exist?



Vladimir Putin:

Well, let's say I've invented it.



Andrei Vandenko:

Do you know what case was the most high-profile in 2019?



Vladimir Putin:

No.



Andrei Vandenko:

The Ivan Golunov case.



Vladimir Putin:

Yes, I heard about it.



Andrei Vandenko:

And it became a high-profile one in part because active members of society were very disgruntled with what was done to that young man, a journalist.



Vladimir Putin:

There was nothing good about it, true.



Andrei Vandenko:

Most likely, he could have ended up behind bars.



Vladimir Putin:

Yes, but that didn't happen.



Andrei Vandenko:

It didn't happen because people got involved.



Vladimir Putin:

That's good, very good.



Andrei Vandenko:

Is that the only way to guarantee justice?



Vladimir Putin:

Look, what I want to say is people getting involved…



Andrei Vandenko:

Yes…



Vladimir Putin:

That makes a difference in today’s Russia. And it's good. Currently, I think…



Andrei Vandenko:

Five people have been detained…



Vladimir Putin:

The situation evolves in a simple way, law enforcement agencies are looking into the matter.



Andrei Vandenko:

It would have been better if the mastermind behind it all had been found.



Vladimir Putin:

Some have been fired, some detained. Do you want them to beat confessions out of people or to obtain them in due course in accordance with the law?

The latter seems to be a better option. But it takes time. There shouldn’t be any rush, nor any haste.



Andrei Vandenko:

Konstantin Kotov as well. His case is currently being reviewed, and the Constitutional Court has ordered that… Things got going after this issue had been referred to you, to you personally, after the news conference. So, it appears that the President's personal involvement, this hands-on control does matter after all.



Vladimir Putin:

It appears that the President, acting as the guarantor of the Constitution, has such a right and must respond to these sorts of issues, which we see happening in real life.



Andrei Vandenko:

It turns out, as the actual figures stand… The percentage of acquittals in 2018 was 0.23 percent.



Vladimir Putin:

Do you know what the prison population was in the early 2000s?



Andrei Vandenko:

No idea.



Vladimir Putin:

It actually halved.



Andrei Vandenko:

The prison population? You mean those behind bars?



Vladimir Putin:

Yes. The number halved. Decreased in an unnoticeable manner, with no fuss. In fact, it's actually a sort of revolutionary development. It has been taking place gradually, as a result of various decisions liberalising the legal responsibility of citizens who committed minor offenses or are first-time offenders, and so on. It halved.



Andrei Vandenko:

You know perfectly well, I don't have to tell you that there were some cases that sparked a widespread public outcry…



Vladimir Putin:

That happens.



Andrei Vandenko:

Everything is judged based on just one fact.



Vladimir Putin:

I understand.



Andrei Vandenko:

They judge everything.

The Serebrennikov case, for instance. How much longer must it last? And you will say again that this is for the court to decide.



Vladimir Putin:

Of course.



Andrei Vandenko:

They have already put their signatures and names on petitions.



Vladimir Putin:

Who put their signatures and names on petitions?



Andrei Vandenko:

People who have prestige in society, prominent people, they penned a petition for him.



Vladimir Putin:

Andrei, listen to me! The opinions of people respected in society are important. I think that the court takes into account the opinions of respected people. But still, it has to make judgments based not on their opinions, but based on the law and legal awareness.



Andrei Vandenko:

Certainly. However, there was an incident, which triggered just as much of a public uproar, this concerns the Moscow rallies last summer.



Vladimir Putin:

Yes.



Andrei Vandenko:

When the bottle…



Vladimir Putin:

Everyone can…



Andrei Vandenko:

Which, in your interpretation, immediately turned into something.

Ok, somebody threw a bottle. You draw a parallel right there with Paris and Hong Kong.



Vladimir Putin:

This cannot be allowed!

Today they throw a bottle, tomorrow – a chair, then cars are smashed to pieces. It cannot be allowed, things mustn’t get out of hand, it has to be within the law.



Andrei Vandenko:

And the National Guard of Russia, why are the troops so vulnerable, timid?



Vladimir Putin:

They are both vulnerable and timid. They are doing their job. And they must do it. Moreover, here they’re dealing with protesters, tomorrow they will face a barrage of bullets, and what’s more they take part in combat operations. And when somebody spreads information over the Internet that their children should be killed, what in the world is that? This is being said about those who, if the Motherland calls, have to put themselves in the line of fire to protect the interests of the state, society and our particular citizens? You know, this can really disrupt the country’s balance. To an extent there will be hell to pay. We can’t risk it.



Andrei Vandenko:

But when nightsticks are wielded…



Vladimir Putin:

Nobody resorts to swinging a nightstick without a reason.



Andrei Vandenko:

Mr President…



Vladimir Putin:

Please, listen to me. If people act within the existing rules and laws, who would want to swing a nightstick? On the contrary, they should be protected.



Andrei Vandenko:

Watch the video.



Vladimir Putin:

I believe you.



Andrei Vandenko:

Showing a woman being beaten in her ribs, and then they don’t find the perpetrator – who is he or where is he?



Vladimir Putin:

Most likely, you’re talking about the so-called unauthorised protests.



Andrei Vandenko:

Yes.



Vladimir Putin:

Well, there you have it! Get permission, go and express your opinion. After all, you see, the Internet, the mass media, including the opposition media, they will come wherever you are. Just anywhere you are, wherever you go, wherever you gather to express your discontent with the ruling authorities, since millions of people will be informed about it via the Internet and mass media. Right?



Andrei Vandenko:

Yes.



Vladimir Putin:

Why block traffic? In order to incite security forces into swinging their nightsticks. And then you’d ask me about it. That is the point! And nothing more!

To display what kind of heroes they are, and that they will protect the interests of citizens with the same zeal if they get into power and engage in governing. It is not enough to just blame the authorities in order to convince the electorate that those who do the blaming are exactly the people they need. It is necessary to provide a positive programme.



Andrei Vandenko:

A pike lives in the lake to keep all fish awake.



Vladimir Putin:

Right. That is good, but not enough to effectively develop the country.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/62861






Meeting with members of the working group on drafting proposals for amendments to the Constitution



Vladimir Putin held a regular meeting with members of the working group on drafting proposals for amendments to the Constitution of the Russian Federation.



February 26, 2020 - 17:50 - The Kremlin, Moscow



The meeting was attended by representatives of the legislative and executive bodies, scholars, arts society, as well as prominent public figures.







President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

Good afternoon, colleagues,

I know that you have been working energetically. According to available information – you will now inform me if it is correct, you have received some 900 proposals.

These are deep-going and meaningful proposals that cover nearly all spheres of our life and functioning of the state; they come from a wide range of different people and pertain to pivotal but different subjects.

I know that this time you suggested that the heads of the relevant structural divisions of the working group report on the results of your work in certain areas.

<…>

On the proposal to enshrine in the Constitution provisions on implementing a unified socially oriented state policy and the principle of targeted social support

Vladimir Putin:

I believe that this is extremely important and in demand.

You mentioned the 1990s. But still, it would not be fair to say that the people who were involved in the country’s development and the transition to the market economy did not care what would happen to the average citizen.

It was simply thought – not everyone thought so, but most of the people who made decisions believed that a properly developed economic policy ensuring the economy’s effective functioning would automatically lead to the solution of social problems. But it turned out that this was not quite so or not so at all.

There is an expression “to target inflation”, which means to purposefully lower it again and again. It turns out that if we want to get rid of poverty, for example, we need to target poverty, we need to build a targeted policy to increase people’s incomes, to reduce the number of people living below the poverty line, and so on.

Therefore, the fact that the Basic Law will have such an orientation towards such work, in order to give our entire activity and the state itself a social character, is in demand and, of course, cannot but be supported. We will definitely support it. Thank you very much.





<…>

On the proposal to enshrine in the Constitution the responsibility of the Government of the Russian Federation to ensure the implementation of the social partnership principles

Vladimir Putin:

Of course, it is necessary to support it, because this is an extremely important component of the search for compromises in resolving issues related to the development of the social sphere and the economy. We have a tripartite commission – this is one of the central tools to find compromises between the business community and trade unions with the state authorities as a mediator. Therefore, of course, this can be enshrined in the Basic Law.

As for the clause “Promote the development of entrepreneurship and private initiative” – I also fully agree with it. I just attended the annual meeting of the Interior Ministry Board, which reviewed the Ministry‘s performance, and I talked about it there, as I always try to talk about it.

It is obvious that we still have in our public consciousness the idea that entrepreneurs are some kind of criminals. This does not create a favourable environment for developing entrepreneurship, and, accordingly, our small and medium-sized businesses do not develop as we would like them to, not as fast as we would like.

Therefore, the consolidation in the Basic Law of the entrepreneurship role and the state’s obligations to promote the development of entrepreneurship and private initiative is appropriate and in demand. I completely agree with you.

<…>

Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on International Affairs Konstantin Kosachev:

My colleagues and I worked in the International Law subgroup. For obvious reasons, we focused on the amendments related to sovereignty, and we strongly believe that, regardless of how international law looks today, the sovereignty of a state is ensured above all by a flawless national constitution and national law.

During its entire existence in its current form, our country has always been under external pressure, facing attempts to restrict its sovereignty. In fact, the current Constitution was written when the unshakable Soviet sovereignty was lost, but Russia had no time to find a new one, in fact. For many years, our country resembled a living organism without skin and, moreover, affected by the aggressive external environment.

During those years, significant national resources were taken from state control, including with foreign incitement, and then a well-known group of oligarchs based their attempt to take state power on this.

At the same time, assets flowed abroad, under the protection of foreign jurisdictions, which meant that Russian sovereignty essentially flowed abroad. If this had worked out, Russia would have probably lost its independence in favour of international companies and the foreign countries behind them. And in the end, of course, not just the state interests but the interests and rights of Russians suffered from this.

First of all, we are talking about expanding the rights of the Constitutional Court by granting the right to decide whether it is possible to execute the decisions of not just international bodies as your amendments suggest but also foreign courts and arbitration tribunals in case they contradict the basic principles of Russian public order.

Second, we propose specifying and elaborating a certain norm envisaged in Chapter One of the Constitution, The Basic Principles of the Constitutional System. Our proposal is to add a clear paragraph to Article 67, prohibiting actions to alienate territories of the Russian Federation as well as calls to such actions.

And finally, third. We believe it is of principal importance to impose – for senior officials responsible for ensuring the sovereignty and the national interests of Russia – restrictions on dual citizenship and residence permits as well as liabilities abroad, such as opportunities to have accounts and deposits or keep money and valuables in foreign banks located abroad.

I mean Government members, heads of federal agencies, senior regional officials and other heads of federal executive bodies, senators, deputies, judges, prosecutors and human rights commissioners.

We believe this is not a repressive measure that restricts rights and freedoms, but above all, protects the aforementioned officials from foreign pressure, blackmail and threats. This measure would ensure the protection of the rights and interests of all Russians who entrust their future to them and the protection of the Russian Federation.





Vladimir Putin:

A short comment, if I may. I wholly agree with what was said about the Constitutional Court’s right to decide whether to enforce or not to enforce international court rulings in Russia. You are right; this is directly related to upholding our sovereignty and suppressing attempts to interfere in our domestic affairs.

Now, about the alienation of territories. Last time, I said I completely agreed with this proposal. The only thing is to choose the proper wording that will not be in the Foreign Ministry’s way when it starts demarcating borders in the future.

We understand that this is an almost ongoing effort with many states, especially the former Soviet republics.

Finally, regarding restrictions governing senior officials’ ownership of assets abroad, including bank accounts. Yes, there are restrictions, but when someone chooses to assume a high post in a particular body, he or she must decide for themselves whether they want to own assets abroad or to serve the people of Russia and not burden themselves by whatever ties there may be.

These ties may impose certain restrictions on them when making decisions in the interests of Russia. So, I completely agree with that, and we must include all officials, including the President. So, I propose adding the President to that list as well.

<…>

On the proposal to include in the Constitution the provisions on protecting historical truth and preventing falsification of history, on the values ​​and principles of Russia’s foreign policy, on protecting the interests of compatriots abroad, and preserving Russian cultural identity, which makes it possible to maintain the spiritual unity of the Russian world.

Vladimir Putin:

I carefully reviewed this proposal. With regard to preventing falsification of history, I have mentioned this many times, and if you think it is necessary and possible to do this in the form you are suggesting, I think it would be appropriate to focus on historical truth, the unacceptability of falsifying history, and downplaying the grandeur of the feat of the people who defended the Fatherland. This is very important and will be a contribution to the public consciousness and, no doubt, be good for the country.

Now, regarding the attempts to steal our Victory from us. These attempts are being made, but they are futile. Who assaulted Berlin and whose flag flew over the Reichstag? This will never be forgotten. But attempts are being made, that’s true, attempts based on fleeting considerations, and we must oppose them, which is also true. It would be appropriate to delicately reflect this in the basic law as well.

Supporting our compatriots abroad is likewise important. Many of our people are living abroad, and I have had the chance to see many times that ethnicity doesn’t matter.

Everyone is Russian outside of Russia, and everyone who speaks Russian and is steeped in Russian culture is entitled to call themselves that. So, we must protect them and keep in touch with them. Correct.





<…>

On the proposal to make amendments on security of identity, society and the state when using information technology and processing digital data

Vladimir Putin:

This is a vivid example of why we need amendments – in this case, to the Constitution.

The need for amendments has come up because basically, there was no similar regulation before and the development of information technology raises a number of issues which we must, of course, address.

Of course, here you touched on a very important problem, which is identity security. Many of our colleagues who are present here have been monitoring public discussions in this area, which are becoming rather heated as these technologies develop.

The question is: what can the state use for the purposes of economic development based on these digital technologies and how? And to what extent the state can disclose data on an individual and how this data can be used publicly? What is a secure way to upload this data to cyberspace? What are the implications for a specific individual?

This is an issue of overlap between the importance of technological development and ensuring security. Let’s say a Big Data system cannot do without data on a specific person, on the one hand, but on the other, it is necessary to protect this individual. How do we find a balance? This is not an easy goal.

Your proposal to lay it down in the Constitution that developing technology goes along with protecting identity, society and the state is an extremely important and, of course, topical proposal. Therefore, without doubt, all of this will receive support, like the environmental issues do.

The relevance of environmental issues in the world in general and in our country, in particular, is also obvious. We have passed entire laws, tough laws, concerning the use of the best available technology to curb emissions and reduce the adverse impact on the environment.

Major efforts are being taken. And, of course, it will not hurt to record it in the country’s Basic Law, including building environmental awareness and culture, as you wrote here. So we will absolutely implement everything, including (as you propose) responsible treatment of animals. Also important and not a minor issue. I agree with you.

<…>

On the proposal to introduce amendments related to historical state unity, cultural identity of all peoples and ethnic groups of Russia, as well as Russian language as the language of the state-forming people in the multi-ethnic union of equal peoples

Vladimir Putin:

Of course, this will be a good addition to the Basic Law, and this wording, I am reading it aloud: “The state language of the Russian Federation throughout its territory is Russian, as the language of the state-forming people.”

Then you propose article 4: “The preservation of ethnocultural and linguistic diversity shall be guaranteed throughout the Russian Federation.” I think that the combination of the first and the second points will work very well.

And of course, if we are talking about culture, then it should be supported, maintained by the state. It is strange that this had not been enshrined in the Basic Law before. And of course, the coherence of our history, millennia-old history – it is extremely important, bearing in mind that Russia has developed historically, and in all its periods – during the era of Ancient Rus, the Tsardom of Muscovy, the Soviet Union, and now, in our time – this is one country, and we just have to keep this in mind, always.

We cannot and should not say or instil into our consciousness that our past has nothing to do with our present. If we do so, we will have no future, so I completely agree with you. We must get rid of these clichés – “white,” “red” – it seems to me that the proposal has the same message, so certainly this is a useful and interesting initiative.





<…>

Vladimir Putin: (in response to a speech by the Chairman of the State Council of Tatarstan Farid Mukhametshin, who spoke about teachers’ request to tell the country’s leadership that children should be protected from some programmes on state television channels that do not contribute to the upbringing of the younger generation)

We will also try to influence this. I cannot help but agree with the teachers who shared this point of view with you. Indeed, sometimes it is…

But, unfortunately or fortunately, I do not have time to watch all this, I do not see it, but people do. I understand what they are talking about, and I agree with them.

We will try to influence this as much as possible so that it does not look like interference of the state in the work of the media.

Now let us move to another topic that you raised. An extremely important thing – linguistic diversity for Russia as a multi-faith and multi-ethnic country.

I have said many times that our strength is in our diversity. Adding up the positive qualities of each of the peoples in Russia gives a distinct multiplicative effect and strengthens our country.

So, anyone who has shared these concerns with you should understand: the adoption of these amendments should remove their concerns. For the first time, a provision will be introduced into the Constitution according to which the state will be obliged to protect the linguistic diversity of Russia and the peoples of Russia.

<…>

Vladimir Putin:

What would I like to say in conclusion?

First, I would like to thank you for all the work the working group did.

Second, we will try to finalize everything that we just discussed, including some of your remarks that have not yet been recorded officially as amendments. When I say “we” I am referring to the lawyers that are working in the Presidential Executive Office as well as those we engage in this work. Let’s try to add to it the results of our today’s meeting and discussion.

Of course, we will work with the deputies to make sure they take into account as much as possible the suggestions of the working groups, including on the responsibility of citizens for their health.

After all, the final version must be formulated and adopted by State Duma deputies. However, I am hoping it will be based on the proposals of the working group for the most part. This is the first point.

The second point, and this is also a big request for you, is to not stop working. Why? Because, as I said, I would like to repeat this: the law on amendments to the Constitution will be adopted only if the results of the national vote are positive, if our citizens turn up and support our proposals.

We have discussed that for people to be able to understand what this is all about and decide whether they want to support our proposals or consider them inappropriate, to explain all this to people, it is necessary to work in the regions.

You have been to the regions many times and continuously met with people and public organisations. I urge you to continue this work until we hold the national vote. I hope after this work is over you will find a few minutes to gather once again and sum up the results of our joint efforts.

Thank you very much. I appreciate this.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/62862






Visit to Dream Island amusement park



Vladimir Putin visited the Dream Island indoor amusement park in Nagatinskaya Poima, Moscow.



February 27, 2020 - 14:40 - Moscow







The President examined a model of the Dream Island project’s implementation and toured the theme zones with amusement rides and the city promenade galleries. Vladimir Putin talked with the park’s first visitors: children in difficult life situations, from large and poor families as well as orphanages and wards of Konstantin Khabensky’s charity foundation.








Dream Island is a new culture and entertainment cluster aimed at improving the urban environment, developing domestic and inbound tourism and creating new jobs.








The indoor part of the complex covers 300,000 square metres and has nine theme zones with 27 up-to-date amusement rides as well as the city promenade gallery representing architecture styles of various countries and the Moscow central square. The concert and cinema halls are scheduled to open by the end of 2020.








During the warm season, the construction of a landscape park covering 44 hectares with playgrounds, a dance floor and workshop pavilions will be completed in the surrounding area. The further development plans of the Dream Island include building a two-kilometre-long embankment, a children’s yachting school and a hotel.








The opening ceremony is scheduled for February 29.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/62868






Brain drain and Silicon Valley (interview to TASS)



The fifth part of Vladimir Putin's interview to TASS News Agency has been published.

The 20 Questions with Vladimir Putin project is an interview with the President of Russia on the most topical subjects of social and political life in Russia and the world. Total recording time is 3.5 hours.



February 27, 2020 - 15:00







Andrei Vandenko:

Why aren’t you asking me about what I am holding in my hands?



Vladimir Putin:

Well, it is an iPad, I assume.



Andrei Vandenko:

Oh! We decided to check the most popular search queries for Putin.



Vladimir Putin:

Ok.



Andrei Vandenko:

What topics do you think our public is interested in?



Vladimir Putin:

I do not know.



Andrei Vandenko:

Take a look.



Vladimir Putin:

Ok.



Andrei Vandenko:

We can read it out loud.



Vladimir Putin:

Ok. ”Putin biography“, ”Putin Instagram“, ”Putin Georgia“, ”Putin news conference 2019“, ”Putin young“, ”Putin Poland“, ”Putin family and friends“, ”Putin age“, ”Putin fired generals today“, ”Putin Nord Stream“, ”Putin Zelensky“, ”Putin lookalike proof“.



Andrei Vandenko:

I like the last one – “Putin lookalike proof“. Are you the real Putin?



Vladimir Putin:

Yes.



Andrei Vandenko:

Do you have a double?



Vladimir Putin:

No.



Andrei Vandenko:

Never had one?



Vladimir Putin:

No.



Andrei Vandenko:

Has that topic ever popped up?



Vladimir Putin:

Yes.



Andrei Vandenko:

And?



Vladimir Putin:

I discarded the idea of any doubles. This was during the toughest time of our war against terrorism.



Andrei Vandenko:

At the beginning of the 2000s?



Vladimir Putin:

Yes.



Andrei Vandenko:

So that a double would go to places where it was dangerous…



Vladimir Putin:

Well, he would go there, be seen…



Andrei Vandenko:

So no double?



Vladimir Putin:

No.



Andrei Vandenko:

All right. Let us switch to another topic. Digitalization and artificial intelligence. Why is everybody dreaming of going to Silicon Valley instead of Skolkovo?



Vladimir Putin:

Firstly, not everybody. The brain drain is on the decline. And in general …



Andrei Vandenko:

I can tell you what it is like.



Vladimir Putin:

Ok, I do not doubt that it still exists. Because people are like fish. Fish like the bottom deeper and flatter, man also looks for what is better, as a well-known saying goes.



Andrei Vandenko:

What about the state?



Vladimir Putin:

I will tell you about the state, too. But a skilled workforce, or let us put it differently – top-notch professionals, look for better places to employ their knowledge, capabilities, and skills. Wherever the pay is better, that is where they go. It’s as simple as that. So, the state should create conditions to attract top-ranked professionals. There are two ways of doing this.



Andrei Vandenko:

Ok…



Vladimir Putin:

Either we isolate ourselves the way it was done in…



Andrei Vandenko:

You mean keep them from leaving?



Vladimir Putin:

Grab hold of them and don’t let them out. Saddle them with some extra liabilities. For instance, someone who’s received a higher education cannot leave the country, that individual will have to work here, must either do this or that or reimburse for the cost of his tuition. And so on and so forth. This is what has been proposed for the healthcare sector. Or a labour market…



Andrei Vandenko:

For oneself?



Vladimir Putin:

In general, if a person studied at the government's expense, he has to either stay here and work or refund the tuition costs. This is one of the ideas.



Andrei Vandenko:

And what do you think about it?



Vladimir Putin:

By and large, this is a possible option. It is possible. If a person studies…



Andrei Vandenko:

Sort of serfdom.



Vladimir Putin:

Why? If you pay for your tuition yourself, you have the right to go anywhere and work wherever you please. But if you study at the government's expense, especially if your region pays for your tuition hoping that you’ll come back…



Andrei Vandenko:

I agree.



Vladimir Putin:

Then it is quite fair. If you do not want to work there or if you are unable to comply with the terms of the contract, then you are expected to refund the tuition costs. That’s quite fair.

The other option is to create conditions, to pay better. As you know, it just seems easy. Civil aviation began to pay decent salaries because it needed foreign experts, and this resulted in a labour market imbalance. It affected military pilots who eagerly began to leave the armed forces, flocking to work as co-pilots on civilian airlines. The same is happening here.

So, we should think over this matter. There is a need to raise salaries, but how do we do this? One option is through grants. We have just developed a vast system of grants. It encompasses not only the IT segment, but also the high-tech industry in general. And it works well.

I guess you have some statistics ready on how many people are leaving. But take a look at how many people are coming in. There is an influx now.



Andrei Vandenko:

The number of people leaving every year is exactly the same as the number of those employed at Mail.ru.



Vladimir Putin:

Maybe. But Mail.ru keeps making progress as well. You see? Yandex is thriving too.



Andrei Vandenko:

So it is an annual rotation…



Vladimir Putin:

Listen, Yandex is developing as well. They did not exist in the past, but now they do. And they compete well with major global companies, including Google. This proves there is progress.

It is impossible to keep them all here. Or maybe, we should not train as many people. It is a lose-lose situation. There are also people who return. And their number is not as meagre as you may think. I met them, the recipients of the so-called megagrants and ordinary grants. They are very interesting people, with good professional experience both in our country and abroad.

Many of them have a strong desire to return. And we are bringing many of them back, we are creating conditions for them and setting up laboratories, along with offering them special salary packages. You know what I found quite interesting and what made me happy? Not only do they want to work themselves, but they also want to bring on board our young people and postgraduates, and form research, development and production groups with them. And they are doing rather well. They are making progress in different areas: genetics, biology, digital technologies, artificial intelligence, and robotics.



Andrei Vandenko:

In other words, it is not something like ‘just let them leave, and another generation will arise’.



Vladimir Putin:

No, nothing like that. That is not our approach. But it is a long and complicated process.



Andrei Vandenko:

And how do you generally feel about the innovations of the last 20 years, I mean electric cars, iPhones, smartphones, and the like.



Vladimir Putin:

Technological progress cannot be stopped, nor should it be. We have no plans to do it.



Andrei Vandenko:

Do you feel comfortable with that? Do you use it?



Vladimir Putin:

I feel comfortable because I do not use any of these devices. I simply have other opportunities.



Andrei Vandenko:

I saw you calling my namesake, the boy who was skiing at the Krasnaya Polyana resort at your invitation. You were using a smartphone.



Vladimir Putin:

Well, indeed, I do call…



Andrei Vandenko:

I did not catch the model. You were holding it in a way…



Vladimir Putin:

Your friend Peskov gave it to me so that I could make a call. In all other situations, it is much easier for me to use a dedicated secure line to be connected to any number.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/62867
__________________
Where should they dig the Very Deep Pit?
Piglet said that the best place would be somewhere where a Heffalump was, just before he fell into it, only about a foot farther on.
(c) Alan Alexander Miln
 
Old May 14th, 2020 #64
Alex Him
Senior Member
 
Alex Him's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,834
Blog Entries: 219
Post

Telephone conversation with President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan



Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the Turkish side’s initiative.



February 28, 2020 - 13:40



The leaders continued their substantive exchange of views on the developments in Syria. They voiced their concern about the escalation of tension in Idlib, which resulted in numerous casualties, including among Turkish military personnel. They emphasised how important it is to improve the effectiveness of coordination between the Russian and Turkish defence ministries.

Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed the implementation of the Russian-Turkish agreements reached in 2018 and 2019. They stressed that the priority task was to fight international terrorist groups.

Both sides reaffirmed that it was necessary to adopt additional measures in order to normalise the situation in northwestern Syria. They agreed to step up the corresponding interagency consultations and to examine the possibility of soon holding a meeting at the highest level.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/62877






Meeting with permanent members of Security Council



Vladimir Putin held a meeting with permanent members of the Security Council.



February 28, 2020 - 15:50 - The Kremlin, Moscow







The participants discussed current domestic issues.

They also had an in-depth discussion of the developments in Idlib, Syria, expressing grave concern in connection with the dramatic escalation in the province provoked by the terrorist groups, which had increased their offensive activities against the Syrian army.





It was noted that Turkish military observation posts were established in Idlib by agreement with and at the insistence of the Russian side. Their duty was to monitor the fighters, prevent any terrorist activities and preclude aggression against Russian military facilities. It was noted that our Turkish partners have not accomplished their mission.





The meeting participants emphasised that Russia did everything in its power during the Syrian offensive against terrorists to ensure the safety of Turkish military personnel stationed at the observation posts. No Turkish military personnel stationed there were injured or exposed to danger. The tragic cases when Turkish soldiers lost their lives occurred during the terrorists’ offensive operations. It was pointed out that Turkish military personnel was not supposed to be anywhere outside their observation posts in Idlib.





The permanent members of the Security Council also discussed the work of the Russian interdepartmental operational group, which is holding talks on the Idlib de-escalation zone with their Turkish colleagues. The meeting participants expressed the hope that the Turkish authorities take the necessary measures to protect the safety of Russian missions and citizens in Turkey.

The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko, State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev, Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Anton Vaino, Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev, Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, Director of the Federal Security Service Alexander Bortnikov, Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service Sergei Naryshkin, and Special Presidential Representative for Environmental Protection, Ecology and Transport Sergei Ivanov.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/62878






Telephone conversation with President of Iran Hassan Rouhani



Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Hassan Rouhani at the Iranian side’s initiative.



February 29, 2020 - 19:30



Vladimir Putin offered his condolences to Hassan Rouhani over the coronavirus outbreak victims in Iran and expressed readiness to render help in curbing the spread of the infection. The presidents touched upon some items on the bilateral agenda.

In addition, the discussion focused on the situation with the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on Iran’s nuclear programme. The parties stressed the importance of preserving this agreement, which is a significant factor of maintaining international security.

Detailed consideration was given to the developments in Syria in the context of increasing tension in the Idlib de-escalation zone. The two leaders expressed their shared opinion that the full implementation of the Astana format agreements is needed concerning, primarily, the fight against terrorists, with respect for Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/62885






Meeting on most pressing international issues



March 1, 2020 - 11:20 - Moscow







Prior to his working trip to Pskov, Vladimir Putin held a meeting at the Vnukovo 2 airport terminal.

The discussion focused on the most pressing international issues – the spread of the coronavirus, trends in the global economy and the situation in the oil markets.

A number of federal ministers and heads of Russia’s leading oil and gas companies took part in the meeting.







President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

Good afternoon, colleagues,

We know well that global financial and commodity markets are very sensitive to world-scale events.

In all appearances, we are witnessing exactly such a reaction on a global scale to what is happening with the so-called coronavirus. We have repeatedly stated that Russia is doing everything it can to fight this dangerous disease and that appropriate measures have been taken. I hope they will prove to be efficient. The situation is generally under control.





As for the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on the economy, here we need to specifically focus on how to react to what is happening in this regard. This is the reason why I wanted to meet with you, with heads of our top oil and gas companies, to discuss how we are going to react to the developments in the global economy in connection with this coronavirus.

The negative consequences are already evident and affect the entire system of the global economic relations, virtually all countries because today the economies are highly interdependent and interconnected.





In the People’s Republic of China, which, as you know, was the first to confront the spread of the disease, business activity indexes published on Friday went beyond lows seen during the 2008 global crisis.

In turn, world stock indexes fell by over 10 percent. In this regard, the past week was the worst for global markets since the 2008 crisis.

It’s no surprise that against the backdrop of problems in the world’s leading economies and overall decline in demand, Brent crude oil dropped down to $50 per barrel by the end of the week. Let me remind you that it was at $70 per barrel at the start of the year.





It is certainly hard to predict how this trend will turn out in the long run, however, we must be prepared for all possible scenarios. I want to stress – the current oil prices are acceptable for the Russian budget and our economy. Let me remind you that our macroeconomic policy this year is based on a Brent crude oil price of $42.4 per barrel.

Moreover, our accumulated assets, including the National Welfare Fund, are sufficient to ensure a stable situation and that all budget and social commitments are met even if the situation in the global economy deteriorates.

The Central Bank Governor will correct me [if I am wrong] but I think the Bank of Russia has $563 billion in international reserves while the National Welfare Fund has $124 billion, which is 7.87 trillion rubles. Nevertheless, all this does not remove the need for our joint actions including with our foreign partners.





A meeting in the OPEC+ format will be held in Vienna next week. This mechanism, which we established with other leading oil producing nations, has already proved to be an efficient tool for ensuring long-term stability in the global energy markets. It has given us additional budget revenues and – this is key – offered possibilities for our oil extracting companies to invest in promising development projects.

I already said at the beginning that I wanted to hold this meeting in order to discuss this situation with you and hear your opinions on identifying further steps necessary to balance the global hydrocarbon markets.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/62888






The President honoured the memory of paratroopers from the 6th Company



March 1, 2020 - 15:30 - Pskov







In Pskov, Vladimir Putin laid flowers at the monument to the heroic soldiers of the 6thParatroop Company of the 104th Red Banner Order of Kutuzov Guards Airborne Regiment of the 76th Guards Air Assault Division.





The President visited the Chapel of St George the Victorious and attended a memorial service; he also viewed a model of a panorama depicting a paratroopers’ battle. The model is a reconstruction of the hill where the paratroopers of the 6th Company confronted militants.





Later the President met with families of servicemen killed in action. One of the meeting participants gave the President a medal made by the 6th Company Memorial Fund and dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the Company’s paratroopers’ heroic deeds. “Thank you for your young men,” replied Vladimir Putin.








In addition, the President spoke to the Young Army members who are helping implement The Road of Memory project in Pskov, and learned about the work of a special facility collecting information about the Great Patriotic War participants.








The Road of Memory project is being implemented by the Defence Ministry in order to perpetuate the memory of all Soviet soldiers. According to volunteers, 849,000 photos have been uploaded so far, with over 800 of them uploaded at the information collection facility on the territory of the 104th Guards Airborne Regiment.








On this day Pskov hosts regular commemorative events marking the 20th anniversary of the tragedy in the Argun Gorge where 90 paratroopers engaged a unit of militants who greatly outnumbered them; 84 servicemen were killed in action.





For bravery and courage during the elimination of illegal armed groups, 22 paratroopers were awarded the title of Hero of Russia (21 of them posthumously), while 68 soldiers and officers were awarded the Order of Courage (63 – posthumously).




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/62890






Memorial concert in honour of paratroopers killed in action



Vladimir Putin attended a memorial concert in honour of heroic soldiers of the 6th Paratroop Company of the 104th Red Banner Order of Kutuzov Guards Airborne Regiment of the 76th Guards Air Assault Division who were killed in action.



March 1, 2020 - 15:50 - Pskov







President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

Comrades,

Dear paratrooper family members,

We have gathered today to honour the memory and bow to the heroic deeds of the paratroopers of the legendary 6th Company.

Twenty years have passed since those tragic and heroic events in the Argun Gorge but the valour of the soldiers and officers engaged in combat with militants who greatly outnumbered them will remain forever in the chronicles of military glory of our Fatherland.

Our country was going through very hard times back then – destructive domestic political confrontations, the collapse of the previous economic system and social sphere, the impoverishment of millions of people.

And, as is always the case, our weakness was used by external actors and forces. Russia had to fend off cruel attacks of international terrorism in the North Caucasus.

Without exaggeration, Russia’s destiny, the preservation of its integrity, the establishment of its citizens’ security were at stake. And the 6th Company soldiers stood to the last man defending their Motherland.





The young men came to serve in the Pskov Air Assault Division from different regions of the country, many of whom answered the call of their hearts and chose this military branch consciously. There is no other way for paratroopers: from the very first days of their service they must show willpower, bravery, stamina and be ready to risk and face the most difficult situations.

The soldiers of the 6th Company in the Argun Gorge faced exactly these challenges. They performed their combat duty with honour, rebuffing an enemy who had chosen to wage a criminal war against Russia.

We know that it was a fierce and unequal battle. The militants greatly outnumbered the personnel of the 6th Company. But they did not withdraw. All the soldiers sacrificed themselves and fought to the end, showing true heroism and courage.

Such valour and self-sacrifice for the sake of the Fatherland always was, is and will exemplify the true values of Russians, those values most treasured by the Russian people. This generation bridge and link of times will never be broken, and our heroes will always be an example to follow.

The Pskov paratroopers remained loyal to the vows of their fathers, grandfathers and great-grandfathers who fought for their Motherland during various periods in Russia’s history. They are worthy successors of the generation that achieved the Great Victory, the 75th anniversary of which we will celebrate very soon.





We will never forget the heroic deeds of the soldiers who fought on the fronts of the Great Patriotic War, we will not forget those who perform their duties in hot spots today. We will remember and honour everyone – I want to stress this – everyone who defended Russia in the fight against international terrorism. Unfortunately, there were many such heroes in that period – a transitional, complicated period of our history – many. The 6th Company is among them. Young men, practically boys, but how they showed their true grit! Courage, heroism and loyalty to their oath.

You know, I often think about them, remember them. They were very young men who had only recently joined the army. And the country did not have a surge of patriotism that it once had, say, during the Great Patriotic War. And they were ushered straight into the fire! Amazing… They showed what a Russian soldier is capable of. All this, of course, we know from history but it is also rooted in the family.

I now address the family members of our heroes: we bow down before their parents and families! Glory to those officers who raised these soldiers and glory to their commanders, who were and forever remained by the side of their soldiers!

Eternal glory and eternal memory to the immortal 6th Company!




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/62891






Ceremonial review of the 104th Guards Airborne Regiment of the Pskov Guards Air Assault Division



March 1, 2020 - 16:20 - Pskov







As part of the commemorative events in honour of the paratroopers who heroically died 20 years ago, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief conducted a ceremonial review of the personnel of the 104th Red Banner Order of Kutuzov Guards Airborne Regiment of the 76th Guards Air Assault Division.

This division is the oldest of the Airborne Troops’ existing units. From 1999 to 2004 its personnel took part in the Second Chechen War. In 2000, the paratroopers of the 6th Company of the 104th Airborne Regiment displayed great heroism during a battle with armed rebel groups.







President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

Comrade officers, sergeants and soldiers,





Today, here, on this parade square, which was so familiar to the 6th Company, we remember the brave paratroopers and salute their courage and feats.





They stood in the way of hundreds of militants and fought their last fight, their final battle as real heroes, remaining loyal to the best traditions of their brothers in arms, which are cherished by all generations of paratroopers.





The “airborne infantry” is always deployed to areas of great danger and challenges, where there is difficulty and risk, where powerful, swift and precise strikes are needed.





The history of the Airborne Troops is full of legendary examples of bravery, military training and unstoppable determination. The 104th Regiment, its soldiers and officers, wrote their own bright pages of military valour, displaying many times their highest professionalism and never sparing themselves, in training or in battle.





Our people are proud of you and believe that you will continue to resolutely defend the interests of Russia, protect its safety and the lives of our people. If necessary, you will continue to fight off adversaries the way it was done by your comrades, who will eternally remain your fellow soldiers, the paratroopers of the 6th Company.

Thank you for your service!




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/62892






Meeting with Sberbank CEO German Gref



The discussion focused on Sberbank’s performance in 2019 and its current operations.



March 2, 2020 - 13:45 - The Kremlin, Moscow







President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

Mr Gref, let us talk about your company’s performance. Let’s start with this.



Sberbank CEO and Chairman of the Management Board German Gref:

Yes, Mr President, I am ready.

Last year was a good one for us. We reported hefty profits. We have only reviewed our performance according to Russian accounting standards, under which our profits amounted to 860 billion rubles after taxes. Our profits according to IFRS are still being calculated because this indicator includes all companies of the group. Our profits in January 2020 amounted to 80 billion rubles after taxes. This is the result of hard work, cost saving and the introduction of new technology.



Vladimir Putin:

Have your profits increased year on year as well?



German Gref:

Yes, by 14 percent.

We can report this result even though the corporate loan portfolio either did not grow at all or grew only very slightly. Taking into account the ruble exchange rate, our portfolio of loans to corporates has decreased by approximately 1.5 percent.

Loans to private individuals are growing rather well. Overall, we continue to expand the range of services to our customers, and on the whole, the services we offer within our ecosystem contribute more and more to our customers’ development. The portfolio of our loans to private individuals increased by 18.5 percent last year.

We are investing a great deal of effort in the creation of new services for legal entities. All the hard work we have put into creating digital services has helped boost the fee income on our operations with both private individuals and corporates.

Over the past year, we improved the quality of our assets, the situation with overdue debt became much better, and the cost of risk decreased. Most importantly, we are increasing the number of our individual customers. Our individual customers grew by three million people over the past year.

And we set ourselves a separate task, to enter the youth market, and now every second young person is our client. This is a very important shift, because before we were more of a bank for adults, but now young people also choose us.

We built a loan machine, as we call it, a loan factory, and last year we began to extend loans to legal entities on standard products in seven minutes. This is a huge breakthrough, because previously this process took months.

Today, we already extend about 20 percent of our loans to medium- and small-sized businesses in automatic mode in seven minutes. We want to increase this share to about 80–90 percent, and we believe that it will grow up to 100 percent by 2023. Today, 98 percent of individuals in our country receive loans based on automated decisions, and 70 percent is the figure we are striving for in terms of legal entities. Thirty percent of transactions will remain complex, they will still require human involvement.

But, of course, this is a big breakthrough in productivity and speed, and entrepreneurs can choose a loan term and a product using our Sberbank Business Online app. This certainly makes it much easier, as there is no need to go anywhere, no need to wait in lines, no need to talk with the bank staff. If needed, there is a video chat, where you can always discuss any question with a customer service manager.

Last year, Mr President, we had two events that were of utmost importance for us. We completed our platform and it turned out to be of the highest quality. We believe that in terms of quality it is not inferior to most cutting-edge platforms that companies like Microsoft, Google, Amazon or Alibaba have. And we understand that we can put this platform on the market for our customers. We have established SberCloud, a subsidiary capable of providing its services in our “cloud”, with our cybersecurity and our very own platform to a practically unlimited number of customers.

We have launched a joint venture with Moscow Mayor Mr Sobyanin and the city of Moscow, and the first service in December (issuing of a hunting permit) was based on the new platform. We have tested it and it proved much more user-friendly and faster than traditional methods. The most important thing that we agreed upon is that all the services done jointly with the city of Moscow will be available for other regions, free of charge.





Vladimir Putin:

Issuance of hunting permits is not among direct functions of a banking institution.



German Gref:

No, Mr President, we do not actually issue the permits themselves. Naturally, our job is to provide the Moscow Government with a complete range of tools. We established a joint venture that owns the Moscow “cloud.” Our task is technological and methodological: we help the Mayor’s Office staff who are dealing with it, to facilitate and arrange the relevant process.



Vladimir Putin:

Anyway, is the Mayor’s Office satisfied with the cooperation?



German Gref:

Mr President, I think you had better ask Mr Sobyanin. It is hard for me to speak for my partner. Of course, it seems to us that both sides are happy. But most important of all is that it makes the process easier and less costly, and it is a super modern platform, unparalleled in this country. It saves a huge amount of money and time and enables us to create all kinds of platforms.

We are already trying out a school platform based on this one in 15 schools. This year we decided to make a platform for universities and are launching this work together with the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology.

Olga Golodets has joined our team, and we have agreed that we will, most likely, develop a platform for medical institutions together with the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology. In effect, it is possible to build just about anything on this basis. At the same time, of course, we will not be creating medical or healthcare services, etc., all on our own. We will deal with engineering aspects, provide cloud storage, all tools and methodological support. They will do the rest with the help of our engineers.





Vladimir Putin:

As far as I understand, you have virtually accomplished what your foreign partners offered to do.



German Gref:

Mr President, this is the result of six-year investment projects. We had 23,000 engineers working to create this platform. Unfortunately, owing to substantial geopolitical risks, we cannot permit a situation when someone might disconnect all services. Therefore, we decided to set up a new platform in 2014. Today, it provides us with entirely new capabilities, it is flexible and much more reliable, and we can create services within two weeks. Most importantly, the so-called microservice platform services are not inter-linked, and, if one service fails, the rest of the platform remains absolutely independent. This is not possible in traditional architecture when the entire platform loses its functionality.

We are now testing it together with the Government because the Government has just about the same criteria as the banking business does – reliability, data protection, and the cost and speed of creating various services. In this sense, we serve as a foundation for constructing any building. And this is a ready-made and modern Russian foundation.

We have set up a factory for training operators for this platform. Sergei Sobyanin, Maxim Oreshkin and I watched how these people are trained. Every year, we train 5,000 people who learn how to use our tools during a 4-week training course. This is, of course, an ultra-modern factory.



Vladimir Putin:

Good, congratulations.



German Gref:

Thank you very much.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/62915






On army and arms race (interview to TASS)



The sixth part of Vladimir Putin's interview to TASS News Agency has been published.

The 20 Questions with Vladimir Putin project is an interview with the President of Russia on the most topical subjects of social and political life in Russia and the world. Total recording time is 3.5 hours.



March 2, 2020 - 15:00







Andrei Vandenko:

The army.



Vladimir Putin:

Ok, and…?



Andrei Vandenko:

”The armour is strong and our tanks are fast“, right?



Vladimir Putin:

Sure. Az okh un vey! [Yiddish expression.] ”And our tanks are fast.“



Andrei Vandenko:

Who are we going to fight against?



Vladimir Putin:

We are not going to fight against anyone. We are going to create conditions so that nobody wants to fight against us, so that such idea hits nobody.



Andrei Vandenko:

There is a notion of reasonable adequacy.



Vladimir Putin:

Yes, there is. That’s what we adhere to.

Today we rank seventh as far as military spending goes. The US has outstripped us, Donald [Trump] told me, they have approved a huge budget for the next year, $738 billion, I think.



Andrei Vandenko:

Did he brag?



Vladimir Putin:

No, he said this with regret. He said the costs were too high. But he had to do it. He actually advocated disarmament, as he said.



Andrei Vandenko:

Why then won’t he sign all those treaties?



Vladimir Putin:

That is another question. This is a question of how one understands security and how to ensure it. We can discuss this topic.



Andrei Vandenko:

With him or with me?



Vladimir Putin:

I can discuss it both with him and with you. Doesn’t matter. I'm well-versed on this issue, I can discuss it with anyone.

I think this is actually a mistake. The New START should be extended. But this is another issue.

So, the US is ranked first in terms of spending, while China comes in second. Saudi Arabia, strangely enough, is ranked third, then comes Great Britain, France, and Japan. Japan has surpassed us, as we come in seventh. Moreover, our spending is falling each and every year. In contrast, other countries’ military spending has been rising.

And we are not going to fight against anybody, but we are creating such a situation in the defence sector so that nobody even dares to think about fighting us. And now there is a unique situation, I have recently spoken about it at the Defense Ministry. This is the first time in modern Russia. We always had to catch up with our, figuratively speaking, competitors.

The first atomic bomb was created by the Americans. We caught up with them. Then the first strategic aircraft to deliver these weapons were also made by the Americans. We caught up to them, again. The first missiles were developed by the Americans. We still caught up. For the first time, we have created such offensive strike systems which the world has never seen. Now they are trying to catch up with us. This is a unique situation. This has never happened before. I mean, first of all, hypersonic offensive systems, including intercontinental ones.

In 2000, slightly over 1,300,000 people served in our army, now – a little more than a million. We increased the share of modern equipment by just 1 percent a year back then. The share of modern equipment was only 6 percent. And now, do you know how much, do you? Almost 70 [percent].



Andrei Vandenko:

It's just like Chekhov’s principle, if there is a hypersonic rifle hanging on the wall, in the second or third chapter it will unquestionably go off.



Vladimir Putin:

That may be true for the theatre. Security and political reality are governed by another rule. Do you know which one? It will go off if it is hanging just on one stage. And if a similar rifle is hanging on a stage close by, it is unlikely that anyone near it would want to use it.

This is exactly the situation that is called strategic stability and the balance of power. Due to this strategic balance, the world has avoided major military conflicts after World War II. Precisely thanks to this strategic stability and strategic balance. By the way, while developing their anti-ballistic missile system, the Americans wanted to upset this strategic stability and balance thinking that if they created a missile defence umbrella, the other side wouldn’t be able to respond adequately if they use nuclear weapons. However, after having developed these modern systems, including those which easily evade any anti-missile ballistic system, we maintain this strategic stability and strategic balance. It is essential not only for us, but also for global security.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/62917
__________________
Where should they dig the Very Deep Pit?
Piglet said that the best place would be somewhere where a Heffalump was, just before he fell into it, only about a foot farther on.
(c) Alan Alexander Miln
 
Old May 14th, 2020 #65
Alex Him
Senior Member
 
Alex Him's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,834
Blog Entries: 219
Post

On civil society and foreign agents (interview to TASS)



The seventh part of Vladimir Putin's interview to TASS News Agency has been published.

The 20 Questions with Vladimir Putin project is an interview with the President of Russia on the most topical subjects of social and political life in Russia and the world. Total recording time is 3.5 hours.



March 3, 2020 - 15:00







Andrei Vandenko: (Sighs.)

Civil society.



Vladimir Putin:

Why did you sigh so heavily?



Andrei Vandenko:

Because the next question will be, why do the authorities prefer to communicate with the active part of society by using nightsticks?



Vladimir Putin:

That is not true.

The most active part of society is not just the so-called non-systemic opposition that breaks existing laws. Why do you reduce the active part of society like that?

The active part of society is also about volunteers, and we have millions, millions of them. They too represent the active part of society – young, capable, active people working in all the different areas – education, healthcare, environmental protection. They actively help others, and this is great.

You know, I sometimes look at them in awe, almost with tears in my eyes, because these people really do a great job. There has always been and always will be a certain part of society in any country that disagrees with the authorities in power. And it is very good that such people exist.

By the way, please note that if some revolutionary events occur, as a rule, those people who masterminded these events don’t stay in power for long. Very quickly they become uncomfortable with the authority their teeming activity has created.

The Bolsheviks were perhaps the sole exception as they remained in power after the October coup d’état for a rather long time. But then… the whole Bolshevik thing fell apart and dragged the country along.

But as far as the so-called non-systemic opposition is concerned, God bless them, I feel we need it. After all, you do understand this is not my first day on the job. I believe that we need them very much. I can see that they have a real influence on specific life, especially at the level of municipalities, major cities, and so on.



Andrei Vandenko:

Why weren’t they clamped down?



Vladimir Putin:

I will tell you why. Because there are rules for everyone to follow: for those who like the authorities and for those who don’t, alike. There is law and it should be observed, otherwise we will find ourselves in a situation when the country is totally disbalanced.

Do we want cars to be burnt in our streets?



Andrei Vandenko:

When was it that cars were burnt in our streets? The last time it happened was after the defeat of our national team in Japan…



Vladimir Putin:

If there is no response, they will be burnt. Shop windows will be smashed to pieces and people will be harmed.

You want to express your viewpoint, your opinion, and you want to do it through public protest? You are welcome to do so. The law permits it. Get permission and go ahead.

In some countries, in almost every country, even in European ones, unauthorised protests are punishable by incarceration. The prison terms are not very long, from 6 to 12 months.

But, in some countries, unauthorised protests involving 12 people, I think, somewhere in Sweden, they are considered civil unrest. Those can get you 5 or 10 years behind bars. We don’t have that, you see?



Andrei Vandenko:

Well, three years.



Vladimir Putin:

Three is less than ten.



Andrei Vandenko:

That’s still quite a bit.



Vladimir Putin:

Quite a bit. So, do not break the law.



Andrei Vandenko:

That’s a separate topic, we can discuss it for a long time: a request was filed, but not approved, then protestors took to the streets, meant nothing bad, and so on. Then you will never make heads or tails of who hit whom. Who stole whose fur coat?



Vladimir Putin:

That’s not important who or whose. Seek to obtain such permission. It’s the same procedure abroad too, they too need permission and get it. No permission – no protest. No permission but you nevertheless go ahead with the protest – be ready to get ‘shaved’.



Andrei Vandenko:

Hm, ok.



Vladimir Putin:

Take a rest, relax a little…



Andrei Vandenko:

You mean crop close?



Vladimir Putin:

Of course. What else?



Andrei Vandenko:

For three years? Or five?



Vladimir Putin:

As the court rules.



Andrei Vandenko:

Court again?

And the foreign agent status?



Vladimir Putin:

What about the foreign agent status? We were not the ones to invent it. Did we come up with the foreign agent status? Since 1938 or 1937, I think, since 1938, this law has been in effect in the USA, they still use it.



Andrei Vandenko:

Why does it matter? I beg your pardon, but in certain countries, Jews were forced to wear yellow stars on their clothes. So? What difference does it make who invented what?



Vladimir Putin:

What do yellow stars have to do with any of this?



Andrei Vandenko:

But it’s a mark!



Vladimir Putin:

… and the Holocaust?

No, there is a big difference. The United States of America is not Nazi Germany and it should not be blamed…



Andrei Vandenko:

I drew a parallel…



Vladimir Putin:

…for what it is not responsible at all. It was a bad parallel, unfair and having nothing to do with reality.



Andrei Vandenko:

Meaning we stand up for America?



Vladimir Putin:

I stood up for America – in this case, yes, I did it.

But they invented this law and have been actively using it, including a very recent case. Our citizen, a woman (she later became quite famous) was jailed as a foreign agent. Excuse me, but she was facing a 12-year sentence there. Right?

So what? They use it. We have no such thing. We only have an administrative penalty for this. And what is the purpose of that law? It exists simply to protect Russia from external meddling in its politics. There is no other purpose.

While some countries prohibit the activity of such organisations, we don’t ban it. They are free to keep working. By the way, this practice is a well-established one. They continue to work.

However, they are required to report if they receive funding from abroad and are engaged in internal political activity. Nobody’s rights are being infringed on here whatsoever. There is nothing that runs counter to international practice.

Some may be reluctant to say: yes, I am involved in domestic political affairs and I am doing that with the money I get from a foreign source, with foreign money. But that’s not fair. They’d better admit it and continue their activity.

So, the question is different. And there is a question. And I believe that human rights activists are right in drawing my attention to this. We need to have a very clear idea of what internal political activity is. We need to ensure that there are no misconceptions. And we need to ensure that no other activity – involving humanitarian matters, for instance, public health or environmental protection – is used as a disguise to engage in domestic political affairs.



Andrei Vandenko:

So foreign agents exist only in politics?



Vladimir Putin:

Absolutely. This is only about domestic political activity and the funding of that activity from foreign sources.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/62924






Meeting with Government members



Vladimir Putin had a meeting with Government members at his Novo-Ogaryovo residence in Moscow Region.



March 4, 2020 - 14:00 - Novo-Ogaryovo, Moscow Region




The meeting largely focused on implementing the comprehensive plan for the modernisation and expansion of the transport infrastructure. Transport Minister Yevgeny Ditrikh presented a report on the matter.

Other issues discussed include the threat of the coronavirus (COVID-19), preliminary results of the fall and winter heating season, and developing individual development programmes for several Russian regions.







President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

Good afternoon, colleagues.

Before we get going on discussing the main issue, the development of the transport infrastructure, for which we have gathered here today, I would like to ask Ms Golikova to say a few words about the current situation in the world and around us, here in our country – everything that has to do with the coronavirus. There are now 93,000 sick people all around the world, mainly in China, but also a lot of people in South Korea, Italy and Iran.

Earlier, we agreed to establish a competent commission that would be responsible for overseeing this problem, in the format of a crisis centre. How is the organisation of this work proceeding and what is the situation in Russia as of today? You have the floor.



Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova:

Good afternoon, Mr President, colleagues.

As you have already noted, more than 93,000 cases of COVID-19 have been registered around the world as of this morning, of which more than 83,000 are in China. Over 3,000 people have died, while more than 48,000 have recovered. The new coronavirus is registered in 80 countries, but unfortunately, the situation is changing for the worse by the hour.

I have to say that since Russia launched efforts to prevent the entry of the new coronavirus on December 31, 2019, three cases have been recorded in Russia – two of them at the very beginning in Trans-Baikal Territory and Tyumen Region, they were Chinese citizens who went on to recover. One case involved a Russian citizen who had recently returned from Italy.

We evacuated three more patients from Japan, where they were recorded as contracting the virus on the Diamond Princess cruise ship. These patients are now being treated in Kazan; their condition is satisfactory, and their disease is benign.

I must also point out the recent fake news on social media of a fairly large number of cases in the Russian Federation and of the official authorities’ policy of hiding this information. I would like to once again report to you that this is simply not true. The crisis centre and the Government of the Russian Federation, other bodies authorised to deal with this situation in different regions of Russia are working hard to prevent the new coronavirus’s penetration into the Russian Federation, and the data that I have just cited is true, for which we are officially responsible.

As I have already mentioned, the Government is taking all the necessary measures. According to the national plan, all the restrictive measures earlier enforced with regard to China have been extended until April 1, 2020. Moreover, considering the worsening situation in South Korea and Iran, the Government is taking additional measures similar to the decisions concerning China. Due to the adverse situation in Italy, starting on March 4, 2020, and until further notice, the passenger train service between Moscow and Nice has been suspended because the train stops in the Italian cities that are largely affected by the epidemic.

As directed by the Crisis Centre, the Foreign Ministry posted recommendations for Russian nationals advising them to refrain from trips to Iran, South Korea and Italy. Similar recommendations have been published by Rospotrebnadzor [Federal Supervision Service for Consumer Protection and Welfare] and Rosturism [Federal Agency for Tourism]. The Foreign Ministry has informed the federal government bodies, the regional government bodies and major Russian organisations that it may be unreasonable for Russian delegations to participate in international events, including sports events hosted by the countries currently hit by the epidemic – mainly, Iran, South Korea and Italy.

The Border Police of the Federal Security Service and Rospotrebnadzor staff are taking control measures at all border check points to prevent the disease from spreading and to identify persons showing signs of the new coronavirus infection.

The regions have developed their own regional prevention plans. Regional emergency centres organised by regional authorities are taking all the necessary steps, as scheduled and in close cooperation with the Crisis Centre and the Government.

Currently, the Vector Federal State Research Centre in Novosibirsk Region is working on a vaccine for the new coronavirus infection. There are five directions of this research, with 13 options available. We have our schedule for developing this kind of preparations and this type of vaccine. We will try to expedite the process as much as possible.

Besides, on your instruction, the Government is also doing its best to make sure that there are no shortages of medical face masks and that the price of them stays low. The Federal Anti-Monopoly Service is implementing the relevant oversight measures and has noted substantial price reductions for face masks in 18 Russian regions over the past week. We are posting preliminary price reductions or stabilised prices in 47 regions. Now that we have exposed elements of unfair competition, the Prime Minister resolved on March 2 to limit the exports of personal protection means outside the Russian Federation, except humanitarian relief missions. In these cases, our goods can be exported under your decision and that of the Government of the Russian Federation.

We are continuing our work, and we are also cooperating with members of parliament. Today, State Duma deputies, members of the United Russia party, have submitted proposals on amending two current laws, On the Circulation of Medication and On Protecting the Health of Citizens that allow the Government of the Russian Federation to limit for a period of 90 days the prices of medicines and medical goods not covered by price regulation procedures. If necessary, it would become possible to effectively fix the prices and prevent price hikes during the epidemic.

All our measures are subjected to strict control, and we report on them to the Prime Minister on a daily basis. Thank you.





Vladimir Putin:

During what humanitarian missions can we deliver these face masks abroad?



Tatiana Golikova:

This implies humanitarian projects, like when we supplied them to China, for example.



Vladimir Putin:

I see, but we do not have enough of them.



Tatiana Golikova:

We are only doing this by a decision of the country’s top political leaders.



Vladimir Putin:

Very well, good.

Regarding the provocative ‘fake news’ stories, the Federal Security Service reports that they were organised from abroad. Unfortunately, we always face this situation. Understandably, these leaks aim to sow panic among the population. We can only counter them by providing timely, comprehensive and authentic information to the country’s citizens. Thank goodness, we are not facing any critical developments for the time being, but people should be aware of what is really happening. I would like to ask you to launch this information work. Thank you.



(Minister of Construction and Housing and Utilities Vladimir Yakushev reported on the progress of the heating season and on preparations for next autumn and winter.)



Vladimir Putin:

The Government has decided to develop individual development programmes for some of the regions. Mr Reshetnikov, can you please say a few words about this.





Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov:

Mr, President, colleagues,

Indeed, the Government continues to pay close attention to regional development. A lot is being done under the National Projects, which include the most critical matters – the construction of hospitals, schools and roads, repairing dilapidated housing, and so on. At the same time, the regional systems of inter-budgetary relations are being improved to ensure that public services are provided equally in all regions of the country.

Still, these measures are not enough. We have regions that, due to objective circumstances, do not have a developed industry or sufficient economic potential. Hence, the decision taken for ten of these regions is to create individual development programmes in addition to all the other measures to support regional development that apply to them. We relied on four indicators – people’s incomes, levels of investment, unemployment and poverty. Among such regions are the republics of Altai, Karelia, Tyva, Chuvashia, Mari El and Kalmykia, Adygeya, Pskov Region and Kurgan Region, and Altai Territory.

Individual programmes have been developed for those regions to promote the independent development of the regional economies and the building up of their economic potential. Accordingly, the main performance targets are new jobs, greater investment and the resulting development of local tax sources. The total funding for these programmes from the federal budget will amount to 50 billion rubles until 2024, that is, an additional 1 billion per region per year. Co-financing from regional budgets will be 1 percent, that is, these programmes will be almost entirely financed by the federal budget.

We agreed with the governors to channel most of the funds into support for small and medium-sized businesses, building production facilities, special economic zones, technology parks, the development of tourism, as well as the development of necessary infrastructure.

Measures related to social infrastructure are also included, but we agreed not to replace the existing programmes and rather concentrate on economic issues.

And we separately agreed that, on the instructions of Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin, 10 percent of the funds should be spent on infrastructure for integrated residential development, to address housing issues in these regions. At this stage, we have developed draft programmes; it is expected that they will increase investment in these regions by almost 20,000 rubles per capita. This means plus 60 percent to what they have now, that is more than 1.5 times. Over five years, the local residents’ incomes should grow by 6,500 rubles on average, or by about 30 percent. All this is to be achieved by creating about 70,000 new jobs in those regions. This is our main goal.

To ensure the quick and effective implementation of these programmes, there is a proposal to try out a different spending management system there. The idea is, instead of deviding the funding between several ministries, projects, events, and so on, to concentrate it all within the framework of one ministry acting as the head manager for these federal funds and making sure that the money actually reaches the regions, where the governors will redistribute the funds across their projects. Often, when money is initially distributed by directives, transferring amounts from one project to another can take months, and the construction season or the right conditions can be missed. This is why we propose a more flexible system.

As of today, the draft programmes have been reviewed at the level of approach and content, and coordinated with the head of the Government Commission for Regional Development, Marat Khusnullin.

Later on, after Mr Mishustin personally visits a region and looks at the state of affairs, and after discussing the final version of the programmes on site, these programmes are to be signed and launched. The Kurgan programme has already been approved and launched, while other programmes are pending approval. We will complete this work in March so as not to miss the construction season and to begin all this work as quickly as possible.

Thank you.



Vladimir Putin:

How do you expect to assess the quality of use of additional resources, as well as the work of the regional teams?



Maxim Reshetnikov:

First of all, Mr President, we have a system for evaluating the performance of governors, and the indicators that we identified as programme targets are in full accordance with this system – people’s income in the first place, investment, and poverty reduction. We will evaluate these indicators two to three years from now, and after one year, we will look at what has been done specifically. Because the first year is the period for testing all these projects, preparing and launching them.



Vladimir Putin:

Good. Thank you very much.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/62930






On stability and stagnation in economy (interview to TASS)



The eighth part of Vladimir Putin's interview to TASS News Agency has been published.

The 20 Questions with Vladimir Putin project is an interview with the President of Russia on the most topical subjects of social and political life in Russia and the world. Total recording time is 3.5 hours.



March 4, 2020 - 15:00







Andrei Vandenko:

Stability or stagnation? How does economic stability differ from stagnation?



Vladimir Putin:

This is very simple. Economic stability is the foundation for development. Overall, stability is always the foundation for development, while stagnation is basically backpedaling without any development. That is the main difference.



Andrei Vandenko:

Look, during the first decade of your tenure everything was booming.



Vladimir Putin:

Yes.



Andrei Vandenko:

Then, around 2008, we set off on bolstering our health by jogging in place.



Vladimir Putin:

Well, firstly, it is very healthy. I will get to that – it is important. Secondly, the question is what benchmark we started from in 1999 and 2000. It was minimal, in fact, a pittance. Because then, if we begin with the key issue here, 42 million people lived below the poverty line. A third of the country’s population. Nowadays this number is still high at 13.5 million. But this is not a third, not 42 million. Nevertheless, it is still a lot. And we must combat this.



Vladimir Putin:

Back then, the gold and forex reserves stood at $12.5 billion, and the national debt came to 145 billion. There was no end in sight; it was unclear how to sort it out. Since then and until now – as I say this, people may start having doubts, but this is a fact – real wages have grown by 4.2 per cent. Pensions have almost tripled (2.9 times). Real incomes have jumped 2.4 times.



Andrei Vandenko:

Do you mean since 2000?



Vladimir Putin:

Yes, since 2000.Those are definitely real things. Now, this does not mean that everything is fine today. Not at all. On the contrary. Moreover, people do not make comparisons with what it was like before, when it was bad, but rather with how good it is supposed to be in the future. When they see that their desires are not met, they feel let down. Frankly speaking, I agree with this perspective.



Andrei Vandenko:

Especially since you made a promise. In 2008, we heard that by 2020 the average wage would be around $2,700. A family of three would have a 100-square-meter flat…



Vladimir Putin:

Well, this is not quite correct. Those were preliminary plans.



Andrei Vandenko:

Yes, plans. The so-called 2020 Concept.



Vladimir Putin:

We planned to double our GDP by 2008 and based on this we compiled our social plans accordingly. In 2008, we had practically reached our goals. Then, the global financial crisis struck, not by any fault of ours, it came from beyond our borders. As a result, a far more urgent task appeared that we had to tackle. I want to remind everybody that here it was essential to prevent the economy from collapsing and the public’s savings from being wiped out. This was in 2008. I became Prime Minister then and had to publicly announce – this was a huge risk, frankly speaking – I announced that…



Andrei Vandenko:

The risk was you being Prime Minister?



Vladimir Putin:

No, it was what I said. What I said was this. I stated that I would prevent a repeat of the 1998 crisis, when all of the public’s savings had been wiped out. And we prevented that. But, indeed, it had a negative impact on our development. Honestly, we were not to blame for it. That global financial meltdown and the economic crisis that followed came from the outside.



Andrei Vandenko:

I see. But incomes, real incomes have been on the decline in recent years.



Vladimir Putin:

True. We are concerned about this; I am deeply concerned that this sort of stagnation has hit real incomes. There is an explanation. First and foremost, it is connected with a drastic drop in energy prices. Everything kept growing as long as oil was at $100 per barrel or higher. Now it is $60. Do you see the difference? It has practically halved. This explains why we launched these National Projects with the aim of changing the economy's structure and promoting self-sustaining development. But people cannot afford to wait for years, I understand this perfectly. I certainly understand that this is one of today’s key social issues. We need to do something about this. The government is obliged to do something to give it a boost. There are many ways.



Andrei Vandenko:

Does anyone bear personal responsibility for the falling revenues and the rise in poverty? The latest figures show that the number has been on the rebound.



Vladimir Putin:

Well, there were 13.4 million, now there are 13.5 million. The difference is not very big, but it does exist. These are real people. What can we say about personal responsibility at a time when world oil prices have slumped? What can we say about personal responsibility, if…?



Andrei Vandenko:

But we wanted to wean ourselves off oil dependency.



Vladimir Putin:

We wanted to do that, and we are gradually doing it, by the way. We are really moving away from it, because the share of non-oil and gas revenue is growing. But this requires time, and it cannot be done at the drop of a hat.



Andrei Vandenko:

There has been a lot of talk about inflation; it is reducing, but people are more concerned about what they see in their refrigerators.



Vladimir Putin:

True.



Andrei Vandenko:

Macroeconomic figures may look good, but…



Vladimir Putin:

Try to see my point. Low inflation means that prices go up very slowly or do not grow at all.



Andrei Vandenko:

But they do go up.



Vladimir Putin:

But slowly. Since the 2000s that you started from…



Andrei Vandenko:

You did.



Vladimir Putin:

Well, the 20 questions, that is where you started.



Andrei Vandenko:

Well, yes.



Vladimir Putin:

We had an inflation rate of 20.5 percent, I believe. And in 1999, when I became Prime Minister, it was 36 percent, or 35 percent, I believe. And in 1992, inflation was 2,600 percent. Now it is hovering around 3.4 to 3.5 percent. And that covers food prices. And people feel the bite of rising inflation since prices go up, taking a toll on people's wallets. It is another thing that along with targeting inflation, the public’s disposable incomes need to be raised. This is obvious. It is quite obvious. In the context of our economic structure, it is not that simple. But the Government is certainly obliged to make additional efforts. This is precisely what we are discussing.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/62931






Meeting with permanent members of Security Council



Vladimir Putin held a meeting with permanent members of the Security Council.



March 4, 2020 - 19:50 - Novo-Ogaryovo, Moscow Region







Along with current issues on the domestic agenda, the meeting agenda covered the developments around Idlib. In addition, the participants discussed matters concerning Russian-Turkish relations, including in preparation for the visit by President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Moscow scheduled for March 5.

















The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko, State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev, Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Anton Vaino, Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev, Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, Director of the Federal Security Service Alexander Bortnikov, Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service Sergei Naryshkin and Special Presidential Representative for Environmental Protection, Ecology and Transport Sergei Ivanov.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/62933






On support to talented youth (TASS interview)



The ninth part of Vladimir Putin's interview to TASS News Agency has been published.

The 20 Questions with Vladimir Putin project is an interview with the President of Russia on the most topical subjects of social and political life in Russia and the world. Total recording time is 3.5 hours.



March 5, 2020 - 15:00







Andrei Vandenko:

All paths are open to our young people, one would like to believe.



Vladimir Putin:

I hope so.



Andrei Vandenko:

Have you heard this meme: ”How do you like it, Elon Musk?“



Vladimir Putin:

No, I have not.



Andrei Vandenko:

But have you heard about Elon Musk?



Vladimir Putin:

Yes, of course.



Andrei Vandenko:

He is launching a Tesla, while Rogozin is creating an elevator to the moon.



Vladimir Putin:

An elevator to the moon? And so?



Andrei Vandenko:

They are in different leagues.



Vladimir Putin:

I can give you different examples. A group of young people from a graduating class showed up. This whole group of people came.



Andrei Vandenko:

Where?



Vladimir Putin:

To one of our institutes and created the Iskander. This group of young people from a graduating class showed up and in a few years, they created the Iskander. One of our cutting-edge weapons that we are proud of. The best in the world.

Young people showed up and created the Peresvet. This is an example from the defense industry. But they did it.



Andrei Vandenko:

So, let them create a Tesla-like passenger car.



Vladimir Putin:

Prokhorov said he would make…



Andrei Vandenko:

An airplane.



Vladimir Putin:

He did not succeed yet.



Andrei Vandenko:

Ah, yes, the Yo-mobile.



Vladimir Putin:

He promised; he showed it to me. I even went for a ride in it. But it has not been working for him so far.

In the high-tech field and in the nuclear sphere we have been making great strides. We have outperformed everyone; we are the world's largest manufacturer of nuclear units for power plants. Not weapons, mind you. This is state-of-the-art technology. It is developing very rapidly.

If we look at military equipment, say military aviation, we are really on top here. We will continue moving forward in the civilian sector as well. We already have our own pharmaceutical products, very good ones. And so on. Gradually, it is gaining momentum.



Andrei Vandenko:

I meant something different.



Vladimir Putin:

What?



Andrei Vandenko:

When I mentioned Musk. He is not exactly an idol, but some sort of a role model.



Vladimir Putin:

Fine, but…



Andrei Vandenko:

Whom can we offer as an alternative, not an American…?



Vladimir Putin:

We have Kaspersky. I believe he is really good at what he does. He is a leader, without a doubt.

If the screws had not been tightened, if competition had not been artificially stifled, it would have been much better. This is what comes to mind right away.



Andrei Vandenko:

How do you feel about the fact that according to one of the opinion polls half of the young people want to leave the country?



Vladimir Putin:

There are all sorts of opinion polls. And target groups can also differ. Some want to leave, others want to return. As I have already said, the latter’s numbers are on the rise.

Certainly, if we want our people to fulfill their ambitions in their own country, the state must boost its efforts to ensure this. And we will do so.

I think that the number of good specialists is steadily growing and the fact that our specialists find employment in the global labor market means that we provide a good higher education.



Andrei Vandenko:

Does the Leaders of Russia contest live up to your expectations?



Vladimir Putin:

Yes, of course. They are really great guys. However, not only do we have the Leaders of Russia contest, there is also Russia – Land of Opportunity, with a whole set of mechanisms that seem to be working very efficiently.



Andrei Vandenko:

And what do you think the criterion is? Is it the number of public appointees or the number of proposals coming from…?



Vladimir Putin:

Among the contests I mentioned, we do not have a single contest for a specific job or office.

We simply allow people to expand their knowledge and capabilities even more, yet simultaneously, when working with these people, representatives of major corporations or ministries and agencies pick out future employees.

Actually, by doing so we have already found ministers, deputy ministers and even governors and deputy governors. This is a very good social elevator.



Andrei Vandenko:

The Sirius project also represents such a new experience. I mean the Sirius center.



Vladimir Putin:

Sirius is a little different.



Andrei Vandenko:

Of course. It applies to young people, I mean.



Vladimir Putin:

Absolutely, but this is a method of working with gifted children. We have never had… Well, we did.



Andrei Vandenko:

In Soviet times?



Vladimir Putin:

Yes, we did… Actually, when I was deciding to create Sirius I… By the way, do you know how this idea emerged?



Andrei Vandenko:

No, I do not.



Vladimir Putin:

Olympic facilities in the Imereti Valley. Suggestions immediately started coming in to dismantle something and relocate it somewhere. But dismantling and relocating would cost us about the same as constructing something new. It would be better to change the location, and finally I decided to build something new in some other place.

But how do we make use of what is available? At first, a simple, even primitive, thought entered my mind: to use these facilities for children's sports. But later I thought, why just for sports? We inherited a system of advanced education and training from the USSR. I mean physics and mathematics schools, biology schools, then music colleges at conservatories, ballet schools. We are proud of all this.

And, of course, sports, that is figure skating, our prestigious sports where we have good capabilities and where we have been successful, and hockey. So, I came up with an idea of putting this together.



Andrei Vandenko:

Do you mean the original idea was yours?



Vladimir Putin:

Yes, yes, I came up with it.

A colleague of mine who was invited there said to one of his colleagues, ”He is not going to succeed“. When asked why, he said, “To begin with, your hockey players will beat up the math whiz kids.”

Yet, nothing of the kind has occurred there. Because kids, even powerful athletic lads, respect their peers who achieve noticeable success in their fields because they know that this requires great effort and talent.

So, Sirius… By the way, I was the one who came up with the name as well. I was sitting and thinking about a name and suddenly I recalled that the brightest star in the sky is Sirius.

It brings together the brightest kids. That is why I proposed this name. And the name stuck.



Andrei Vandenko:

It could not have been otherwise



Vladimir Putin:

But why?



Andrei Vandenko:

Putin said so.



Vladimir Putin:

Anything can happen.

Here, we use the system of selecting gifted kids established back in the Soviet Union. I mean these physics and mathematics schools, biology schools, music schools and so on.

From these schools, every 21 days we pick a group of kids for Sirius and arrange 21‑day training courses for them. Then we pick out those with the best potential. It turned out to be a very good idea.

Moreover, do you know what is interesting and what I especially like about this? Here, we see athletes communicating with math geniuses while math geniuses may go to see a hockey match or ballet performance for the first time. Thus, they get involved in physical fitness. This is really great. I like this very much.

The next step should be to create a modern university. We have already set up a scientific cluster of laboratories there specializing in such priority fields. There are several of them, four, I believe.

Then we intend to create a technology park there consisting of a school, a university, and a scientific laboratory, and the techno park where innovations can materialize. We will link the whole process.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/62937






Russian-Turkish talks



March 5, 2020 - 19:00 - The Kremlin, Moscow







Vladimir Putin met in the Kremlin with President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is in Russia on a working visit.

The two leaders discussed the Syrian crisis and possible measures to settle it in the context of the recent aggravation in the Idlib de-escalation zone.

After the talks in resticted format, consultations continued with the participation of the delegations of the two countries, which included foreign and defence ministers.







President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

Good afternoon, Mr President.

Thank you for coming to Russia. As usual, we have things to discuss. The situation in the Idlib zone in Syria has deteriorated so much that we need to have a direct and personal discussion.

First of all, I would like to express our sincere condolences over the death of your military personnel in Syria. Loss of life is always a big tragedy.

Regrettably, as I have told you by telephone, nobody, including the Syrian military, was aware of your troops’ location. At the same time, there were casualties among Syrian servicemen as well. The Syrian army reported major losses.

Therefore, we need to discuss everything and analyse the current developments so that, first, this does not happen again and, second, that this does not damage Russian-Turkish relations, which I know that you value as well.

As you requested, we are ready to begin our talks one-on-one, and then our colleagues, who are with us in this room, will join us, if necessary.

Once again, welcome to Moscow.





President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan (retranslated):

Yes, Mr President, I would like to also thank you for your welcome.

As you know, we were going to hold this meeting in Turkey but due to your ongoing work on constitutional amendments, we decided to accept your invitation and come here. Certainly, this meeting on Idlib talks is very important.

The situation in Idlib is indeed very tense. I know that the entire world is watching us today and I think that the action and decisions we take today will definitely have a mitigating effect.

This is a time when the relations between our countries have indeed reached a peak. Of course, this concerns the defence industry, trade and other areas; they continue developing.

We believe and say that we need to make progress in this area. In fact, this is our biggest task, to move forward and develop our relations. I believe we will succeed.

Once again, I would like to thank you for your welcome.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/62936






Press statements following Russian-Turkish talks



Upon the completion of the Russian-Turkish talks, which lasted about six hours, Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan made statements for the press.



March 5, 2020 - 20:15 - The Kremlin, Moscow







President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen,

Today we held our third meeting this year. Our close personal contact allows us to promptly resolve various issues of bilateral cooperation and develop common approaches to settling key international problems.

Today we discussed the serious situation that has taken shape in Idlib Province in Syria. Since the beginning of the year, the criminal gangs operating there have sharply stepped up their activities. They have regularly shelled both Syrian government troop positions and civilian residential areas.

The radicals have continued to attack the Khmeimim Russian air base. Another attempt to hit it with a multiple launch rocket was made on March 1.

In all, the Khmeimim air base has been attacked 15 times since the beginning of the year. Each time, we informed our Turkish partners about it in real time.

The militants have actually managed to provoke the resumption of hostilities. Regrettably, there have been losses among the Turkish military as well.

In this respect, I again expressed my condolences to Mr President, knowing that he feels these losses very deeply, to the families of the dead and to all Turkish people.

We do not always agree with our Turkish partners when evaluating what is happening in Syria, but to this day, in each critical moment, we have managed to find points of contact on emerging disputed issues and reach mutually acceptable solutions by relying on the high level of bilateral relations.





It happened this time as well. Today, we reaffirmed the interest of our countries in continuing our cooperation in the Astana format as well. It was the Astana process that provided a serious impetus for a settlement in Syria at one point.

Our meeting today was preceded by a lot of work and several rounds of intensive consultations between inter-departmental delegations with an emphasis on the crisis situation in the Idlib zone. We proceed from the need to observe the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity in Syria.

We are also convinced that the struggle against international terrorism must not be let up. Following our talks, we agreed on a common document, the provisions of which will be made public by our foreign ministers.

This document describes the solutions that the President of the Republic of Turkey, Mr Erdogan, and I elaborated during today’s consultations, which lasted over six hours.

I would like to express hope that these agreements will create a solid foundation for the cessation of hostilities in the Idlib de-escalation zone, stop the suffering of civilians, put an end to the expansion of the humanitarian crisis and create conditions for the continuation of the peace process in the Syrian Arab Republic between all conflicting parties.

I would also like to thank Mr President for coming to Moscow today, confirming the level of our relations.

I would like to thank all of our Turkish colleagues for their intensive and difficult but constructive work that, in my opinion, produced positive results.

Thank you for your attention.





President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan (retranslated):

I am also very grateful.

Mr President,

Ministers,

Ladies and gentlemen,

I would like to greet you cordially and express my respect for you.

First, I would like to express my gratitude to Mr Putin for his kind invitation.

At a time when tensions are still running high in our region, I am pleased to meet with Mr Putin again. During today’s meeting, we discussed issues related to Syria in detail, as well as the latest developments in Idlib.

We can say – Mr Putin also said this – that we have worked on these issues for about six hours. In this respect, I would like to note that we had a sincere dialogue, and we discussed these relevant issues with Mr President.





I can say, and you know this, that relations between Turkey and Russia are deeply rooted in history, spanning over five centuries. Of course, our countries and our people in both countries maintain very strong traditions and cooperation. Our strongest wish is that we continue to cooperate on the basis of mutual respect.

This year we are celebrating the centenary of our diplomatic relations. We have invited Mr Putin to our country on this occasion.

Ladies and gentlemen,

As you know, in September 2018 Mr Putin and I adopted the Sochi Memorandum of Understanding that made it possible to reach relative stability in Idlib.

It reads that tensions in Idlib will be reduced, any attacks in the region prevented, and existing status quo maintained. But starting in March attacks by the regime have become more frequent, which led to casualties among civilians and violated the Idlib agreement.

First, I would like to say that primary responsibility for this rests with the forces of the regime, which breached this agreement. This region is home to four million people. We believe it is unacceptable to call 4 million residents terrorists and subject them to bombings.

People, refugees leaving their homes because of the regime’s tough position – according to the UN there are about 1.5 million of them – are now near our borders.

The main goal of the regime in Idlib is to ravage this region and put Turkey into a difficult position, facing a new wave of refugees. No doubt, Turkey will not stand idle in the face of such a threat.





We have established observation posts in Idlib to reduce tensions in the region. They pledged to merely monitor the ceasefire but not control the territory.

Some time ago we reached an agreement with Russia to send reinforcement to stabilise the region – to curb certain groups from continuing their attacks and to deter attacks by the regime. We are taking an active part in this.

In this process, we tried to do all we could to coordinate our actions with Russian agencies and military. The regime’s attacks led to sad events and in this context it is necessary to establish a new status in Idlib.

Today, in Moscow, together with our Russian colleagues, we discussed cooperation between our countries in detail. This cooperation was a contributing factor in resolving this issue.

We have agreed to expand our relations to address political issues and the issues relating to the eastern bank of the Euphrates. We believe the regime’s forces will not be able to hurt our relations with Russia.

Today at the negotiating table we decided to discuss this issue and show that we have the will to resolve it. First of all, I would like to note that we will declare a ceasefire as soon as possible and then we will coordinate our next steps.

Today, at midnight March 5, a ceasefire will be put in place. All the necessary steps will be taken to ensure a sustainable ceasefire. Our objective is to avoid any further exacerbation of the humanitarian situation in this region.

We will spare no effort to provide the necessary assistance to everyone in Syria who needs it. We will also make it easier for the refugees who fled the area as a result of these attacks to return home.

In a little while, the foreign ministers of our two countries will make a statement that we have agreed on. In this process, Turkey reserves the right to use force to respond to any attack by the regime. Throughout this process, I will be in contact with my close friend; we will continue to maintain contact, as will the relevant bodies of our countries.





Regarding the Syrian crisis, we will continue to work based on the principle of Syria’s territorial integrity as well as political unity to resolve this issue, I mean the Sochi agreements.

I believe that the only key to resolving this issue is to ensure lasting peace and stability within the framework of the Geneva negotiating process.

I would like to greet everyone, and I believe that we will benefit from all of our meetings.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/62948






Meeting with State Duma party faction leaders



March 6, 2020 - 01:00 - The Kremlin, Moscow







Vladimir Putin had a meeting with the heads of four party factions represented in the lower house of parliament: Vladimir Zhirinovsky (LDPR), Gennady Zyuganov (Communist Party), Sergei Neverov (United Russia) and Sergei Mironov (A Just Russia).

The meeting was also attended by State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin and First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Sergei Kiriyenko.







President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

Colleagues, I apologise for postponing our meeting a little.



Head of the Communist Party faction Gennady Zyuganov:

In fact, this is good. We began our meeting on March 5 and we will finish it on March 6.



Vladimir Putin:

That’s right. This does not happen often, at least when it comes to official meetings. I do get delayed quite often, but this happens only rarely with regard to official meetings.

Anyway, we meet and hold consultations on a regular basis. Today I would like to ask your advice on amendments to the Constitution.

As you well know, I proposed amending the Basic Law in my Address to the Federal Assembly. You know about this. And later a draft law setting out concrete amendments was submitted to the State Duma, which adopted it in the first reading. This allowed us to spend more time discussing the amendments for the second, main reading.

A working group has been established, as you know, on drafting proposals for amendments to the Constitution; this group includes representatives from all party factions. State Duma deputies and members of the Federation Council are taking an active part in the discussion of the incoming proposals, including at the concerned committees of both houses of parliament.

I also had one-on-one meetings with each of you. As far as I can see, many of these proposals have been taken into account. Members of the working group travelled to the regions and had discussions with the electorate and legislatures.

I would like to particularly emphasise that by working on amendments to the Constitution, we are all thinking not only about the present but also about the future because it is our Basic Law. Many of you, at different times and in different situations, pointed out that this Basic Law was adopted in very specific circumstances.

You may have noticed that I also spoke about this in the Address. It is fair and it is true. Now the situation in the country is radically different. As a matter of fact, ours is a different country now, in this respect. So of course, the amendments are relevant.

Of course, our potential allows us to act on these changes due to the rapidly changing situation in the country. It is fundamentally important that the updated Constitution unites people regardless of their political views, level of income, region of residence, ethnicity or faith.

It is not a coincidence that the Constitution is called the Basic Law that is supposed to consolidate the entire society. I think we will be able to offer draft amendments for nationwide voting that will fit this description.

We can even find some political issues that bring us together. For example, I have never heard from you that the country should return to the 1990s. With all the positive sentiments of democratisation, it is certain that nobody wants to go back to the years of tough ordeals for our citizens.

Still, it is not enough to simply draw a line under a certain period of our country’s development. We need guarantees that it is now impossible to backslide in the direction that we do not want to return to; that attempting to shake the country again is unacceptable and nobody wants it.

Many of you witnessed those distressing events yourself. I am confident that nothing of the kind must be repeated in our history – in our future, to be precise.

What else is crucial? Right now we have every opportunity to carry out a socially-oriented state policy that responds to our citizens’ desire for improvement of the quality of life and living standards.

We all understand how important it is today to support families and family values, to provide overarching protection to our children, to ensure that education and healthcare are accessible and, of course, to make sure that senior citizens, retired citizens, enjoy comfortable living standards.

The social sector concerns people in absolutely all age groups. All regions and municipalities should abide by the same high standards here. It is not so easy to accomplish this, considering the level of these regions’ development, but it goes without saying that we need to do our best to achieve this objective. Of course, in order for us to make real improvements, these goals must work at all public administration levels, from municipal to federal.

I know that your position as leaders of parliamentary parties was largely decisive in the approval of the draft law in the first reading and during the discussion of incoming proposals. I have already said that many of your proposals have been taken into account. I would like to highlight the major contribution of United Russia as the largest party faction and as the country’s leading party.

Mr Zyuganov, I would like to thank you for supporting proposals on the indexation of pensions and social payments, as well as amendments to strengthen the functions of parliamentary control and to stipulate restrictions for the heads of government agencies. A person wishing to make it into the corridors of power should be ready for deliberate self-restrictions.

I would also like to thank Mr Zhirinovsky for supporting proposals on the primacy of national legislation over international law. You brought this up in the past, I remember it well; this concerns ways of enhancing public governance and supporting the state policy that aims to strengthen international peace and security.

Mr Mironov, thank you for supporting proposals regarding the regular indexing of pensions and for amendments to ensure targeted social assistance, social support measures and the assertion of the unifying role of the Russian language and Russian culture.

It appears that we have now managed to find the essential constructive solutions that will make it possible to introduce relevant and much needed changes to the Basic Law.

At the same time, I would like to ask you not to overload it with proposals that may certainly be important but that should be applied to federal laws, regional laws or regulatory documents of the Russian Federation’s Government.

Large-scale and detailed work to prepare a draft law on amendments to the Constitution for the second reading has been conducted with the active involvement of citizens, society and parliamentary parties. Colleagues, I would now like to ask you to jointly support the draft law on amending the Constitution of the Russian Federation in the second and then in the third reading.

Here is another issue that requires our attention. As you know, a nationwide voting on constitutional amendments is set for April 22. The amendments will come into effect only after their approval by our citizens.

I said this many times before in different situations, including at my meetings with the working group, but I would like to say this once again. No matter how well we work on the law, it will only come into effect after the nationwide voting. In other words, the citizens of Russia will be the real lawmakers in this case. They will play the main and absolutely decisive role. It is very important that the people know and understand what they will be voting for.

In this connection, I would like to ask you to support the explanatory work of your parties and their active members, as well as your supporters, especially in the media, on the Internet and during personal meetings.

A considerable part of the crucial amendments submitted by members of your party factions will be reflected in the final wording of the draft law. I hope you will also help the Central Election Commission to organise the process.

As we agreed, voting will be organised and held using the model of the law on presidential elections. This means that punishment for violating the voting procedure will be the same as for similar violations during presidential elections. Therefore, I have issued instructions on amending the Code of Administrative Procedure and the Criminal Code.

The Civic Chamber will monitor the nationwide voting. I would like to ask you to help the Chamber, including by sending your parties’ observers to polling stations.

All of us want the voting to be held at the highest possible level and to strictly comply with the procedure, so that nobody questions its outcome.

Colleagues,

I believe that together we will be able to hold the nationwide voting at a level befitting our country and, most importantly, create the necessary conditions for the free expression of our citizens’ will regarding amendments to our Basic Law, the Constitution of the Russian Federation.





Leader of the LDPR faction Vladimir Zhirinovsky:

The Constitution, the amendments that we will adopt… Personally, I took part in the drafting and adoption of the 1993 Constitution. I spoke here at the Kremlin. Yeltsin and Chernomyrdin were there then.

Now we are making amendments and we know their authors. I cannot see a single amendment with a negative meaning: all the amendments are made to improve, all are positive. This is why I am not sure why some people see a catch somewhere or are not satisfied with something. There is nothing bad in the social, political, government or cultural sphere: only positive things can be noted in all areas.

In this sense, I do not understand those who say: “Why do we do this?” Everything has improved. We have improved the Constitution, and it will remain in force for many years to come.

In fact, the life of the Constitution is the life of one generation. It has been in effect for more than 20 years, and now the new generation will live for 20 years with the new amendments to the Constitution. This is why it is the rule of our life, the main political law which we all need; it unites everyone. It tells us what country this is, its borders, who lives here, what languages are spoken, and what rights there are.

The main thing is that more rights are given to representative bodies. This is progress. Millions of people fought and gave their lives for this for many centuries, to give parliaments more power. And we are doing this now. Both houses, the courts and the judiciary branch. This means that everything is only improving.

This is why I believe that people will be glad to go to the polling stations on April 22. And it is good that a working day was chosen, the middle of the week. In the future, annual elections can also be held in the middle of the week, on the last Wednesday of April. This will not be connected with Easter. It means the atmosphere of the spring, and the summer will be free, too. This is why I think that the April 22 vote on amendments to the Constitution will be successful.



Vladimir Putin:

Thank you.

Mr Zyuganov.





Gennady Zyuganov:

Mr President,

Your three latest initiatives are connected with the Address to the Federal Assembly, first of all, to improve the social component and special care, which made it possible to allocate almost four trillion rubles more for these tasks. We supported this and have been waiting for this decision for a long time.

We met with the Prime Minister. Now we are working on an entire range of projects. I am sure they will play a positive role.

Among other things, the new edition reflects the special significance of education, science and culture. By the way, it is essential, including the role of the Russian language as state-forming and the special focus on children and women. You stressed that while you are working there will be mother and father, and traditional values will be especially important: this is a principled position.

Second, you have strengthened the Government, which is now getting ready to deliver its report to the State Duma. I think it is very important that the coordinated positions of the President from the Address are approved both by the Government and the State Duma in the new budget. We proposed a development budget: 33 trillion, and 12 laws for it, which will allow us to address these tasks.

And you took this highly responsible step and started “renovating” the Constitution, which was passed after the bloody attack on the parliament and which is largely illegitimate.

This is a progressive decision, and we voted for it in the first reading. We submitted additionally 114 amendments, and it appears that 22 of them have been taken into account. We are now studying the situation in detail, and in principle, our organisations and the union of patriotic forces are interested in this matter.

What worries us? Several things worry us. Russians, the country’s nucleus and its state-forming nation, are disappearing here. In the past years, we have lost almost 20 million, and we have to take urgent action in this respect. I can feel that you realise this, but it will require additional expenditure and special attention needs to be paid to these regions.

Annually, we export mineral resources worth about 20 trillion rubles, but the budget has never accumulated more than eight trillion rubles. Therefore my voters perceive nature management and the use of natural resources in the interests of every citizen as the most important matter because almost 20 million people have very low incomes, and we need to rectify this situation immediately.

There is an amendment to the Constitution. But we should proceed from the fact that a minimum wage of 12,130 rubles is very little. We have suggested a significant rise in the minimum wage, and we have discussed this matter with you. We should also search for a solution here.

It is very important to us that the position of the welfare state is strengthened. To this end, we have come up with a number of interesting ideas. The women’s congress is set to begin tomorrow or even today, to be more exact. Participants from across the country will discuss these decisions. Efforts to care for the family and mothers with many children are also taking on special value.

Our party must discuss this principled matter from the grassroots level to the top. Meetings with voters are taking place everywhere. We will make the final decision soon. But we are interested in continuing this dialogue that involves the President, the Parliament and the Government.

I would like to congratulate you. Today, you have conducted complex negotiations but you have reached an important decision, and I would like to ask you to pay attention to the fact that it is essential for us to strengthen domestic political stability and to preserve it to the greatest possible extent. In this respect, we believe that our Parliament and its Speaker are working in a well-coordinated and efficient manner. And we need to cherish and value this.

This is all the more so now that the Government is drafting its programme for the future. To my mind, if we spend the entire year on achieving these goals, the entire country would benefit from this.



Vladimir Putin:

Thank you.





Head of the A Just Russia faction Sergei Mironov:

Mr President, A Just Russia has submitted 41 amendments, 14 of which have been taken into account, including a crucial proposal of fundamental importance to us, on adjusting pensions to inflation at least once a year. We hope that our working pensioners will not be overlooked during the implementation of this constitutional provision future.

We have held discussions in all of the party’s regional branches. On February 25–27, we held news conferences on the constitutional amendments. Overall, we are ready to discuss the amendments in the second and third readings.

Today you had a far from easy but fruitful day. I congratulate you on these good results on behalf of the party and, actually, on behalf of all Russian citizens. I would like to conclude my statement now because I believe that you need some rest.

Thank you.



Vladimir Putin:

Thank you very much.

It is a very serious matter, and hence we will spend as much time on it as necessary. Thank you.



Head of the United Russia faction Sergei Neverov:

Mr President, I would like to say that we appreciate the fact that a working group, which includes representatives of all our factions, was set up at your initiative during preparations for the second reading. I would like to say that our faction has submitted quite a few amendments, including through our colleagues in the working group.

It is very important to support your amendments to the Constitution, because they as a block incorporate the initiatives which we put forth within the framework of the working group.

We have agreed with the deputies that the main proposals should be submitted via the working group, which includes representatives from various sections of society and hence can discuss them in a more professional manner. At the same time, we did not restrict our deputies as far as submitting proposals was concerned.

Our colleagues have submitted separately a number of proposals regarding amendments. I would like to say that most of them have been supported and taken into account. On the other hand, the committee has rejected some proposals, yet each deputy had an opportunity to voice their ideas.

The social block of proposals is very important for us, because it includes the adjustment of social benefits and pensions to inflation. All of us remember that some time ago the maternity capital was not adjusted at all, there was no possibility to do that, and pensions were adjusted only partially. This requirement has now been added to the Constitution, which is very important for the people.

Last week we focused on the regions. We had a rather busy schedule travelling around and meeting with people, discussing things, and people offered us very positive feedback. In fact, the issue that Mr Mironov mentioned, questions about adjustment of pensions for inflation for working pensioners, needs to be more thoroughly considered.

Of course, there is a lot of support for strengthening the sovereignty and independence of our country. People are raising these matters very actively. Of course, other frequently discussed matters include support of families, children and other areas, such as culture, and everything reflected in the Constitution. People raised a great number of issues.

People have also been saying that supporting fellow nationals abroad is also very important. It is in the Constitution. After all, so many Russian nationals live in the CIS and other countries. This issue is also of utmost importance.

I think that before the second reading we will also meet as a party faction and discuss everything once more. What is very important for us right now is the approval procedure itself, including the second and third readings, discussions by regional parliaments and, of course, meetings with voters, our citizens, where we can further clarify all the amendments and, of course, get their support.

The mechanism you created – which requires public support and discussions at all these levels – will really help simply because nobody will even think about changing anything off the record or in any other unofficial manner. It will only be possible through public discussions.

I think people are taking this process very seriously because they can see that they can truly make suggestions that will be heard as all the amendments discussed and submitted had to go through this procedure.

Thank you for finding an opportunity to meet with us today despite your very tight schedule during this critical period of work basically for the entire world that you have spent solving the problems covered today.

I would like to say that while we were waiting for this meeting, we did not waste any time and talked more about these matters. Mr Volodin has been inviting us to meetings quite frequently. But here we also had a chance to talk in the Kremlin, which does not happen very often.



Sergei Mironov:

The meeting was even more efficient here.





Sergei Neverov:

We worked for two days. We started on one and finished on the other. Thank you very much.



Vladimir Zhirinovsky:

My speech was the shortest.



Vladimir Putin:

Right to the point, as always.

Everything that is happening in the world is, of course, very important to us but there is nothing more important than what is happening at home, here in Russia. Therefore, we will take as much time to work on this as is necessary.



State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin:

Mr President,

During the discussion regarding the amendments we received 387 legislative initiatives, 387 amendments. Now the committee has completed its work. We studied each amendment with lawyers and other experts. The committee members voted for the adoption of 200 amendments and rejected 177 proposals.

These are really the amendments proposed by all party factions and elaborated by the working group and Federation Council members. This is how they have been distributed in the chapters of the Constitution.

It was proposed to introduce 47 amendments to Chapter 3. This chapter regulates the federal structure. The committee suggested the adoption of 20 amendments to Chapter 4 that describes the powers and responsibilities of the President of the Russian Federation.

The committee suggested the adoption of 32 amendments to Chapter 5 on the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, and 25 amendments to Chapter 6 on the Government of the Russian Federation.

Another 25 amendments were proposed for Chapter 7 on Judicial Power and the Procurator's Office, and 12 amendments were suggested for Chapter 8 on Local Self-Government.

In addition to this, the procedure itself, as was mentioned several times taking into account that it’s open, contemplates a national vote, so 30 amendments were proposed to maximise the legitimacy of the participation of our citizens. So, the amendments have been distributed for adoption.

We hope that the second reading of the draft law will take place on March 10. Special attention is being paid to this. We will more or less devote this plenary session completely to the discussion of the constitutional amendments. The meeting will begin with this.

Of course, it would be very good if we preserve the consolidation that we had during the review of the draft law in the first reading because the first reading is devoted to the discussion of the Concept. The Concept enjoyed unanimous support. All party factions backed the Concept.

Obviously, everyone has their own amendment aimed at improving something but this is the Constitution that requires a well-balanced approach and it is necessary to analyse everything once again. We will meet linguists and lawyers to study the amendments once again and to verify them by the second reading. Then every deputy will make up his or her mind and each party faction will express its position.

I would like to thank you for taking this step because the Constitution was adopted during difficult times in 1993 and, of course, many things have changed since then. New challenges have emerged and all this requires changes in our Basic Law.

Your amendments are supported by all the parties represented in the State Duma because we believe that they reflect the demand of the society to the utmost. Therefore, we hope that we will discuss them with all of you once again and then everyone will take their own position.

Of course, Mr President, today meant a lot for the entire world. We are delighted that our President and his counterpart from another state have taken decisions that will ensure the maintenance of peace, stability and security not only in the Orient but also in the rest of the world too and will prevent a humanitarian catastrophe in Europe. This is extremely important.



Vladimir Putin:

In conclusion, I would like to say the following. We can discuss other issues, but let us finish this one.

Colleagues, you have millions of supporters. These people support you because you formulate various tasks that we need to address in the way your supporters would like to address them.

Just like you, they want us to achieve certain goals that you formulate. But every person voices his or her own approaches to achieving them. And ordinary people sometimes find it hard to comprehend the details.

But this country, its current status and its future are what our citizens want, and this is what unites all of us. Everyone wants our society to be more just, everyone wants our state to be strong and to occupy a worthy place in the world. Regardless of different methods and ways of attaining this goal, we, in reality, want to achieve one and the same goal.

In this connection, I would like to thank you for always finding the strength to unite behind common nationwide goals and nationwide tasks during the most serious and crucial moments.

Mr Volodin has just said that new challenges have arisen. Indeed, they have increased to some extent, and some constitutional amendments note the need for increasing our sovereignty and formalise this in the Basic Law.

Apart from new challenges, we also have new opportunities. In the past, we were unable to index benefits, pensions and other payments. We can do this today, and therefore, we must accomplish this.

And if this is so, it would be correct to formalise this in the Basic Law. To a certain extent, this is our common achievement highlighting new opportunities.

Mr Zhirinovsky, I believe that this should be formalised for the sake of future generations and probably for a period of 50 years, rather than 20 years, and the future generations of officials addressing state development matters at various levels will have to fulfil these provisions.

At this stage, I would simply like to thank you for our joint work and for the fact that we had these opportunities to address new tasks, to work on the Constitution and amendments to the Basic Law.

Thank you.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/62949
__________________
Where should they dig the Very Deep Pit?
Piglet said that the best place would be somewhere where a Heffalump was, just before he fell into it, only about a foot farther on.
(c) Alan Alexander Miln
 
Old May 14th, 2020 #66
Alex Him
Senior Member
 
Alex Him's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,834
Blog Entries: 219
Post

Visit to a children’s polyclinic in Ivanovo



As part of his trip to the Ivanovo Region, Vladimir Putin visited children’s polyclinic No. 6 of the City Clinical Hospital No. 4.



March 6, 2020 - 15:30 - Ivanovo







Accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova, Healthcare Minister Mikhail Murashko and the polyclinic’s chief physician Alexander Kukushkin, the President examined several medical rooms, including medical treatment, ophthalmology and therapeutic rooms.








Opened in January 2020 after renovation, children’s polyclinic No. 6 is an example of effective organisation of primary healthcare.








The polyclinic offers online appointment booking, separate patient flows for healthy and sick children, an emergency department, a one-step health certificate issuing office, and an accessible environment for children with disabilities.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/62952






Visit to Polyot Ivanovo Parachute Plant



The President visited the Polyot Ivanovo Parachute Plant.



March 6, 2020 - 16:00 - Ivanovo







Vladimir Putin visited the cutting and sewing shops and the design office. Director General Yulia Portnova told the President about the manufacturing technologies.














In particular, the President was shown full airborne gear for special forces, including oxygen equipment for jumping from 4,000–8,000 metres. Vladimir Putin also saw tandem parachute systems.














The Polyot Plant is an integrated plant specialising in manufacturing parachute and airborne equipment for military and dual-use purposes. The plant produces over 90 percent of all parachutes for Russia’s Air Force and exports its products to foreign markets. In addition, it carries out research and development activities.











Following the tour, Vladimir Putin met with members of the public of the Ivanovo Region.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/62954






Meeting with members of the public in Ivanovo Region



Vladimir Putin met with members of the public in the Ivanovo Region during his visit to the Polyot Ivanovo Parachute Plant.



March 6, 2020 - 17:30 - Ivanovo







President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

Good afternoon,

I am happy to meet with you on the eve of March 8.

This is not a typical visit: the staff is almost completely comprised of women; it’s almost a women’s production facility because it is consumer goods manufacturing; but at the same time, it is directly related to the defence industry: parachute manufacturing.

Just now [Director General] Yulia Portnova and I realised that we both had a parachute jump, and I was very interested in seeing how this manufacturing works, what it looks like and how this technology has developed.

When I jumped, during my training at a special school, we had very different parachutes, a different technology and different materials. Today, of course, everything is developing very quickly and largely thanks to women. A woman even heads this great company.

Please give everyone my best regards.





Remark:

Thank you very much.



Vladimir Putin:

I really wanted to meet you like this on the eve of the holiday and congratulate you all. I hope that I will have the pleasure to congratulate you once again in the media, for the entire country to hear. But still, I believe it is time we began congratulating you. I can see that flowers are selling quickly, they are in high demand. The holiday is on a weekend, so men in the office are already congratulating their female colleagues, and I would like to join them.

I would like to note the city where we are as well as the company. I don’t want to speak in platitudes, but I cannot help it: Ivanovo has always been called the city of brides. Today I even received such a proposal here. I think the cameras were on and the young lady will become famous nationwide.

But I would like to mention, you know, on a serious note, that I am very happy that the number of children in Ivanovo increased by 18 percent. This is a very important and positive number.

It is also well-known, trivial, but still: the main burden in the family, as we know, still mostly lies with women, including the children and housekeeping. So I congratulate you and wish you all success, first of all, in your careers, so that this part of life, which is very important for the country, for society, for the state as well as for every family, I mean the family part, doesn’t hold you down but rather help you and encourage you to be more successful in your careers. And of course, I wish you well with everything at home.

We, I mean the government, try as hard as possible, with the known budget limitations, to find ways to support families with children, motherhood and childhood. You know about the large programme on perinatal centres, which have been built almost everywhere across Russia, and you probably know about the latest proposals that the former Government and I developed to support families, first of all families with children.

I am ready to discuss any topic with you and try to answer any question. I believe there may be difficult questions or questions I will not be able to answer that simply, but in this case I have support from women: here I have [Deputy Prime Minister] Tatyana Golikova, who, I must say, is the leading specialist on these issues and took the most active part, because she understands what this is about, in preparing all these decisions, including those set forth in the last Address to the Federal Assembly. I think you know them. Ms Golikova and I will be pleased to provide additional explanations, if necessary.

Congratulations once again and all the best.





<…>

Natalya Lokova:

I would like to tell you about a new volunteer initiative.

Everyone knows that the most widely discussed topic at the moment is amendments to the Constitution. And we, the volunteers, decided not to stay on the sidelines but to actively participate in the process since every day, thousands of our volunteers help different people and improve their cities, towns and other communities. This is why on February 21 we launched a new movement: The Constitution Volunteers.

Two weeks ahead of the nationwide voting our volunteers across the country will explain to citizens what kind of amendments to the Constitution are being proposed and how the voting will proceed. We would also like to seize this opportunity to promote our volunteer activities and engage as many new members as possible, for example in such activities as For Dear Veteran, Victors’ Dreams, Your Vote Matters and others.

On the polling day we will be at the polling stations helping people with impaired mobility and will also try the role of public observers. In fact, this initiative is important because we mean to show every person in the country that our nation’s future depends on them, that they can influence the course of history, and also inform them how they can do a good thing.

On behalf of the entire volunteer community we would like to thank you for our country becoming the first nation in the world that will have volunteerism support enshrined in its Basic Law. Such a high status of volunteer work will show the whole world how important volunteer activities are for society and the state.





Vladimir Putin:

A colleague here has already spoken about the social priorities we are adding to the current Constitution. It is already written in the current text that we have a welfare state but we are specifying these matters in accordance with our needs, the development of society and our capabilities, and add many specific things, which is rather unusual for the Basic Law. I think one of the facets of the state’s social characteristic is that we support non-profit organisations. To be honest, I do not remember who proposed it exactly, but the working group raised these issues and it will be reflected in the Constitution.

Why is volunteer movement, volunteerism in the country gaining pace so fast? The number of volunteers is growing exponentially. Why? Because, you know, it is etched on the Russian soul and the soul of every person living in Russia. Because providing assistance and support is in our nature, it is genetic with practically all the ethnicities in the country, because we live in a common space anyway – each ethnicity has its own culture and language yet there is something common that unites us all, shared elements of culture and traditions. This is why volunteerism hit the right spot, it woke the strings in our souls, hence such rapid progress. I see it not just progressing but progressing for the benefit of society, of the people. Absolutely different areas are all in demand.





<…>

Lidia Pukhova:

Millions of our citizens are trade union members. This is probably why four union representatives joined the working group on amendments to the Constitution and were actively working there. The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Russia submitted a number of proposals including on the protection of the right to labour the way it was in the Soviet Union, indexation of social benefits and other guarantees to the employed.

We are campaigning for everyone here to vote on April 22 and express support for the social policy you have been pursuing all these years, the policy which will now be enshrined in the Constitution as guarantees. Yet we have concerns that State Duma deputies might trim some of the state’s ambitious social commitments and guarantees to the citizens.





Vladimir Putin:

Indeed, some of the provisions of the Soviet Constitution were deleted from the 1993 Constitution on various grounds. We are not going to talk about that now. I already said at a meeting with the working group that I consider it justified to bring back the basic provisions to the Constitution because it will reflect the role of the working people in our society.

A worker, a working person today is very different from what it was in 1950s. Those who work in an office sitting at the computer are also working people. Thus the very notion gets a new content, of course. However, the prosperity of any nation and any society is centred around the working person. This is why it is vitally important to state it in the Basic Law. I do not think (I am even sure this will not occur) that State Duma deputies will try to water down any of such provisions. On the contrary, they will be happy to contribute to them.

I had a meeting last night – fairly late as it happened – with the leaders of all the political parties represented in the Duma, and we discussed the forthcoming adoption of the law on constitutional amendments in the second reading. It is the basic, substantive reading whereas the third reading involves purely technical matters. I did not see any attempts to undermine anything or to render a superficial sense cut off from reality. Quite the opposite, the people were very positive. I would even say enthusiastic and very purposeful. So I think your concerns are unfounded. These provisions were initiated by representatives of the trade unions and the working groups. I think it is the right thing. I am grateful to them for it.





<…>

Svetlana Orlova:

A question related to you personally. At the end of last year you proposed that the provision about two successive presidential terms should be removed from the Constitution. We follow the news and we see that you have been repeatedly asked about that, and the media keeps wondering. So if you are no longer President, will you head another state body – the Security Council or the State Council?

We see that even extending the presidential term of office has been discussed. You see, your supporters and those who trust you want you to remain the country’s leader for as long as possible. But for some reason you have resolutely rejected all these proposals. Why? Are you tired of this work? You don’t look like you are.





Vladimir Putin:

My work includes, among other things, our meeting today. Can anyone get tired of that? It is nothing but pleasure. On a serious note, I clearly understand your question and I am endlessly grateful to those who are concerned about that.

I want to say that it is not a question of my being tired or that I wish to step down. You know that anyone in my position, I am sure, perceives it not as a job but as a destiny. That is why I take it this way, too.

I am infinitely thankful to the people for supporting and putting their trust in me. It is absolutely impossible to work in this position without support. Starting with the 2000s, the hardest and even bloody years, it would have been impossible to do anything without people’s support. As we discuss different issues or various proposals come in, what do they suggest?





First. Remove the restriction about the number of presidential terms in office. What worries me here and why don’t I want to cancel the restriction dealing with the number of terms and so on? I do not fear myself, I will not go crazy, I am not the issue. We are not making amendments to the Constitution for the next five or ten years but for at least 30 or even 50 years. For that reason we must think in the long term. And it is not the issue of present. At present, stability and the country’s steady progress are probably more important. But later on, when the country becomes more confident, will accumulate more of various resources, the “fat” as they call it, then we will definitely need to ensure the alternation of power. And right now, just to remove the mandatory alternation [of power] from the Constitution – I can’t do it, I do not like it. That is the first point.

Second. Moving over to a parliamentary republic, which is practised in many countries. Our country will suffer without a strong presidency. We do not have stable political parties that were growing for centuries, like they were, say, in Europe. But even Europe faces huge failures in the parliamentary system. For example, Belgium has been unable to form a new Government for a year. The country is living without a Government due to a number of reasons, political and ethnic. Meanwhile, ours is a very complex country, and for us it would be impossible and damaging. Or there are proposals, as you said, to invest the State Council with some special powers and for me to head it. What would that mean? It will mean dual power in the country, which would be an absolutely ruinous situation for Russia.





The point is not that I am unwilling. No, I like my job. But what I fear and what I do not want to do is, for me to preserve power and authority, to devise a scheme in the power structure, which will be unacceptable for the country or will be damaging to it.

All said, I want to reiterate that I am very thankful to the people for their support, for putting their trust in me, trusting me to remain the head of the Russian state for many years. It is a great honour. This is how I feel about it.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/62953






Telephone conversation with President of Syria Bashar al-Assad



Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of Syria Bashar al-Assad.



March 6, 2020 - 20:45



Vladimir Putin updated Bashar al-Assad on the agreements reached during the Russian-Turkish summit held on March 5, stressing that their implementation will help stabilise the situation in the Idlib zone.

Bashar al-Assad praised the outcome of the talks between the leaders of Russia and Turkey, and expressed gratitude to the Russian President for his support in the fight against terrorist groups and for efforts aimed at ensuring the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/62956






Greetings to Russian women on International Women’s Day



Vladimir Putin congratulated Russian women on International Women’s Day.



March 8, 2020 - 09:00 - The Kremlin, Moscow







President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

Dear women of Russia,

Please accept my heartfelt greetings on International Women’s Day.

This holiday is always full of joy, flowers, gifts, and warm and sincere feelings. We hurry to congratulate our mothers, wives, daughters, girl friends and colleagues, and express our admiration, love, respect and gratitude to them. Our dear ladies, you are the best in the world.

In some mysterious way, you manage to do so many things: to keep home comfort, be highly successful at work and in your studies, and stay adorable, beautiful and feminine. Your ability to feel deep love and empathy and take care of those close to you with joy and patience is truly amazing.

It is very important that these values are passed on from generation to generation, with daughters learning this attitude to life, family and their future children from their mothers.

Of course, special words of appreciation go to women who are committed to motherhood and bring new, unique lives into the world. They raise children and give their love to them every day, which is hard and responsible work – but it is noble and rewarding.

Dear women,

I wish you happiness from the bottom of my heart. I understand that much here depends on us, men – and we will make every effort to be worthy of you and take more responsibility. We will always do so, not just on this holiday.

Once again, my greetings to all women of Russia on this holiday. I wish you good health, love and happiness.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/62961
__________________
Where should they dig the Very Deep Pit?
Piglet said that the best place would be somewhere where a Heffalump was, just before he fell into it, only about a foot farther on.
(c) Alan Alexander Miln
 
Old May 15th, 2020 #67
Alex Him
Senior Member
 
Alex Him's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,834
Blog Entries: 219
Post

On memory of Great Patriotic War, Stalin and Hitler (TASS interview)



The tenth part of Vladimir Putin's interview to TASS News Agency has been published.

The 20 Questions with Vladimir Putin project is an interview with the President of Russia on the most topical subjects of social and political life in Russia and the world. Total recording time is 3.5 hours.



March 10, 2020 - 15:00







Andrei Vandenko:

Victory. The 75th anniversary. Do you believe that it is fundamentally important that all leaders come?



Vladimir Putin:

Not at all. It is our holiday. But I think that for our former allies in the anti-Hitler coalition the right thing to do would be to come here, from both a domestic policy stance and a moral one. We look forward to seeing them and we will be glad if they come. If not, well, that is their choice. But I think that would be a mistake for them.



Andrei Vandenko:

Do you get the feeling that they want to deprive us of this victory?



Vladimir Putin:

No, I do not. That is impossible. It would go against common sense. You see, there are some ignorant people who cannot even write or read. They spout all kinds of garbage in the European Parliament about the ‘equal’ responsibility of Hitler and Stalin. Complete nonsense. You have to look at the chain of events starting around 1918–1919, and at what was going on then, who signed what with Hitler. Incidentally, Stalin, regardless of what anyone thinks of him (that he was a tyrant or whatever), never disgraced himself by having direct or face-to-face contact with Hitler. What is more, not a single document was ever signed by both Stalin and Hitler.

In contrast, there are documents signed by both Hitler and the British Prime Minister, Hitler and the Prime Minister of France. And also by both Hitler and the leader of Poland. And they worked with him, with Hitler, held numerous meetings with him, and betrayed Czechoslovakia. Poland carved up Czechoslovakia with Hitler. In fact, they agreed on invading Czechoslovakia. The only thing that Hitler told them was, ”Do not do it on the same day with us. Let us not get in each other’s way. We do not want what you are after, Tesin Region.“ This was outright collusion. Just read it. Everything is in the documents. I dug them up from the archives. I looked through them and read them.



Andrei Vandenko:

Yes, we read and heard about it.



Vladimir Putin:

Of course, everything is in there. And after that they tell us who is to blame. They are the ones who are guilty starting from 1938. It was precisely the Munich Betrayal that was the first step to ignite World War II.



Andrei Vandenko:

Poland places the Soviet Union on the same footing as… Warsaw officially equates the Soviet Union to Hitler’s Germany, equally blaming both sides and accusing both countries of unleashing World War II. And we immediately reach for our boxing gloves.



Vladimir Putin:

We are not doing that. We have condemned the Molotov–Ribbentrop secret protocol. Russia has done that. In turn, other countries could also honestly say how they feel about the way their leadership acted back then. Let them honestly open up about it, instead of hurling some fictitious, absolutely baseless accusations and allegations.



Andrei Vandenko:

You are talking about the past, while I am focusing on today. Look…



Vladimir Putin:

No-no-no.



Andrei Vandenko:

Polish leaders did not invite you to the 75th Anniversary of the Liberation of Auschwitz.



Vladimir Putin:

This is not a big deal.



Andrei Vandenko:

However, Zelensky attended the event and was talking about the 1st Ukrainian Front, the 100th Lvov Division…



Vladimir Putin:

We all know this is nonsense. We know that this is about today's political landscape. But what about the millions of Ukrainians who fought against Hitler, and against Nazism? To them, this is a slap in the face. I assure you. They are just afraid to open their mouth because they know they will immediately be subjected to intimidation. I know how people feel in their hearts, those who took up arms to battle Nazism. This is a slap in the face to them. But Ukraine’s incumbent president wants to look good in the eyes of Poland’s current government, and in my opinion, this is a terrible mistake.



Andrei Vandenko:

And what do you think of slogans like ”We can do it again“ in the run-up to May 9…



Vladimir Putin:

What slogans?



Andrei Vandenko:

You know, the ones usually seen on the back of a BMW or a Mercedes on May 9, ”We can do it again“, ”To Berlin!“, ”Thank you Grandpa for the Victory“…



Vladimir Putin:

“Thank you Grandpa for the Victory” is a good one.



Andrei Vandenko:

What about ”We can do it again“?



Vladimir Putin:

You know what? It could be interpreted in many ways. The Soviet Union was subjected to a dreadful, horrible, unforgivable attack by Nazi Germany. We lost 27 million people. No other country in the world sustained such an enormous loss. Therefore, if anyone ever dares to try anything like that again, “we can do it again”.



Andrei Vandenko:

Well, it would have been better if we never had to.



Vladimir Putin:

Of course, we never wanted it and never will. Accordingly, the Russian leadership has never looked at this issue from that angle. Therefore, if we consider the slogan you mentioned from this perspective, it is enough to recall the words of Alexander Nevsky, ”Whosoever comes with a sword will fall by the sword.“




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/62963






Speech at State Duma plenary session



Vladimir Putin took part in a plenary session of the State Duma on amendments to the Russian Federation Constitution.



March 10, 2020 - 15:45 - Moscow







State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin:

Colleagues,

Let us get down to work. Mr President, the LDPR faction is the most active here. Colleagues, please register. Please turn on the registration mode. Please note that registration is on. Please show us the results of the registration. There are 428 deputies present and 22 are absent. We have a quorum.

I give the floor to President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin.





President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

Mr Volodin, State Duma deputies,

Mr Speaker informed me about the discussion that took place here during the second reading of amendments to the Constitution.

Considering the fact that the discussion was of a fundamental nature and that it was my initiative, as you know, to have a broad discussion on the possible amendments to the main law of Russia, I found it necessary to speak out here, at the State Duma, without delay on the most important proposals voiced here today, and I informed the Speaker about this.

Colleagues, but I would like to begin by thanking the members of the working group, State Duma deputies and Federation Council members, who participated directly and very intensely in developing amendments to the Constitution.

Let me repeat, these amendments are long overdue; they are necessary and, I believe, will be useful for Russia, for society and for our people, because they are aimed at strengthening our sovereignty, our traditions and our values – the foundation of our life; at expanding and specifying social guarantees, which means fully developing the social character of our country, and, in general, creating conditions for the confident, progressive and evolutionary development of Russia in the long historical term.

I agree with the previous speakers: the world is indeed changing. And not just because of the rapid, explosive in fact, development of technology, but literally of all spheres of life. These changes are cardinal and, I would say, irreversible. We can see how difficult the situation in the global policy, security and the global economy is. We are also battling the coronavirus now, oil prices are fluctuating, together with the national currency exchange rate and stock exchanges.





However, I would like to use this floor to say I have absolute confidence that we will get over this, and do so with dignity. The economy will grow stronger, and the most important industries will become more prominent and competitive. But we must work, and work together, consolidating our efforts.

However, all this is creating additional risks for us or, as they say, challenges. At the same time, there are those who want to deter Russia and are ready to use any method for this, which we know and have pointed out more than once.

In fact, the policy of deterrence has been used for a long time now, as we well know, and those who are pursuing it have said so openly and without being embarrassed. They are waiting for us to make a mistake or to slip up, losing our bearings or, worse still, getting bogged down in internal dissent, which is sometimes fanned, fuelled and even financed from abroad. It is even possible to calculate exactly how much money is allocated for this. This is something you can calculate.

I know that Russia’s leading political forces have largely similar views on these matters. This was clearly indicated once again during my recent meeting with the leaders of the State Duma factions at the Kremlin, which began on March 5 and ended on March 6, as Mr Zyuganov pointed out after taking a look at his watch.

At the same time, it is obvious to everyone that, unfortunately, many things in the country have only been tacked together hastily, as people say, and that we remain vulnerable in many respects. I am referring to political stability, ethnic and religious accord, as well as economic and social development. This is why our work on the amendments has provoked a question, which is being discussed increasingly more actively, about the further forming of the supreme institute of state power in Russia, or more precisely, presidential power.

The President is the guarantor of the Constitution or, simply put, the guarantor of the country’s security, domestic stability and, as I said before, evolutionary development – I repeat, evolutionary development, because we have had enough revolutions. Russia has fulfilled its plan when it comes to revolutions.

By the way, I saw during my trips across the country that these questions worry our people no less than they do you, State Duma deputies. Their concern is understandable. I have no doubt that the day will come when the supreme, presidential power in Russia will not be so personified, if I may say so, that it will not be connected to a certain individual. But this is exactly how it was in our previous history, and we must take this into account.

I am fully aware of my responsibility to the people, and I see that the people, or at least the majority of our society are waiting for my personal assessments and decisions on key matters of the development of the Russian state, both now and after 2024.

Therefore, I will formulate my position in an abundantly clear, honest and straightforward manner, including my opinion on the specific proposals that have been made here and were generally raised during the discussion on amendments to the Constitution.





As regards the position of Alexander Karelin on the need for new early elections to the State Duma:

My point of view on this issue is known. If the citizens of Russia vote for the amendments to the Fundamental Law, including the transfer of some presidential powers to the State Duma and the Federation Council, such changes should enter into force immediately after the publication of the adopted amendments and, hence, the State Duma would receive its expanded powers there and then.

This raises the question, do the current members of the State Duma have the right to accept these new powers? I think the answer is certainly positive. Why? There are all the legitimate legal grounds for this. Of course, in the final count this is your decision. But if there is no consensus on this issue in parliament, and the Speaker told me there is none, I do not see the need for early elections to the State Duma.

Let me say again that if people go to the polls on April 22 and vote, they will reaffirm the new authority of the State Duma. The people, the only source of power, will have their say. So that is settled.

Let me repeat, this deals with substantial expansion of the parliament’s authority, and this is the road to closer work between the representative and executive branches of power. This, colleagues, is how I planned it. This will enhance their reciprocal responsibility for the results of their work or failure.

I believe such changes are justified and sufficient at the current stage of our social development. In effect, this is a major step forward in developing our democracy.

I would like to return to the issue that I mentioned at the beginning. We have indeed reached the line and before we cross this line we must, according to many participants of this discussion, make a decision on a fundamental and sensitive issue concerning the highest level of state authority, which is presidential power. I think and I strongly believe that a strong presidential vertical for our country, for Russia is absolutely necessary. And today’s economic situation, as I have just pointed out, and the situation in other spheres such as security is another reminder.

First of all, it is necessary for stability. Of course, there are other options, which we are well aware of, such as parliamentary government, which is widely common in the world. However, at the current stage of our development it is not suitable for us. Look at what is happening in the European countries with a traditional parliamentary democracy. Some of these countries cannot even form their governments for years, without any exaggeration. For Russia, this is absolutely impossible and completely unacceptable.

Now, for example, granting other bodies of power such as the Security Council or the State Council – which are all the more so not directly elected by the people – with certain serious powers of a presidential nature would be, in my opinion, wrong and unacceptable, even dangerous.





Firstly, it has nothing to do with democracy. Secondly, it will inevitably result in the division of society. I am certain that Mr Zhirinovsky, who came forward with this proposal as far as I am aware, having a lot of experience as a politician will agree with me. In Russia, it will inevitably result in the duality of power, a public divide, and will affect the fate of the country and the people in the most negative and perhaps tragic way. So let us not take this road.

There have been proposals and ideas to amend the Constitution to extend the term of the current President, your humble servant, to do so on condition people vote (if they do) for this amendment.

Yes, the national vote is to take place in April. But in this case, the authority of the President would be extended as a result of a clear-choice election. I think this is also wrong and should not be done. Russian citizens must have an alternative at any election, including the presidential election. All elections must be open and competitive.

Generally speaking, the proposals made by Valentina Tereshkova (we have deep respect for her, and I would like to congratulate you, Ms Tereshkova, on your recent birthday once again) are also understandable. The first is to remove from the Constitution the number of terms for which the country’s top official may be elected. A similar idea was voiced at my recent meeting with the public in St Petersburg. This is exactly what one veteran suggested. I said then that I did not wish to return to Soviet times. I will be straight, this remark was inappropriate because there were no elections in Soviet times. Everything was done behind the scenes, or as a result of some inter-party procedures or intrigues. There were no real elections then. Now the situation is very different. This is true. It is necessary to go and vote. This is a different situation.

Strictly speaking, it would technically be possible to cancel the restriction on the number of terms, all the more so since it does not exist in many other countries, including our neighbours. They have no restrictions on the number of presidential terms. Incidentally, the amendment to the Constitution that limits the number to two presidential terms only appeared overseas, in the United States, in 1947. It was only in 1951 that it was voted for and ratified by all states. 1951 is not that far off, just yesterday in terms of history, I will explain why.

Incidentally, there are precedents for elections for more than two terms, including in the United States. And why? Look: the Great Depression, huge economic problems, unemployment and poverty in the US at that time, and later on, World War II. When a country is going through such upheavals and such difficulties (in our case we have not yet overcome all the problems since the USSR, this is also clear), stability may be more important and must be given priority. All the more so, let me repeat, when a country still has many problems.

But when the political, economic and social spheres gain internal stability and maturity, when the country becomes, undoubtedly more powerful and less vulnerable from the outside, then the possible alteration of power, of course, becomes more important. This is necessary for the development of the country. We do not adopt amendments for a year, or two years or even ten years, I hope; but for a longer historical term, at least 30–50 years. For this long term, society must have guarantees for the regular change of power. We should think about the generations to come. This is why I do not believe it is viable to delete the restriction on the number of presidential terms from the Constitution.

In fact, the second proposal means lifting restrictions against any person, any citizen, including the current president, from taking part in an election in the future. In the course of transparent and competitive elections, naturally. And, naturally, only if Russian citizens support this proposal, this amendment, and say “yes” during the general vote on April 22.

In fact, this amendment will only be possible under one condition: if the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation provides an official ruling that this amendment does not contradict the principles and the main provisions of the Constitution.





Let us not forget, we are not adopting a new Constitution but only important amendments, which are still separate amendments. Let me stress once again that I do not believe it viable to change the Constitution in general, because it still has a lot of potential – on the contrary, it has proven its effectiveness – even to solve the issue of presidential power. This is why I am repeating this: if the Federal Assembly adopts the law on amendments to the Constitution as it is now, it must be sent to the Russian Federation Constitutional Court for an assessment and an official ruling.

And, to conclude my speech, I would like to once again thank the State Duma deputies and the Federation Council members for their active and substantive work on the amendments to the Constitution. I would like to sincerely thank the Russian people for their support. I have felt it over the years. It would have been difficult and even impossible to do anything without this support, especially during the most difficult time at the beginning of the 2000s.

I know that we have not managed to do everything we planned. I understand the criticism I hear, including that related to a number of difficult decisions. But I would like to assure you that I have and always will go by the current and long-term interests of Russia in my work. And exceptionally by the will of our people. By the way, this is why I have proposed holding a general vote for our people to decide on these amendments to the Constitution.

And, to our people, I would like to say: it will be as you vote on April 22, my friends. You and I, against all odds, have done a lot to make our country stronger. I am sure that together we will do many more good things, at least before 2024. Then we will see.

Thank you.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/62964






Working meeting with Novgorod Region Governor Andrei Nikitin



Novgorod Region Governor Andrei Nikitin briefed the President on the socio-economic situation in the region.



March 10, 2020 - 16:45 - The Kremlin, Moscow







The Governor started his report with education. He said Novgorod school student Tikhon Mavrin took first place at the national academic competition on artificial intelligence. Last year, national competitions on the digital economy were won by eight residents of the region. This was due to the technical opportunities and equipment for these classes, which the region has acquired.

According to Mr Nikitin, 109 schools have been repaired in the region and 800 million rubles invested in secondary technical schools. Half of the money has come from the state, the other half – from Novgorod companies. The university is making rapid headway. In three years, the number of students in the region’s colleges and university has increased by 4,500 people or by more than 20 percent.





The region has made great progress in road upgrades. Novgorod is linked by railway lines with nine Russian cities. The Governor said that no economy, no investment appeal is possible without good roads, good transport accessibility.





Replying to the President’s question on the region’s participation in national projects, Mr Nikitin said that it has achieved good results on the majority of them. There are some delays in the construction industry, in part regarding kindergartens, but these problems will soon be resolved. The region is fulfilling all parameters of the national projects: the mortality rate is falling and general life expectancy is increasing. However, people in the region understand that a lot still needs to be done.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/62965






Meeting with Vyacheslav Volodin and Viktor Medvedchuk



Vladimir Putin had a meeting with State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin and Head of the Political Council of the Ukrainian party Opposition Platform – For Life Viktor Medvedchuk.



March 10, 2020 - 21:50 - The Kremlin, Moscow



The discussion focused on the idea of a parliamentary dimension of the Normandy format.







President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

Mr Medvedchuk, you once told me about your idea of creating a parliamentary dimension of the Normandy format, and Mr Volodin has recently reminded me about this. I believe it is a good idea. We discussed this idea some time ago; I do not remember exactly when it was.

Of course, I believe that this would be quite appropriate, if members of parliament in Ukraine, Russia, Germany and France support what is being done at the executive level. I strongly hope that you will succeed, with support from the Administration of the Ukrainian President. For our part, we are ready to join this project at any time.

I also know about the attitude of our French and German colleagues to this idea. I can only wish you success.





Head of the Political Council of the Ukrainian party Opposition Platform – For Life Viktor Medvedchuk:

First of all, thank you very much, Mr President.

Indeed, when we met in St Petersburg last December, I told you about the establishment of an inter-faction association of deputies within the context of the Normandy format. The idea is to rally the MPs of the four countries whose leaders constitute the Normandy format in order to bring us closer to peace in Ukraine and ensure the implementation of the Minsk agreements. You aptly described the idea as the parliamentary dimension of the Normandy format.

This is how it all began. When I met with members of the Senate and the National Assembly in Paris and later with members of the German Bundestag, the name of the project, the parliamentary dimension of the Normandy format, took hold.

Proposals were put forth then, just as today during my meeting with State Duma deputies – I would like to thank Mr Volodin for it – that the inter-faction group of deputies created at the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine be transformed into an inter-parliamentary association. That is, it should bring together delegations from the parliaments of the four states that comprise the Normandy format. The objective is to support our heads of state in the peace settlement process.

We understand that you can handle it perfectly well, but I believe that the parliamentary potential, especially considering that the Verkhovna Rada is supposed to adopt laws stipulated in the Minsk agreements with regard to elections, amnesty, the special status and constitutional amendments, I believe that assistance from our colleagues in the State Duma and the French and German parliaments would be not only appropriate but very useful. We need to convince our deputies that there is no alternative to the Minsk agreements, as it has been said, in order to implement them in full through legislative work and in this way to bring us closer to peace in Ukraine.





Vladimir Putin:

This is highly desirable. Mr Volodin, will you support this?





State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin:

Mr President, instead of merely supporting this, we believe that this approach can be effective. The heads of state are doing a lot, but the parliaments could work in the same efficient manner during the implementation of the Minsk agreements because legislative support for the agreements being reached leaves a lot to be desired. Today, our colleagues in Ukraine and the Verkhovna Rada are facing precisely this key problem. Therefore we consider it necessary to expand this dialogue.

In turn, today we have established a working group. We are moving from relations that involve opinion exchanges to a discussion of various matters in specific fields, including by specialised committees and specialists. And, of course, it is vitally important that our colleagues from the French Parliament and the Bundestag join this format more actively. In this case, I hope that we will be able to jointly suggest an agenda for the implementation of the Minsk agreements within the parliamentary dimension, as initiated by you.

We believe that the agreements being reached at the level of heads of state should be backed by legislation. And this is what members of parliament should do. But, unfortunately, the parliaments mostly acted as onlookers up until now and prior to implementing this initiative, as Mr Medvedchuk says.

I agree. It goes without saying that the support of the deputies who have been elected by the citizens of our countries is crucially important, especially during the implementation of certain initiatives linked with the approval of the regulatory framework and laws. Sometimes, it is simply impossible to do without such support. Therefore we will back you with pleasure, and we wish you every success.





Viktor Medvedchuk:

Mr President, I believe that you will prompt President Macron and Ms Merkel that there is such a …





Vladimir Putin:

There is no need to prompt them, they are experienced people. I believe that they will support and follow through.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/62967






Meeting with investors



March 11, 2020 - 13:50 - Novo-Ogaryovo, Moscow Region



Vladimir Putin met with major investors at the Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow. During the meeting the President noted, in particular, that the state will create all the necessary conditions for investors to work, including lifting excessive pressure from the administrative and law enforcement bodies.







President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

Good afternoon, colleagues,

Our meeting was planned before the various, let’s say, turbulent developments began to take place on the global energy and later stock and currency markets. I think this will make our discussion today even more useful and interesting.

First of all, I would like to point out that all of you can see how the Central Bank of Russia and the Government react to these events.

I would like to note that both institutions have enough tools and resources to provide stability during the macroeconomic instability.

I hope – and yesterday I mentioned this when speaking at the State Duma – and not just hope, but I am confident that Russia will get over this calmly and with dignity too.

Moreover, we will get to this in a minute. I think you will support me. Russia’s key production industries have every chance to come out of this situation significantly stronger and more prepared for further, very serious competition. Of course, it must have an impact on the entire Russian economy, and this impact must be positive.

The goal of the Government and the Central Bank is to minimise any negative impact related to these processes so that Russian citizens are not affected by any adverse developments.

On my part, I would like to repeat that we will do everything to create favourable conditions for your work despite all the difficulties we are facing. You know better than anybody else that these situations do cause problems in certain areas but, on the other hand, they create additional opportunities in others.

You are people with vast experience, and I am pleased to note that you are not only involved in different business areas but also invest in the Russian economy, which is, certainly, natural for you.

I would like to highlight one specific point that is extremely important for us today – the fact that you invest in high-tech industries. It is tremendously important considering our country’s strategic goal of making a transition to an innovative economy and restructuring our economy.

On our part, we will do our best to lay the groundwork for you, to create conditions for your work, to secure this capital and investment, and to minimise various risks associated with the activity of administrative authorities and law enforcement bodies, among others.

I would like to stop here and gladly pass the floor to Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.





Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin:

Mr President, colleagues,

Mr President, as you already mentioned, we are meeting during the difficult conditions of volatility on the global stock exchanges. You also pointed out that the Government together with the Central Bank are doing everything necessary to stabilise the situation. In particular, they have established a government commission on enhancing economic stability.

It is a fact that any crisis is also a window of opportunity for effective investors and a time for smart investments in the high-tech sectors. Today we have with us the heads of international investment funds who have earned their wealth by promoting innovation technology and are ready to invest in the sectors which you have mentioned – artificial intelligence, biometry, robotics, technological digital platforms, as well as many other technologies.

I believe that it is extremely important to create, at this particular time, the right conditions for the work of venture funds and venture investors in Russia, as well as create a Russian market for investments.

It’s very important that tomorrow, at the Government meeting, we will actually discuss the draft law on the protection and promotion of investments, which will guarantee their safety. I am sure that the measures set out in the draft law will help reduce investor risks, help investors formulate longer term business plans and, overall, will enhance their interest in working in Russia.

I am absolutely certain that those invited will be able to tell us very many interesting things.



Vladimir Putin:

In light of the current developments, I would like to say, as I already did before, that we look forward to hearing your views on what is taking place and how it works, as well as on the turn the developments can take. Of course, we would also like to hear about your suggestions, both to me and to the Government, what is lacking for effective work, and what else we should do.

Please go ahead.





Managing Partner of Altera Capital and Founder of RTP Global (ru-Net Holdings) Leonid Boguslavsky:

Yes, thank you.

I will start with the news related to what we are discussing now. Our 100-percent private venture company that operates on the high-technology investment market both in Russia and abroad, which is important, has just launched a third fund that is worth $700 million. We hope it will be a very successful fund.

Mr President, you rightly noted that high information technology and artificial intelligence will critically change the world in 10 to 20 years. Now the tech giants of the US and China are laying the foundations of the new economy and new world order.

The amount of venture capital in the country in general is a major element of our development. The countries that have more venture capital and funds are ahead of others. It is not enough to carry out individual projects. It is necessary to launch large-scale technology business and wide-scale innovations in the high technology industry and talk about it loudly. Russia must foster entrepreneurship. It is essential to promote Russians who have scored success on their own. This is very important, their stories are great.

Although a number of initiatives have already been launched and a strategy drafted, it is necessary to increase government support for high technology projects in such sectors as artificial intelligence, industrial and digital technology, robots and new materials. It is very important to see the current situation as a challenge.

A striking example is what happened in China quite recently, in May 2017. The AlphaGo artificial intelligence programme defeated the world champion in Go. This is a very complicated game. It is 2,500 years old. When this happened and the programme won six games in a row, China’s State Council adopted a programme and launched a series of national projects that increased Chinese investment in artificial intelligence to $130 billion. This is how China tackled this challenge. This is very important.

We need to significantly increase the number of venture capital funds. We do not have a large venture investment market at this point. It is important that public funds be invested in private venture capital funds, thereby further developing public-private partnerships.

We need to provide a generally comfortable environment for investors. Honestly, it is not as comfortable as we would like it to be. Several innovation high-tech centres need to be set up in a number of Russian cities – in St Petersburg, in Siberia and in the Far East. These centres will enjoy special tax benefits and special rules for hiring foreigners.

These centres should also become hubs for new education ecosystems from elementary schools to business schools. There is the excellent experience of Sirius and the Moscow State University initiative. But this is not enough. If the right conditions are created, the flow of highly qualified Russian professionals returning from abroad will increase.

And the last proposal. I believe it is important to establish research and engineering labs in the army, where capable recruits will be able to serve in a high-tech environment. I think this will greatly accelerate the development of high technology in our country.



Vladimir Putin:

We are already doing this. Did you know that?



Leonid Boguslavsky:

Very good.





Vladimir Putin:

In Anapa.



Leonid Boguslavsky:

But it needs to be expanded, on a broader scale.



Vladimir Putin:

On a broader scale. I agree.

Sirius is only taking its first steps, in fact. But we really hope, and I really hope that a similar education ecosystem will be built around the innovation centre there.



Leonid Boguslavsky:

We need several such centres.



Vladimir Putin:

Yes, you are absolutely right.



Leonid Boguslavsky:

Otherwise, it will be a pinpoint project.



Vladimir Putin:

One in the Far East, and in Siberia, and in the European part of course.

I agree completely. Thank you. I took some notes.

Go ahead, please.



Managing Partner of Almaz Capital Partners Alexander Galitsky:

Mr President,

I will focus on a number of points. Perhaps, the first essential point is the importance of consuming innovations, because if you take any technology-oriented businessperson, they are looking for a large market, most importantly, a fast-growing market. We cannot compete with the United States or China in terms of the market size, but innovation consumption growth rates also matter.

Based on this, we need – and we can do this in Russia – to ensure good rates of innovation consumption. On the one hand, this will allow us to keep specialists and entrepreneurs in Russia and to draw in investment, because no one doubts the professionalism of our engineers either in Russia or internationally.

So, stimulating the consumption of products created by Russian companies and the acquisition of these companies by Russian strategists and state corporations, is one of the foundations for promoting the venture industry and entrepreneurship in Russia.

The second important point has already been mentioned. It’s about the importance of various industries, such as artificial intelligence, or the internet in general. They are changing the economy and industry in general. Business models are changing, and corporate operations are changing as well.

So, the initiative that you put forward in 2018, if memory serves, to create corporate venture capital funds is a fairly positive step which, however, includes a challenge. International practice shows that strategists can do a good job supporting companies in the later stages after they overcome this barrier and become profitable, break even and have properly established themselves in the market. But strategic companies, especially state corporations, of course, do not have a culture of working with start-up businesses and companies in the early stages of their development.

Very often, fledgling companies that use innovative technology even come into conflict with the strategies of larger companies and state corporations, since the latter are trying to maintain their market competitiveness and their past strategies (based on international practice), which is why many start-up businesses tend to form around large companies. Accordingly, from this point of view, these companies can also grow those who understand how to grow a business from an idea to full development. This is what the role of a venture capitalist is about. We, or rather, the money that we manage, is often referred to as smart money, because we help overcome this barrier and what is known as the dead zone when a company starts from scratch and becomes successful.

What should be done in Russia, what would be a reasonable step is to create so-called funds of funds when state corporations and strategic companies and maybe pension funds and insurance companies will become the creators of these funds, as is done in the world in general and in other countries. And these funds of funds will in turn invest in specialised venture funds in the areas mentioned by Mr Boguslavsky: artificial intelligence or, probably, the transformation of our construction industry because there are plenty of high-tech possibilities there.

It is possible to choose various areas for this. This should become our practice. I will not talk about amounts now, but last year, I think, about $200–300 million were invested, in all, in high-tech companies compared to the figures mentioned by Mr Boguslavsky.



Vladimir Putin:

Can you explain? Funds of funds – how do they work in practice? Simply give me an example. How are they established? In specific terms.



Alexander Galitsky:

In specific terms: a pool of money is created.



Vladimir Putin:

Let’s assume that one of our state-owned companies…



Alexander Galitsky:

Not just one. It is better when several companies create a pool and determine development strategies. It is possible to develop artificial intelligence or make more intellectual or upgrade our construction industry.

A specialised fund is being created on behalf of which a management team takes part in a tender. This team attracts money from this fund of funds and maybe from other participants in the market.



Vladimir Putin:

And fulfils this task.





Alexander Galitsky:

And this company invests money in start-ups that grow from an idea.



Vladimir Putin:

Got you. This is indeed an adjustment to what I suggested, probably, in 2018.



Alexander Galitsky:

Yes.



Vladimir Putin:

I suggested that our major companies create these funds and be assigned tasks that will be at least close to the area of their activity. Your proposal is a bit different.



Alexander Galitsky:

Yes, it is different because as global practice shows, disagreements crop up in major companies.



Vladimir Putin:

I agree. This is what happens here in practice.

I see one difficulty. It is significant although seems to be technical: it will be very difficult to persuade one’s colleagues, the heads of these funds to pitch in to create a common fund. But I understand what you are saying.



Alexander Galitsky:

And now the last point. The success of the venture industry and the high technology industry in general is naturally determined by experience and knowledge. Many of our people who were born in Russia hold key positions in leading companies in all countries: both in America and Asia. They hold very high positions.

On the other hand, very many people from Russia have recently set up, in the past few years, so-called unicorn start-up companies with a value of over a billion. I have such companies in my portfolio. This also applies to Veeam, Acronis, Parallels, RingCentral, and Very Wild.

I can quote many companies that have surpassed the $1 billion mark. When I meet these people they are rooting for what is happening in Russia. They are ready to help.

The fact that the issue of safe, comfortable conditions was raised is a positive sign. All this experience and everything else can be transferred to this country. I think this is a key moment for progress in high technology in Russia.



Vladimir Putin:

Please go ahead.



Co-founder and CEO of Yandex Group Arkady Volozh:

I just wanted to develop this idea that the new digital economy relies on creative people. Unlike other industries, in this new economy it is people that are the generators of a value-added product. Not raw materials, not even money – but people. In this sense, we are in a good position: we are sitting on a goldmine as we have many talented people, and a very good engineering education system – this is an asset.

So what we need to do is create an environment in which these people, these product generators will feel good, brainstorm and share ideas, and these ideas will multiply. Countries are now competing over who will provide a better environment for creative people like this.

Perhaps this is the language to describe some of the target indicators for state agency performance: whether their policies or proposed legislation contribute to the improvement of this environment or disrupt it. This is more difficult to quantify. It is clear that tonnes and cubic metres are much easier to account for, but this should also be taken into account. Any wrong action could lead to an outflow of people, that is, jeopardise the generation of a value-added product domestically, because it will be generated somewhere else.

There are two distinctive aspects to creating such an environment: one is everyday amenities, modern cities, this much is clear. The other is interest and opportunity. This is something that attracts any scientist, any entrepreneur, any engineer, in my opinion – good opportunities.

We must learn to create tech companies that will be popular around the world. We must create competitive technology brands made in Russia. This is one part.

Another aspect is competition. We used to compete all the time. Companies, countries competed only in technology. When the internet was starting, it was a new industry, and everyone said, let technology develop freely, and there is no need to regulate anything, because it is a new industry. Meaning, the less regulation, the faster everything grows.

Now there is no internet as such, but there are digital technologies that have penetrated into real life, into a real, regulated, and overregulated life. It is regulated because it is good, because it means security and so on. But to enable growth, for technology to grow, competition has now shifted from purely technological to regulatory competition as well. So we need advanced technology regulation here.

Unmanned vehicles are the best example I have. If you take autonomous transport regulatory documents in China or America, take a transport authority decision on how to regulate this area, the opening paragraph usually says: “We believe our country should be the most advanced in this field of technology; therefore…” The ensuing regulations are based on this overall approach, and it is said directly in the document.

As a result, today in America, autonomous cars drive around cities in everyday life. In Russia, they drive only here, in Innopolis. Innopolis is good, but it is a small place with a simplified environment. We want these vehicles to drive on real streets, but we cannot do it, because regulations constrain us.

So we go to America, and test them in Las Vegas or Detroit. We have reached an agreement with Kazakhstan. But we need to allow it here in Russia, because advanced technology regulation is a competitive advantage as much as the technology itself.



Vladimir Putin:

Thank you, Mr Volozh.

Please.





CEO and Chairman of the Management Board of the Russian Direct Investment Fund Kirill Dmitriev:

Mr President,

We support the proposals made by our colleagues, which are based on their extremely successful investment experience. It is important that they actually established very successful companies in Russia. We support initiatives on growing the venture capital industry, and on state-owned companies investing in venture capital funds.

The Russian Direct Investment Fund actively invests in our technology companies. Through the network of our partnerships, we bring them to global markets. But we are also announcing that this year we will launch a programme to invest in venture capital funds. We will not only invest in companies but also in venture funds, helping them develop.

We will also actively help Russian state-owned companies in their venture programmes: in particular, we plan to launch a number of funds together with large state-owned companies, including launching such a fund with Transneft in the near future.

You also said that it is very important to build up a new investment cycle to increase investment. Today we are also announcing that following your instruction and the Russian Government’s decision (Mr Mishustin supported this), we are launching an infrastructure fund of up to 600 billion rubles.

This fund will allow implementing many low-margin projects due to the fact that it will finance the infrastructure of these projects, but most of the funds will come from private investors. Accordingly, private money will go to infrastructure, and this will provide greater transparency of investments in infrastructure and allow for implementing a significant number of projects.

And in conclusion, we would also like to note that, despite the external turbulence, our investors certainly plan to actively invest in Russia. They see unique macroeconomic conditions and very low debt compared to the global level, which is 325 percent of world GDP.

In Russia, the national debt is very low, and the macroeconomic policy is very stable. Investors confirm their desire to invest and see that Russia has overcome many difficult situations before, and this one will be successfully overcome, too.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/62970
__________________
Where should they dig the Very Deep Pit?
Piglet said that the best place would be somewhere where a Heffalump was, just before he fell into it, only about a foot farther on.
(c) Alan Alexander Miln
 
Old May 15th, 2020 #68
Alex Him
Senior Member
 
Alex Him's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,834
Blog Entries: 219
Post

Russia on the global stage and relations with the United States (interview to TASS)



The eleventh part of Vladimir Putin's interview to TASS News Agency has been published.

The 20 Questions with Vladimir Putin project is an interview with the President of Russia on the most topical subjects of social and political life in Russia and the world. Total recording time is 3.5 hours.



March 11, 2020 - 15:00







Andrei Vandenko:

So you addressed Trump as ‘Donald’, in a friendly way.



Vladimir Putin:

He calls me Vladimir, I call him Donald.



Andrei Vandenko:

I mean, you have worked with four American presidents. Once Bush saw something in your eyes…



Vladimir Putin:

Yes…



Andrei Vandenko:

But things did not go well with Obama, is that correct?



Vladimir Putin:

Well…



Andrei Vandenko:

Who was it that you felt most at ease with?



Vladimir Putin:

It is difficult for me to say now. Indeed, I had fairly constructive relations with each of them.



Andrei Vandenko:

But it did not go well with Obama.



Vladimir Putin:

Did it or didn’t… I had good relations with Bush.



Andrei Vandenko:

Did somebody put you at odds with him?



Vladimir Putin:

What?



Andrei Vandenko:

Did somebody put you at odds with him?



Vladimir Putin:

No, it has nothing to do with ‘being at odds’. It's just that, when a person says that…



Andrei Vandenko:

Do you mean Barack?



Vladimir Putin:

Sorry?



Andrei Vandenko:

Do you mean Barack?



Vladimir Putin:

Yes. He already stated that the US is an exceptional nation, with special, exclusive rights to practically the entire the world, I cannot go along with that. God created us all equal and gave us equal rights. So, I think it is absolutely ungrounded to say that some people should have exclusive rights to anything.



Andrei Vandenko:

On a scale from one to five, not to make it too complicated, how would you rate Russia’s current relationship with the US?



Vladimir Putin:

I would give it a three.



Andrei Vandenko:

A three? Not bad.



Vladimir Putin:

Between a two and a three. More like a three though. Look…



Andrei Vandenko:

And how about earlier?



Vladimir Putin:

Look, we do cooperate on counter-terrorism. I’m serious… It was actually me who called Trump to thank the US for giving us the information.



Andrei Vandenko:

You mean on the St Petersburg cell?



Vladimir Putin:

Yes. They had been looking into them for a long time. And after that, the FBI provided this information to the Federal Security Service.



Andrei Vandenko:

Does it mean that the Americans are working better than us on our own soil?



Vladimir Putin:

They work… I am not going to talk about it now, because this information is classified. They work globally.



Andrei Vandenko:

I won’t tell anyone.



Vladimir Putin:

I'll whisper in your ear afterwards.



Andrei Vandenko:

Deal.



Vladimir Putin:

They work globally, and so do we.



Andrei Vandenko:

Ok.



Vladimir Putin:

But they were the ones who tracked this case down. That time, we did not. Our services track down a lot of them, thus preventing dozens of terrorist attacks, they catch and intercept them. Several dozen a year. That specific case was detected by the US. I would like to thank them a lot for sharing that information with us.



Andrei Vandenko:

So it’s a three now, but what was the peak rate?



Vladimir Putin:

Well, let’s see… Trade turnover used to be higher, it dropped to 20 from 28, still very low. But in the last two years, under Trump, trade turnover started to grow.

In terms of security, a while ago we concluded an agreement with Obama, the New START was also signed when he was in office. Now it has not been extended. Just yet. So this raises a question.

The US keeps imposing sanctions on Russia. Another question. Take Nord Stream 2, they imposed sanctions on it as well. The US has always been against the development of our economic relations with Europe, even in the 1960s, when we launched the construction, you remember, the gas-for-pipes deal. Thank God, now we produce large-diameter pipes ourselves, which is, by the way, another recent achievement of our white metallurgy and other sectors. 75 percent, and it is crucial, 75 percent of facilities in our manufacturing sector, as well as machinery and equipment, have been manufactured in recent years, in the last 10 to 15 years. This is quite an achievement. They have always been against it. Against Nord Stream 1 – they did oppose it, now they oppose Nord Stream 2 in the same manner.

So why did they do it, what for? What was the reason – to ensure transit through Ukraine. Looks a bit strange too, doesn’t it? So they are wooing Ukraine and have introduced external control over it, but they want Ukraine to be sustained by our money as well. They don’t want to give Ukraine money themselves. They want Ukraine to receive something from us through transit fees. Ok, we agree, because following from the growth of gas consumption in Europe in general and in Ukraine in particular, we, too, will be interested in it and we will go on with gas transit. The volumes will be lower, but we will continue.

However, the main motivation, the excuse for imposing sanctions against Nord Stream 2 was the need to ensure transit through Ukraine. We have signed a transit agreement with Ukraine. So, what is needed now? Sanctions against Nord Stream should be lifted. There are no grounds for imposing them. And if the sanctions remain, it will mean that there is only one motive – to ensure competitive advantages for their LNG, for their liquefied gas.



Andrei Vandenko:

The strongest player sets the rules.



Vladimir Putin:

They are securing a market for their products, exclusively in their own selfish interests and at the expense of European consumers. But if the price of a fossil fuel rises by 25 to 30 percent, the competitiveness of the German economy, as well as the European one, will be undermined.



Andrei Vandenko:

But in fact, in geopolitical terms, Europe from Lisbon to Vladivostok does not exist anymore.



Vladimir Putin:

But it never existed. ‘Anymore!’ You’re talking now about something which never existed, as if it is something we have lost. Back in the day, de Gaulle spoke about a Europe from the Atlantic to the Urals. Then I extended that idea a little, and started saying: why to the Urals, why not to the Pacific, to the Far East? But I think we should aim for it.



Andrei Vandenko:

Was your Munich speech an overreaction?



Vladimir Putin:

Not at all. Now they repeat everything I said. For example, the German leaders. They almost repeat it word for word… They were mad at me at the time, angry with me, they said, why did you do that?



Andrei Vandenko:

They took offense.



Vladimir Putin:

No. Got angry because, well, it was a bit rude, at the wrong time; ‘why would you do that’. And what did I say? I said that it is inadmissible that one country, the United States, extends its jurisdiction beyond its national borders.

Today, say, the German leadership says exactly that, that it is inadmissible that the United States imposes secondary sanctions, i.e. on companies, that have no relation to the United States, trying to prevent them from pursuing their national interests.



Andrei Vandenko:

Not only distant, but also our close neighbours started to distance themselves from us in a way.



Vladimir Putin:

Well, I don't see that. Who exactly started to distance themselves?



Andrei Vandenko:

Take Georgia, for instance.



Vladimir Putin:

They didn’t just distance themselves – they jumped aside. Through no fault of ours. They should thank Mikheil Nikolayevich [Saakashvili] for that.



Andrei Vandenko:

But he hasn't been around for a long time.



Vladimir Putin:

Not at all! He is running around, from square to square, taking to rooftops, like a tomcat. We had a lot of discussions with him on the subject when he was still president. I think Mikheil Saakashvili would recall that. I told him: ‘Listen, don't you ever try to deal with South Ossetia and Abkhazia using force.’ ‘No, I'll never do that,’ he said. And he still stormed in. He stormed in and got knocked back!




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/62971






Business, big and small (interview to TASS)



The twelfth part of Vladimir Putin's interview to TASS News Agency has been published.

The 20 Questions with Vladimir Putin project is an interview with the President of Russia on the most topical subjects of social and political life in Russia and the world. Total recording time is 3.5 hours.



March 12, 2020 - 15:00







Andrei Vandenko:

Business could extend a helping hand.



Vladimir Putin:

What do you mean?



Andrei Vandenko:

If it is more actively involved in the country’s affairs, if there is investment, the economy will begin to grow.



Vladimir Putin:

I can crack down on business right away and tell them they act irresponsibly. This is not the case.

Russian business in general has changed a great deal over the past ten years at least. The government has to create conditions for investment – this is for sure. To create better conditions involving controlling inflation.

We have been doing certain things in this respect. In the World Bank’s Doing Business ranking, we are in the 28th place, I think, we have moved up by one order more, massively more. This indicates that the government has been stepping up its efforts in this area, which are yielding positive results.

And the amount of investment is growing. In dollar terms, our investment in the beginning of the 2000s totalled around one billion dollars. Then there were tens of billions. Now direct investment exceeds $540 billion.



Andrei Vandenko:

You know, it looks like you see businessmen as swindlers by definition.



Vladimir Putin:

Well, you know…



Andrei Vandenko:

There are some…



Vladimir Putin:

There are certain grounds for this, you see. I’m saying this with a particular emphasis. What grounds are there? Firstly, the so-called small business throughout the 2000s was associated with trade. Almost entirely.



Andrei Vandenko:

Not only in Russia.



Vladimir Putin:

No, I disagree. In many so-called developed market economies, small business plays a very big role, there 20..



Andrei Vandenko:

In the services sector, right?



Vladimir Putin:

Not only there. In manufacturing, too. We have been trying to achieve what is already a reality in developed market economies. Namely: large companies have dozens or even hundreds of small businesses working close to them and serving the interests of those large companies.

What are we doing now? In fact, we are forcing our large companies, in particular those that are partially state-owned, to conclude contracts with small businesses. We are talking about trillions here already. And it really worked. This rally worked.

The structure of small businesses has begun to change. Now it’s no longer just retail trade like kiosks or pavilions, it’s not only about buying low and selling high. Now there are research business ventures, too. And small businesses in manufacturing. High-tech small businesses. They are rather effective. The export of these services and goods is growing, too. This is what makes me think we are moving in the right direction in principle, although progress is still, unfortunately, too slow.



Andrei Vandenko:

Did I understand correctly, that ‘retailer’ is equal to ‘swindler’?



Vladimir Putin:

In people’s minds, that’s what we say.



Andrei Vandenko:

But I am talking about you.



Vladimir Putin:

I am part of the same people, you know.



Andrei Vandenko:

I see.



Vladimir Putin:

So, honestly speaking, I mean, to be really honest. We all think so. But I…



Andrei Vandenko:

Have you ever been swindled, cheated?



Vladimir Putin:

Me?



Andrei Vandenko:

You.



Vladimir Putin:

Well, of course. You yourself have surely been swindled and cheated, too.



Andrei Vandenko:

And what happened to those who did it?



Vladimir Putin:

Nothing. You know, there was not much you could do during Soviet times. You got swindled, cheated and just lived with it.



Andrei Vandenko:

But what if you caught them on the spot?



Vladimir Putin:

Well, you know, first of all, it's not like I got cheated every day. But if I happened to notice it, there never was anything too serious, and I preferred not to lock horns. Making a scene is not a good idea, just isn't worth it.



Andrei Vandenko:

Leaving small business aside, although it is obviously going through hard times, too. Now, there is this ”regulatory guillotine“…



Vladimir Putin:

Yes. Starting from January 1, 2021.



Andrei Vandenko:

How much time is left? Still a whole year. How many will survive till then and how many won’t?



Vladimir Putin:

You see, Andrei, hitting the target is what it’s all about. It is a very tricky thing. What is a ”regulatory guillotine“? Take the very same retail trade, for instance. Especially the food retail sector or some other sectors that concern people’s lives. You could cancel everything to the point where hospitals would be working round the clock to accommodate patients with food poisonings. We should be very cautious about it.

The same applies to medicines and so on and so forth. Take fire safety. I know that the fire services are criticized a lot, but there are safety matters involved. Whenever a major tragedy occurs, we instantly begin to tighten the screws everywhere. In the meantime, it’s not about tightening or loosening rules – what we need is optimal fire safety requirements. The same goes for everything else. Therefore, cancelling everything at once is very dangerous. But leaving everything unchanged is no longer possible, either. That is why, during these 18 months and during this year, the Government will be working hard on this issue.



Andrei Vandenko:

What about big business, investment? Foreign investment? Who will agree to take risks at a time when memories are still fresh – it all began with Khodorkovsky, then there was Magnitsky, and now we have Calvey.



Vladimir Putin:

Khodorkovsky is a fraudster, and their company was involved not just in fraudulent transactions, but in murders. This is the real problem. They were convicted in accordance with Russian law. Khodorkovsky’s personal involvement in contract murders was not proven, but the killings did take place. They were proven. Including killings by their security service. Do you think that staffers of the corporate security service were killing people at their own initiative, of their own volition? I don’t think so. I don’t think it works that way. However, if it’s not proven, then it’s not proven. But his other illegal activities were proven, hence his prison sentence.

As for Calvey, the law enforcement agencies and the court are looking into this matter. Law enforcement agencies in the first place.



Andrei Vandenko:

Well, that is a classic response.



Vladimir Putin:

There can be no other response, because I cannot say if he is guilty or not until there is a well-founded…



Andrei Vandenko:

Well, the West is watching, why get involved…



Vladimir Putin:

Good for them. We should focus on what we are doing ourselves, paying no attention to the West or the East. We are paddling our own canoe. And we need to proceed from our country’s legislation and the supremacy of Russian law.



Andrei Vandenko:

How much money has flowed out of the country over this period of time?



Vladimir Putin:

Not very much.



Andrei Vandenko:

Not very much?



Vladimir Putin:

If we bear in mind how much money has flowed into the country. It can be calculated. The outflow of capital does exist, it is quite evident, but the picture varies from year to year. Generally speaking, it is a natural process – capital inflow and outflow. The more stable our rules of the game are, the more reliable the protection of investment and property is, the more comfortable people who invest will feel.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/62975






Meeting with permanent members of Security Council



Vladimir Putin held a working meeting with permanent members of the Security Council.



March 13, 2020 - 13:40 - The Kremlin, Moscow







Meeting participants discussed fulfiling the agreements on Idlib reached during the recent working visit by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.











The participants also exchanged views on the situation caused by the high volatility on the international markets.











The threat of the spread of the coronavirus was another issue on the agenda.








The meeting was attended by Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko, State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev, Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Anton Vaino, Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev, Director of the Federal Security Service Alexander Bortnikov and Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service Sergei Naryshkin.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/62983






On current corporation heads and 90s oligarchs (TASS interview)



The 13th part of Vladimir Putin's interview to TASS News Agency has been published.

The 20 Questions with Vladimir Putin project is an interview with the President of Russia on the most topical subjects of social and political life in Russia and the world. Total recording time is 3.5 hours.



March 13, 2020 - 15:00







Andrei Vandenko:

State capitalism.



Vladimir Putin:

Yes.



Andrei Vandenko:

What is it that makes today's business titans better than the oligarchs of the 1990s? The mere fact that you know them and trust them?



Vladimir Putin:

I have known both. The difference is…



Andrei Vandenko:

You were not President then.



Vladimir Putin:

I was Prime Minister then, and I became President in 2000.



Andrei Vandenko:

Yes.



Vladimir Putin:

I knew them all.



Andrei Vandenko:

And…



Vladimir Putin:

And I worked with all of them.



Andrei Vandenko:

And…



Vladimir Putin:

The point is not to crack down on some…



Andrei Vandenko:

But that is what happened…



Vladimir Putin:

…or twist their arms or any other body parts. Absolutely not.

Do you know what really matters? It is keeping them away from running the country, from influencing political decisions. It is clear that both then and now everybody was, and is, looking to make moves and lobby their own interests.

The difference between the 1990s or 2000s and today, is that they used to directly influence the decisions made by the state on internal, economic, and even foreign policy matters as well as security issues. A modern CEO does not enjoy this privilege.



Andrei Vandenko:

But do they try to?



Vladimir Putin:

Not any more, actually. They have realized that it is impossible and do not even bother trying.



Andrei Vandenko:

Did you make that clear?



Vladimir Putin:

They are struggling to protect their interests. For instance, we are currently discussing oil and gas prices with our Eurasian Economic Union partners. Of course, they stand their ground. That is understandable. But they are not trying to exert pressure from the inside. They simply clarify their position, providing arguments to prove they are right. But this refers to a very limited segment of their practical interests. This is natural.



Andrei Vandenko:

And what about all this active state intervention in the economic sphere over the recent years? Look at all these state corporations established in those years of affluence. In the second half of the 2000s, when there was windfall cash that could be put to use.



Vladimir Putin:

This is not true. There are different assessments regarding the state's involvement in the economy. They vary. Some believe that the state's intervention in the economy is excessive; others believe it is normal. Different methodologies lead to discrepant results.



Andrei Vandenko:

So how do you see it?



Vladimir Putin:

I believe that overall, we have managed to find the balance. If I am not mistaken, only 7 or 8 out of our 20 biggest companies are partially state-owned. Is it 7 or 8 out of 20 biggest companies, I may be off by a notch, which is no big deal, I think.

The question is not whether they are private or public. The question is how they operate. If they are effective, profitable, and generate public revenue, then the question is whether privatization is the overall goal at all.

Take Canada, for instance. I remember talking to my Canadian counterpart; they had privatized their railway system. In the end, the Americans bought it. The Canadians have come to regret it.

Here we need to be very careful and take calculated decisions. Besides, public-private companies are some of the major contributors to public budgets at all levels. Rosneft is number one, followed by Gazprom and Lukoil. Then come Tatneft and Sberbank.



Andrei Vandenko:

Lukoil is a private company.



Vladimir Putin:

Yes. That is what I am telling you: the largest companies are the biggest taxpayers.



Andrei Vandenko:

It is common belief, an axiom of sorts, that the government is not an effective owner.



Vladimir Putin:

This axiom is nothing: you have to look into the way a particular business operates. Applying a generalized approach here is as useless as calculating the average body temperature of patients in a hospital. As you know, this argument is often used when people start asking, quite reasonably, why is it that my neighbor and I are not doing well at all, while life in our country on the whole is fine. It is the same here, two sides of a coin. Therefore, while a generalized approach might be correct, as a methodology, we should consider each particular case separately.



Andrei Vandenko:

In other words, you believe that reprivatization is not a bad thing.



Vladimir Putin:

Right. I do not think it is a bad thing. Well, you know, there are many different…



Andrei Vandenko:

Your adviser Yumashev thinks differently.



Vladimir Putin:

Well, that is what advisers are for: their job is to offer opinions. There are different approaches and different visions. A decision-maker must consider every opinion. That is what I am trying to do.

Here is another problem: the Central Bank is being heavily criticized for having taken too many financial institutions under its control, for having spent too much money, for having paid large dividends to its shareholders, and so on and so forth. It was actually not to the shareholders that most of the payments went. The shareholders were hardly paid anything. The bank was paying citizens to minimize their losses from this or that institution’s failure.

In the long run… I know some people will look, get angry, and say, ”I sustained damage.“ But the Central Bank's task was to prevent millions of people from sustaining this damage, to prevent weak financial institutions from borrowing too much money from people, from the population, the way real estate developers dealt with defrauded homebuyers. And then just vanish, to reappear somewhere in London, as usual.

That is why we had to resort to resolution procedures at some point. Whether it was done well or badly is another question. The Central Bank took over the assets of these financial institutions, but not for good, and it is not going to keep them forever. They will be reorganized and reintroduced into the market. The Central Bank has a relevant plan, Ms Nabiullina briefs me.



Andrei Vandenko:

Speaking of profits. How do you match a public corporation’s status and its top management’s free market salaries?



Vladimir Putin:

They do not match well.



Andrei Vandenko:

When they are paid…



Vladimir Putin:

They do not. I agree with you.



Andrei Vandenko:

…one million a day!



Vladimir Putin:

Listen, I find this outrageous myself, honestly.



Andrei Vandenko:

Now, Mr Putin…



Vladimir Putin:

I will reply. Many things are not as simple as they might seem at first.

I have already had a word with them on that score. What is their answer? They hire many foreign specialists, who work effectively and are worth something on the market, on the international labor market that is. They have to hire them and pay them a wage equivalent to the cost of their services on the international labor market. But if they are to be paid this amount, their bosses are entitled to be paid more.

Do you know where else this has happened? Civil aviation pilots. Precisely the same thing. We were forced to hire foreign pilots, in particular, those with experience flying Boeings and European planes. We had to raise their pay to meet European and US standards. Now the military pilots eagerly take co-pilots’ jobs, because in the Air Force they are paid less than in civil aviation. This distorted the labor market, affecting the Defense Ministry. And we are seeing the same here.



Andrei Vandenko:

Now, Mr Putin, how much are airplane pilots paid? Half a million a month?



Vladimir Putin:

The second pilot gets something around 300,000–350,000 rubles, I believe.



Andrei Vandenko:

While a top manager gets a million a day. Mind you, a day! Now, this seems a little bit too much.



Vladimir Putin:

I do not know about the daily rate, but it does look a bit too much. I agree.



Andrei Vandenko:

As far as foreign specialists are concerned, that is something… Well, it does not sound like…the truth, I hate to say.



Vladimir Putin:

No-no-no, why?



Andrei Vandenko:

I mean, it is important, but…



Vladimir Putin:

No, no. Otherwise, they would be paid less than their subordinates are.



Andrei Vandenko:

Maybe they should be paid less, then.



Vladimir Putin:

Does that happen anywhere? Should we be an exception? It does not work like that anywhere in the world.



Andrei Vandenko:

Really? Fine then.



Vladimir Putin:

But, honestly speaking, I find this annoying and preposterous. I agree.



Andrei Vandenko:

They have to be more modest.



Vladimir Putin:

Yes, that is true.



Andrei Vandenko:

Fine then.



Vladimir Putin:

I fully agree with you.



Andrei Vandenko:

Perfect.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/62982






Greetings on 60th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre and first cosmonaut team



Vladimir Putin sent his greetings to participants in a ceremony held to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre and the first team of Soviet cosmonauts.



March 13, 2020 - 17:00



The message reads, in part:

“We are celebrating a history-making event – the establishment of the Cosmonaut Training Centre and the formation of the first team of Soviet cosmonauts 60 years ago, in 1960. It marked the countdown to the first spaceflight made by Yuri Gagarin, who blazed the trail to the stars. We take pride in the fact that humankind’s daring dream of conquering the Universe materialised in our country.

This celebration is a wonderful opportunity to commemorate the many generations of cosmonauts, scientists, designers, medics and other outstanding professionals who were fully committed to their jobs and the Fatherland. Their courage, talent and selflessness created the foundation of the powerful potential of our space industry and the glorious chronicle of its victories and achievements.

I am certain that the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre will continue to preserve and build up the wonderful traditions of predecessors and will also make a major contribution to the strengthening of Russia’s prestige as a space power.”




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/62986






Law on amendment to Russian Federation Constitution



The President signed the Law of the Russian Federation on introducing an amendment to the Constitution of the Russian Federation, On Improving the Regulation of Certain Aspects of the Organisation and Functioning of Public Authority.



March 14, 2020 - 13:40



The Federal Law was approved by the State Duma and the Federation Council on March 11, 2020, and as of March 14, 2020, has been approved by legislative (representative) bodies of 85 constituent entities of the Russian Federation.

The Law on amendment to the Constitution of the Russian Federation, On Improving the Regulation of Certain Aspects of the Organisation and Performance of Public Authority, stipulates amendments to Chapters 3–8 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation to improve the organisation and performance of public authority as an instrument to achieve constitutionally relevant goals that arise from provisions of chapters 1 and 2 of the Constitution.

The law, in particular, provides for the following.

The Russian Federation guarantees respect for and protection of working persons. The state also guarantees that the minimum wage shall be not less than the average subsistence rate for working-age people across Russia.

The pension system shall be developed on the basis of the principles of universality, justice and solidarity of generations. Mandatory indexation of pensions shall be implemented at least once a year.

The Russian Federation guarantees mandatory social insurance, targeted social support, and indexation of social benefits and other social payments.

Children are a priority of Russia's national policy. The Russian Federation ensures the priority of family education. In case family education is not possible, the state undertakes parental obligations towards such children.

The state undertakes the obligation to support and protect culture as a unique heritage of Russia's multi-ethnic nation.

It is proclaimed that the Russian Federation safeguards the historical truth and honours the feat of the defenders of the Fatherland. Denigrating the feat of the people who defended the Fatherland shall not be permitted.

The Russian Federation supports compatriots living abroad in exercising their rights, ensures the protection of their interests and the preservation of the Russian national cultural identity.

Pursuant to the Law, the following items shall be added to the jurisdiction of the Russian Federation: the organisation of public authority; establishment of the basic principles of federal policy and federal programmes in the sphere of scientific and technical development; information technologies, and ensuring the security of individuals, society and state when using them; outer space-related activity; agriculture; establishment of single legal frameworks for the healthcare system and the education system; ensuring the provision of accessible and quality healthcare, preserving and improving public health, promoting a healthy lifestyle and a responsible attitude among citizens towards their health; protecting the institution of marriage as the union of a man and a woman; creating conditions for raising children in families with dignity, as well as empowering adult children to fulfil their duty of caring for their parents.

It is established that the Russian Federation is the successor (continuity state) of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, recognising continuity in the development of the Russian state and the unity of the state resulting from the millennial history of our country.

All persons holding public office in the Russian Federation, heads of federal state agencies, shall not be allowed to hold citizenship of a foreign state or to have a residency permit or other document enabling its holder to permanently reside in a foreign country, as well as open and hold accounts (deposits), or keep money and valuables in foreign banks located outside of the Russian Federation.

Pursuant to the Law, decisions taken by supranational bodies in keeping with the provisions of the Russian Federation’s international treaties shall not be enforced in the Russian Federation if they contradict the Constitution of the Russian Federation.

The Russian Federation shall take measures to maintain and strengthen international peace and security, ensure the peaceful coexistence of states and peoples, and prevent interference in the country’s domestic affairs.

The amendments to the Constitution of the Russian Federation deal with the constitutional status of the President of the Russian Federation, introducing heightened requirements to candidates to the office of President of the Russian Federation. Thus, a candidate for President of the Russian Federation must be a citizen of the Russian Federation permanently residing in the Russian Federation for at least 25 years, who is not and has not been a citizen of a foreign country or held a residency permit or other document enabling its holder to permanently reside in a foreign country.

One person cannot serve as President of the Russian Federation for more than two terms. This provision shall apply to the President of the Russian Federation in office as of the time this Law enters into force, discounting the number of terms during which such person has served in this position as of the time this Law enters into force.

Pursuant to the Law, the President of the Russian Federation shall appoint Deputy Prime Ministers of the Russian Federation and federal ministers, whose candidacies shall be subject to approval by the State Duma, except for ministers in charge of national security, defence and law enforcement, whose candidacies shall be subject to approval by the Federation Council.

The President of the Russian Federation shall be vested with authority to appoint, following consultations with the Federation Council, and remove from office the Prosecutor General of the Russian Federation, Deputy Prosecutor Generals, prosecutors of Russia’s constituent entities or officials holding the same rank, as well as appoint and dismiss other prosecutors, if required under federal law.

The President of the Russian Federation may present a submission to the Federation Council to terminate the appointment of presidents, deputy presidents and judges of courts within the court system of the Russian Federation, if they commit acts that compromise the judge’s honour and dignity.

Pursuant to the Law, the President of the Russian Federation is vested with the right to form the State Council of the Russian Federation and set forth its purpose, as well as set forth the purpose of the Security Council of the Russian Federation and the Presidential Executive Office.

The Constitution sets forth elements of the status of the President of the Russian Federation after completing his service in this position, establishes constitutional guarantees, and determines the procedure for depriving this person of immunity.

The Law sets out a new approach to forming the Federation Council. The Federation Council shall consist of senators of the Russian Federation, and shall include representatives from each constituent entity of the Russian Federation, representatives of the Russian Federation appointed by the President of the Russian Federation, as well as former Presidents of the Russian Federation, subject to their agreement.

The Constitution enables the Federation Council and the State Duma to exercise parliamentary oversight, including by filing parliamentary inquiries with the heads of state agencies and local government institutions.

Pursuant to the Law, the Prime Minister shall be directly accountable to the President of the Russian Federation for fulfilling the mandate of the Government of the Russian Federation. The following items shall be added to the mandate of the Government of the Russian Federation: ensuring the implementation of a single socially-oriented state policy in the Russian Federation; ensuring state support for Russia’s scientific and technical development, preserving and expanding its research potential; ensuring the operation of social protections for persons with disabilities, based on the principles of full and equal enjoyment of human and citizen’s rights and freedoms, and improving their quality of life; supporting civil society institutions, including non-profit organisations, engaging them in drafting and implementing state policies; supporting volunteering; promoting the development of entrepreneurship and private enterprise; taking measures to create a favourable living environment, reduce negative environmental impacts, preserve the country’s unique natural and biological diversity, promote a responsible attitude towards animals, and create conditions for raising environmental awareness and culture.

Pursuant to the Law, the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation shall consist of 11 judges. The Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation shall have the authority to decide on conformity with the Constitution of the Russian Federation of draft laws of the Russian Federation amending the Constitution of the Russian Federation, draft federal constitutional laws and federal laws, as well as adopted laws before they are signed by the President of the Russian Federation; to decide on the possibility of enforcing decisions by supranational bodies based on the Russian Federation’s international treaties, if they contradict the Constitution of the Russian Federation, as well on the possibility of enforcing a binding decision by a foreign or international (interstate) court or arbitration, if this decision contradicts the tenets of public order in the Russian Federation; review laws of the Russian Federation’s constituent entities to ensure their conformity with the Constitution of the Russian Federation before they are promulgated.

Pursuant to the Law amending the Constitution of the Russian Federation, local government bodies shall be included in a single system of public authority of the Russian Federation in order to maximise their efficiency in fulfilling tasks in the interests of the people and working together with state agencies.

The enactment of all these amendments shall be subject to two conditions. The Law amending the Constitution of the Russian Federation provides for submitting a request to the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation for reviewing the conformity of proposed amendments with Chapters 1, 2 and 9 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation. If the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation issues an opinion confirming that that proposed amendments are consistent with the Constitution of the Russian Federation, a national vote shall be held.

If more than one half of citizens taking part in the national vote approve the amendments to the Constitution of the Russian Federation, the amendments to Chapters 3 through 8 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation as set out in the Law amending the Constitution of the Russian Federation shall enter into force.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/acts/news/62988






The President issues inquiry to Constitutional Court



Vladimir Putin issued to the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation an inquiry On the conformity with Chapters 1, 2 and 9 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation of the provisions of the Law of the Russian Federation amending the Constitution of the Russian Federation On Improving the Regulation of Specific Aspects in the Functioning of Public Authority, which have not yet come into force, and the conformity with the Constitution of the Russian Federation of the procedure for enacting Article 1 of said Law.



March 14, 2020 - 15:00



The document reads, in full:

Pursuant to Article 3 of the Law of the Russian Federation amending the Constitution of the Russian Federation No. 1‑FKZ dated March 14, 2020 On Improving the Regulation of Certain Aspects in the Organisation and Performance of Public Authority, I hereby request the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation to issue a ruling on the conformity with Chapters 1, 2 and 9 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation of provisions from the Law amending the Constitution of the Russian Federation that have not yet come into force, as well as on the conformity with the Constitution of the Russian Federation of the procedure for enacting Article 1 of the said Law amending the Constitution of the Russian Federation.

Legislative assemblies in 85 constituent entities of the Russian Federation have approved the Law amending the Constitution of the Russian Federation.

Article 1 of the Law amending the Constitution of the Russian Federation provides for amending Chapters 3 through 8 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation in order to improve the organisation and performance of public authority. Article 3 of the Law amending the Constitution of the Russian Federation stipulates that these amendments will come into force only if approved by a national vote. Article 2 of the Law amending the Constitution of the Russian Federation sets forth the modalities for organising and holding a national vote to approve the amendments to the Constitution of the Russian Federation.

In accordance with Article 136 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation, amendments to the provisions of Chapters 3 through 8 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation shall be adopted in accordance with the procedure established for the adoption of federal constitutional laws and shall come into force after they have been approved by legislative authorities of at least two thirds of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation.

In accordance with Paragraphs 1 and 2 of Article 3 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation, the multinational people of the Russian Federation is the bearer of its sovereignty and the sole source of power in the Russian Federation. The people exercises its power directly, as well as through state government bodies and local government bodies. While defining the referendum and elections as the supreme direct expression of power by the people, Paragraph 3 in the same Article of the Constitution of the Russian Federation does not set forth an exhaustive list of these forms of expression.

Considering a national vote as an additional measure (alongside having at least two thirds of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation approve the Law amending the Constitution of the Russian Federation) to guarantee that amendments to the Constitution of the Russian Federation are supported by the people of the Russian Federation, I believe that holding a vote of this kind will help better fulfil the principles set forth in Article 3 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation.

Federal Law No. 33-FZ On the Procedure for Adopting and Enacting Amendments to the Constitution of the Russian Federation dated March 4, 1998, specifies the procedure for adopting and enacting amendments to the Constitution of the Russian Federation.

Thus, Article 9 of the Federal Law stipulates that a legislative (representative) body of a constituent entity of the Russian Federation shall review a law of the Russian Federation amending the Constitution of the Russian Federation in the manner it determines independently. Pursuant to Article 11 of the Federal Law, the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation shall record information on the review by the legislative (representative) authorities of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation of the law of the Russian Federation amending the Constitution of the Russian Federation, and determine the outcome of this review. Under Article 12 of the Federal Law, within seven days after the outcome of the review is established, the Speaker of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation shall send the law of the Russian Federation amending the Constitution of the Russian Federation approved by at least two thirds of the legislative (representative) authorities of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation to the President of the Russian Federation for signing and official publication. Within no more than 14 days upon receiving the law of the Russian Federation amending the Constitution of the Russian Federation, the President of the Russian Federation shall sign it and provide for its official publication. Under Article 14 of the Federal Law, the President of the Russian Federation provides for the introduction of the adopted amendment to the Constitution of the Russian Federation into the text of the Constitution of the Russian Federation. The President of the Russian Federation shall provide for the official publication of the Constitution of the Russian Federation with the amendments as well as indicating the date the corresponding amendments came into force within one month after the law of the Russian Federation amending the Constitution of the Russian Federation comes into force.

Meanwhile, Article 13 of the Federal Law states that the law of the Russian Federation amending the Constitution of the Russian Federation comes into force on the day of its official publication, unless otherwise set forth in the law itself.

This approach appears to be fully consistent with the Constitution of the Russian Federation, which leads to the conclusion that there could be other viable modalities for enacting the law amending the Constitution of the Russian Federation with a view to providing additional guarantees that the citizens of the Russian Federation support the amendments to the Constitution of the Russian Federation, as well as the possibility of setting forth in this law the timeframe for enacting, signing and promulgating the law.

I am also of the opinion that amendments contained in Article 1 of the Law amending the Constitution of the Russian Federation are consistent with Chapters 1, 2 and 9 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation. The amendments follow up on these provisions and are designed to improve the organisation of public authority in the Russian Federation as a tool for achieving constitutional goals resulting from the provisions of the said chapters of the Constitution of the Russian Federation.

In view of the above, I ask the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation to decide on the merits of the amendments contained in Article 1 of the Law amending the Constitution of the Russian Federation in terms of their consistency with Chapters 1, 2 and 9 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation.

In particular, I ask the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation to state its opinion on whether it would be acceptable, based on the outcome of the direct national vote by the citizens, to add to Article 81 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation Paragraph 31, whereby the limitation of the number of terms set out in Paragraph 3 of the same Article applies to the President of the Russian Federation in office at the time when the amendments to the Constitution of the Russian Federation come into force, discounting the number of terms during which such person has served and/or serves in this position as of the time the amendments to the Constitution of the Russian Federation set out in the Law amending the Constitution of the Russian Federation and changing the constitutional status of the President of the Russian Federation come into force.

In addition, I ask the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation to decide on whether other additional conditions for enacting the Law amending the Constitution of the Russian Federation can be established, including by the Law amending the Constitution of the Russian Federation itself, apart from obtaining the approval of legislative authorities of at least two thirds of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation, and also whether the amendments to the Constitution of the Russian Federation can come into force on condition they are approved in a national vote, as set forth in Article 3 of the Law amending the Constitution of the Russian Federation.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/62989
__________________
Where should they dig the Very Deep Pit?
Piglet said that the best place would be somewhere where a Heffalump was, just before he fell into it, only about a foot farther on.
(c) Alan Alexander Miln
 
Old May 16th, 2020 #69
Alex Him
Senior Member
 
Alex Him's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,834
Blog Entries: 219
Post

Instruction on State Council working group on coronavirus response



The President signed an instruction on the working group at the State Council of the Russian Federation on countering the spread of the new coronavirus infection caused by 2019-nCoV.



March 15, 2020 - 21:30



The President ordered to set up a working group at the State Council to counter the spread of the new coronavirus infection caused by 2019-nCoV, and approved its 19 members.

Senior officials in the Russian regions facing a threat of the new coronavirus outbreak are recommended to participate in the work of the working group.

The President also ordered the Government and the Presidential Directorate for Supporting Activities of the State Council of the Russian Federation to ensure and support the working group’s efforts.

The group is led by Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin with First Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Belousov, deputy prime ministers Tatyana Golikova and Dmitry Chernyshenko as his deputies. The group also includes Healthcare Minister Mikhail Murashko, Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov, Transport Minister Yevgeny Ditrikh, Presidential Aide Igor Levitin, heads of the Presidential Domestic Policy Directorate, Presidential Directorate for Public Relations and Communications Office, Federal Service for the Oversight of Consumer Protection and Welfare (Rospotrebnadzor), Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Supervision (Rosselkhoznadzor), Federal Medical-Biological Agency, Federal Customs Service, and FSB Border Service, and deputy ministers of the interior, foreign affairs, defence, and emergencies and disaster relief.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/62990






Meeting with VTB Bank CEO Andrei Kostin



Vladimir Putin had a meeting with President and Chairman of the VTB Bank Management Board Andrei Kostin. The discussion focused on VTB Bank’s performance in 2019 and the financial group’s current operations.



March 16, 2020 - 14:30 - The Kremlin, Moscow







President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

Mr Kostin, your bank is one of the leading ones in the country. I have looked through the reference notes. Your assets are worth 15.5 trillion.



President and Chairman of VTB Bank Management Board Andrei Kostin:

Yes.



Vladimir Putin:

You have 14 million customers. This is impressive. How was the bank’s performance in 2019?





Andrei Kostin:

Mr President, our 2019 performance was quite good. If we look, first of all, at the financial indicators, the bank’s net profits under International Accounting Standards increased by ten percent, exceeding the 200-billion mark for the first time in our 30-year history (our bank will be 30 years old in October) and totalled 201 billion rubles. Of course, this had a positive effect on the bank’s capitalisation: the stock value and the bank’s capitalisation soared by 36 percent in 12 months.

The corporate dividends policy contributes to this. In 2020, we plan to pay 50 percent of our net profits as dividends. The state which holds a 61 percent stake is our main stockholder.

So, our performance is quite good, but we believe that our bank still has huge potential. In early 2020, we approved an ambitious 600 Days programme. There are plans to completely transform our bank using an entirely new digital platform over a 20-month period. This, of course, will make our customers even more comfortable and will provide them with many new digital products.

Last but not the least, we believe that these measures will help boost corporate profits by 50 percent, to 300 billion in the next three years. To my mind, this will become a very good indicator of the bank’s performance.





Vladimir Putin:

And how is your mortgage programme developing?



Andrei Kostin:

This is one of our main tools. In 2019, we expanded our mortgage portfolio by 20 percent. Today, VTB Bank issues 25 percent of all mortgages nationwide, and the volume of our mortgage programme has reached 1.8 trillion rubles.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/62992






Sanctions as an economic booster (interview to TASS)



The 14th part of Vladimir Putin's interview to TASS News Agency has been published.

The 20 Questions with Vladimir Putin project is an interview with the President of Russia on the most topical subjects of social and political life in Russia and the world. Total recording time is 3.5 hours.



March 16, 2020 - 15:00







Andrei Vandenko:

We’ve been hit with sanctions because of Ukraine.



Vladimir Putin:

To hell with those sanctions. According to various estimates, we have lost around 50 billion but we have earned the same amount.



Andrei Vandenko:

That’s quite a bit.



Vladimir Putin:

Quite a bit, but it made us use our brains. We spent quite a lot of money on the so-called ‘import substitution’ programme and started to produce such items and technologies that we did not have before or simply forgot about them and lost them. We recreated all of this. And we are undoubtedly benefiting from it. It diversifies our economy. In fact, it helps us address our overriding priority.



Andrei Vandenko:

But counter-sanctions give the impression that we were deliberately hurting ourselves.



Vladimir Putin:

Nonsense. Counter-sanctions helped us boost the agroindustry. They freed up our domestic market.

In our country, if we look at the past years from 2000s and onwards, everyone here spoke about the agroindustry as if it was a black hole, surely you do remember. Where is it now? I don't even remember how far ahead agricultural production has leaped. I think 2.6-fold.

We have always been a grain importer but now we are the world’s top wheat exporter. We have even outperformed the United States, Canada and Australia. They produce more but also consume more. We supply more to the market.

We started to produce enough to meet our basic food needs: dairy, poultry, pork, all staples. We need to work more on vegetables and beef. And we are doing it. Nobody could have imagined that our export was going to total $25 billion last year. This year it will be $24 [billion], I think. Our arms sales are only $15 billion. Nobody would have ever thought that we would become such a major exporter. And we will increase this volume.

In this sense – and from the point of view of developing high-tech productions and in terms of agriculture development, import substitution – is it god or bad? On the one hand, it’s good, it has served us well.

Another thing is bad – it’s bad that this distorts the entire global and European economic space. This is what’s bad. Competition should be natural without any external restrictions.

But the fact is our partners also lose approximately the same. Europe has lost roughly the same, according to their own estimates. They’ve been losing even more sensitive things.



Andrei Vandenko:

But there are 40 countries in Europe, and we are one country.



Vladimir Putin:

You see, they are losing jobs. Right now, we have the lowest level of unemployment in history. In this sense we lost nothing. And they are losing jobs because imports have nosedived as a result of a wide range of circumstances, including sanctions.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/62991






Meeting of the Prosecutor General’s Office Board



March 17, 2020 - 13:20 - Moscow



Vladimir Putin attended the expanded meeting of the Prosecutor General’s Office Board. The President reviewed the office’s performance in 2019 and its objectives for this year.







President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

Good afternoon, colleagues,

We are holding this annual expanded meeting of the Prosecutor General’s Office Board to review your performance last year and, as usual, discuss the spheres that need to be given particular attention, including in light of the objectives set out in my Address to the Federal Assembly.

First of all, trivial as it may sound, I would like to say that the bodies of the Prosecutor General’s Office are among the most important and influential parts of the state machinery. The sphere of your operation is extremely broad, and you have great powers as well.

This high status should be fully reflected and sealed in the new wording of the Federal Law On the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Russian Federation. The office has been working on it since last year. I ask you to carry on and even to accelerate this work.

At the same time, you should work even more efficiently to protect law and order in society as well as the rights and freedoms of our citizens, exposing and cutting short any offences, the number of which, it should be said, remains considerable. This also concerns such a delicate sphere as the social rights of our citizens.

As you may know, the amendments to the Constitution of the Russian Federation, which have been put to a national vote, reinforce and specify our state’s social orientation. This means that your responsibility for compliance with citizens’ social rights will grow as well.





I ask you to immediately respond to any breaches of labour laws, including failure to pay wages and violation of labour protection regulations or rights of preretirement-age persons. We understand what this is related to and how important it is today.

Last year, prosecutors helped to disburse almost 27.5 billion rubles worth of wage arrears. This is an important result. Each proprietor or manager of a business or an organisation must understand that he or she cannot violate the law or solve their own or the company’s problems at the expense of employees; sanctions for these misdeeds will follow inexorably.

Matters related to state support for families with many children or on lower incomes, people with health problems, and old-age pensioners should remain on the special watch list. I mean access to free, hi-tech medical assistance, medicine provision, benefits, and other things of extreme importance for the people.

I have mentioned the upcoming national vote on amendments to the Constitution. The rights of Russian citizens to a free and democratic expression of their will must be secured in full. Your task is to establish close surveillance over the legitimacy of all relevant procedures.

Protecting the rights of minors is among the overriding priorities of the state, including the prosecutor’s offices. Children and teens, especially those left without the care of their families or relatives, as we all know well, are vulnerable and in the zone of risk.

Your task, along with other law enforcement agencies – and their heads are also in this room today, – social services, and public associations, is to ensure their reliable protection from various kinds of unlawful encroachments. In this context, it is necessary to supervise most thoroughly the investigation of crimes committed against children.

I also have to note today that last year the total number of crimes went up nationwide for the first time since 2016. The number of unsolved crimes has also increased. We have discussed this many times, but, unfortunately, the fact remains that every second crime remains unsolved.





You and your colleagues from other law enforcement agencies have a lot to think about here. I assume that statistics have probably improved; all of us realise this. Well, this is good, but I have already discussed this matter at a meeting of the Interior Ministry Board. Even if we look at statistics and make some adjustments, the number of unsolved crimes is higher than the year before. We need an in-depth analysis of problems and specific well-thought-out measures aiming to resolve them.

In the past few years, we have been posting highly negative trends regarding IT crimes. This includes encroachments on the private life of citizens, their property and money in bank accounts.

I ask the Prosecutor General’s Office, the Interior Ministry and other concerned agencies to assess the efficiency of work in this area and see how the available procedural opportunities are being used.

In general, I ask you to draft a system, a complex of measures for reducing the number of such crimes. It goes without saying that IT systems are developing rapidly, and they will continue to develop. They are entering all spheres of economic and private life.

Of course, we should not create any barriers for progress here. This is absolutely obvious, but the interests of society and the state must be reliably protected.

Fighting corruption is a highly relevant and extremely important part of your work, especially ensuring the security of the federal funds allocated for national projects, state and municipal programmes, and state defence order.

Corruption is certainly a problem that needs to be addressed constantly and comprehensively, but today – you understand this very well – what I just said is even more important, because we are investing enormous resources towards resolving major national problems and achieving the national development goals. It is essential to ensure the safety and efficient use of these resources.





I ask the Prosecutor General’s Office to step up its efforts in this area, and also to work more closely with the Federal Bailiff Service, the Interior Ministry, the Federal Service for Financial Monitoring (Rosfinmonitoring), and the tax authorities to retrieve illegally acquired property, or more bluntly – the assets and money stolen from the nation, from our people, from society.

I especially highlight your role in ensuring the competitiveness of our national jurisdiction. I am referring to the business climate, the environment for doing business, for small and medium-sized companies, and the economy as a whole.

In particular, a lot of work needs to be done following the adoption of federal laws forming a new system of control and supervision. You know that the deadline is coming soon, and that it is a very responsible job.

It is necessary to ensure its proper enforcement and harmonisation of the regional and municipal legal framework with the new federal legislation.

I recently spoke in great detail about countering extremism and terrorism at the board meetings of the FSB and the Interior Ministry.

In 2019, the prosecution authorities exposed over 213,000 violations of laws in this area. Decisions were made to declare the activity of four foreign non-governmental organisations undesirable. Based on the prosecution authorities’ evidence, the court recognised three organisations as extremist, and their activity was prohibited.

We need to continue to suppress any actions aimed at destabilising society, violating our traditional spiritual and moral values, and provoking ethnic and religious hatred. It is also necessary to work consistently and carefully monitor all aspects of protection of socially significant facilities and crowded places against terrorism.





Furthermore, the Prosecutor General's Office has recently adopted a course towards toughening the procurator’s supervision over compliance with the law and the rights of convicts in detention facilities. However, practice shows that there are still many violations of these rights. Plenty.

I ask you, in cooperation with the Federal Penitentiary Service, to take comprehensive measures to ensure security of the convicts, prevent infringement of law in correctional system facilities and to more actively cooperate with the Council for Civil Society, human rights commissioners in the Russian regions and representatives of the civil society.

The work of specialised prosecutor’s offices requires a more systematic approach.

The Transport Prosecutor's Office should toughen overseeing the implementation of the programmes on developing infrastructure and ensuring security of traffic on the roads and other transport.

Likewise, the Environmental Prosecutor's Office should step up its efforts to reveal crimes to do with nature, illegal forest devastation and extraction of bio resources. This is a very important area, extremely important.

Regrettably, for the time being, all of us – I am referring to the Prosecutor’s Office and other law enforcement agencies – have failed to reach the desired effect.

The Main Military Prosecutor's Office should be tough in revealing crimes in construction, reconstruction and overhaul of defence and other special facilities and timely react to the violations of the rights of service personnel and members of their families.

And, of course, all prosecutors should constantly be upgrading their professional skills. This largely applies to competent defence of the rights and interests of people, and qualified support for the prosecution on behalf of the state in courts, especially courts with the participation of a jury. The number of jury members has substantially increased over a period of the past few years.





I would like to note the systematic work of the prosecution bodies on introducing digital technology. I consider this area very important.

It is necessary to continue expanding this work and finish in the near future the formation of the agency’s modern information infrastructure, thereby enhancing the efficiency of oversight measures and the activities of the prosecution authorities as a whole.

It is very important to develop convenient, accessible feedback instruments, including prompt response to the complaints of people, specific questions and appeals related to the violation of their labour and social rights and entrepreneurial freedoms.

Colleagues, in conclusion, I would like to thank the entire staff of the prosecution corps for their conscientious attitude to work and loyalty to the best traditions of serving law, the society and the state.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, I would like to thank once again Yury Chaika for his effective work as Russia’s Prosecutor General for so many years, and wish every success to Igor Krasnov and all the employees of the prosecution authorities.

Thank you.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/62998






Visit to the coronavirus monitoring centre



March 17, 2020 - 14:40 - Moscow







Vladimir Putin visited the information centre monitoring the situation around the coronavirus in Moscow, Russia and abroad.








The President was accompanied by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko and Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin.








The centre was established to collect and analyse information about the developments regarding coronavirus. Its task is to coordinate the federal and regional government bodies on measures taken to fight the virus.





The centre processes and analyses posts on social networks, confirms their credibility or unreliability and gathers official information about the spreading of coronavirus in the world.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/62999






Opposition, systemic and non-systemic (interview to TASS)



The 15th part of Vladimir Putin's interview to TASS News Agency has been published.

The 20 Questions with Vladimir Putin project is an interview with the President of Russia on the most topical subjects of social and political life in Russia and the world. Total recording time is 3.5 hours.



March 17, 2020 - 15:00







Andrei Vandenko:

You actually gave the opposition a compliment by saying that we need the opposition, including the non-systemic one.



Vladimir Putin:

It is not a compliment – this is what I think. I mean it sincerely.



Andrei Vandenko:

By and large, objectively speaking, our opposition, well, what we call the opposition, is tame. It is hand-fed.



Vladimir Putin:

No, that is not true. When…



Andrei Vandenko:

Systemic. What we call systemic opposition.



Vladimir Putin:

Listen, we have four parliamentary parties. Quite often they have their own view of things. True, United Russia holds the majority in the State Duma. Some may say: you know, it's … a little bit boring.



Andrei Vandenko:

Window dressing.



Vladimir Putin:

No. A little bit boring.



Andrei Vandenko:

A decoration.



Vladimir Putin:

No. A little bit boring.



Andrei Vandenko:

Boring.



Vladimir Putin:

Yes.



Andrei Vandenko:

Pretty true.



Vladimir Putin:

Yes, yes.



Andrei Vandenko:

Honestly?



Vladimir Putin:

Yes.



Andrei Vandenko:

A little bit boring.



Vladimir Putin:

I understand. Do you wish to jump for joy when they may be fighting there like they do in Ukraine or some other place?



Andrei Vandenko:

”Not the place for discussions,“ we remember.



Vladimir Putin:

No. It is the place for discussions. But it is not a place for brawls or internal skirmishes. Or for showing off.



Andrei Vandenko:

Well, you sound somewhat too radical – either a brawl or a swamp. What about taking some balanced position?



Vladimir Putin:

This is what I am telling you. Listen to what Gennady Zyuganov said in his speech.



Andrei Vandenko:

Oh!



Vladimir Putin:

What makes you say oh? He has his own stance, and not only he, but other members of the Communist Party, too.



Andrei Vandenko:

He and Zhirinovsky were philosophizing back when you were working in Dresden.



Vladimir Putin:

It does not matter. It's not important.



Andrei Vandenko:

In other words, a professional member of the opposition who lives at a state dacha [residence] belonging to the Administrative Directorate of the President, and drives a BMW with flashing blue lights is fine with you?



Vladimir Putin:

Listen to me.



Andrei Vandenko:

Is that so?



Vladimir Putin:

If you wish to remain on the offensive yourself, you will not hear my answer.



Andrei Vandenko:

I'm listening.



Vladimir Putin:

And this non-systemic opposition – what is it? It’s legitimate parties. We have 50 parties altogether. We have liberalised the process of registering a political party. We have 50 of them.

Whether a member of an opposition party uses a car or not is a different question. What really matters is what attitude he takes towards the authorities and the decisions proposed by the Government or the ruling party on this or that issue.

You probably wanted to trip me up… You won't succeed. What I want to tell you is this… There is the United Russia party holding the majority.



Andrei Vandenko:

Right.



Vladimir Putin:

Right? There are other parties who quite often disagree – there are four of them in the parliament. They disagree with the ruling party's point of view. But you surely remember what there was in the 1990s, you are old enough after all. It was a mess of a parliament. Brawls were frequent and there was no chance to make a single decision. Still worse – do you know what was still worse?



Andrei Vandenko:

What?



Vladimir Putin:

It was still worse that the decisions they made were impossible to implement. The economy was boxed into a corner. That's what it led to when there was no constructive discussion.

Now, my question is: Do you want to see them make a mess or make decisions of national importance?

In this connection, I cannot but recall one well-known Russian statesman: ”You want great upheavals, but I want great Russia.“ I believe, we all want great Russia, not stage shows at different levels of political power.



Andrei Vandenko:

Absolutely. The opposition is also necessary to ‘put a hedgehog inside the authorities’ skull’, to make them move and work harder.



Vladimir Putin:

Yes, yes, right. That's why I said that we need both systemic and non-systemic opposition. I'm saying so not as Russia's current President, but as an ordinary Russian citizen. We don’t need any mess. And we don’t need any shows. We need serious political activity.



Andrei Vandenko:

You know, if the opposition is non-systemic it immediately, almost automatically becomes an enemy of the state.



Vladimir Putin:

Nothing of the sort. Nothing of the sort. What makes you think so? Or do you wish to think so yourself? This has nothing to do with the reality. Why? We have 50 parties. Fifty. People must simply… You know what? You see, it is necessary…



Andrei Vandenko:

People should have an opportunity to express their opinion out loud without any party… They should have this opportunity!



Vladimir Putin:

The political consciousness of Russia's ordinary citizens has grown a lot over the past year. Yes. We may watch with pleasure someone's shocking escapades. Yes, we may like to see critics exposing somebody.

But! Even an ordinary citizen wants to see not only somebody criticize the authorities, but to hear and understand what is proposed by those who criticize; what solutions do they propose to the problems the country is faced with? When nothing but criticism is heard in reply, then the question arises: who is worth being voted for? Who is to be elected to the local or regional legislatures or the federal parliament?

You know, an ordinary citizen goes to work and back home every day. And still, a plain sausage will not be enough today for earning people's support.



Andrei Vandenko:

I just consider you as a strong person.



Vladimir Putin:

Hope so.



Andrei Vandenko:

With a past in the martial arts.



Vladimir Putin:

I still practise today.



Andrei Vandenko:

You still practise, even more so. Not worth it to underplay – the opponent must be a worthy one. An opponent from among those who drive a BMW and reside at a state dacha, who is unlikely to argue with you in earnest.



Vladimir Putin:

Listen to me. Do you think that in any other democratic country, including the United States, Congress or Senate members ride a goat to go to work…



Andrei Vandenko:

It’s not just about the deputies…



Vladimir Putin:

Or a lame mare? They use state cars there, too.



Andrei Vandenko:

It’s not about the cars, really.



Vladimir Putin:

No, this is exactly the matter. You have in fact hinted that they are sort of being bribed.

They use what the state gives them for performing their duties. They get it not from the current authorities. They get it from the state under the existing law. Be it a member of the opposition or not… Once the person takes a certain office, he gets everything the state has to provide him with in accordance with the law. For carrying out his duties, including those that person campaigns for and represented and that have propelled him to a certain body of power, to parliament, for example.

It's not the President who gives him a car. This is important. The President and his Administrative Directorate are obliged by law to provide this, regardless of whether he likes this or that deputy or party leader or not.



Andrei Vandenko:

It's not about members or their cars…



Vladimir Putin:

That's the whole point. This means that the government is obliged to provide everybody with equal opportunities for performing their political functions.



Andrei Vandenko:

My focus is rather on the political struggle, not specifically on some cars or dachas…



Vladimir Putin:

That's part and parcel of the political struggle. The state has to create conditions for an adherent to any views to have an opportunity to work effectively. And not to permit a situation when the parliament speaker might say: ”Are you from the ruling party? Great. Here's your BMW to move around. And everybody else will drive a Zaporozhets [an economical supermini a working man could afford].“ No. Everybody must enjoy equal conditions.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/62997






Executive Order on retail sale of medicines



The President signed Executive Order On Retail Sale of Medicines for Medical Use.



March 17, 2020 - 16:20



The Executive Order was signed in order to ensure the availability of medicines for the public and concerns distance (online) selling of non-prescription drugs. The procedure for issuing permits for distance selling of medicines, the requirements to pharmacies that can carry out such retail selling and the procedure for such selling, as well as the rules for the delivery of medicines to purchasers, is established by the Government of the Russian Federation.

In addition, the Government was instructed to tighten control of compliance with the law regarding the circulation of medicines, including the remote retail sale of medicines, including the requirement to prevent the circulation of fabricated, counterfeit, substandard or unregistered medicines.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63002






Meeting with Government members



Vladimir Putin held a regular meeting with Government members.



March 17, 2020 - 16:40 - The Kremlin, Moscow







President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

Good afternoon, colleagues,

We have many important issues to discuss today. Let us start with our measures to counter the coronavirus infection that is now known all over the world. Then we will talk about the spring sowing campaign and discuss housing and utilities.

But before we start discussing these serious, nationally important issues, I would like to wish a happy birthday to Andrei Belousov. It is his birthday today. He enjoys alpine tourism, rock climbing.

I would like to give you a book – we all want to give you a book. It is entitled Rock Routes near the Great Sevastopol Trail. Happy birthday to you!

I have already mentioned the issues that we are going to discuss. Mr Mishustin asked me to give him the floor to start the discussion on the structure and plans of work to counter the spread of the coronavirus.





<…>


Vladimir Putin:

Colleagues,

I would like to address you, members of the Russian Government, our colleagues in the regions – we are now working with them very closely, practically on a daily basis. I would like to address all citizens of this country.

We are watching how the situation with the spread of the coronavirus infection is unfolding. Most countries have already seen some consequences of this disease both in healthcare and in the economy.

In some countries, like our friends, the People's Republic of China (PRC) or the Republic of Korea, the situation is changing for the better. This is perfectly obvious. We can only rejoice in this together with our friends.

But a difficult, sometimes even challenging situation is developing in other states, including European countries. The number of new cases is growing rapidly almost every day.

These countries are taking emergency measures, including quarantines, border closure, restrictions on large public events, cancellation of air flights and travel by other types of transport. Education institutions adapt their teaching practices to a special regime or close. Obviously, these measures are justified and contingent on the situation. Of course, we wish all our colleagues success in this effort, in countering this infection.

Naturally, this external threat could not bypass Russia, especially since the bigger part of this large country is located in the east, in the Far East and beyond the Urals, while a considerable part of the population lives in the European part. We have contact with states from different parts of the world.





Today, considering our intensive business, humanitarian and simply human contact with foreign countries, the situation in this sense is becoming more complicated. But, as you know, viruses have never observed state borders. Today, the situation is different because of the frequent travel in the world.

However, thanks to the prompt measures taken proactively both at the regional and federal levels, already in the first weeks of the epidemic, we managed to contain the massive – I would like to underscore – massive penetration and spread of the infection in Russia.

Now, despite the potentially high level of risk – I need to say this, and I will return to this again – despite the high level of risk, the situation is generally under control.

Medical institutions, border and other services are in high alert mode. Federal and regional authorities monitor the situation hourly, making the necessary decisions. As the Prime Minister just said, a coronavirus response coordination council has been set up under the Government of Russia with a corresponding working group at the State Council.

I ask you to continue to be highly mobilised, to act in a coordinated and coherent manner and, most importantly, to try to work ahead of the curve. It is extremely important to keep people informed; it is an extremely important thing – direct, comprehensive and reliable information. We just visited the information centre, just set up here in Moscow. I think other regions need to do the same, and the Moscow centre needs to build up its capacity.

Russians should have all the necessary information: what kind of threat we are facing, what measures are being taken by the state, and what each of them should do to protect themselves and their families.

It is fundamentally important to rule out the reasons behind the emergence of harmful and empty rumours or, worse, malicious speculation on this topic. But the only thing that can offset and counter this is reliable, timely, and complete information.





At the same time, we need to take into account all aspects and risks of the possible spread of the infection, I just said that. First of all, we need medical institutions to be ready to provide timely assistance both at home and in hospitals, as Ms Golikova just said. This is what is being done and will continue to be done in the near term.

We need to take preventive and quarantine measures. We must stock up on medications, equipment and technical devices. We must also think about stocking up on personal protective equipment and antiseptics. And of course, medical facilities must have enough capacity to meet the challenge.

As for test systems for prompt diagnostics of the coronavirus and a vaccine to prevent it, our leading laboratories are working hard on this. Russia has all the necessary competences in this area and solid science for achieving these objectives in the near future. Previous experience shows that our specialists are able to resolve such major tasks.

Proper attention is being paid to test systems. Now the main goal is to drastically increase their production. This task is being tackled by the VECTOR state research centre and the Institute of Epidemiology at Rospotrebnadzor, as well as specialists from the Healthcare Ministry and the Federal Medical-Biological Agency (FMBA) institutions.

We are also using international cooperation as a resource. The Russian Direct Investment Fund will finance joint developments with our Japanese partners with a view to launching the production of express tests already in April. Eventually, this will be the world’s first portable express test.

As for the vaccine, I repeat, this work is also underway. Rospotrebnadzor specialists are engaged in this. They have been joined by specialists from the FMBA’s St Petersburg Research Institute of Vaccines and Serums.

Today, I would like to express special gratitude to the physicians, nurses, staff of infectious and other hospitals, polyclinics, out-patient clinics and the Emergency Medical Service.





Their work in this area is in high demand. Of course, it is necessary to ensure their safety and provide all of them with protective equipment for working with risk groups, but this work is important and necessary.

These people are performing their professional duty with honour as has happened repeatedly in the history of domestic medicine. They are risking their health to help others.

I ask the Government, the Healthcare Ministry and the regions to develop additional support measures for doctors and medical staff. We have already said that this work, this support must be divided into two parts.

First, to increase the salary fund for Rospotrebnadzor employees who are working on identifying the infection.

Second, to increase the salary fund in the regions. I mean to increase the corresponding salaries of the primary healthcare workers, such as local therapists, general practitioners, pulmonologists, infectious disease doctors, anaesthesiologists-reanimatologists, and nurses. Let us not forget about the junior medical staff: people who are also in the risk zone: paramedics and obstetricians at rural paramedic centres. These are the people who work directly with those who need our help and support.

Of course, I am speaking about increasing payments to them for working in emergency conditions, for the intensity of their work. This mechanism must be transparent and fair, and I am asking the Government to make decisions on additional payments and develop the procedure as soon as possible.

I am also asking to ensure that the Executive Order I have just signed – Mr Mishustin knows that – is implemented. It allows online sales of non-prescription medicines. We discussed this yesterday, too.

However – and the Executive Order includes this, and I ask the Government to note this – it is necessary to submit the necessary proposals to amend the regulatory framework, the law increasing the responsibility for counterfeit medicines, so that nobody would think about taking advantage of the situation and selling products that cannot cure.





Online sales of medicines is a very important and sensitive issue, first of all for people and families in quarantine.

In this context, I ask the Government and our telecommunications companies to use all their resources in order to fulfil the instructions I gave in my Address to the Federal Assembly as soon as possible: to provide free access from personal computers to socially important Russian websites in order to buy medicines, study online, get public services and even watch Russian films and children’s shows among other things. It is essential for people who stay at home with their families.

Furthermore, the epidemic has already had a profound effect on the global economy. Mr Belousov has just spoken about the measures that are being taken or are planned by the Government of the Russian Federation. I ask you to develop smooth cooperation between the Government, the Bank of Russia and the regions of the Russian Federation. In the last few days we have been actively engaged in fine tuning new cooperation mechanisms. They should run like clockwork.

Now we need to take precise steps to maintain economic stability and sustainability of Russian companies and industries. This primarily applies to transport, logistics and secure supplies of food products and basic necessities.

Of course, it is important to monitor the performance of key, major companies that are the backbone of our economy and many of the regions in Russia. But – Mr Belousov just spoke about this – we know that millions of people work in small and medium-sized companies, at small plants and we must not allow this important sector to sustain damage due to this roller coaster ride and force majeure. Needless to say, I will do everything I can to support the measures you mapped out on helping the economic sector.

It is necessary to relieve entrepreneurs – I also agree with this – of excessive inspections as much as possible. They should receive help in resolving their tax and debt problems. Any penalties should be issued with consideration for the current situation. This was mentioned as well, and I consider it timely and the right approach.

The social sphere requires special attention. I am referring to universities, schools, kindergartens and nurseries, as well as institution that take care of people with disabilities and elderly people. I would like to emphasise that the health and security of people must be given absolute priority.





If it is necessary, or will eventually become necessary, to announce unscheduled vacations or temporarily close children’s institutions, children must not be left alone, so, in addition to organising distance tuition, it is necessary to be in constant contact with their parents.

I would like to ask the staff at these institutions to take all this into account so we can deal with what is, let’s be straight, a difficult situation calmly and with minimal loss. We must deal with this situation in a sustained and orderly manner. Everyone is interested in this, including company owners.

It is necessary to compile special, flexible or remote work schedules for parents with children of school or preschool age, wherever possible.

I will repeat: all our decisions must be justified, clear-cut and understandable to people. They must correspond to the potential risks and be carried out as and when necessary. We must be proactive, look at how the situation is developing, prepare the relevant measures and take them as and when necessary. In effect, it turned out that way.

Let me emphasise that these steps are mandatory for all levels of government and all organisations regardless of the form of ownership or departmental subordination. It is necessary to ensure the toughest possible control. I would also like our citizens to treat these steps with understanding.

Our solidarity, concentration, responsibility, discipline and willingness to support each other are simply irreplaceable. These qualities have allowed us to overcome many difficulties, like in a good and big family.

Obviously, we must get our act together at all levels. We must deal with these goals through concerted effort and display special care for elderly people, elderly parents and for children in order to protect them as much as possible.





Explanatory information is of vital importance, as I have already said. I hope the media and volunteer associations will help with this. People must be clear on how to act, where to ask for support, and what precautions to take to protect themselves, their families, relatives, neighbours and co-workers from the potential threat.

And let me repeat: the state and society – all of us must now act conscientiously and be well-organised and responsible. We must understand the situation and take care of each other. This is the bottom line under the circumstances.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63001
__________________
Where should they dig the Very Deep Pit?
Piglet said that the best place would be somewhere where a Heffalump was, just before he fell into it, only about a foot farther on.
(c) Alan Alexander Miln
 
Old May 16th, 2020 #70
Alex Him
Senior Member
 
Alex Him's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,834
Blog Entries: 219
Post

April 22 – the vote on amendments to the Constitution



The President signed Executive Order On Setting a Date for a Nationwide Vote on Amendments to the Constitution of the Russian Federation.



March 17, 2020 - 20:45



Text of the Executive Order:

In accordance with parts 2 and 3 of Article 2 of the Russian Federation Law on amending the Constitution of the Russian Federation, On Improving the Regulation of Certain Aspects in the Organisation and Performance of Public Authority, I hereby declare:

1. Set April 22, 2020 as a date for nationwide vote on approving amendments to the Constitution of the Russian Federation, as envisaged by Article 1 of the Russian Federation Law on amending the Constitution of the Russian Federation, On Improving the Regulation of Certain Aspects of the Organisation and Performance of Public Authority.

2. Put the following question to national vote:

“Do you approve the amendments to the Constitution of the Russian Federation?”

3. This Executive Order enters into force upon its official publication.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63003






Meeting with Central Election Commission Chairperson Ella Pamfilova



The President met with Chairperson of the Central Election Commission Ella Pamfilova.



March 17, 2020 - 21:00 - The Kremlin, Moscow







President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

Ms Pamfilova, I know that the Central Election Commission and your colleagues in the regions have already started preparing for the nationwide vote on the constitutional amendments. It is an important and difficult job.

I would like to tell you that today I have signed a relevant Executive Order. The document sets out the date for the vote, April 22, as we previously agreed.

At the same time, I would like to point out that the law obliges us to hold the voting no sooner than a month after the issuing of the Executive Order. We can hold it later than a month; the timeframe is not stipulated in the law.

This is why I am telling you this: I hope very much that the citizens of Russia, being aware of the importance of the decisions to amend the Constitution and knowing that adopting these decisions and sealing them in the Constitution is extremely important for the nation and for elaborating on the social nature of our state, such as the predominance of Russian law over international laws, as well as several other fundamental issues related to our traditions, culture and history – being aware of this, our people will come to the polling stations to express their opinion of the proposed amendments to the Constitution.

However, in light of the complicated epidemiological situation in the world, which has also affected Russia, even if not as strongly as some other countries, we will hold the vote only if the situation allows us to do so. Therefore, although the proposed amendments to the Constitution are very important, there is nothing more important than the health and lives of our people. As I said, we will proceed from the situation.

At the same time, I would like to ask you and all your colleagues in the regions to continue working, continue preparations for the nationwide vote. I hope you will make use of all the available instruments to ensure that the nationwide vote is held as competently as possible, in strict compliance with the law and using modern technology.





Chairperson of the Central Election Commission Ella Pamfilova:

Mr President,

First, it is hard to disagree with you that the most important thing is the health and security of our citizens. Nevertheless, we are ready for any developments and our electoral system in its present form is modern and dynamic. We have not lost a single hour or a single day after you signed the instruction and empowered us to prepare.

We have prepared rather well now and are ready for any developments; we are considering different options. We are ready to provide our electoral system colleagues with all the necessary means and take the necessary measures so that during the national vote held within some or other timeframe depending on the situation we could suggest the options that primarily conform to these priorities – I mean health and security in the first place.

Indeed, much has been done… We have considered several different options. We suggest using all the modern methods that we have tested over this period. In general, we are ready to reach out to every participant in the voting depending on the situation.





Vladimir Putin:

Good.

We can see that the countries where the situation is much more severe than in this country do not renounce political events of this kind, the elections.

Signing an Executive Order today without stating a specific date is more or less senseless. But let me repeat once again, the law does not restrict our actions in any way. If the situation demands, we will postpone the national vote until a later date. Nevertheless, let me reiterate that I ask you to continue this work and influence your colleagues in the regions to develop the same attitude.



Ella Pamfilova:

Mr President, let me assure you that our efforts do not slacken even for a minute; we are working and will be ready to face any situation.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63004






On middle class and people’s incomes (interview to TASS)



The 16th part of Vladimir Putin's interview to TASS News Agency has been published.

The 20 Questions with Vladimir Putin project is an interview with the President of Russia on the most topical subjects of social and political life in Russia and the world. Total recording time is 3.5 hours.



March 18, 2020 - 15:00







Andrei Vandenko:

The middle class. Where have we lost it? We were told it would account for more than a half of the population.



Vladimir Putin:

Listen, do you know what the middle class is? If you think that the term “middle class” is about the way people live in France, Germany or the United States, this is not so.

The middle class is different in different countries. There is a relevant methodology of the World Bank. The middle class is estimated using the number of households, of people whose incomes are 50 per cent above the minimum wage. This year’s minimum wage is, if I remember correctly, 11,280 rubles, while the average wage is far higher. There are a lot of such people, well above 70 per cent.



Andrei Vandenko:

Then our middle class should rather be called ‘middling’.



Vladimir Putin:

You know, we have to proceed from the realities.



Andrei Vandenko:

Within one's means.



Vladimir Putin:

Not within one's means but using the methodology of the World Bank. ”Within one's means“ is a very unclear formula. The World Bank's methodology, however, suggests that each country has its own middle class. So do we. Our task is just to make this middle class stronger.



Andrei Vandenko:

I wish it were like in France or Germany…



Vladimir Putin:

Boost incomes…



Andrei Vandenko:

Vladimir Vladimirovich…



Vladimir Putin:

I would not like it to be like in France.



Andrei Vandenko:

Don't you?



Vladimir Putin:

Just look at what is happening there. Is there anything good about it? Protests there continue nonstop, right? Whole branches of the economy are stalled. The unrest left 11 people dead, many were injured, lost their eyes to rubber bullets. What is so good about this? Is this what you wish? I do not think so.



Andrei Vandenko:

The people in France went to the streets.



Vladimir Putin:

Yes.



Andrei Vandenko:

Macron made a move, then backtracked.



Vladimir Putin:

Is this a good thing?



Andrei Vandenko:

I do not know. For the French people it probably is.



Vladimir Putin:

I do not think so. Firstly, fundamentally nothing has changed. In the context of the reform, the most critical issue, as I see it, was the one related to early retirement and basically equal treatment for all.

From the economic standpoint, this is actually reasonable. Pragmatically, President Macron, on the whole, is doing the right thing. We, pragmatically speaking, have done the wrong thing because we have left in place practically everything – retained almost all the privileges, all privileged categories. We still have early retirement, while in France this is the principal reason for discontent – that early retirement plans are being canceled.



Andrei Vandenko:

Early retirement has remained for the military and for the law enforcement agencies.



Vladimir Putin:

Where?



Andrei Vandenko:

Here, in Russia.



Vladimir Putin:

Not only for them. It has been preserved for coalminers, for instance, and for other categories. It has remained for teachers. We have many groups entitled to preferences. Moreover, for mothers of large families the retirement age is 50.

We need to fulfil a very important task – to raise people's real incomes. We should think about the best use of the available resources, which are big enough. Our National Welfare Fund has exceeded 7 per cent of the GDP – to be more precise, it is 7.3 per cent.

Next summer, in July, as far as I remember, funds are expected to be credited to our accounts and we are getting to the point when we will begin to spend the NWF more actively – we agreed upon it before, we made a decision to do it when this reserve fund, and we have only one reserve fund left, the NWF, exceeded 7 per cent. The question is on what we should spend the money: on investment, on support for certain groups of the population, etc. This is what our discussion is revolving around today.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63007






Ceremony to present state decorations



The President presented orders and Hero of Labour of the Russian Federation gold medals to builders of the Crimean Bridge. The ceremony was held at the Fort Constantine museum and exhibition centre in Sevastopol.



March 18, 2020 - 18:10 - Sevastopol







President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

Friends,

I am sincerely happy to be with you. Today we are celebrating the sixth anniversary of the reunification of Crimea and Sevastopol with Russia, the signing of truly historic documents, without exaggeration – the agreement on the accession of Sevastopol and Crimea to the Russian Federation.

We all remember well those days of February and March 2014. We remember how the people here, in Sevastopol and Crimea, chose their future, how they spoke, how they thought and made decisions on how they would build their own lives, and the lives of their children.

Since that time, we have done a lot, although of course, not everything. In this regard, I would like to say that the project we are talking about today, the Crimean Bridge, designed and built by our best specialists and experts from around Russia, is definitely one of the most striking symbols of the reunification of Russia and Crimea.





But along with being a symbol, it is also a very important infrastructure facility, which, without any exaggeration, has made dreams come true – the dreams of many generations of subjects and citizens of the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union.

I strongly hope that, once the bridge becomes fully operational, the situation in Crimea will continue to change for the better. It will help improve the conditions for the development of the local economy and the social sphere – there is no need to explain why: it will be easier and, I hope, cheaper to deliver goods here, it will be easier for people to get here from all over the vast territory of Russia, and it will make the lives of Crimeans and Sevastopol residents easier.

From the bottom of my heart, I congratulate you. I am happy to present you with high state decorations. Indeed, the country is recognising your merits and your contribution to the development of the Russian state.

Thank you very much.

Congratulations!





<…>


Vladimir Putin:

Friends,

To conclude the ceremony, I would like to say a few informal words.

I would like to thank you for the result achieved, as I said at the very beginning, but I especially want to thank you for the attitude your team developed during this work.

I spoke about this with Arkady Rotenberg and asked him several questions that may have been awkward, nevertheless, I had to ask. I asked, “Do you have any property abroad, real estate or other assets?” He said, “Well, I do business. I have a few things.” I said, “You know, you could lose it all.” His answer was very good: “Let them choke on it. What you entrust to us is much more important than these trifles.” I said, “You know, you may not be able to go abroad for many years.” “I do not care,” he said. “I have been everywhere I wanted to go, but our country is so big. I have not been to many places in Russia yet, so that does not bother me either.”





Why am I talking about this – because later I had the opportunity and pleasure to speak with my other colleagues who took part in the construction of this bridge. They all have almost the same attitude. Different people had different lives, financial situations, different fates, but the attitude was just that – they have a very important, in the fullest sense of the word, an important state task that needs to be tackled regardless of the direction their lives take. And this is one of the largest projects in the world without any exaggeration, both in terms of complexity and the amount of work.

Therefore, I would like to thank everyone for this determinedness to achieve the final result, whatever the cost to each one of you. I believe it is actually this attitude that led to the positive result that we are now celebrating.





I know how funding related discussions for the project proceeded, when at your meetings people were ready to give up their salaries, let alone profits – all they wanted was to do their job well and on time.

I must admit with certainty that few places, few countries have this atmosphere of taking on major construction projects. This is probably only typical of this country, of our people. I also remember how one of the participants in the ceremony told me when the first arch was put into place, “Only Russian people can do this.” You know it is difficult to argue with this. This is how it is.





I would like to congratulate you again and wish you all the best. I am sure you will build new large, powerful facilities that this country needs and will manage to fulfil yourselves, use your talents and abilities in carrying out such projects. I would also like to wish you all the best in your personal lives so you are healthy and happy.

Happy holiday to you, and today is certainly a holiday– the day when Crimea and Sevastopol reunited with Russia. Please convey my best wishes to your families.

Thank you very much.





One more small remark. We thought for a long time where to hold today’s ceremony, and we initially planned to do it at the Kremlin. However, we eventually decided to hold the event here, in Sevastopol, in Crimea, and I think we chose the best place. This place is a landmark in our history. It is linked with the battle glory of our Fatherland and symbolises the invincibility of Russian weaponry and the Russian spirit. I think the venue of today’s ceremony is appropriate for what we are celebrating.

Thank you.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63020






Meeting with public from Crimea and Sevastopol



In the course of his trip to the Southern Federal District, Vladimir Putin met with representatives of the public from Crimea and Sevastopol.



March 18, 2020 - 20:15 - Sevastopol







President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

Good afternoon.

I am very happy to see all of you.

I would like to congratulate you on today’s event– this is really a landmark for the entire country and especially for Sevastopol and Crimea.

A major event took place six years ago: the signing of the treaty on the reunification of Crimea and Sevastopol with Russia. This was a fair and, as time has shown, long-expected event both for Crimeans and for the entire country.

At that time, people made an informed choice and it was so striking that any attempt to question it resulted in bewilderment and then a grin. I think those who question it realise the absurdity of such attempts.

But we will not talk about this now. We will talk about us – what we are doing, how we are doing it and what life is like. We will talk about development prospects.

I just had the pleasure of congratulating and awarding the builders of the Crimean Bridge. I think this is one of the brightest events, a landmark that ‘visualises’ the reunification of Crimea and Sevastopol with the rest of Russia.

In addition to ‘visualising’, it has created good conditions for the steady and sound development of Crimea and Sevastopol: conditions for the supply of goods and building materials, for shipping products made in Crimea, the growth of tourism, and thus, for progress in the construction industry and all related areas such as recreation and so on and so forth.

Before this, we tackled energy supply issues. Despite attempts to make things more difficult – at some point these difficulties were probably felt by the people who live here… But as expected, these attempts were primarily crushed by the sentiments of the people, their desire to work and be with Russia regardless of any external difficulty. This is what happened. Everything has been restored: energy, gas and power supplies and now infrastructure development in the form of the Crimean Bridge.

I know that much is still to be done. Let us talk about it.





<…>


On amendments to the Constitution

Vladimir Putin:

Speaking of the Constitution in general, I would like to repeat this once again, it was passed in 1993 and its fundamental pillars remain unchanged. We are not changing the Constitution but simply adding some new provisions. Its first, second and ninth chapters, which are the Constitution’s foundation and reflect the main rights of Russian citizens, will not change.

Nevertheless, life goes on, and our society is changing technologically and politically; it has become more mature and more demanding. All that is understandable. Technologies are changing, the state’s capabilities are expanding, and now we can and must unveil the social orientation of our state, its social focus, and formalise some aspects linked with guarantees of our citizens’ social rights. And if we can, then we must do it, and we need to enshrine it in the Fundamental Law.

I believe that there is need for it. Although you used to be part of another state, I know that the people of Sevastopol and Crimea closely followed developments in Russia and felt part of Russia in their hearts.

But the Constitution was passed in 1993, at a time when armed clashes took place in Moscow. There is no need to conceal this, everyone knows it. The parliament was under fire, people got killed in Moscow, and efforts were made to seize the Ostankino television tower and television centre. The Constitution was passed in extremely difficult conditions of an acute domestic political struggle.

We now live in a different world and an essentially different country. That is why these additional provisions are required. I hope that people will come to polling stations on April 22 and that they will support these changes.

Yesterday, I met with the Chairperson of the Central Election Commission and said that the law allowed us to put off this referendum and to hold it at a later date in case of problems with the coronavirus infection.

The law sets no restrictions for us in this connection. It goes without saying that we will always prioritise the life and health of citizens. Therefore, we will hold the nationwide vote if the epidemiological situation permits, or we will delay it slightly in case of a negative scenario.





The unity of Russia’s history

Vladimir Putin:

I have already given my opinion on this topic and, probably, will not say anything new. Nevertheless, the question is very important. If we want to have a future, we must know our past and the past should not divide us, despite the differences in approaches to what is going on now, the differences in opinions on how the country should be developing, which ways to choose. We can achieve a result only by joining efforts. If we are divided… You know, this is like a finger and a fist – folklore already has all the answers.

That is why, knowing about the past and understanding where such events may lead… The October Revolution is undoubtedly a major event in world history and that should be our attitude towards it. It was a prelude to an immense tragedy in our country, a huge tragedy that resulted in the deaths of millions of people, rendered hundreds of thousands of people homeless, they had to flee the country and so forth.

Of course, we need to overcome this. And there are some symbols. One of such symbols of unity, I think, is the one you have mentioned. However, we must overcome division in our soul and in the heart. I will say it again, despite the differences in approaches and opinions on how and what should be done for our future, that tragedy of the past should unite us in the idea that we simply cannot and must not repeat anything like that. Because the losses were tremendous, unbelievable losses. You know, some people make calculations looking retrospectively, what would have happened if there had been no division, no Civil War. They want to know how fast Russia would have developed in 1914. Russia’s economic growth was faster than the global average and the fastest in 1914. So, if such a trend had remained, although politics knows no “if”, of course, but one can say for sure that the power of the Russian state would have been simply enormous, simply enormous. I will not formulate my final opinion about it now.

That is why, if we want to have a truly great future, we need to overcome all these divisions of the past and move forward together.





On the credibility of official information on the coronavirus

Vladimir Putin:

There is objective information, and you must not believe planted information or fakes. Some do this without noticing, while others do it on purpose in order to breed mistrust towards the federal, regional and municipal authorities’ actions and to raise panic.

There is a catch: government agencies cannot know everything because sometimes people do not turn to them. They do not know they are ill, and the latency period when there are no symptoms is long. However, everything the Healthcare Ministry says in Moscow and other cities is objective information that government agencies have. This will continue: updates will be timely and as full and trustworthy as possible.

Although the picture in Russia is much better than in other countries, thank God – as you know, there is an epidemic in several European countries with thousands of infected people and hundreds of deaths, mostly senior people or people who have other chronic or serious diseases that suppress the immune system – but here in Russia the Healthcare Ministry and corresponding local institutions have the situation under control. That much is obvious today.

Yesterday I said and I would like to repeat that I demand that the Government and regional authorities prepare measures to prevent an epidemic and introduce them when necessary. Regions can see better if it is necessary to introduce online teaching at schools and other educational institutions.

We have agreed to establish a State Council working group headed by Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin. This group will closely monitor relevant local bodies via the regions’ heads in addition to the monitoring done by the Healthcare Ministry, and will work in parallel via the regions’ heads and take action depending on the results.

I repeat, thank God, everything is mostly under control here. I hope that this situation will continue. We will expand these efforts because there are very many contacts. As you probably know from media coverage, although the situation in Asia is now stabilising, although China has done a very good and efficient job, the situation is not so good in some other Asian countries. The situation in Europe is very bad, and many Russian citizens travel everywhere. It is hard to say anything here. Some people made plans, paid for their travel and tickets in advance. Some people planned to go on holiday now or not at all. Some simply underestimated the situation and did not know that certain countries would close their borders. Indeed, these people are facing a difficult situation. Naturally, we will do our best to help them, we will evacuate them, help them leave these countries and come back. We will work with them.

Yesterday I said that we must join hands and help each other, no matter what, and I want to repeat this once again. We must display maximum discipline. We cannot risk our health and life, as well as the health and life of other people. Therefore, this well-known Russian carefree approach is absolutely unacceptable here. We need to brush it aside and display maximum responsibility and discipline, and government agencies must show that they are competent.

I am counting on our appropriate research agencies that employ highly skilled specialists. Suffice it to recall the Ebola virus case, when our vaccine proved the most effective worldwide. Indeed, it made a real contribution to fighting the Ebola fever in Africa. All specialists, including those from the World Health Organisation, confirm this.

Therefore, we have every reason to hope that our colleagues will work in a highly efficient manner, and the sooner, the better. This also concerns medications for preventing the disease and treating it when it has already flared up. I will not identify the timeframe, but I have been informed about it. I hope that everything will be accomplished according to these deadlines.

It would be better to disregard malicious information and to follow official reports. They have just told me that another fake story was planted yesterday; to be honest, I did not even notice it. We need to follow authentic official reports.





On development problems of the State Historical and Archaeological Museum-Preserve Tauric Chersonese.

Vladimir Putin:

I have already expressed my views on this. Chersonese is the birthplace of both our faith and the Russian people. Not only the Russian people but also Ukrainian and Belarusian peoples too. This is exactly why this place is sacred for us to a certain extent. After Vladimir was christened here, he then christened his troops, and the Conversion of Rus’ got underway. As our outstanding historians write, it was based on a combination of factors: the power of the prince, a single market, and a common language joined by the same faith. This united isolated Slavic group resided closely together on that territory and so this is how the Russian people came into being. Before the 13th century, Ukrainians – the people who consider themselves Ukrainian and are Ukrainian, those who lived in both theMoscow Tsardom and the Polish–Lithuanian–Ruthenian Commonwealth or Poland, all faithful Orthodox people, were called Russian. There was no difference in the language even at that time. Only beginning in the late 13th century, and then the 14th and 15th centuries, there appeared linguistic differences as a result of Polonisation. This is a historical digression.

But the source of our spirituality, our spiritual unity is, of course, the place that is now called Chersonese. Therefore, it is necessary to pay special attention to it. I will definitely speak with the Ministry of Culture and the Finance Ministry. Do not even have any doubts about this: we will not give up on this, we will work on it.

Question: “How much funding is required?” “A lot.” Reply: “This is not enough.” It is necessary to count everything properly because after all, this is public money, and any spare funds need to be taken good care of. But have no doubt, we will work on it. We will definitely do this.



Director of the State Museum-Preserve Tauric Chersonese Yelena Morozova:

Thank you so much.



Vladimir Putin:

This applies to both the khora [agricultural area around ancient Chersonese, which occupied 380 hectares], and, of course, bank stabilisation.

How much has the sea eroded so far?



Yelena Morozova:

About 150–200 metres in different places. Part of Chersonese is underwater.



Vladimir Putin:

During what period? A thousand years?



Yelena Morozova:

Of course, this took place over a fairly long period of time. But in January the sea washed away the coast within literally just a metre and a half of the nearest monument. So we need to speed up our efforts.



Vladimir Putin:

All right then. We will definitely deal with this.





<…>


Chairman of the Crimean Belarus National and Cultural Autonomy Roman Chegrinets:

Crimean Belarusians are the fourth largest ethnic group in Crimea. The largest ethnic group is Russians, of course, the second largest is Ukrainians, the third largest is Crimean Tatars, and we, Belarusians, are the fourth largest ethnic group.

In 2014, tens of thousands of Crimean Belarusians took part in the referendum and in all the related events. They joined volunteer units and sat on commissions. They were euphoric about Crimea’s return from Ukrainian occupation back home, to Russia. We would like to pass this euphoria on to the land of our ancestors.

Years went by. We saw our colleagues from other ethnic communities invite their friends and colleagues. Bundestag deputies, members of the French and Italian parliaments and many other people visited Crimea. Regrettably, the official representatives from the closest fraternal country that we love dearly, Belarus, a country that is our partner in the Union State, never visited us. Of course, one could see them in Crimea, but the only place they visited was Crimean beaches, where they lay in the sun in their shorts.



Vladimir Putin:

That is not bad at all. Let them come to spend their holidays here.



Roman Chegrinets:

Yes, possibly. But we would very much like to see them as members of official delegations.

The second part concerns something that is discussed by the whole country – amendments to the Constitution. One of the most important amendments for me as a Crimean, and possibly for many others, if not for all Crimean people, is an absolute ban on the alienation of our territories. We are giving a standing ovation to this amendment. It is an absolutely correct and long overdue formula.

There is one thing that comes to mind. In September 2019, I represented my country and my republic at the OSCE meeting that discussed the problems of national minorities. I spoke there about what is really happening in Crimea, that the time of Ukrainian occupation was over, that Crimea was suppressed during the Ukrainian period of its history, when its resources were drained away. Everything has changed now, I said, and this is when the Ukrainian delegation got up and left the room.

More time passed, and I can see now that our Western colleagues, who are not our friends at all, say that this ban on the alienation of territories will close the border, provoke a spy mania and other totally absurd things. How should we respond to this, and should we respond at all?





Vladimir Putin:

Nothing will close; there has not been nor will there be any spying. Unfortunately, we are seeing this, spy mania, in certain partner countries, which start expelling entire teams of our diplomats, rather than singly, without explanation. As a rule, our responses are proportional. But this holds no promise for or contribution to the development of international relations. Hopefully, this will not assume a mass scale.

As for opening or closing, Russia is an open country. A lot of foreigners have jobs here and, incidentally, this is the case everywhere – in big companies and offices of every kind. We maintain very close and reliable cultural contacts as well as very broad scientific and educational ties. After all, the amendment – we mentioned it – which is being introduced to the Constitution, refers only to top officials. And, I think, this is clear to every citizen: if someone aspires to be President of the Russian Federation, Prime Minister, or minister, then, let me reiterate, all his or her aspirations and strivings should be linked with the Russian people and other peoples of the Russian Federation and with our state. He or she can have no interests elsewhere.

Today’s world, including Russian law, allows an individual to own real estate abroad, to have bank accounts abroad in foreign banks – for goodness’ sake, all is good and well. But if a person aspires to be a country ruler or influence the Russian state’s policies, on which the fates of millions of Russians depend, then, of course, this is his or her personal choice: either you have bank accounts and real estate abroad, or you serve the state. Those who want to serve the state must make a conscious choice. This has nothing to do with spying or closing the country – no relation whatsoever. It is just a bluff. Further, this is nothing more than an attempt to influence the domestic political processes in the Russian Federation itself, something we have never accepted and will never accept.

As for the first part, please do not put the President of Belarus in a difficult position. He wants to have neighbourly relations with Ukraine; I think, this is the point, rather than the economic expediency or the lack of it for shippers. Belarus has this right, it is a sovereign and independent state, despite the fact that we are building a Union State, which is not a single state; it includes two different entities of international law.

Belarus is an independent, sovereign state and has the right to conduct the sort of foreign policy that it deems expedient and useful for itself. For this reason, please do not put him in a difficult position. Although I understand that for you as an ethnic Belarusian it is important to maintain close contact and have the technical ability to preserve ties with your historical homeland, to have the opportunity, in terms of infrastructure, to travel at your convenience, and so on. But, I think, the time will come when these problems will be solved as well. We, for our part, are doing our best for the people residing in Crimea to feel no restrictions and feel free to travel in Russia and further afield. I think all these things will also eventually settle into their proper places.





Member of the regional headquarters of the National People’s Front Maxim Mishin:

The city of Sevastopol is so steeped in history, that is, the history of different generations, that no matter where you dig you will see this history. Today, while working on Bolshaya Morskaya Street we made an amazing discovery: we found soldiers, one of whom had the Order of the Red Banner. We have already identified him; he was the commander of a T-34 tank. We rediscovered the 7th bastion in the Chersonese Cape area, to your right, and it is very well preserved.

There are still many fortifications in Sevastopol today that are linked in one way or another with the heroic defence of Sevastopol and many other things. Regrettably, yesterday we lost the last liberator of Sapun-Gora, Ivan Patuk, a legendary figure in Sevastopol, an intelligence professional. We were sorry to hear this.

We have some interesting examples of restoring these facilities, for instance, the 35th coastal battery where a private investor is in charge, the Konstantinov batteries where support is provided by the Russian Geographical Society, a tunnel in Balaklava that was restored with support from the Defence Ministry, and the restored Green Belt of Glory in St Petersburg. We are eager to take an inventory of these facilities because we know that not all of them have been taken into account or have open access. Vandalism is putting them at risk. Those that are within city limits are affected by high-density development. We are interested in preserving these landmarks and in giving future generations an opportunity to connect with our history.

Unfortunately, veterans are leaving us, but these unique landmarks remain. It would be great if the Government of the Russian Federation would do everything it could to let future generations connect with this history.



Vladimir Putin:

At this point, I will not talk about the funding that is allocated for these purposes. These are absolutely noble, valid purposes. We must retain for centuries everything that was done by previous generations because they did what they had to and they are gone. We and our children and grandchildren need to preserve this memory. This is why this is extremely important. I would like to thank you for this as well.

As for specific sites, please talk to the governor about them. Let him determine if he needs help from the federal centre and we will try to provide it, all the more so since we are motivated by this, unlike some neighbouring countries. We treat our history with respect and will continue to do so.

One speaker here described what happened with Crimea and Sevastopol in the past. This is clear from financial documents. Crimea was a donor as part of Ukraine although it was in need itself. I know this very well because previous leaders told me straight out, yes, we understood that Crimea required assistance and support but the situation in other parts of the country was even worse; this is why money was taken from Crimea and redistributed. As a result of this redistribution, the entire infrastructure from the mid-1980s was left as it was, in a dilapidated state. This is only a fact.

As for this aspect, the preservation of our historical memory, Crimea is undoubtedly a unique place. Everything, including the interest of the Russian state was focused on it for centuries. This is why Crimea was defended in a special way. This must certainly be supported, and we will do this.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63021






Meeting with Republic of Crimea Head Sergei Aksyonov



Vladimir Putin met with Head of the Republic of Crimea Sergei Aksyonov to discuss measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus infection and the socioeconomic situation in Crimea.



March 19, 2020 - 11:00 - Republic of Crimea







Head of the Republic of Crimea Sergei Aksyonov:

Mr President,

Thanks to your support, the situation is progressing dynamically. I am referring to socioeconomic development. The instructions issued at the January meeting [on the socioeconomic development in Crimea and Sevastopol] have been coordinated and adjusted with the Government and are being implemented.

On April 6, the State Duma will complete the discussion of the draft laws that will enable the regional authorities to sign agreements with only one contractor, which should accelerate our work. Thanks to your instructions, the road-builders should be able to start working already in early April.

At the same time, our main task now is to prevent the spread of the coronavirus infection. As per our decision, the state of high alert was declared as of midnight on March 17.

As per your instructions, we have closed the border with Ukraine at midnight on March 18. The number of passengers has decreased tenfold. Of course, we allow all Russian citizens and people with residence permits to enter the country, provided there are no other problems. Foreigners are not allowed to cross the border.

We have organised interaction with the FSB, the Interior Ministry and Rospotrebnadzor. Absolutely all incoming people are inspected. Biological samples are collected from all those who are returning from affected countries.

Absolutely all new arrivals are being monitored. As of now, we are monitoring 182 potentially infected people in Crimea and 10 people have been admitted to hospital. Thankfully, none of them has tested positive so far.

We are working under a comprehensive plan, under which all collected samples are tested at our plague monitoring laboratory. All our medical facilities have the necessary equipment.

Of course, there is a shortage of face masks in the republic, but our medical facilities and the services that are working directly with the people have the masks and protective gear. We have some 900,000 masks and 800,000 more in reserve. We have bought some 11,000 items of disposable protective gear for medical staff.

We have purchased all the necessary medicines. The Government will help us to buy 15 AVL systems this week.

At present, 27 medical facilities have 71 isolation wards with 355 beds ready to receive patients. Our infectious disease hospitals can reserve another 690 beds, and 2,300 beds are available at temporary hospitals. We are receiving all the assistance we need from the Government in this regard.

Speaking about the system of education, remote, online teaching has been introduced at our higher education institutions, Crimean Federal University and Crimean Engineering and Pedagogical University.

School students are going to study for just two more days. The decision was made and approved by the Education Ministry to organise holidays until April 12. Online teaching methods are being coordinated with the Education Ministry.

We would like to thank Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin here: Moscow has been helping us with the methodology, which means the Republic of Crimea is now ready to prevent infection outbreaks.

Of course, Crimea has the biggest number of reservations for the holiday season. On the one hand, it is good for us, but on the other, this means additional security measures and an enormous tourist flow. We can see that over 100,000 tourists have come to Sochi.

The Crimean health resorts are now 50 percent full, but we expect that, considering this situation, people might come here, so we are introducing security measures and holding consultations with hotel managers: special training sessions will be held this week.

We are also developing a complex of measures with the Government to prevent infected people from coming to Crimea and to identify them quickly.





Vladimir Putin:

What is the socioeconomic situation like?





Sergei Aksyonov:

The situation is developing.

In fact, in line with your instructions both the Russian Government and the Moscow Government have reserved funds for this year, which means that the quality indicator of the urban environment will change, and we are confident that it will be for the better.

This year we will renovate 106 public areas and 76 communal areas: large areas around big residential buildings.

In line with your instructions, 17 billion rubles in total will be allocated for road construction, as well as two subcontractors. This is apart from the national projects with more than three billion rubles additionally, which will allow us to repair over 50 percent of all the roads by 2022. We are focused on working in municipalities.

Of course, today we have problems with people’s incomes, like everywhere across Russia, and the situation is quite serious. We have indicators from the national projects. Today about 17 percent of the population are living below the poverty line, and we must reduce this figure to 8 percent by 2024, although of course, we cannot stop there and must help every person without exception.

As of today, a commission has been established for monitoring food prices. All the supermarkets and shops have reserves of food and medicines for more than two weeks. Food and medicine prices are monitored every day.

Every day we have meetings with the situation centre, because this is an element of the socioeconomic situation. We are also conducting awareness-raising campaigns.

Every day we broadcast the centre’s meetings on television and radio, because we understand that it is important to keep the public informed, first of all so that people are not alarmed and to avoid panic buying at food shops and pharmacies. These sentiments are mostly whipped up artificially.

Mr President, there are still problems, but thank you for these six years: of course, a great deal has been achieved. We understand that there have been mistakes and flaws. Still, the main thing is that the people living in Crimea have confidence in the future thanks to the support we receive from you and all of Russia.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63032






Meeting with Acting Governor of Sevastopol Mikhail Razvozhayev



Vladimir Putin held a working meeting with Acting Governor of Sevastopol Mikhail Razvozhayev. The discussion focused on the city’s socioeconomic development, measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus infection and the adoption of a law on granting the status of Great Patriotic War veteran to citizens who currently have the status of Besieged Sevastopol Resident.



March 19, 2020 - 11:30 - Republic of Crimea







President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

Good afternoon, Mr Razvozhayev. I am ready to hear you out.



Acting Governor of Sevastopol Mikhail Razvozhayev:

I would like to make a brief report on the main issue that everyone is discussing, the coronavirus. As you may know, we do not have a single confirmed coronavirus diagnosis in Sevastopol, nor does my colleague, Mr Aksyonov, have it in Crimea.

Nevertheless, we have simultaneously issued executive orders introducing a high alert and cancelling all mass events, because there are confirmed cases in neighbouring regions, in Krasnodar Territory. Especially since there is motor and rail traffic over the Crimean Bridge. Therefore, we have decided to be on the safe side.

We planned to hold a major concert. Of course, all Sevastopol residents knew and felt…



Vladimir Putin:

We will hold it later.





Mikhail Razvozhayev:

Of course, we will. But, as you said, life and health are more important. That is our priority now.

There are 77 people isolated at home and eight at the local hospital for infectious diseases. All tests have been performed on those at the hospital. There is not a single confirmed case, but we are conducting the tests just in case.



Vladimir Putin:

We must be ready for everything; you are doing the right thing.



Mikhail Razvozhayev:

That is all as regards this topic.

Now let me go over to the Federal Targeted Programme. We have studied it thoroughly and there is full understanding concerning every facility. We are also in contact with the Government and will determine the order of priorities shortly. I would like to report to you on this issue separately.

We will have to take a number of decisions concerning additional sources or on postponing the work on some facilities until a later period. It is clear that we will not have enough money to do everything simultaneously.

Mr President, there is, of course, a subject that I would like to address and I simply cannot but mention it: the upcoming celebration of the 75th anniversary of Victory. There is a category of people in Sevastopol who are described in the regional law as residents of besieged Sevastopol. There are 1,217 of them left.

They are the people who were in the city during the heroic defence of Sevastopol from October 30, 1941, to July 4, 1942; that is to say, they remained in the besieged city of Sevastopol. They worked in abandoned mines and basements, tended the wounded, and so on.

Today, these people lack war veteran status and are eligible only to regional support measures. The financial issue is absolutely negligible and, of course, it is not so much the financial measures that these people are concerned with. There is a need for about 100 million rubles for a lump payment to compensate for everything under the Federal Law on Veterans and about 50 million rubles for regular payments. We cover most of these benefits through regional measures.

It is highly important for these people to understand that they, the residents of besieged Sevastopol, will be considered Great Patriotic War veterans. I meet with them practically every day and they asked me to address you with a request to support this law.

The first legislative assembly introduced it to the State Duma on two occasions, but the Government turned it down. They say that something similar may arise in other territories.

But in this country, only Leningrad and Sevastopol faced this situation. Of course, Leningrad was besieged for a longer period and we understand its feat of valour, but Sevastopol endured this for seven months and put up heroic resistance.

In 2014, these people numbered 1800; today, there are 1,217 of them. Please support this draft law and grant this status to the people ahead of the 75th anniversary of Victory.





Vladimir Putin:

All right.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63033
__________________
Where should they dig the Very Deep Pit?
Piglet said that the best place would be somewhere where a Heffalump was, just before he fell into it, only about a foot farther on.
(c) Alan Alexander Miln
 
Old May 16th, 2020 #71
Alex Him
Senior Member
 
Alex Him's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,834
Blog Entries: 219
Post

On public sentiment and post-2024 plans (TASS interview)



The 17th part of Vladimir Putin's interview to TASS News Agency has been published.

The 20 Questions with Vladimir Putin project is an interview with the President of Russia on the most topical subjects of social and political life in Russia and the world. Total recording time is 3.5 hours.



March 19, 2020 - 15:00







Andrei Vandenko:

And now about what awaits us in 2024. Are you going to be with us forever?



Vladimir Putin:

If you want me to. Do you?



Andrei Vandenko:

Me personally?



Vladimir Putin:

The question is, in what capacity?



Andrei Vandenko:

Well, this is what I am talking about. And in what capacity do you see yourself?



Vladimir Putin:

I do not know, we will see.



Andrei Vandenko:

Well, let us think about it.



Vladimir Putin:

I still have a lot of time.



Andrei Vandenko:

I cannot get a clear perspective from here. I think you can see more clearly from up there, from your high position. What do you see? What horizons open up?



Vladimir Putin:

No, not at all. Do you know where you can see it? You can see it in public sentiment, in the desires of the people.



Andrei Vandenko:

But the so-called elites are nervous, Mr Putin, due to this transfer. Some certainty is needed.



Vladimir Putin:

I see. I understand it. The elites, yes, they might be nervous.



Andrei Vandenko:

Do you like it?



Vladimir Putin:

No, I do not. It is a drawback. Such an imbalance is a real drawback. I realize this. However, the people are the primary source of power. And I am not trying to show off. It is very important for me too. It is very important for me to feel, to understand what people want. It is a matter of principle.



Andrei Vandenko:

So, if the people ask you to stay…



Vladimir Putin:

Well, I will need to think about it. Another question is in what capacity.



Andrei Vandenko:

Well, and in what capacity?



Vladimir Putin:

Right now, I have no answer.



Andrei Vandenko:

You are just not ready to talk about it.



Vladimir Putin:

No, I am not. I still have four more years, and right now, I have no answer. But the most important thing is, let me repeat once again, and completely in honest, without trying to show off, the main issue, the matter of principle is the attitude of the vast majority of citizens. It is a matter of trust, of course.



Andrei Vandenko:

You have already answered this question. Surely you did not think that it would all last this long?



Vladimir Putin:

No. It never crossed my mind. I did not think that I would find myself here. It did not, and it could not occur to me.



Andrei Vandenko:

And what about dropping out of the race at some stage?



Vladimir Putin:

Well, you know, I feel responsible for what is going on and how, and for what will happen in the future. It…



Andrei Vandenko:

Did you know in 2008 that you would be back in 2012?



Vladimir Putin:

No, I did not. Well, there was such an option, but, of course, I did not know for sure. But as an option – there was such a possibility.



Andrei Vandenko:

As Maxim Galkin jokes: Putin is not a name, it is a post.



Vladimir Putin:

As a person holding no office, he can joke as he likes. And his jokes are quite in demand.



Andrei Vandenko:

How do you react to the fact that they call you a Tsar?



Vladimir Putin:

It is not true to fact. Maybe someone else can be called a Tsar. However, in my case, I do not reign, I work every day. A Tsar is one who just sits there, looks from above and says, ”They will do as I order“, while he himself would just try on a hat and look at himself in the mirror. On the contrary, I work every day.



Andrei Vandenko:

What about your sources of information?



Vladimir Putin:

People like me, irrespective of the country they live in, have more or less the same sources of information, and they are quite numerous. They include sociological studies, security services’ reports and the media, of course. A very important source is direct – this is very important – direct communication with the people.



Andrei Vandenko:

Remember, Muller used to say, ”Nobody can be trusted, but me.“ Whom do you trust?



Vladimir Putin:

Me?



Andrei Vandenko:

Yes.



Vladimir Putin:

You know, frankly speaking…



Andrei Vandenko:

Frankly would be best.



Vladimir Putin:

Most of all I trust the sentiments of average people. When I communicate with people, when there is direct contact, even briefly, I think I feel the mood of the people. And that feeling has not become less keen, over the years, it is still with me, and that is very important for me indeed. I believe that our people are very sincere. Very sincere, sensitive and frank.



Andrei Vandenko:

You know, when a person meets a leader…



Vladimir Putin:

Yes.



Andrei Vandenko:

Especially the President…



Vladimir Putin:

Yes.



Andrei Vandenko:

Would one blurt out all personal problems to him? You have asked me how am I at the beginning. Well, it depends. And the same goes for the ordinary people, it depends. You see?



Vladimir Putin:

Not everybody. Some blurt out their problems, some discuss things. Some talk about their misfortunes. But a problem of a certain person can be very indicative of the problems faced by millions.



Andrei Vandenko:

Excuse me, but people mind what they say. Here I am, sitting and talking to you, but trying, for many reasons, to watch my mouth, as I do not want to let down my colleagues or to go to sunny Magadan after this interview.



Vladimir Putin:

There is a big difference between you and an average citizen of the Russian Federation.



Andrei Vandenko:

What kind of difference?



Vladimir Putin:

It relates to you, what Vladimir Lenin once said…



Andrei Vandenko:

I am going to learn something interesting about myself…



Vladimir Putin:

He said about a group of revolutionaries that they were few and terribly far from the people.



Andrei Vandenko:

Oh well…



Vladimir Putin:

This is about people like you. No offence meant. An ordinary person does not worry about any obligations that he might have to somebody. Ordinary people say what they think, and they think what they say. And they do not bother with how their superiors might react. They just speak their mind. And what they say might be of critical importance as they speak from their heart, speak about what they like and what they do not. I highly value that, it is truly very important to me.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63034






Meeting with permanent members of the Security Council



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



March 20, 2020 - 14:40 - The Kremlin, Moscow







The participants exchanged opinions on the current socioeconomic situation in the country, including economic stabilisation measures in conditions of high volatility and crisis manifestations on international markets.








They also discussed the work of coordination agencies for coronavirus response, including efforts to develop a vaccine.








The President informed the meeting participants about his international telephone conversations this week.





Attending the meeting were Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev, Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Anton Vaino, Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev, Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, Federal Security Service Director Alexander Bortnikov, Foreign Intelligence Service Director Sergei Naryshkin and Special Presidential Representative for Environmental Protection, Ecology and Transport Sergei Ivanov.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63041






Telephone conversation with President of Syria Bashar Assad



Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the Syrian Arab Republic Bashar al-Assad.



March 20, 2020 - 16:15



The two presidents discussed the developments in Syria, including in the context of implementing the Russian-Turkish agreements of March 5, 2020, on stabilising the situation in the Idlib zone.

They also considered advances made in the context of the political process within the framework of the Syrian Constitutional Committee, as well as issues related to rendering humanitarian assistance to Syria.

Vladimir Putin congratulated Bashar al-Assad on the upcoming Muslim holiday, Isra and Miraj.

It was agreed to continue contacts at different levels.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63043






Telephone conversation with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte



Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with Prime Minister of Italy Giuseppe Conte at the initiative of the Russian side.



March 21, 2020 - 20:10



The coronavirus pandemic and the steps taken in both countries to counter the spread of the infection were discussed in detail. Vladimir Putin expressed support to the leadership and people of Italy in view of the extremely severe epidemiological situation in the Italian Republic.

The two leaders agreed on close interaction in fighting the coronavirus. In response to the request from the Italian side, the President of Russia confirmed readiness to render the necessary assistance and set out its specific parameters. Thus, there are plans to deliver protective equipment, KAMAZ truck-mounted units for disinfectant spraying of vehicles and territories, medical and other equipment, as well as to send teams of Russian specialists to render practical assistance in the worst-hit areas of the country. The deliveries will be carried out by the Defence Ministry using the Russian Federation Aerospace Forces aircraft.

Giuseppe Conte expressed sincere gratitude for the steps taken by Russia to support Italy during this difficult time.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63048






Meeting with Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov



Vladimir Putin had a working meeting with Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov. They discussed the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the current national economic situation and focused on the supply of individual protective items.



March 23, 2020 - 13:45 - The Kremlin, Moscow







President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

Good afternoon, Mr Manturov.

Let us discuss two major matters.

First, how are the industry and trade faring during the fight against the coronavirus and with all the factors affecting the economy of many countries, including ours – Russia is no exception here.

In this connection, how is the industry working to meet the demand for protective items, such as things like disinfectant, as well as breathing equipment, that is, everything needed to ensure the smooth running of healthcare facilities and support for the people?



Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov:

Mr President, our industry simultaneously faces two challenges, including the matter of the coronavirus and substantial oil price reductions that have caused the ruble to plunge… This exerts a certain positive effect on some industries.





Vladimir Putin:

For the export-oriented sectors.



Denis Manturov:

Yes, on the one hand, this favourably influences export-oriented sectors. On the other hand, current prices on foreign markets, unfortunately, do not facilitate expanded sales of exchange goods. First of all, we are talking about metallurgy, chemistry, the pulp-and-paper industry and mineral fertilisers.

The overall situation is satisfactory: currency earnings and ruble expenses are balanced. The processing industries using foreign components have to quickly find other suppliers due to the changes in the logistics with some countries postponing supplies and some suspending them.

The industrial enterprises that have been actively implementing the import substitution plan for the last five years in line with your instructions, have already implemented 460 of the 970 projects in 23 industries; they are already manufacturing goods.

Mostly their products have higher quality and indicators than their foreign analogues. There are a lot of examples, including agricultural machine building: the share of Russian producers is more than 50 percent of the market; the same goes for helicopter building, chemistry and the wood processing complex.

There are industries where this share is less than 50 percent, where we still have to work on import substitution: another 240 projects will launch serial production in the next two years. On the one hand, this makes it possible to export some of the products.

The International Cooperation and Exports national project is being implemented. It has enough support tools to ensure its regularity. And, of course, we hope that the national projects will also provide for the domestic demand.

In line with your instructions, we have made an inventory of all the national projects in general and determined the volume of industrial products that all the agencies are expected to purchase until 2024: six trillion.

We expect that about a half, three trillion’s worth, will be purchased from Russian manufacturers, which, of course, will encourage the enterprises to a certain degree and ensure that they are stably loaded, especially during this period of uncertainty.

As for the work on the task to combat the coronavirus, we have 18 companies that have primarily focused on making facemasks from synthetic non-woven material, and used to roll out on average about 600,000 masks per day.

That was generally enough for the healthcare system, for pharmacy chains, and even for export. But a month ago, we got all these plants to operate round-the-clock and their capacities increased to 1.6 million masks per day, and on March 2, we imposed a ban on exports.

Starting last week, they additionally launched the production of masks from Russian gauze. Gauze production is also expanding to 30 million linear metres per month, and we expect to reach three million masks in early April.

We additionally engaged a large number of light industry enterprises, which today are also operating in an emergency mode, around the clock. We expect a total of five million masks per day to be rolled out in the first half of April.

We primarily expect to supply the healthcare system, the pharmacy chains, and a number of services — the Federal Customs Service, border guards, the Ministry of the Interior — also need them to carry out their official work.

As for other goods – medical equipment, lung ventilators, thermal imagers, non-contact thermometers, and UHF irradiators for disinfecting rooms – we are now also maximising production in order to satisfy all the needs that the regions have today.

We have formed a crisis centre at the Ministry. We received an appropriate order from the Prime Minister and all the necessary powers to be able to consolidate all the designated resources and then, in accordance with the epidemiological situation in the regions, to send them to the regions as required.

The same concerns disinfectants. We are already manufacturing three million hand sanitisers and 350 million litres of disinfectant for disinfecting rooms and buildings.

Today, we can boost production of hand sanitisers three-fold; this task has been set, and we will accomplish it by early April.





Vladimir Putin:

On the whole, the national industry is working at a good pace, but you have now named the most important elements of the work when it is important to exert maximum efforts for containing the possible spread of this infection.

Therefore, I strongly hope that you, your colleagues and industry representatives who realise this will do everything possible to provide all the necessary materials, devices and medical equipment to the people and to our special services and units that work directly with high-risk categories. I am talking about medical personnel, Emergencies Ministry employees, border, customs services, and so on, so that they would have everything necessary for organising their work.

I would like to ask you to report to me on a regular basis about expanded production volumes.



Denis Manturov:

Certainly.

The Government has taken all the essential action for facilitating this work. The Industrial Development Fund has launched a special programme. The Government has allocated ten billion rubles’ worth of soft loans with one-percent annual interest for boosting circulating assets that will help expand production.

As you are aware, the Industrial Development Fund has always financed investment projects. A separate programme has been opened, and the Government has drafted other support measures and incentives today.





Vladimir Putin:

Good.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63050






Meeting on measures to fight coronavirus spread in Russia



The President held a meeting on measures to fight the spread of the coronavirus in Russia.



March 24, 2020 - 14:15 - Novo-Ogaryovo, Moscow Region



The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, Healthcare Minister Mikhail Murashko and Head of the Federal Service for the Oversight of Consumer Protection and Welfare (Rospotrebnadzor) Anna Popova.







President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

The reason for our meeting is obvious. Ms Golikova and I have discussed this matter, and now we will talk about it some more.

Moscow has been affected the most.



Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin:

We already have some 500 coronavirus cases. Some of them have not been confirmed yet, we are working on it.



Rospotrebnadzor Head Anna Popova:

We have officially confirmed 290 cases and are waiting for test results for another 150 people.



Vladimir Putin:

Are all of them in Moscow?



Anna Popova:

Yes.



Sergei Sobyanin:

We believe that, realistically, between 80 and 90 percent of them will test positive. But the difference between 400 and 500 cases is not that big. The dynamic is high, the situation is becoming serious, especially since many people who have returned from abroad are staying at home and have not been tested. Those who have the opportunity to do so have moved to their dachas or are staying at home. They are feeling well, fortunately, so they should stay there. But many more people have fallen ill.

Aware of this dynamic, we have started taking additional measures, increasing hospital capacities and testing. We have opened nine polymerase chain reaction (PCR) labs. They tested 3,000 people yesterday and will do another 13,000 tests by the end of the week. Ms Popova is helping us with her labs as well. We are testing all the samples we receive, using also Chinese and Korean test kits. We have opened a special department at the Kommunarka hospital to check these tests to sort them out, because we are not sure of their quality even though these are certified tests. We will inspect them and choose the most effective ones. After that we will discuss the matter with Ms Popova to decide which tests should be manufactured for the purpose of health screening, possibly even informally.

We have recently introduced quarantine measures for people aged 65 or over. Thank you for supporting this initiative. We used to think that the high-risk group consisted of people arriving from abroad. Now a million people have arrived in Russia over the past 10 days, and we have to place them under quarantine so that they stay at home. This is one story. At the same time, elderly people over the age of 65 are in what we now believe to be the actual high-risk group.





Vladimir Putin:

Yes, you and I had a conversation on this subject.



Sergei Sobyanin:

We imposed a quarantine, which comes into effect on Thursday, and all these people will have to stay at home, even those who work. They will be placed on sick leave.

I believe that we could recommend regions experiencing similar trends to adopt measures of this kind. Moscow Region Governor Andrei Vorobyov and I introduced identical measures. The same should be done in St Petersburg and in all the million-plus cities, so that they all act along the same lines. These people are now our greatest challenge. They will require intensive care units, and this group will suffer the most severe cases. We need to flatten the curve as much as possible so that they arrive in our hospitals gradually rather than all at once. Otherwise, the system will be overwhelmed. This is what our efforts are all about.

We have drafted instructions for the regions and calculated the number of hospital beds needed by each of them, and in what wards, and worked out standards for hospital beds and hospitals in general, how many intensive care units will be required, how many ventilators and oxygen beds, and of what kind. This is a straightforward and clear standard. The instructions will be signed today and forwarded to the regions. I would like to ask you to instruct Anton Vaino to get in touch with plenipotentiary envoys to the federal districts so that we all work together on this issue and introduce strict control, since there is a lack of awareness in some regions. For example, a governor may think that if there is only person who falls sick…

In fact, testing levels are too low, and no one actually knows…



Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova:

We have tested 163,000 people.



Sergei Sobyanin:

…the real situation around the world.

This is how the plan looks, in all objectivity. This is not a question of good or bad. This is the objective reality everywhere. We have to understand that if 6,000 people arrive in Primorye Territory from virus-affected areas, this is a big problem, and sooner or later it will materialise.

For this reason, all regions without exception, whether they have infected people or not, have to be prepared. We will issue instructions to this effect shortly, and will oversee their implementation on the ground.



Vladimir Putin:

We will discuss these measures at a meeting with the Government in a couple of hours.

Most of the infected people are in Kommunarka, right?





Sergei Sobyanin:

Yes, the hospital in Kommunarka has the biggest experience. It has 500 beds. Some of the patients are not ill but are suspected cases or people who were in close contact with those infected, and there are also confirmed cases, including severe ones.

Overall, we have eight moderately severe cases, including two very severe ones: one in Kommunarka and one in another place, the 52nd Hospital, I believe. They are already hooked up to ventilators.



Vladimir Putin:

So Kommunarka specialises on cases of this kind.



Tatyana Golikova:

It was repurposed.



Vladimir Putin:

So this was a matter of repurposing.



Sergei Sobyanin:

Yes. Here is what we did. We repurposed the Kommunarka hospital to treat these cases. Yesterday I opened another clinic that was designed to serve as a state-of-the art turnkey-ready perinatal centre, but it was repurposed along with seven other hospital buildings. We are about to close a big hospital with 1,300 beds in order to repurpose it this way. Within three to four weeks we intend to expand our capacity to 5,000 beds dedicated to treating coronavirus patients. We would like to ask our colleagues to give us another 5,000 beds at federal institutions.

We need to take the same measures in all other regions. This requires extensive and major efforts. Ahead of the meeting, I visited the construction site of a new hospital. It took us two weeks to complete 40 percent of the project. Two weeks ago, I went there, pointed my finger at an empty plot and showed were the hospital was to be erected. Today, 5,000 people are working there, and we will probably open the hospital in three weeks. This will be a huge hospital. We visited the Morozov Hospital earlier today, but this one will be even bigger. It will be spread out horizontally: a one-storey building with staff living quarters, etc. It will be an enclosed space. Half of the beds in this hospital, 260 out of 500, will be in intensive-care units, which is something we have never seen before here.

I propose that we visit Kommunarka, where there are only 60 beds in intensive-care units, while the new hospital will have 260. This means that there will be a lot of equipment. Building barracks does not make any sense at this point in time. We need facilities for treating severe cases.





Vladimir Putin:

Good. Let us go there and see how it all works in Kommunarka.



Sergei Sobyanin:

Please do. And when this new hospital is ready, we can take a helicopter to visit it.



Vladimir Putin:

Fine, but now we will take a look at the Kommunarka hospital.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63053






Visit to Kommunarka hospital



Vladimir Putin toured a hospital for coronavirus patients located in the town of Kommunarka outside Moscow.



March 24, 2020 - 16:10 - Kommunarka







Earlier today, the President held a meeting on measures to fight the spread of the coronavirus with the participation of Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, Healthcare Minister Mikhail Murashko and Head of Rospotrebnadzor Anna Popova.







Conversation with Head Physician of City Clinical Hospital No. 40 Denis Protsenko


<…>


Denis Protsenko:

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a technology that has returned to our ICUs from the operating rooms after the swine flu outbreak. The city has sufficient ECMO capacity, and an ECMO centre has been set up at one of our hospitals.

Today, our department gathered for a roundtable discussion with our Chinese colleagues. They said that this time, unlike during the swine flu, the ECMO was not used that much at their hospital, with only 11 ECMO cases in a total of 6,000 patients.





Tatyana Golikova:

Those were probably advanced cases.





Denis Protsenko:

That is right. That gives us hope that we will not have to deal with that, either. It is a good, but rather aggressive life-saving technique.





Vladimir Putin:

Mr Protsenko, I want to thank you for the way the work at your institution is organised. My warmest words of gratitude go to your entire team.

I saw them work. Everyone is in their combat posts. I do not really want to use military language, but everything at your institution operates like clockwork, a well-oiled machine. I saw that your people know what needs to be done and how to do it. They have all they need and effectively use the available equipment and means. Even an onlooker can see how well things are working. I could see how well seriously ill patients are being cared for with three specialists working on one patient at once. It is wonderful to see patients who are getting better and returning to normal life.





They owe it largely to you. Sometimes, I know this for myself, you just need to know how to organise work properly. You have done it. This is a good example of how to go about this kind of work.

My colleagues and I will have a meeting with the Government later today to discuss special medical measures for further localising the spread of the virus, as well as economic measures.

I wanted to ask you, as a person literally operating on the ground and dealing with this directly, to share your thoughts, observations or proposals on our work. This is not just about Moscow, since we will be discussing how these efforts can be used across the country.





Denis Protsenko:

From a medical perspective, there are essentially two possible scenarios right now: the Asian one where the spread of the virus quickly subsides, and the Italian scenario with a growing infection rate. As a doctor, an anaesthesiologist and an emergency room practitioner, not just a chief medical officer at a clinic, I believe it is essential that we work out the Italian scenario. If one day we see a major surge in infections, and Moscow is already moving in this direction, we are ready to convert this hospital to accommodate a large number of patients.

At this very moment, we are ready to repurpose 190 of 606 beds to intensive care units. We are taking lung ventilators from storage and installing them, so these 600 beds can form a major intensive care clinic bringing together highly competent experts from across the city. This is what the Italian model is all about.

If we suddenly shift to the Chinese or Korean scenario and it all ends in April or May, I think this would make our doctors happier than anybody. Still, I think we need to be ready to face a worst-case scenario.





Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin:

Mr President, I think that all our colleagues in the regions need to be ready to face serious challenges and complicated problems. Once we put these problems behind us, it will be a relief, but we need to be prepared.





Vladimir Putin:

Of course. In fact, this is what we said during the first meeting with our colleagues today. Later today, we will talk this over with the Government at a larger meeting.

Mr Protsenko, thank you very much.





Denis Protsenko:

Thank you for your appreciation. I think that your visit is the best way to motivate our team.





Vladimir Putin:

I hope this sends a signal beyond your team. I would like to thank all healthcare professionals who are now working and helping people in the best traditions of Russian healthcare.

I wish you all the best.





Denis Protsenko:

Thank you.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63054






Meeting on economic support measures



Vladimir Putin chaired a meeting on measures to support the Russian economy amid the spreading coronavirus.



March 24, 2020 - 16:45 - Novo-Ogaryovo, Moscow Region







Taking part in the meeting were Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Anton Vaino, First Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Belousov, First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Sergei Kiriyenko, Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova, presidential aides Dmitry Kalimulin and Maxim Oreshkin, Minister of Labour and Social Protection Anton Kotyakov, Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov, Minister of Finance Anton Siluanov and Central Bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina.







President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

Good afternoon, colleagues.

This morning, I discussed with some of you the epidemiological situation in the country, specifically in Moscow and its environs. We spoke about additional measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus.





Meanwhile, I asked you here today to discuss measures to support the economy. You are aware that, unfortunately, this pandemic is having a negative affect on the global economy, including the leading world economies. One way or another it is affecting our country, too. I am aware that the Government is working on this on a daily basis. Mr Mishustin reports to me on a daily basis.





I propose discussing the measures that you have already prepared and any additional measures that you think might be appropriate in the current situation.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63058
__________________
Where should they dig the Very Deep Pit?
Piglet said that the best place would be somewhere where a Heffalump was, just before he fell into it, only about a foot farther on.
(c) Alan Alexander Miln
 
Old May 17th, 2020 #72
Alex Him
Senior Member
 
Alex Him's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,834
Blog Entries: 219
Post

Address to the Nation



March 25, 2020 - 16:30







President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

Citizens of Russia, friends,

I am reaching out to you on an issue that has become a matter of concern for all of us.

We are witnessing an acute escalation of the coronavirus epidemic on a global scale. The number of new cases continues to grow in many countries. The global economy as a whole is at risk, and is already expected to shrink.

By taking precautionary measures, we have been largely able to prevent the infection from rapidly spreading and limit the incidence rate. However, we have to understand that Russia cannot insulate itself from this threat, simply considering its geography. There are countries along our borders that have already been seriously affected by the epidemic, which means that in all objectivity it is impossible to stop it from spilling over into Russia.

That said, being professional, well organised and proactive is what we can do and are already doing. The lives and health of our citizens is our top priority.

We have mobilised all the capabilities and resources for deploying a system of timely prevention and treatment. I would like to specially address doctors, paramedics, nurses, staff at hospitals, outpatient clinics, rural paramedic centres, ambulance services, and researchers: you are at the forefront of dealing with this situation. My heartfelt gratitude to you for your dedicated efforts.

I would like to ask Russian citizens to listen very carefully to the advice coming from doctors and the authorities. This could make a very big difference at this point in time. This is especially true for the most vulnerable categories of citizens: the elderly and people who have chronic illnesses. Minimising the risks should be a priority for them and all people in general.

There is also the question of the national vote on the amendments to the Constitution, which has been tentatively scheduled for April 22. You know that this is a very serious matter to me. Of course, I will ask you to go to the polling stations to express your opinion on this issue of fundamental and crucial importance to the country and society.

However, as I said before, our absolute priority is the health, life and safety of the people. This is why I believe the vote should be postponed.

We will look at the situation in the regions and throughout the country, and we will rely on the professional opinion and recommendations of doctors and specialists when setting a new date for this vote.

Next, the immediate priority is to prevent the quick spread of this diseases.

Therefore, I declare next week to be an official non-work period while maintaining wages. In other words, the days off will last from Saturday March 28 to Sunday April 5.

Of course, all public infrastructure facilities, including medical facilities, pharmacies, stores, institutions responsible for banking and financial settlements, as well as transport, and ministries and agencies at all levels, will continue working.

As I said, the extended days off are being declared to reduce the speed of the virus spreading.

I am addressing all our citizens. Let us not rely on chance as we tend to do in Russia. Do not think, as we usually do, that this cannot happen to you. It can happen to anyone. And then we will very quickly see what is now happening in many western countries, in Europe and across the ocean, happen here in Russia. We must strictly comply with all the recommendations. We must protect ourselves, our families and friends, and we must adopt a more disciplined and responsible approach. Trust me: the best thing to do now is stay home.

I will now specifically focus on the current socioeconomic situation. Here, we also need to take additional steps, primarily to ensure the social protection of our people, their incomes and jobs, as well as support for small and medium-sized businesses, which employ millions of people.

In this regard, the following priority measures will be implemented.

First, all social protection benefits that our citizens are entitled to, should be renewed automatically over the next six months, with no additional certificates or visits to the authorities needed. For example, if a family is entitled to subsidised housing and utility payments, they will not need to regularly confirm their per capita income to continue receiving this state support.

Please note that all payments to war veterans and home-front workers timed to the 75th anniversary of the Great Victory, 75,000 and 50,000 rubles, respectively, should be made before the May holidays, earlier than usual, in April.

Second, it is essential to support families with children. In the next three months, starting in April, I propose paying all families that are eligible to maternity capital, an additional 5,000 rubles a month for each child up to three years of age.

This support is especially important for families with children who are not attending day-care nurseries or kindergartens, and for parents who are on sick leave or on maternity leave.

Regarding our new support package, I mean benefits for children aged 3 to 7, I now instruct the Government to expedite all organisational arrangements so that eligible families can start receiving these payments not in July, as planned, but a month earlier, in June. I also ask the governors to expedite the transfer of the necessary information from the regional civil registry offices to the tax service. Colleagues, it is fundamentally important to start making these payments. Pay attention to this.

Third, we need to support those on sick leave and people who have lost their jobs. Today, all sick leave payments are calculated based on employees’ period of work and salary. As a result, employees, primarily young people, can receive very low sick leave payments. This is, of course, not fair. I suggest the following provision: Sick leave payments should be calculated based on the amount of at least one minimum wage a month. This provision will be in force until the end of the year, and from there we will decide how to proceed depending on the situation.

Just like other countries’ economies, the Russian economy is experiencing substantial headwinds due to the effects of the epidemic. And, as I have already said, we need to support those who may lose their jobs.

Today, with the exception of some categories of individuals, maximum monthly unemployment benefit is 8,000 rubles. I suggest increasing it to the minimum wage amount or 12,130 rubles per month.

Fourth, loans taken out by individuals present another risk. Naturally, it is difficult if not downright impossible to completely repay debts when incomes are plunging.

I suggest declaring consumer loan and mortgage holidays. If a person faces a difficult situation, meaning their monthly income declined significantly, by over 30 percent, then they should have the right to temporarily stop debt servicing and reschedule it. It goes without saying that any penalties are out of the question.

I am asking the Bank of Russia to set up a similar loan rescheduling mechanism for self-employed people, too.

If people are unable to repay their debt for objective reasons, they should not be left without options and they should not fall hostage to creditors’ claims. We need a bankruptcy process that is fair and not burdensome. I am asking the Government and the parliament to expedite approval of the necessary regulatory changes.

Fifth. Small and medium-sized businesses and micro businesses, especially in the services sector, are now facing objective difficulties due to declining orders and revenue.

These businesses need help to stay open, which means retaining their employees. I would like to address all employers right now: once again, our most crucial task is to ensure stability in the labour market and to prevent a surge in unemployment.

Government assistance will be provided to businesses to deal with this problem.

I propose the following measures to support the enterprises and industries most affected by the current difficult situation.

I believe it is necessary to defer all taxes on small and medium-sized businesses, except for VAT, for the next six months. In addition, micro businesses should also be granted a deferral on their contributions to social insurance funds.

Bank loans held by struggling SMEs and micro businesses must also be deferred for the next six months.

Generally speaking, I am asking the Government and the Central Bank to propose and take additional action to ensure stable lending to the real economy, including through state guarantees and subsidies.

Next. Companies experiencing hardship must be protected from bankruptcy. In this connection, I am proposing a six-month moratorium on bankruptcy claims by creditors against companies and on the recovery of debts and penalties.

Once again, these measures will apply to companies operating in the sectors most affected by the current difficult situation. At the same time, I am instructing the Government to constantly monitor developments and, if necessary, expand and review the list of the industries requiring support.

Sixth. Right now, we must do everything we can to support the incomes of our citizens – especially those employed by small and medium-sized businesses.

In order for these businesses to get additional resources to support their employees, I am proposing to cut their insurance contributions in half, from 30 to 15 percent. This reduced rate will apply to the part of salary above minimum wage. For those making minimum wage or less for some reason, the rate will remain 30 percent.

I would like to stress that the reduced rate is being introduced not just for several months, not only as an anti-crisis measure, but for the long run. This way we are creating a long-term incentive for employers to increase wages.

Finally, there are two more measures I would like to suggest. Allow me to elaborate.

First, all interest and dividend income that flows from Russia and is transferred abroad into offshore jurisdictions must be taxed properly.

Today, two thirds of these funds, and basically we are talking here about incomes of specific individuals, are taxed at the rate of only 2 percent, thanks to so-called optimization strategies of all kinds. At the same time, people with modest salaries pay an income tax of 13 percent. This is unfair, to say the least.

For this reason, I suggest that those expatriating their income as dividends to foreign accounts should pay a 15 percent tax on these dividends. Of course, we will need to amend Russia’s double taxation treaties with some countries. I ask the Government to work this out. If our foreign partners do not accept our proposal, Russia will unilaterally withdraw from these treaties. We will begin with countries that attract substantial resources from Russia, which is a very sensitive issue for our country.

Second, many countries levy income tax on interest earned by individuals from their bank deposits and investments in securities, while Russia does not tax this income at all.

I propose that people with over 1 million rubles in bank deposits and debt securities pay a 13 percent tax on this income. I would like to reiterate that this is not about taxing the deposits themselves but only applying income tax to the interest individuals earn from these investments.

I would like to emphasise that only about one percent of deposit holders will be affected by this initiative. At the same time, Russian banks will still offer attractive deposits with some of the highest returns in the world.

The solutions I am proposing are far from simple. Still, I would like to ask you to treat them with understanding. Let me add that I propose using the budget revenue from these two measures to fund initiatives to support families with children and help people who are unemployed or on sick leave.

People of Russia,

All the measures that are about to be adopted or will be taken in the future will work and will produce results only if we are in it together and recognise the complexity of the current situation. We need the state, society and the people to work together, and we all have to do everything each and every one of us can do.

We have to be mindful that we bear personal responsibility for our close ones, for those who live near us, and who need our help and support. By and large, it is this sense of solidarity that underpins the resilience of our society, as well as an unwavering commitment to mutual assistance and the effectiveness of the response we come up with to overcome the challenge we are facing.

Thank you for your attention.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63061






Executive Order declaring non-work days in Russia



The President signed Executive Order On Declaring Non-Work Days in the Russian Federation.



March 25, 2020 - 19:00



To ensure sanitary and epidemiological safety of the population in the Russian Federation and in accordance with Article 80 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation, the President declared March 30 to April 3, 2020 non-work days with full pay.

The Executive Order also lists organisations whose employees are not covered by it.

According to the Executive Order, federal and regional government bodies, local self-government bodies and organisations engaged in mass media production and distribution must determine the number of employees required to ensure the functioning of these bodies and organisations from March 30 to April 3, 2020.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63065






Executive Order postponing the vote on amendments to the Constitution



Vladimir Putin signed Executive Order On Postponing the Date of the Nationwide Vote on Amendments to the Constitution of the Russian Federation.



March 25, 2020 - 19:05



To avoid health risks to citizens of the Russian Federation posed by the adverse epidemiological situation, the President resolved to amend Executive Order of March 17, 2020, On Setting a Date for a Nationwide Vote on Amendments to the Constitution of the Russian Federation.

The amendment stipulates that a separate Presidential Executive Order shall be issued to set the date of the nationwide vote to approve amendments to the Constitution provided for in Article 1 of the Russian Federation Law on introducing an amendment to the Constitution of the Russian Federation, On Improving the Regulation of Certain Aspects of the Organisation and Functioning of Public Authority.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63066






Changes in the structure of federal executive bodies



Vladimir Putin signed Executive Order On Amendments to Executive Order of the President of the Russian Federation No. 21 of January 21, 2020 On the Structure of Federal Executive Bodies and to the structure of federal executive bodies approved by that Executive Order.



March 25, 2020 - 19:10



To enhance the effectiveness of supervision in the field of healthcare, the President resolved that the Federal Service for Supervision of Healthcare will now report to the Ministry of Healthcare of the Russian Federation.

Corresponding amendments are made to Executive Order of the President of the Russian Federation No. 21 of January 21, 2020 On the Structure of Federal Executive Bodies, and to the structure of federal executive bodies approved by that Executive Order.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63067






Meeting with representatives of the business community



Vladimir Putin met with representatives of the business community.



March 26, 2020 - 14:30 - Novo-Ogaryovo, Moscow Region







President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

Good afternoon, colleagues,

I am happy to see you. We are violating a little the established procedure or the procedure we are trying to introduce, to work remotely, but the issues to be discussed are important, so we decided not to cancel the prescheduled meeting.





I will not describe the situation because all of you are competent people, you read the internet and federal media, and you know what is going on in Russia and abroad.





We have two problems: the oil market has practically collapsed, followed by other energy markets, and then there is this virus. Therefore, we will have to work in several directions at once.








I have already spoken about this and I will reiterate: the most important task now is to protect the lives and health of our citizens. This is obvious. But it is also obvious that if the economy collapses, there will be no resources to carry out this most important task. Everything is interdependent in this life.








You probably saw my statement yesterday, know about the decisions made by the Government even before that; the package of measures is impressive. All of them are aimed at supporting business in general and small and medium-sized businesses in particular. We know well that the small and medium-sized businesses are probably in the most difficult situation, given the developments in the economy stemming from these two problems.





But let us switch from my monologue to a dialogue. Our meeting has only one aim. The Government is in constant contact with representatives of various organisations, business structures and associations. We understand the situation. But the goal of today’s meeting is to listen to you and hear your proposals, ideas and assessments of what is going on. And we will try – my colleagues in the Government and I – to take relevant measures. In any case, you can be assured that we will consider everything you say; you can be one hundred percent sure of it.

Please.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63069






G20 Summit



The President is taking part in the Extraordinary Virtual G20 Leaders’ Summit.



March 26, 2020 - 17:20 - Novo-Ogaryovo, Moscow Region



The summit focused on fighting the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on the global economy.

Taking part in the virtual summit on the Russian side were Finance Minister Anton Siluanov and Representative of the President of the Russian Federation in the G20 (Russia’s G20 Sherpa) Svetlana Lukash.







President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

Your Majesty, colleagues,

It appears to me that the current problems caused by the new coronavirus pandemic will result in far greater shocks than the financial crisis of 2008–2009, and the trade conflicts and sanctions are worsening the recession.

From our point of view, the key risk lies in long-term unemployment which, regardless of the future scenario, will peak much higher than in 2009. Unemployment dynamics will also serve as a key efficiency indicator for our anti-crisis measures.

The current crisis will inevitably take its toll on global development, and for the long term. Therefore, certainly, we cannot afford to act with an every-man-for-himself approach, our colleagues have said a lot about it already. I absolutely agree with that.

I will start with the top-priority tasks in healthcare.

First. As has been said, of course it is necessary to continue a regular exchange of credible information about the pandemic’s progress in our countries and about the actions being taken. It was also brought up that it is necessary to provide aid to the African countries. I believe that overall today, the World Health Organisation should channel its efforts to detecting hidden coronavirus epidemics in the countries that are not able to organise testing. Also, joint research by our countries could significantly expedite the development of vaccines and medications.

Now, a few words about the economy. The Russian Government is allocating 1.2 percent of Russia’s GDP to fight this crisis. Russia’s Central Bank is providing approximately the same amount of support. But all of us, the Group of 20, need a common action plan to stabilise the situation, support our economies and restore trust across global markets.





Of course, national budgets should play a key role in increasing global demand. However, due to the high volatility of global markets that we see every day, borrowing options are limited for many countries – and we must also take this into account.

The situation is getting complicated. In this respect, it is very important, it is extremely important now to ensure access to financing for countries that are suffering from resource shortages, I mean especially countries that have been affected by the crisis and pandemic. In this regard, we could consider creating a special fund under the auspices of the IMF, financed primarily by the central banks that issue currencies included in the IMF basket, and then granting the right to any IMF member to borrow money from this fund in proportion to his share in the world economy at a zero rate for the long term.

A lot has also been said about the need to ensure supply chains. This is certainly important. But it is equally important to create so-called green corridors for the duration of the crisis, free from trade wars and sanctions, for the mutual supply of medicines, food, equipment and technology.

Ideally, we should impose a moratorium, a joint moratorium on restrictions on essentials, as well as on financial transactions for their procurement. And first of all, I am talking about countries that are suffering the most from this pandemic. In the end, this is a question of life and death of people, it is a purely humanitarian issue. We need to cleanse these issues from all kinds of political husk.





When keeping the G20’s traditional cooperation between the ministries of finance, the central banks and Sherpas, we could strengthen our cooperation at the economic adviser level during this crisis. They have direct access to state leaders and can make decisions urgently, informally and quickly.

And in conclusion, I would like to say a few words about global international organisations. Obviously, they lack mechanisms for automatic stabilisation in the event of a crisis. And so, it is necessary to efficiently and as quickly as possible, work through and resolve all the issues related to their reorganisation.

Thank you for your attention.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63070






Greetings on National Guard Day



March 27, 2020 - 09:00







President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

Comrade officers, veterans,

Please accept my best wishes on your professional holiday, National Guard Day.

Thank you for your service, for the impeccable accomplishment of the complicated and responsible missions set to the Russian National Guard, such as the fight against terrorism and extremism, reliable control of arms sales and the protection of the main state facilities, infrastructure and cargo.

One more responsibility that calls for your special attention and mobilisation is maintaining law and order as well as public safety during public, political, sports and cultural events. In all of these cases you are required to act resolutely and effectively, as well as, which I would like to emphasise, in strict accordance with the law, giving priority attention to the rights and interests of our citizens and based on their trust and respect.

I know that the men and officers of the Russian National Guard are proud of their glorious history and uphold their combat traditions, fulfilling their orders honourably and in full despite any difficulties and risk to their lives.

I have no doubt that the National Guard will continue to act firmly, concertedly and reliably, while continuing to upgrade the training and professionalism of personnel and strengthening interaction with their colleagues from other agencies in the interests of national security and the safety of Russian citizens.

I wish the military and civilian personnel of the National Guard every success, prosperity and all the best to their families and loved ones.

Congratulations on the holiday once again.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63068






Meeting with Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller



The Chair of the Gazprom Management Board briefed the President on the company’s performance in 2019 and plans for 2020. Alexei Miller also reported on the possibility of delivering gas for consumers in East Siberia and China.



March 27, 2020 - 13:45 - The Kremlin, Moscow







President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

Good afternoon, Mr Miller. How are you doing?



Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller:

Mr President, we are completing the autumn-winter heating season. As always, we have been able to meet the demand of our Russian and foreign consumers.

Since the beginning of the season, Gazprom has pumped 72.232 billion cubic metres of natural gas into its underground storage facilities. The daily output since the beginning of the season has set a record: 843.3 million cubic metres of gas.

As of today, Gazprom’s production capacity is 545 billion cubic metres of gas, which means that including the gas stored underground…



Vladimir Putin:

Is that annual capacity?





Alexei Miller:

Yes, our annual production capacity. Given this capacity and the gas in our underground storage facilities, we can double gas deliveries to Russian customers in the first quarter. This is our safety factor. And, undoubtedly, before the end of the autumn-winter season, we will completely fulfil our obligations to our consumers.

As for last year’s production, it was 500.1 billion cubic metres of gas; 199.3 billion was exported. This is slightly less than in 2018, which was a record year: we exported 201.8 billion [cubic metres of gas] and preserved our share on the European market at 35.6 per cent.

Regarding current market trends, the market has slightly fallen. Still we are optimistic about the third and fourth quarters. We believe that winter preparations will also go as planned, so it is probably too early to make any preliminary conclusions even for the first months.

As for our plans for 2020, the investment programme is expected to total 1 trillion 80 billion rubles. The financial opportunities and financial stability of the company will allow us to fully implement it. The net debt-to-EBITDA ratio is 1.3 – this is a very good investment-rating ratio. And today we are saying that there will be no problems with meeting our obligations to finance the investment programme in 2020.

We plan to build 1,942 kilometres of main gas pipeline and put into operation 114 wells. Work will get underway, with three integrated gas treatment units with a capacity of 27.5 million cubic metres of gas and 114 wells to go online. We plan to increase the volume of underground storage by 180 million cubic metres of gas.

And, no doubt, the line section will involve the construction of a gas pipeline to supply gas to Nord Stream 2 (Gryazovets – Volkhov – Slavyanskaya compressor station) and the further development of the new Kharasaveisky field in Yamal, which is now our next major site to create a new gas province in Yamal.

In September 2019, you issued instructions to study the issue of gas supplies from Irkutsk Region, Krasnoyarsk Territory, the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Area and Yamal for consumers in Eastern Siberia. Mr President, the work has been completed, and I am ready to report that, first of all, based on the resources of Yamal and the Nadym-Pur-Tazovsky region of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Area, as well as on the resources of the Kovyktinsky field and the resources of Krasnoyarsk Territory, we can fully meet the gas needs of such regions of Eastern Siberia as Krasnoyarsk Territory, Irkutsk Region, the Republic of Buryatia and Trans-Baikal Territory. And, no doubt, we will be able to solve the environmental problems that some of the large industrial centres of Eastern Siberia still have.

The volume of natural gas deliveries to the domestic market with the use of the material resources that have been provided allows us to fully meet the demand in these regions of Russia. As regards the instruction to consider opportunities for transit gas deliveries through Mongolia to China via the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline, volumes can reach 50 cubic metres per year. We are ready to continue the work.



Vladimir Putin:

To Western China, right?



Alexei Miller:

Yes, to Western China, for major natural gas consumption areas in China.

To continue the work, I ask you to give an instruction to proceed to the pre-investment stage as regards both the line section and the programme for developing the project's resources, and subsequently, starting survey and exploration work.

As regards the line section, you have always set the task – which is an absolute priority in itself – of connecting the natural gas transportation capacity currently available in Western Siberia with the gas transportation capacities and supply systems in the European part of Russia. This will definitely allow for reverse and forward flow supplies in both directions, and will boost the reliability of natural gas deliveries to Russian regions.





Vladimir Putin:

And how is work proceeding on connecting the capacities in Western Siberia with those in the European part of the country?



Alexei Miller:

A technical and economic study has been conducted, which has shown that this is a reasonable and economically efficient project. I ask you to give an instruction to proceed to the pre-investment stage, which involves conducting a feasibility study and starting survey and exploration work for the Power of Siberia 2 natural gas pipeline.



Vladimir Putin:

Yes, of course. Agreed.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63075






On March 28, Moscow Kremlin facade lighting will be switched off for Earth Hour



From 8.30 pm to 9.30 pm on March 28, the facade lighting of the Moscow Kremlin – the official Presidential residence – will be switched off for the Earth Hour global environmental event.



March 27, 2020 - 15:00



Earth Hour is an annual international event held by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). It is aimed at promoting a responsible attitude to the environment. People who join the event switch off their lights and electrical appliances for one hour on a specific day. The lighting of architectural landmarks in various countries is also switched off.

Earth Hour is the largest mass event in history. In 2019, over 7,500 cities in 190 countries took part in it, with lights switched off at more than 18,000 landmarks.

In accordance with Vladimir Putin’s decision, the Moscow Kremlin has taken part in the event since 2013.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63076
__________________
Where should they dig the Very Deep Pit?
Piglet said that the best place would be somewhere where a Heffalump was, just before he fell into it, only about a foot farther on.
(c) Alan Alexander Miln
 
Old May 17th, 2020 #73
Alex Him
Senior Member
 
Alex Him's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,834
Blog Entries: 219
Post

Instructions following President’s Address to the Nation on the spread of coronavirus infection in the country



Vladimir Putin approved a list of instructions following the March 25 Address to the Nation in connection with the spread of the new coronavirus infection in the country.



March 28, 2020 - 10:30



The instructions cover social and economic support measures for citizens and the real economy in view of the spread of the coronavirus infection in the country, which the President spoke about in his Address to the Nation.

The Government was instructed to make respective amendments to legislative and other regulatory acts.

The Government was also instructed to identify a list of sectors in the Russian economy that were hit the worst by the spread of the new coronavirus infection, to ensure permanent monitoring of the economic situation and update the list following the monitoring results.

Separate instructions were given to the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection together with the Pension Fund of the Russian Federation, as well as regional executive bodies.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63080






Meeting with Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoys



Vladimir Putin held a meeting, via videoconference, with Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoys to the federal districts. The discussion focused on measures to counter the spread of the coronavirus and tasks to ensure socioeconomic stability in the regions.



March 30, 2020 - 16:00 - Novo-Ogaryovo, Moscow Region







President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

Colleagues, good afternoon,

As you know, yesterday a list of instructions on the measures I mentioned in my Address to the Nation on March 25 was published. Some of them directly concern spheres under the responsibility of regional authorities. I am asking you as Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoys to ensure their implementation locally.

This fully applies to the decisions of the Government Coordination Council and the State Council working group to counter the spread of the coronavirus.

Let me note that effective cooperation between the local, regional and federal bodies and their joint work in the same tune and around the clock play a pivotal role.

There must be no complacency, but calm, confident and reliable work promoting Russians’ trust, including regular and objective updates about developments and measures taken. This is the best response to any provocations, stupid rumours and malicious assumptions.

I am addressing you as well as representatives of all government levels: our actions must be reasoned and professional. This is the approach that allowed us to gain time and restrain the explosive spread of the coronavirus over the course of the past weeks. We must use this time fully and effectively.

In this regard, I instruct you to establish monitoring in all vital areas. I will begin with the most important one: providing medical assistance to people who have contracted or may contract the disease. We are now doing our best to prevent large numbers of people from contracting the virus. But all regions must prepare for all possible scenarios based on the experience of other countries. We need to take every measure that is necessary in this situation. Even if some uninformed people consider them excessive. One cannot be too careful.

So, the first thing. I am addressing both you and regional heads: in the next few days it is necessary to complete a full inspection of the condition and readiness of medical facilities. This concerns the system of the Healthcare Ministry and the Federal Medical-Biological Agency, as well as state and private clinics and hospitals. All information must be compiled in an integrated database.

Also, you are personally responsible for making a detailed assessment of the actual readiness of bed capacity, and using all opportunities to increase the number of beds, if necessary. It is obvious that some hospitals will have to be temporarily turned into dedicated coronavirus treatment facilities. We need to provide these hospitals with all the necessary equipment and medical staff in accordance with the Healthcare Ministry standards.

Different regions have different numbers of beds. So it is already necessary to consider interregional cooperation plans, including the possibility of accepting patients from other regions, as well as allowing medical units and ambulance crews to visit areas beyond their region. I instruct the Government in such cases to compensate regional budgets from the federal centre.

Second, it is necessary to quickly load all the lab capacities and establish additional diagnostics centres both at state and private medical institutions. We must do it to increase the number of coronavirus tests in the next few days.

Also assess the capabilities of the specialised institutions in order for them to take part in the production of effective test systems. A whole number of such systems have already been created in Russia. I ask you to provide for the quick registration of new test systems. Please don’t delay it. Use both Russian and foreign examples where needed. Now we must use all the opportunities, and we have them. We continue working with our foreign partners.

Third, ventilators are in high demand to treat serious coronavirus-related complications. I am also asking you to count the inventory here. We must get the full picture of how many ventilators we have and their real readiness to be used, including spare parts and expendable materials.

We must replenish our reserve of ventilators. And, of course, we will also need people who know how to work with such equipment and have the necessary training. I am asking you to support the organisational side of additional training for doctors on how to use such equipment. I can see that in most cases our medical personnel show amazing self-sacrifice, professionalism and discipline. We must support them. There must be no deficit in human resources regardless of how the situation develops.

In general it is obvious that the burden on specialists, such as pulmonologists, resuscitators, therapists and paramedics, will increase significantly. This is why you and your colleagues must think right now about measures to involve doctors specialising in other areas as well as medical residents, professors and teachers at medical universities, if necessary. It is also important to ensure the necessary number of mid-level healthcare personnel, including with the involvement of students from medical institutions and interns.

In your turn, you must constantly monitor that all payments related to the special working schedule of doctors, nurses, other medical personnel and paramedics are made strictly on time. All the necessary resources have been allocated.

Fourth, the most important issue: the supply of medications. There must be an additional reserve of all the medications used now to treat the coronavirus and its complications.

Fifth, special focus should be on the elderly who are in the risk group today. Explanatory work is very important here. Everyone – people over 65 and their families – should know that people in this age group must stay home now. They must be told: if you want to stay healthy and alive, you must stay home. We care about you. Please care about yourselves too.

Of course, it is also important to provide support and medical aid, and monitor their health, as well as to deliver them food, medicine and other necessities. They must be able to quickly request help and report problems. Colleagues, I am asking you to personally oversee this area of work together with heads of the regions. This is very important. It is already being done by social services and volunteers. And they deserve special thanks for it.

I am once again addressing all Russians: please do all you can to look out for your mums and dads of this age as well as your grandparents. They always need our support, help, affection and attention, but especially now.

Now to preventive measures taken to contain the spread of the virus.

The fact that we have prevented the scenario a number of countries are facing now is mostly due to our epidemiologists. They have been working non-stop in recent months. Everyone must carefully follow their guidelines and orders. Please stay on top of this and oversee things.

First, the most important task at this stage is to contain potential sources of transmission as much as possible.

And so I am asking you to work with federal and regional bodies to establish a procedure to identify those who have returned to Russia from countries with serious coronavirus outbreaks over the last two weeks or will return soon. They must stay in quarantine or self-isolation; their health and the health of their families must be monitored; and the people with whom they have had contact and may have infected must be identified.

This is work that has to be done on the ground. I want to emphasise this: it must be done on the ground, not just on paper or in reports. No exceptions.





Second. Moscow and the Moscow Region have introduced restrictions and mandatory self-isolation. This measure is justified and necessary for a huge agglomeration with millions of people, the first to encounter the coronavirus. I am asking Muscovites and residents of the Moscow Region to take these forced but absolutely necessary preventive and restrictive measures very seriously. We are talking about your health and safety, and the lives of those near you.

Third. Measures have been adopted all across Russia to limit operations of facilities that are visited by a large number of people. These are clubs, cinemas, shopping malls and other places. At the same time, unfortunately, not everyone follows the regime, while local authorities turn a blind eye on these violations. I believe that this is not just a lack of discipline and common sense. This is criminal negligence, and you should treat it accordingly.

I ask you to control and ensure scrupulous compliance with all restrictive measures, to work together with law enforcement agencies and control bodies and to react to citizens’ complaints.

Fourth. As I already said, all vital structures, including places selling basic goods, pharmacies, utility systems, process industries and government agencies will continue operating this week. But they also need to conform to enhanced safety requirements. It concerns, first of all, strict compliance with sanitary standards and regular disinfecting. They also have to provide personnel with individual means of protection.

Stores and pharmacies need to follow a special servicing procedure to prevent people from staying close to each other in queues. Experts say that 1.5–2 metres is the recommended distance between people. I hope everyone already knows this. It is important.

As for the so-called process industries and government agencies, it is important to introduce flexible working hours and if possible switch to working remotely. I ask you to monitor this carefully and to establish constant direct contacts with employers and heads of enterprises, regardless of the form of incorporation. It is important that enterprises producing goods that are in high demand today continue their operations.

The next set of issues I would like to discuss with you concerns the socioeconomic situation and the tasks of federal and regional bodies to ensure its stability.

In this regard, first: we have the necessary stock of essential goods, but I am still asking you to constantly monitor the situation together with your colleagues in the regions, prevent local problems in the retail segment, and, what is very important for people, control the prices of food, medicines, personal protective gear and other goods that are in demand now.

It is necessary to fully prevent any attempts to restrict trade flows between regions. We have had such a situation in the recent past. I would like to stress that our country is one big family. However, as they say, every family has its black sheep. This is why I am asking you to firmly prevent any price gouging or monopoly price increases.

Second, all the measures taken at the regional level must be sensible and coordinated. The regional authorities have to quickly agree their actions and inform the Government and the State Council working group. I am asking the Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoys to ensure strict compliance with this coordination procedure.

Third, the list of systemically important enterprises and industries that require special monitoring has already been created at the federal level.

Every region in its turn must create such a list, as they say, manually. There is no need to be afraid of this. We must ensure these enterprises remain operational as this also means jobs.

I am asking you to support the regions, including on coordinating the work of local enterprises and banks operating in the regions.

Let me add that the Government will ensure the replenishment of the regional guarantee funds so that the regions will have additional capacities to support business loans locally. I am asking the Cabinet to increase the financing of these programmes and speed up the allocation of funds. Please do not delay.

Fourth. I understand that tax deferrals and other measures to support small and medium-sized businesses and sole proprietors will affect regional budgets. They may see a shortfall in revenue.

But I want to emphasise and remind our colleagues from the regions that despite this situation, current budget expenditures should not be cut. On the contrary, the task now is to fully fund all planned programmes and contracts as quickly as possible, without a hitch. These funds are urgently needed by the economy. They must be put to work protecting people’s jobs and incomes and keeping businesses stable.

Naturally, regional budgets should receive the necessary additional support. Already now the Russian regions have the opportunity to use treasury loans to cover so-called cash gaps. But we cannot limit ourselves to this short-term measure alone; it is not enough.

I am instructing the Government and the Finance Ministry to develop a set of systemic steps and provide the necessary funding to ensure the sustainability of regional budgets. I also ask the Presidential Envoys to join in this work and in solving this problem, to help objectively assess the needs of the regions for additional support, and, of course, to monitor – I want to emphasise this – the targeted nature and efficient spending of these funds on the ground.

And in general, I’m asking you not just to monitor the situation closely, but also do that on a daily basis. Let me remind you, for example, that by May 10, the authorities in all regions must finish submitting all information from civil registry offices to tax authorities. This is necessary so that in June, as I said in my Address to the Nation, we can start making payments to families with children from three to seven years old inclusively. Please provide the regions with all the necessary information and methodological support to implement this and other instructions.

Let us get down to work. Please report on the situation on the ground.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63084






Telephone conversation with US President Donald Trump



Vladimir Putin and President of the United States of America Donald Trump had a lengthy conversation during a call initiated by the US.



March 30, 2020 - 18:30



The two presidents expressed serious concern over the scale of the spread of the coronavirus in the world and informed each other about measures taken in Russia and the United States to counter this threat. Opportunities for closer cooperation between the two countries on this problem were discussed.

They also exchanged views on the current state of the global oil market and agreed that Russian and American energy ministers should hold consultations on this topic.

Certain bilateral issues were also addressed.

Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump agreed to maintain personal contact.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63086






Meeting with VEB.RF Chairman Igor Shuvalov



Vladimir Putin had a working meeting with Chairman of the State Development Corporation VEB.RF Igor Shuvalov. The discussion focused on the bank’s 2019 performance and current activities.



March 31, 2020 - 14:50 - The Kremlin, Moscow







President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

Mr Shuvalov, VEB is not just a bank but, above all, a development corporation. I know that when you took office the situation this institution was in was far from easy, and you worked hard to make it operational, although it had done a great deal in the past.

Hence two questions. First, what is Vnesheconombank’s situation today? And second, how do you fit in this institution’s main mission and the implementation of national projects?





Chairman of the State Development Corporation VEB.RF Igor Shuvalov:

Mr President, your instructions to ensure the financial stability of VEB.RF have been fulfilled, and by the end of 2019, having amended the budget legislation with the Government’s support and in cooperation with the Federal Assembly, we achieved the level of capital adequacy according to international reporting, IFRS [International Financial Reporting Standards] that allows us not only to repay our foreign debt that was incurred earlier but also to actively participate in the national development agenda as stipulated by the Presidential executive orders of May 2018.

There is sufficient liquidity in our accounts; in this sense we have a completely healthy, normal situation. We are also confident that now we will take a more active part in the Government’s work to achieve the national development goals, and not just in the projects outlined in 2019.

Which projects were approved in 2019? First, I must tell you that we completely restructured our activities and do not compete with the largest Russian credit institutions anymore.

We have established partnerships with the largest commercial banks such as Sberbank, VTB and Gazprombank, and together with them we participate in the project financing factory. This is a special form of syndication. However, we also use classical syndicates, but in 2019 we made decisions on the ten largest projects.

Overall, we have now assumed over 300 billion rubles worth of liabilities while total liabilities in the project financing factory projects stand at 787 billion rubles, with only a part of them provided by VEB and the rest by investors and commercial banks.

Under our business model, this year we are to support lending by commercial banks by at least 300 billion rubles, bearing in mind that, if we implement such a plan, we will invest about three trillion rubles in five years, and together with the credit funds of commercial banks, the amount will total about 10 trillion. This is quite a lot of money.

These projects relate to natural gas conversion and leasing gas carriers, which will be built and are already being built at Zvezda shipyard – this is one of the largest projects under your control. They also include the supply of planes for the needs of Aeroflot, and highways – one of the sections of the Central Ring Road and other federal highways.

But the main thing is that we should not be the sole lender. When we have to work as the sole lender, then this is a special decision taken by the President and the Government on projects of national importance. When we become a lender. But the risk for commercial companies is so high that they do not take this risk at the initial stage of a project.

What do we see? When a project begins to be implemented, commercial lending is already possible, and commercial banks themselves suggest we leave the project and buy such a loan from us. We made several such transactions, one of which was very successful – for example, the new terminal at Sheremetyevo, which was built with the help of VEB. But when it was devised and launched, Sberbank showed great interest in this project, and we gave it ground, earning the corresponding commission.

Now this is the time to focus on national development goals. We work not only as one organisation, but under the new law on VEB, in coordination with organisations such as the SME Corporation, which supports small and medium-sized businesses, REC [Russian Export Centre], which provides export support, and DOM.RF corporation, which is associated with modern urban development. In this sense, we work in all project committees of the Government.

I hope that now comes the stage when we can focus on work in cities. And we are launching now a training programme – the Government has entrusted us with this task – for the management teams from one hundred cities, excluding Moscow and St Petersburg, in order to fill the work with municipalities with specific meaning.

That is, if at the federal level these are large, major projects that are valued at more than 10 trillion rubles, then we want to focus, together with municipal and regional organisations, on making these national projects meaningful for every family, so that their life becomes decent, comfortable and competitive.

That is, these are some of the best consumption patterns that can only exist. In this sense, Moscow set a definite trend in the modern arrangement of cities. But we believe that this applies to any, even the smallest town.



Vladimir Putin:

All right.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63088






Meeting with Government members



Vladimir Putin held a meeting with members of the Government. During a video conference call, they discussed combatting the coronavirus infection and topical issues on the socio-political agenda.



April 1, 2020 - 16:50 - Novo-Ogaryovo, Moscow Region







President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

Good afternoon, colleagues.

I am well aware that all of you are working very hard, as the current situation requires. We are in constant contact with one another throughout the day. I mean, with almost each one of you present at this meeting. Let us continue working in this remote way with video conference calls as is required at the moment.

However, the results of our work should correspond to what is happening at present, as I have already mentioned. And I am sure working remotely will not affect the quality of our joint activities.

Today we will consider a number of topics that are extremely important. Naturally, they deal with the most acute issues, namely our actions with respect to the coronavirus pandemic. No doubt, we will talk about socio-economic matters too.

Let us begin our meeting. Mr Mishustin, Prime Minister, the floor is yours.



Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin:

Mr President,

Recently you set the Government a number of tasks to help support the people and the economy through these difficult times. All the preparations were completed most promptly and we formulated the necessary amendments to the legislation within just one day and already on the next day, on March 26, we discussed them at a Government meeting. Members of Parliament also worked quickly. Yesterday, the State Duma and the Federation Council approved the draft federal laws that provide for the implementation of the initiatives you put forth.

First, support for individuals. Federal draft laws provide for an automatic extension of monthly payments in connection with the birth or adoption of a first or second child and for any new sick leave period (the amount is based on at least the minimum wage). The Ministry of Labour has also instructed the regions to extend social payments. War veterans and home-front workers will receive a single payment timed for the 75th anniversary of the Great Victory by the end of April. There are also instructions to provide payments for children aged 3 through 7 years starting in June, rather than July.

A Government resolution was signed and came into force to increase the maximum amount of the unemployment benefit to the level of the minimum wage. About 30 billion rubles will be allocated for this.

In addition, through amendments to law, we have facilitated filing for bankruptcy for individuals. It will be free of charge. To do this, it will be necessary to enter information in the Unified Federal Register of Bankruptcy Data independently, or through the integrated service centre, which will allow people with debts ranging from 50,000 to 700,000 rubles to be released from their debt obligations.

Second, support for business. To protect businesses, a six-month moratorium on initiating bankruptcy cases is envisaged. For the period of the moratorium, enforcement proceedings and the levying of fines and penalties are to be suspended, and the process for finalizing amicable agreements on debts will be simplified.

The draft laws also envisage tax deferrals (except VAT), for small and medium size businesses and deferrals on insurance premiums for micro-businesses. We have cut the insurance premiums for SMEs in half – from 30 to 15 percent starting April 1, if the employee’s salary exceeds the minimum wage.

The Government jointly with the Bank of Russia has developed measures to provide SMEs with a six-month deferral on interest and principal debt on loans. This programme will cover a loan portfolio totalling about half a trillion rubles.

We are making separate decisions to support the hardest hit sectors of the economy, including public catering, consumer services, airlines, tourist agencies, sports, culture and cinemas. Specifically, we have postponed sending out tax notifications until May 1. All small companies working in these sectors will also be able to postpone loan payments; an appropriate resolution will soon be signed by the Government.

In addition, airlines will receive 1.5 billion rubles to compensate for the costs of evacuating people from abroad due to the coronavirus. We have almost completely cancelled tourist agency fees to the Tourist Operator Association reserve fund for outbound tourists.

As discussed, we started implementing the instructions on taxing dividends from foreign accounts with Cyprus. The Cypriot government has been notified of the changes in the agreement on avoiding dual taxation. The related agencies have to submit their proposals on the next steps by April 24.

The Russian Finance Ministry has reserved a total of 1.4 trillion rubles to counter the spread of the coronavirus and implement anti-crisis measures.

The Government is developing a second package of measures aimed at overcoming the consequences of the new coronavirus infection.

First, inter-budgetary relations. It is important to support the regional budgets. We have reserved 171 billion rubles in the federal budget for deferred payments and restructuring budget loans as well as for compensating for the regions’ losses from revenue decrease.

Secondly, employment support. We suggest short-term purpose loans for small and medium-sized businesses on favourable terms to pay wages and for other immediate needs with guarantees from VEB. The suggested amount is 150 billion rubles.

Thirdly, additional measures to ensure the stability of the economy. The Government has already introduced a grace period for small and medium-sized businesses for lease payments on federal property. Federal and regional lease programmes will provide 20 billion rubles to support small and medium businesses. We understand that a large part of the lease market is private commercial leases, therefore regions and municipalities will receive recommendations to lower property taxes for leaseholders in exchange for lowering rental rates or postponing payments for lessees in certain business categories. In addition, coronavirus-countering measures can be regarded as force majeure under lease agreements.

Small and medium businesses in the hardest hit industries will, temporarily, not have to pay penalties or late fees for housing and utility services. In addition, it will be prohibited to cut off housing and utility services for those who cannot pay.

We also suggest a moratorium on a number of penalties and a temporary ban on blocking the accounts of small and medium businesses and of individual entrepreneurs on certain grounds.

There will be a special procedure to expedite procurement from small and medium businesses by publicly owned companies, which should help support demand for their products.

Licenses and permits will be automatically renewed in accordance with the list established by the Government, which will significantly reduce business costs.

We suggest expanding the suspension of inspections to noncommercial social organisations. In addition, organisations in the most damaged industries will get the same incentives as small and medium businesses.

The Government has created a list of backbone companies, which includes 650 companies, and up to 4,000 with affiliates and associates. The monitoring of their financial and economic situation has been organised. The results will be used to develop a system of support measures. Enterprises will be able to deduct their costs for supporting sanitary and epidemiological measures.

The Government will also decide on postponing deadlines that can result in additional business costs and that can increase the administrative burden. They will make these decisions soon in consultation with the State Duma.

Mr President, we will continuously report on additional measures taken by the Government to support the people and the economy.



Vladimir Putin:

Thank you, Mr Mishustin. We handled these issues together. I am grateful to our colleagues for following them to the logical conclusion, to the adoption of these laws.

I also would like to thank State Duma deputies for promptly considering the draft laws submitted by the Government.

However, I have a question. You mentioned the measures we have agreed on – a six-month deferral of all taxes, insurance payments for certain companies, a six-month moratorium on tax penalties and fines. But when I met with representatives of small businesses, what was their request? They asked to relieve them from paying the entire six-month debt at once when these six months pass. I asked you to think about it.



Mikhail Mishustin:

Yes, Mr President, we will definitely consider all the possibilities of restructuring tax debt, and we will make a decision after analysing the overall situation.



Vladimir Putin:

Yes, right, but you need to do it beforehand, not when they face having to pay the entire sum.



Mikhail Mishustin:

We will.





Vladimir Putin:

Thank you very much.

The situation in the country is getting more complicated. The global situation with the coronavirus pandemic is grave: 850,000 people have been infected already. In Russia, as I can see from the latest data, there are 2,777 coronavirus cases.

Ms Golikova, I know that you are coordinating the work of the emergency response centre to fight the coronavirus. What is the current situation?



Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova:

Mr President, colleagues,

You are right; the novel coronavirus has been spreading and has affected almost 857,000 people as of today. Largest clusters are now in the United States and Europe, with China ranking third.

As for the Russian Federation, coronavirus cases have been detected in 75 regions; there are 2,700 cases, an increase of 400 since yesterday. That is, the number of infected people has grown by 18.8 percent in the past 24 hours. Unfortunately, 24 people have died as of yesterday; 190 people have recovered.

It should be pointed out that the majority of coronavirus cases are those who have returned to Russia from abroad and those who were in contact with them. The largest number of confirmed cases per 100,000 of the population has been reported in Moscow, the Republic of Komi, St Petersburg and Moscow Region. On the other hand, the increase in the number of patients is due to more tests being carried out.

As of yesterday, we have tested more than 460,000 people, which means that Russia is one of the world’s top three countries when it comes to the number of people tested for the coronavirus. All Rospotrebnadzor laboratories in the regions, as well as local labs operating in 47 regions plus two large private labs are taking part in this job. I would like to say that we will continue to increase the testing because we have registered new testing systems and more such systems have been submitted for registration.

As per your executive order, a stay-at-home week began in Russia on Monday. Everyone knows that this has been done to reduce the spread of the infection through social distancing to give our medical facilities and the healthcare system as a whole time to prepare for working during the peak period.

Throughout this non-working week, the Healthcare Ministry, the Federal Medical-Biological Agency (FMBA), Russian Railways and private medical facilities working together with the regional authorities are mobilising and reassigning hospital beds to prepare for the potential increase in the number of coronavirus patients. As of today, they have 94,000 hospital beds. As I already mentioned, since the largest number of coronavirus cases has been registered in Moscow, yesterday I finished the coordination of the number of hospital beds in Moscow, both regular and reassigned beds, with our colleagues from the federal and private medical facilities. Therefore, the first stage of the preparations should be completed by April 3.

During a recent meeting you issued instructions to the plenipotentiary representatives and regional heads, as well as the Government, to rationally organise and oversee the implementation of this job. I would like to say that we are acting in the prescribed manner.

I have to say, that as the situation develops, the country’s regions are taking decisions to expand the social distancing regulations. Of course, the decisions are based on the epidemiological situation in each particular region. Let me just remind you that so far, there have been no cases of the coronavirus in ten of the regions. But this should not make us think that we are out of danger because the number of regions with infected people goes up by about two per day.

Assessing the first three non-working days that were introduced by your Executive Order, we believe that these social distancing measures should be extended. But I would like to say that we need to do it proceeding from the situation in each particular region. It is very important that together with our colleagues from other regions we try to find a compromise between the restrictive measures and the development of the regional economy when taking these decisions. It is crucial to prevent a serious economic decline.

Mr President, colleagues,

I would also like to say a few words about our leading research institutions that are currently working on all aspects of prevention, diagnostics and treatment of the novel coronavirus infection. In late March, we carried out research to detect antibodies to the new virus. Overall, 226 samples of the blood serum of people who were not registered as infected with the novel coronavirus were studied. Out of these 226 people, 11 recovered from the virus and had antibodies to it.

Rospotrebnadzor’s state research centre VECTOR has developed a test system for detecting antibodies in the blood serum of patients and those who recovered from the virus, as well as for studying herd immunity and assessing the efficiency of vaccines that are currently being developed. The registration of this system is planned for April 10–15, 2020.

I would like to say that, just as we planned, the VEKTOR state research centre has developed vaccine prototypes based on six different technological platforms, such as the widely used recombinant viral vectors and synthetic vaccines. We expect the initial choice and serial manufacturing of several vaccines to be made before May 10.

The pre-clinical evaluation of the vaccine’s specific activity will be completed by June 22. After that, the first phase of clinical trials will be held on a limited group of people to assess their safety and immunogenicity. Some 60 people have volunteered for this. We expect that the first phase of the clinical trials will begin on June 29. We are doing all we can to support our researchers and to develop the vaccines as soon as this can be done.

This work is ongoing not only at the VEKTOR Centre but also at the research institutions of the Federal Medical-Biological Agency, the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow State University and several other facilities.

I would like to add that we are also testing several existing medicines for the treatment of the coronavirus infection. We are analysing eight medicines that have been registered in Russia. We will receive reliable data regarding their possible use to treat COVID-19 by April 10. In addition, we are testing 22 new medicines submitted by the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences and expect to make reliable conclusions regarding them by April 10 as well.

Mr President, we continue working and will be reporting to you on the results in accordance with the deadlines we have set for ourselves.

Thank you.



Vladimir Putin:

Thank you very much.

You have just said that nearly all cases are those who have returned to Russia from abroad and those who were in contact with them. Since March 11, 2020, 825,031 people have entered Russia. This is a lot. Another 1,400 people are expected today, and the overall number of arrivals is expected at almost 20,000.

Judging by the available reports, a large number of our citizens permanently living abroad are returning to Russia. It appears that it is not easy for them to receive medical assistance at the places of their permanent residence outside Russia. This is putting more pressure on us. My question in this connection is how this work is being organised and what you plan on doing with those who have returned and those who will be returning.



Tatyana Golikova:

The situation is very complicated when it comes to monitoring the returning citizens. However, we have developed the necessary measures to monitor these people in Russia together with the Interior Ministry, the FSB Border Guard Service, Rospotrebnadzor and our colleagues in the Russian regions, as well as the Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media. Upon arrival, all these people are issued the instruction of the Chief State Sanitary Physician to stay in quarantine or self-isolation for 14 days.

As you have correctly pointed out, in light of the great desire to return home, including among those who are living permanently in other countries, and to reduce pressure on our healthcare system and our doctors, the Coronavirus Response Centre has decided that charter flights will be organised to bring our citizens back home. However, the number of returning citizens will be limited so that we can monitor them and hence prevent an uncontrollable spread of the infection.

In other words, no more than 500 people will be allowed to land at the Moscow hub each day. The number of people landing at other Russian airports will be limited to only 200. Of course, some exceptions are possible, because we do not know when the foreign states that have declared a state of emergency on their territories will allow us to bring our citizens back to Russia. We will take such exceptional cases into account.

By decision of the Chief State Sanitary Physician, those returning to Russia will be placed under medical observation if they arrive in cities where they do not have permanent residence. The Russian regions have already organised this job. We have also agreed with the Moscow authorities that those who are staying or living in nearby regions can be transported to the relevant regions located near Moscow.



Vladimir Putin:

Fine. Thank you very much.

Look, currently overall we have 3,317,175 people in quarantine; 1,777 are under observation and 292,740 in mandatory self-isolation. We have already spoken about arranging remote work, if possible, if it is expedient, demonstrating in this way, hopefully, an example of responsible and law-abiding behaviour. But we also agreed to help people spend their time usefully at home, in their houses and apartments, or to continue working remotely. Again, as we are doing. And we have agreed that starting April 1, we will make access to socially significant internet resources free of charge.

Mr Shadayev, please tell us about this in detail.



Minister of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media Maksut Shadayev:

Mr President, colleagues,

Indeed, given the current situation internet access is a basic need for people who are forced to stay home for a long time.

Five of our major communication providers, which cover now 70 percent of households, supported our initiative not to disconnect users who for some reason cannot pay for their home internet access, and to keep them connected but restricted to a list of socially significant sites. Actually, we are talking about adopting a mandatory social standard of internet access.

This pilot project started today and will be completed on July 1 as planned. We hope that smaller internet providers will join this initiative too. The operators need just a little time to reset the networks starting today for subscribers who have no money in their accounts; the operators shall provide uninterrupted service. And this is very important.

Now, a couple of words, if I may, about how the list that will be available to all our citizens free of charge, was drawn up. The main criterion for the inclusion of this or that website was popular demand. We used all open data on site traffic and the popularity of services and compiled the list, which includes as of today 370 sites and services in 18 categories. The daily traffic of the sites included in the list exceeds 50 million people. This means that we have included what truly enjoys popular demand. Naturally, 99 percent of them are Russian resources.

This list includes popular Russian social networks, communities, email services, messenger apps/sites, news sites and online media, as well as popular information websites on education, medicine, culture, sports and science. Of course, it also includes the popular state agency and public service websites, as well as the largest online retailers, aggregators and delivery services. It also includes online banking and financial services as well as recruiting and career development services. The list is to have everything necessary to stay home and work conveniently.

Our people can continue to communicate through these services as well as enjoy their time, develop what they want to and order everything they need from home. Of course, we would like this list to be longer. It is open, and we will add new items to it. But it is important for us to find a balance between the free social package and the capacities of our communications providers. In fact, this experiment will be all about finding the golden mean.

Mr President, just a few more words. We are developing services on public service websites in line with the Government’s instructions. We have created a form for Russian citizens returning to the country. They fill in their data, including the place where they expect to stay during the quarantine.

Secondly, we sent text messages to all our citizens abroad and asked them to fill out the form if they needed emergency help or financial support and whether they have a place to stay. To date, 900 Russians abroad have filled out this form, and the Government has issued instructions to quickly provide them with financial aid.

We also believe it is necessary to launch an online sick list service as well as online prescriptions in the near future. A decision has been made regarding online sales of non-prescription drugs, but it is still necessary to go to a pharmacy to buy prescription drugs. If we introduce this service on the public services website, we can guarantee that these prescriptions will be credible and people will only be able to buy them after authorisation.

This is the end of my report.



Vladimir Putin:

Thank you, Mr Shadayev.

Ms Lyubimova, you are aware of the developments in culture. Here, the most important thing is to cover the current expenses of cultural institutions to cover wages, utility bills, and security issues. I know that the Ministry is taking the necessary steps. What exactly is being done and what else do you think needs to be done?



Minister of Culture Olga Lyubimova:

Mr President, I would also like to start with the measures that we are taking in relation to our audiences. Since all cultural institutions are temporarily closed, we consider it one of our priorities to optimise our online offerings. This is based on our portal Kultura.rf, which contains thousands of hours of films, recordings of performances, concerts, books, tours and lectures.

In recent weeks, viewings of online materials have increased five times and the number of submissions from cultural workers to post content has increased 20 times. Thus, a nationwide posting board of online events was created at Kultura.rf. The largest Russian theatres offer broadcasts of performances, and the Bolshoi and Mariinsky theatres are offering shows from their gold pool. The Maly Theatre is posting the audio recordings they have been making since 1938. The Alexandrinsky Theatre took a step further: on March 21, a play was first premiered on the main stage without an audience. Over 4 million users have become regular viewers of the Moscow Philharmonic online project Home Season, which was opened by Denis Matsuyev on March 20.

In connection with the announced week off work, we are broadcasting recorded concerts, and the new posts include daytime and evening shows. Daytime broadcasts (at 2 pm) are designed for children, for family viewing. Also, fans of excursions can enjoy lectures and virtual tours of museum exhibitions, from the Hermitage and the Tretyakov Gallery down to the smallest regional museums.

Libraries are not falling behind; they are holding many online seminars and various lectures for different age groups and even in different languages. In response, people send not only words of gratitude, but they are also submitting poems, drawings by their children, and small videos with applause to support the artists who are working in this new reality.

I would like to add a few words about art and theatre universities and colleges. The faculties are holding a lot of online classes. For example, the first online open day by the GITIS production department was held on Sunday, and some 1500 future applicants had the opportunity to watch it online. We think this is a very good format, which we will consolidate and continue to use with other universities.

(Ms Lyubimova then spoke about measures to support cultural institutions in the absence of extra-budgetary revenue from the sale of tickets, about monitoring the payment of wages in regional and municipal cultural institutions, and about supporting non-governmental cultural organisations. The Minister noted that the decisions made by the Government to support small and medium-sized businesses would also support entrepreneurs engaged in cinema and theatre and concert activities.)

We are working in all these areas. The main task now is to maintain our unique creative teams and, of course, to support our audiences.





Vladimir Putin:

Good, thank you.

Colleagues, before going over to the next item on our agenda, that is the spring field work, I would like to ask you if you have any other ideas, comments or proposals regarding the topics we have just discussed.



Accounts Chamber Chairman Alexei Kudrin:

May I, Mr President?



Vladimir Putin:

Go ahead, Mr Kudrin.



Alexei Kudrin:

Mr President, I would like to say a few more words about the socioeconomic situation. Over the past two weeks, economic forecasts for Russia and, of course, the world have become even more pessimistic. As of today, we can expect, even under a moderate scenario, a considerable decline in GDP – between 3 and 5 percent. Or the situation can become similar to 2009, when our GDP plunged by nearly 8 percent.

I would like to remind everyone that in 2009 the average price of oil was $61, but it will be much lower this year, and the market situation differs significantly from the past in that we are seeing increasingly more unusual and even shocking developments in the oil market. I would like to add that in 2009 people’s real incomes did not decline because you decided to increase pensions by nearly 50 percent, which alleviated the problems for the social status categories of the population.

And lastly, I would like to say that during the 2009 crisis we allocated nearly 10 percent of GDP to go towards support measures. Nearly half of those funds were used to increase the banks’ capitalisation in various forms, and, of course, a substantial share of these funds was used to make up for the federal budget revenue shortfall and to provide various forms of assistance to our businesses.

What is happening at the moment is very unusual, and even if GDP does not fall as low as it did that time we would still need to allocate upwards of 5 percent of GDP on support measures. I know that the Government is discussing such measures, and I wholeheartedly support everything that has been said today.

However, I believe that our businesses needs lie to know that a new and very serious package of support measures is being prepared. This would alleviate their concerns. And we will have to take non-standard support measures such as we did not take last time, including direct subsidies to some sectors, possibly allocating more funds not to the banking sector but to the service industry, where we should help owners compensate part of the wages. We should discuss the principles of allocating financial assistance to a group of sectors.

Our economists have formulated an interesting idea regarding the selection of such sectors so as to ensure a more fair allocation of funds, for example, as a percentage of last year’s taxes paid. However, we should also provide direct assistance; deferred debts and taxes alone will not be enough for many industries.

I reiterate, I would consider an additional package. I know it is being prepared, so what is the point in delaying? In addition, this support should be significant, we should bear in mind that we will have to spend more from the Reserve Fund this year rather than, say, distribute it evenly over the upcoming three to four years. Of course, loans will be important too, and the financial sector is ready to provide some of them in the form of loans to the Government.

These are the measures I suggest should be developed.



Vladimir Putin:

Thank you, Mr Kudrin.

The situation is indeed complicated. We are suffering two blows: the economic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic and the decline in business activity. We fully realise that these are serious challenges for the labour market. In addition, of course, the prices on our main export commodity have fallen significantly. We are discussing it with our colleagues in the country and at the international level with our OPEC partners. I recently talked about it with the President of the United States. The Americans are worried about it, too, because the profitability of their tight oil production is, according to various estimates, at about $40 per barrel, and this is a grave challenge for the American economy.

It concerns everyone and should concern consumers as well, because if the sector is not sufficiently financed and the development of new deposits stops, there will be a huge price hike on the market, and nobody wants that. Therefore, together with the main producers and consumers we will have to come up with solutions to ease the situation on the market in general.

Yes, it is a very serious challenge for our economy. The measures you mentioned, we used them in the previous crises, in 2008–2009. The current situation has its specific features, but still we have some experience of dealing with such events.

You are right, Mr Mishustin hears us; we discuss it with him several times a day. The Government is indeed preparing new proposals on how to support the economy and certain sectors in accordance with the current situation and with regard to possible developments as predicted by experts. The Government will act in accordance with this forecast. We will speak about it soon, including to the public.

Thank you.

I will ask again: if someone here wants to add something to the discussion, please, do it before we get down to the main agenda.

Is that all? Thank you.

Then, let us give the floor to Ms Abramchenko on the progress of spring field agricultural work.

We have many problems, but we want to eat every day. We understand how important it is, therefore, in spite of everything, this is the industry that should work without interruption, just as some other economic sectors. This is an extremely important area of our activity. I would like to stress that our rural citizens have always done their best. In recent years, they have shown brilliant results. Obviously, this refers not only to those who sow, but also to those who are involved in transport, logistics, fuels and lubricants, this is a large team of scientists, agronomists, and experts in various areas of agriculture. A lot will depend on them now: the stability of the economy as a whole, and the stability of the sector. The inner feeling of our citizens also depends to a large extent on how the agricultural industry works. When there is bread, there is inner confidence that in other sectors we will also achieve positive results and overcome all these temporary, I have no doubt, temporary difficulties that we are facing today, just like almost all the other countries of the world.

Let us discuss the current state of this industry and how spring field work is going.

Ms Abramchenko, please take the floor.



Deputy Prime Minister Viktoria Abramchenko:

Thank you.

Mr President, Mr Prime Minister, colleagues,

Before I move on to the main topic of my speech, I would like to brief you on developments in the food market. Together with the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Customs Service, we monitor the situation regarding food availability on a daily basis. And I want to thank my colleagues, as they work smoothly, clearly and very quickly.

I can report that the situation in the food market is stable. Our peak demand fell on March 14 and 15. Now there is no excessive demand for goods, including for durable ones. There are enough products in warehouses and distribution centres, there are no problems with potatoes and vegetables of the so-called borsch set. And you can see such a stable situation in all regions of the Russian Federation, including Moscow and St Petersburg. The regions are forming a permanent two-month supply of basic products.

Mr President, you are absolutely right that farmers never let us down, and they really are showing good results. You know that we already see overproduction in some industries, first of all in cattle breeding, where we now have 12 percent more meat than the threshold requirement of the Food Security Doctrine.

Here I would like to share some good news. On March 25, Mr Mishustin signed a directive to hold talks with China on exporting our beef. These talks were underway for several years, and on April 7, the first eight containers of Russian beef will arrive in China. The export of our products to China will further boost the development of beef cattle breeding; let me remind you that this industry began developing 20 years ago, almost from scratch. This is especially important in the current situation.

We still have a lot to do to develop our export potential and achieve the goals you set of $45 billion per year; but first of all we must think about how to involve farmland that is not used today in agriculture.

Farmland comprises a separate, large category of land, the second largest after forests. It covers 20 times more area than all populated areas. Most importantly, this land is not only used in agriculture but also ensures our food security. It also serves as a donor for the development of populated areas. In addition, activities that are not directly related to agriculture are carried out on this land, such as road construction or mineral extraction.

(Next Viktoria Abramchenko spoke of certain issues of land legislation and noted that it was necessary to draw up a new version of the basic Law on Land Management, which is the main legislative act on agricultural land use planning, as well to amend the Land Code and the Law On Agricultural Land Management.)

To conclude my report, I would like to stress that involving unused farmland in agriculture requires the development and support of the Russian land-reclamation complex, land clearance operations, forest amelioration, draining, irrigation and lime treatment of acid soils. Such work would be impossible for our farmers without government support.

These measures must be carried out consistently and systematically as well as envisaged in the state programme for effective involvement of farmland in agriculture, which the Russian Government is developing, Mr President, in line with your instructions.

Thank you.



Vladimir Putin:

Yes, this is true. In line with my instructions, a draft state programme for the effective involvement of farmland in agriculture and the development of the land-reclamation complex of the Russian Federation must be developed. I hope this work will be carried out as soon as possible.

You have mentioned especially valuable farmland, which is good, because one third of our farmland is deer and other pastures. However, above all we should consider farmland used for farming, in the literal sense of the word.

This is why the difference is very important here, as you have said. I completely agree with you that the transfer of lands from one category to another is not transparent and there is a lot of corruption involved. You and I understand very well: they buy land very cheaply as farmland, then do nothing for several years, and then some officials sign the necessary documents and transfer the land from farmland to residential land, for construction. The price goes up dozens of times, just because of one signature, dozens of times. This must stop immediately; of course, we must get down to this. Everything you have said must be done as soon as possible.

The same goes for the unused areas, which have… you have said 17 million hectares of land in total are unused land areas, which means 1.7 million unused plots. Of course, it is high time we did something about this; the solution is long overdue. I am asking you to resolve these issues as soon as possible.



Viktoria Abramchenko:

Done.



Vladimir Putin:

Of course, I support all your proposals on amending the current law if necessary.

Thank you.



Viktoria Abramchenko:

Agreed. Thank you.



Vladimir Putin:

Mr Patrushev, it is your turn now, please tell us about the current situation.





Minister of Agriculture Dmitry Patrushev:

Mr President, colleagues,

Of course, the Russian agricultural market depends on timely and high-quality spring field work, which is gaining momentum.

On the whole, sowing is proceeding in a normal manner, I reported on this in detail on March 17. I can add that as of today, 26 regions of the Southern, North Caucasian, Central, Volga and Far Eastern federal districts have already begun getting down to work. We are ahead of schedule in all almost all areas. In particular, as of March 31, spring sowing was carried out on an area of two million hectares, which is twice as much as on the same date last year. The availability and prices of basic material and technical resources are stable. On March 30, the Ministry of Agriculture increased the annual limit on subsidies for soft loans on plant growing by 10 percent to support sowing. In addition to this, for the regions with an additional need, the subsidy limit on small businesses was also increased.

Despite the current situation, there are no significant problems during the sowing. We are constantly in touch with the regions, providing them with all the necessary support. As in previous years, we can look forward to a decent harvest.

Mr President, our country’s agricultural producers are working hard to ensure the uninterrupted supply of fresh and high-quality goods to the Russian population, both in the current situation and in the long term. First of all, we connect the long-term development perspective for our industry with the 2030 strategy, which was approved at the government meeting on March 19. The strategy reflects the dynamics of all key fields of agriculture and the fisheries. I also would like to emphasise that its implementation will make a significant contribution to achieving the national goals outlined in Presidential Executive Order No. 204. The priorities of the strategy are synchronised with all key, already approved sector planning documents, including state agribusiness and fishery development programmes, as well as the integrated development of rural areas.

Today, we have also included in the strategy certain provisions from the future state programme that you mentioned concerning the effective involvement of agricultural land and the development of the reclamation complex. The Ministry of Agriculture is developing it in accordance with your instruction following the State Council meeting on agriculture.

Alongside the goals laid down in our strategic documents, the strategy itself is linked to the goals set out in the Food Security Doctrine. In 2019, its goals were exceeded, in particular, in terms of grain, sugar, vegetable oil, meat and meat products, as well as fish products and potatoes. This year, we are sticking to the same forecast for these food categories. Notably, the threshold numbers for milk and salt have not been reached. We are working hard to get there. In addition, the updated doctrine includes vegetables and gourds, fruit and berries, as well as seeds, on which we are working systematically.

Colleagues, I will provide a brief overview of the key industry goals, which we expect to achieve over the next decade based on available funding and being fully aware of the inherent risks.

Under the strategy, which is part of the state agriculture development programme, we plan to achieve the following by 2030: 1) the agricultural output will increase by over 25 percent; 2) agricultural exports may exceed $45 billion; 3) the index of physical volume of investment in fixed agricultural assets will increase by almost a third; 4) gross added value created in agriculture will almost double and may reach 7 trillion rubles.

(The Minister went on to provide specific figures for output growth in key agro-industrial sub-sectors and focused on introducing digital technologies, transforming the manufacturing and processing facilities with the use of advanced technology and improving breeding and genetics.)

As you may be aware, the Federal Agricultural Research and Technical Programme has been in place since 2017. Its most important goals include reducing dependence on imports and increasing the volume and improving the quality of agricultural produce. Once it gets implemented, the number of new varieties of seeds, plant hybrids and highly productive livestock breeds will go up. The current level of innovation-driven activities is fairly low at such companies. Among other things, it has to do with a certain legacy, as well as the fact that agricultural research and agribusiness are disconnected. The State Council discussed this matter in December 2019.

Next, we need to discuss the long-term outlook as it applies to land, which is the key resource in agriculture. Protecting agricultural land, making unused land available for farming, and constantly working to improve fertility and to preserve the quality of the soil are among our strategic goals. The actions and tools for implementing this are included in the corresponding draft state programme, as I mentioned. This is necessary both to ensure food security and to increase exports. According to our estimates, we need an additional 12 million hectares of land. Of course, designating more land for farming is a must if we want to develop rural areas. Therefore, the Ministry of Agriculture will do its best to get the state programme going as early as 2021.

Colleagues,

Of course, the strategy’s main focus is to improve the quality of life in rural areas. In particular, we will be taking steps to keep the rural population numbers from declining, to improve living conditions and expand the social and utility infrastructure. All of that is included in the state programme Comprehensive Development of Rural Areas. We plan to bring the level of employment among the working age rural population to 89 percent by 2030. The unemployment rate of the rural working-age population will be cut in half compared to 2019 to about 4 percent. Almost 3.2 million square metres of new comfortable housing in rural areas will be commissioned or acquired. As many as 257,000 households will see their housing conditions significantly improve.

I would like to spend a moment to discuss easy-term rural mortgage loans, which are widely popular with customers. Importantly, rural mortgages are a direct, concrete and straightforward form of state support. Now, three months after this mechanism first became available on the market, it is clear that people are buying new homes in rural areas because they are willing to live there.

In addition, affordable relocation to rural areas can help reduce urban density, which is an important factor. Therefore, it is critical to support funding for this.

Mr President, colleagues,

Undoubtedly, domestic market stability has always been and will remain our top priority. Domestic produce has significantly improved its position on the international market in recent years. We hope that despite the current circumstances, Russia’s role as a supplier of high-quality alimentary raw materials and foods will continue to grow. We have no plans to stop looking for and expanding new market niches popular with Russian and international customers.

I would like to mention several promising areas, including for exports, such as organic and “green” produce, the demand for which is growing every year. In addition, we are increasing the production of domestic fruit and berries. The amendments to the Tax Code, whereby the VAT rate for these products fell to 10 percent, gave a boost to this industry. As of the end of 2019, the production of fruit and berries in Russia reached an all-time high of 3.5 million tonnes.

Viticulture and winemaking are promising agricultural areas as well, including in terms of their export potential. An increase in interest here is also largely due to state support. More vineyards are becoming available annually. Last year, 7,000 more hectares were added, which is up 40 percent on the previous year. The cumulative figure should be 32,200 hectares in 2025.

Mr President, colleagues,

Summing up the report on the agriculture industry’s strategic development, I would like to express hope that the existing state support will allow us to keep up our pace of work across all key areas. Of course, the strategic goals can only be achieved with steady funding, including the ongoing state programmes.

Thank you.



Vladimir Putin:

Fine. Thank you very much.

Colleagues, any comments on what Ms Abramchenko and Mr Patrushev have said? No? Thank you.

Thank you Mr Patrushev.

To conclude our work today, I would like to say the following.

First, I would like to repeat: I think this online work format fully meets today’s requirements and shows our law-abiding behaviour, a responsible approach to what is happening. I want to draw attention to this. Each of you, colleagues, must be at your workplace and make every effort to achieve the results that the country expects from us, to solve the problems that we face. I want to emphasise and note: every person on our team today is important. Therefore, I would ask you to keep this in mind and to treat your health responsibly – this is the first thing.

Second: Ms Abramchenko said that she has good news about the food market. I hope that our joint effective work will result in more good news in other industries. And indeed, when there is bread on the table, then people correctly think that everything else can be achieved. So, this is very important. It is important for us to go through this period of spring fieldwork as in previous years, with the hope of a good harvest.

Well, as for this format, I think we might like it. Because, first of all, we do not have to go anywhere, we can save time on travel. And second, the number of cars with flashing lights in Moscow will decrease and will not interfere with other people on the road, which will also have a positive impact on people’s mood in Moscow.

I wish you all the very best.

Thank you very much.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63123
__________________
Where should they dig the Very Deep Pit?
Piglet said that the best place would be somewhere where a Heffalump was, just before he fell into it, only about a foot farther on.
(c) Alan Alexander Miln
 
Old May 17th, 2020 #74
Alex Him
Senior Member
 
Alex Him's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,834
Blog Entries: 219
Post

Greetings on Russia and Belarus Unity Day



Vladimir Putin sent a message of greetings to President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko on the Day of Unity between the Peoples of Russia and Belarus.



April 2, 2020 - 10:00



“For over two decades since the signing of the Treaty on Establishing the Union State of Russia and Belarus, our countries have managed to develop mutually beneficial integration mechanisms, significantly strengthen bilateral cooperation in trade, the economy, scientific, technical, cultural and other fields. We have been implementing mutually beneficial joint projects, as well as coordinating our foreign and defence policies,” Russia’s President notes in his message.

Vladimir Putin expressed confidence that the accumulated experience of joint work will help the two countries find optimal approaches to all, even the most complicated issues that are hindring the development of the Union State.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63132






Address to the Nation



April 2, 2020 - 16:50






President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

Citizens of Russia, friends,

The non-work week in Russia is coming to an end. However, doctors, nurses and all medical personnel continue to work intensely.

It is a difficult time for them now. They are holding the line of defence against the advancing epidemic: they are treating and saving people as well as preventing the contraction and development of the disease. I am confident that all Russians will share my heartfelt gratitude to our medical personnel.

People working in other fields that are vital for Russia and society are also doing their duty now. I would like to sincerely thank you all, without exception.

And, of course, I would like to thank volunteers and people who care, everyone who understood and felt their personal responsibility in countering the epidemic and who strictly follow the recommendations of the authorities and medical specialists, take care of themselves, their families and the safety of those around them.

The nationwide non-work week as well as the self-isolation regime declared in many regions made it possible for us to gain time to take preventive action, to mobilise all the government bodies and to increase the healthcare system’s resources to counter the epidemic as effectively as possible using our own experience and the best practices from other countries.

I believe it of great importance that overall we have managed to protect the elderly from the serious threat so far and prevent outbreaks of the epidemic at kindergartens, schools, universities and other educational institutions.

Of course, now we have to think about our next steps and decisions. Let me stress that when making decisions we have to understand that the threat is still present. Virologists believe that the global peak of the epidemic is still ahead of us, including in Russia.

In this context, I have decided to prolong the official non-work period until the end of the month, or through April 30. Let me stress that wages will be retained.

At the same time, the situation is changing, and it is different in different regions and even in individual municipalities. We have a very large country with varying population densities and regions where the coronavirus has already created a serious threat to people. This applies, for one, to Moscow where the trend has not been reversed yet despite the measures taken by the federal and municipal authorities. Meanwhile, there are regions where not a single case of the disease has been identified, although there are fewer of them as time goes on.





Therefore, restrictions should be tightened in some regions, whereas local, spot solutions may be sufficient in others with a high level of preparedness. These specific distinctions must be taken into account.

In this context, the regional heads will be granted additional authority in line with my Executive Order. By the end of this week, they will have to plan out a set of specific preventive measures that are the most rational for their regions in terms of the health and security of the people and the sustainability of the economy and key elements of the infrastructure.

Let me repeat that the regions themselves will make decisions that are based largely on the objective situation. These decisions should determine what regime to introduce in a region or its individual municipalities under the presidential Executive Order, which companies and organisations need to suspend their activities and which can continue operating with strict observance of public health.

Let me add that, as before, work will continue at government bodies, companies with continuous production, medical facilities and pharmacies, shops selling the basic necessities and all vital services.

If there is a need to impose additional restrictions on backbone companies and educational and research organisations, the regions will have to coordinate the decision with the Federal Government.

It is critical to ensure interaction between different levels of government, including the federal, regional and municipal governments. I therefore asked my plenipotentiary envoys in the federal districts to closely coordinate this work in the regions. All information must go to the Government Coronavirus Effort Coordinating Board for processing and analysis and be used in decision-making.

Of course, the regional authorities must coordinate their actions with the sanitary and epidemiological authorities. The key and unconditional goal here is proper protection, health and safety of the Russian people.

We will see where the situation goes from here and make further decisions and, situation permitting, will adjust the duration of the announced period of compulsory days off to reduce it.

I have another point to make. As we implement measures to combat the epidemic, we must not forget that it is just as important to preserve jobs and incomes. This is a common priority for the Government, the regional authorities and for businesses. An efficient and steadily performing economy provides the basis for achieving our key goals, including in healthcare.

Fellow citizens, please continue to strictly follow the instructions issued by the authorities and the recommendations of the doctors and specialists, and to protect yourself and your loved ones.

Our shared responsibility and mutual support remain extremely important and, in some cases, decisive. Even this short week has shown that with the proper understanding of the complexity of the situation, we can manage to reduce the risks effectively. I am sure that we will continue to act in the same coordinated and reliable manner. Most importantly, we must be proactive.

Thank you. Stay well.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63133






Executive Order on ensuring people’s sanitary and epidemiological safety in view of coronavirus infection spread



The President signed the Executive Order On Measures to Ensure the Sanitary and Epidemiological Safety of the Population in Connection with the Spread of the Novel Coronavirus Infection (COVID-19).



April 2, 2020 - 17:10



To ensure the sanitary and epidemiological safety of the population in connection with the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) and in accordance with Article 80 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation, the President resolved to declare non-work days with full pay in the Russian Federation from April 4 to April 30, 2020.

The Executive Order directs top officials of the regions of the Russian Federation to devise and implement a set of restrictions and other measures based on the sanitary and epidemiological situation and the peculiarities of the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

Restrictions and other measures may be applied at different times within the full period (from April 4 to April 30, 2020).

The Executive Order lists organisations that are exempt, in particular, those that are continuously operating; medical facilities and pharmacies; organisations that supply the population with food products and basic necessities; and organisations performing urgent work during emergencies and in the event of a disease outbreak that threatens public health.

Federal government bodies and administrative bodies of government extra-budgetary funds have been instructed to determine the number of federal government officials and employees needed to ensure the functioning of these bodies from April 4 to April 30, 2020.

Proceeding from the sanitary and epidemiological situation and the peculiarities of the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) on a given territory, regional government bodies and local self-government bodies have been instructed to determine the number of government and municipal employees needed to ensure the functioning of these bodies from April 4 to April 30, 2020.

In addition, organisations engaged in mass media production and distribution have been directed to determine the number of employees needed to ensure the functioning of these organisations from April 4 to April 30, 2020.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63134






Telephone conversation with President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic



Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic at the Serbian side’s initiative.



April 2, 2020 - 17:45



The presidents discussed the measures taken by the two countries to counter the coronavirus pandemic as well as opportunities for practical cooperation in this area.

The two leaders agreed on the provision of humanitarian aid to Serbia in order to fight the spread of the infection in the spirit of traditional friendly bilateral relations. This aid, including sending experts, will mostly be provided by the Russian Defence Ministry.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63137






Meeting with permanent members of the Security Council



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



April 3, 2020 - 16:00 - Novo-Ogaryovo, Moscow Region







The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko, State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev, Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Anton Vaino, Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev, Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Director of the Federal Security Service Alexander Bortnikov, Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service Sergei Naryshkin, and Special Presidential Representative for Environmental Protection, Ecology and Transport Sergei Ivanov.







President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

Good afternoon, colleagues,

Here’s what I would like to begin with. As you know, my Executive Order extends the special precautionary measures in Russia until the end of April, quarantine measures are in place, and this is necessary in order to slow down the spread of the coronavirus. This is what the experts believe, and, of course, we are listening and will continue listening to them. We will base our work on the fact that the life and health of Russia’s citizens are our top priority.

You also know that in line with the Presidential Executive Order, the ministries, agencies and enterprises ensuring the vital functions of our country continue to work. This certainly includes your ministries and agencies. I would like to thank you and your staff for all the work you have been doing in today’s difficult conditions and express hope that order and security of Russia will be ensured.

Governors and heads of regions have special responsibility today. You know that, in line with my Executive Order, they have been given additional powers, so I am asking you – and please tell this to your personnel, including in the Russian regions – that the governors must have full support. You have vast administrative and information resources, which must all be aimed at supporting the heads of the Russian regions.

Today, when we continue combating the coronavirus infection, the regions will have a significant part of the load, and it is very important for us to ensure interaction between all the levels of government: municipal, regional and federal.

Obviously, it is impractical to restrict economic activities and close enterprises and institutions, in a uniform manner, painting everything with the same brush throughout the country.

Today I spoke with several regional heads, with governors, to understand the situation on the ground. For example, thank goodness, no cases of the coronavirus infection have been registered so far in the Republic of Altai. The question is: should all the institutions and enterprises there be closed under the instruction from Moscow?

There are many such situations in the country. We have many small settlements, rural towns, villages and small cities. The situation is different everywhere. The economy is already in a difficult condition. Therefore, no general instructions that undermine economic activity should be given.

I am sure that we have taken the absolutely right path. But it is necessary to help both the federal authorities, regional authorities, and municipal authorities, primarily in establishing this interaction between them.

Today, the interaction between different levels of governance is one of our priorities. And I would ask you to get down to work, fully understanding this.

Let us continue our meeting today in a closed format.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63143






Meeting on the situation in global energy markets



The President held a meeting, via videoconference, on the situation in global energy markets. The participants discussed measures to ensure sustainability and development of the national fuel-and-energy industry.



April 3, 2020 - 19:20 - Novo-Ogaryovo, Moscow Region







President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

Good afternoon, colleagues,

Judging by your reaction, everyone can see and hear each other. Welcome, once again.

We are working hard to ensure the safety of our people, to guarantee their health, to facilitate the failsafe operation of the healthcare system and to be prepared to take on the challenges brought on by the coronavirus infection.

But life goes on, and I said this in my latest address. I said we must do everything we can to ensure sustainability and, what’s important, the development of the Russian economy.

So, today we will deal with an issue that is very important to the world economy and that is vital to our economy. We will discuss the situation in global energy markets and what should be done to ensure the unconditional development of the energy industry in Russia.

As you know, generally the situation in global energy markets remains complicated. The coronavirus epidemic has affected the entire global economy, thereby reducing consumer demand for energy, especially in transport, industry and other sectors.

This situation is negatively effecting the financial and economic sustainability of the oil industry all over the world. Moreover, it is undermining investment programmes and may also affect employment. There are also other grounds for concern. Needless to say, all this will trigger high technological and even environmental risks. We should not forget about this, either.

It is also clear that having faced such system-wide problems, the global oil industry could be short of oil in the future when demand picks up. And this will happen, demand will inevitably recover, and in this situation, and you know this better than anyone, the industry will run into an acute shortage of oil, a serious shortage of resources, and later, of oil with all the ensuing negative consequences for the global economy. This is possible also because oil prices could shoot up. So, it is in our common interests, and I mean common interests, to avoid this scenario.

As you know, in early March Russia suggested extending the OPEC+ deal. Unfortunately, the situation began to develop under a different scenario.





I would like to emphasise that Russia has always favoured long-term stability in the oil market and consideration for the interests of both producers and consumers. We have never tried to inflate prices, but we have also wanted to avoid very low prices. This is easy to understand: our budget is based on an oil price of $42 per barrel and we are quite comfortable around this figure. I believe this is also very important for consumers. In general, all this implies an effective supply and demand balance with predictable and economically substantiated prices. This is what we have always striven for.

You know we maintain close contact with our partners in Saudi Arabia. And recently, I spoke over the telephone with the President of the United States. We are all concerned about the situation. We are all interested in joint, and let me emphasise, well-coordinated, actions for ensuring the long-term stability of the market.

In this respect, I would like to emphasise that Russia deems it necessary to pool efforts. As I said, we did not initiate the breakup of the OPEC+ deal. We are always ready to reach an agreement with our partners, in the OPEC+ format, and we are prepared to cooperate with the United States on this issue.

I consider it necessary to pool our efforts to balance the market and reduce production as a result of these concerted and well-coordinated efforts.

Based on tentative estimates, I believe the reduction should be about 10 million barrels per day, more or less. We are meeting today to discuss these issues.

Of course, all this should proceed in the manner of a partnership. And I believe that when I talk about partner interaction, everybody, including our partners, understands that this is about cutting production to the pre-crisis level, meaning we are taking about production at the level of the first quarter this year.

We will study and analyse the situation. Again, our key objective is the long-term stability of the market for the benefit of both producers and consumers. And, of course, to ensure the stability and further development of the Russian oil industry, the Russian oil and energy industry as the most important sector of the national economy.

Colleagues.

I have brought you in to discuss all these questions and ask for your advice on what actions we should take and how we should hold consultations with our partners to work out a concerted approach.

I want to give the floor to the Energy Minister. Mr Novak, please, take the floor. I wanted to hear your opinion first, today. Welcome.





Minister of Energy Alexander Novak:

Thank you very much.

Mr President, colleagues,

If I may, some words about the current market situation. As you noted, Mr President, it is evident that the global economy is going through a very volatile period and this directly affects the oil market.

Currently, oil is being traded at $25 to $30 per barrel. But volatility is high: up and down, every day. Actually, we see that price fluctuations have been about 10 percent or more. Since the beginning of the year, the nosedive has been almost 60 percent.

What factors have the greatest impact on the market today? The first and most important factor is the worldwide spread of the coronavirus pandemic and the governments’ efforts to contain the virus. This has led to a sharp decline in economic activity, limited movement of citizens, and a reduced demand for oil and oil products.

Currently, the decline in demand, as you have already noted, Mr President, is about 10–15 million barrels per day. And, according to experts, the demand may drop to 15–20 million barrels per day in the next few weeks. This is approximately 20 percent of the world's total production.

Currently, the market actually lacks an understanding of the possible bottom, and this is one of the main causes of the price drop. There has never been such a sharp and large-scale decline in demand.

The most acute situation is in the European Union countries, which consume 18 percent of the global oil market, and the United States of America with about 20 percent of the global consumption.

We can see a drop in demand of 30 to 70 percent at petrol stations in different countries. As you know, about 60 percent of all oil consumption in the world is connected with transport. We can also see a drop in demand for air travel, totalling 60 percent worldwide, that is, the loss in kerosene demand alone is about four to five million barrels per day.

One more additional factor, you also mentioned it, Mr President, is the unilateral decision of certain countries to overstock the market.

As you noted, on March 6 in Vienna, Russia proposed to extend the restrictions in force at that time on production by the OPEC+ member countries. We proposed to extend them for at least a quarter or a month to assess the current situation, and Russia did not initiate termination of the agreement. Unfortunately, our partners from Saudi Arabia did not agree to extend the current deal on the current conditions. In fact, they withdrew from the agreement and announced significant additional discounts on their oil, as well as plans for a sharp increase in production.

Amid the sharp drop in demand, which I mentioned earlier, this also caused oil prices to fall and continues to negatively affect the market.

The situation is currently as follows: overproduction, or unneeded oil due to lower demand, is now being moved to storage, either surface storage or oil tankers. According to estimates, oil can be moved to storage for another month and a half or two months, for record-high reserves.

When total over-storage occurs, the industry can encounter unpredictable consequences, including even more significant price drops.

Under the circumstances, of course, a decision is needed on coordinated actions to cut oil production in order to restore stability in the industry. You said this in your opening remarks. It is critical that the major producers take part in these efforts including Russia, Saudi Arabia, the United States and other countries, both OPEC members and others.

The key partners in balancing the market should be producers like the United States. I would like to specifically note that these actions should meet the interests of both producers and consumers unless there is a price hike after possible shortages.

Mr President, I agree with your assessment to cut oil production by about 10 million barrels a day. Production must be cut for several months with a subsequent increase in production as demand recovers.

A conference call with the OPEC+ ministers is tentatively scheduled for April 6. We will continue talking with our partners within the Cooperation Charter signed last year in order to reach an agreement on stabilising the global energy market.

I would also like to emphasise, in conclusion, that even under these difficult conditions fuel and energy companies are continuing to operate at full capacity. They are maintaining production schedules, and meeting domestic demand for oil products. We are monitoring the situation together and are doing all we can to ensure the stable performance by these companies in this challenging environment.

Thank you.





Vladimir Putin:

If I understood you correctly – in fact, what you just said is fairly obvious. First, the reasons for the drop in prices and production were primarily due to the coronavirus, of course. It caused the decline in production, decline in demand – in transport, industry and so on. This is the first point.

The second reason for the price drop is the withdrawal of our Saudi partners from the OPEC+ deal, increase in their production volumes and the announcement they made at the same time that they are ready to discount oil prices.

All this is understandable because it’s apparently related to attempts by our Saudi partners to eliminate competitors that are producing so-called shale oil. To do this, it is necessary to get the price below $40 per barrel. In this respect, they are certainly reaching their goal to a certain extent. But this is what we do not need. We have never set such a goal because, as I said, our budget is based on about $40 per barrel.

That said, we must certainly consider the interests of all of our partners, all of them. This is the only way we will be able to achieve a fair agreement on balancing the market.

We are at the beginning of our conversation today but I would like to ask you, Mr Novak, to consider all these circumstances and to strive, let me repeat, for a well-balanced decision with considerations for the interests of all our partners when you talk with your colleagues from other countries – on Monday you said?




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63145






Meeting with Yury Trutnev and Alexander Kozlov



Vladimir Putin met with Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation and Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District Yury Trutnev and Minister for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic Alexander Kozlov.



April 6, 2020 - 14:25 - The Kremlin, Moscow



The discussion dealt with the development of Far Eastern and Arctic areas, with special emphasis on building social infrastructure facilities in Buryatia and the Trans-Baikal Territory.







President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

Please, welcome.

Let us start with how the mechanisms and tools that we have created to develop the Far East and the Arctic are working. We do understand what we are talking about here– PDAs, etc. Please, go ahead.



Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation and Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District Yury Trutnev:

Mr President, pursuant to your instruction we continue developing the Far East. To date, 2,283 projects are being implemented in the Far East with government support. The total amount of investment already made in the area has exceeded one trillion, as of today it amounts to 1,160 billion rubles. These funds came mainly from investors: 22.5 rubles of private investment per each ruble in budgetary contributions.

The industrial growth rate in 2019 was six percent. It should be noted that the industry and investment in equity growth rates have been 2–2.5 times higher than Russia's average for five years already. At the same time, we understand that it is all right that there is still a lot of work ahead before people feel anything. As you instructed, we began dealing with the social sphere. In total, 93 billion have been invested over a period of three years. Already 300 facilities have been built and over 200 sites have been refurbished. This work continues, including in Buryatia and the Trans-Baikal Territory, which were integrated into the Far Eastern Federal District by your decision.

The One Hectare programme is underway: almost 80,000 people have received land plots. It takes 34 days on average.

Also, according to your instructions, a system of incentives for the Arctic zone is being developed. The draft law has been prepared; it contains two parts. The first part consists of projects related to production. The second part involves projects in shelf hydrocarbon production, LNG production, gas processing and other aspects not related to production. The draft law has been adopted in the first reading; we will continue working on it.



Vladimir Putin:

Good.

As for Buryatia and Trans-Baikal: priority development areas were created in both regions. In Buryatia, plans call for constructing three hospitals, one rural health post, one school and 12 sports complexes and grounds, as well as renovating 70 facilities. The Trans-Baikal Territory will see 40 rural health posts, two schools, three kindergartens, two sports complexes, 60 sports grounds, and eight cultural facilities built, as well as 136 facilities renovated. What about the financing? How is work proceeding at these facilities?





Minister for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic Alexander Kozlov:

Mr President, Mr Trutnev,

We have been allocating funds since 2019. Work worth 3 billion rubles has been carried out in each region. Each of the facilities is at a different stage of construction or renovation. Large facilities such as schools and kindergartens will be built first. It took us six months to carry out all the necessary procedures and design work; construction is currently underway.



Vladimir Putin:

What about tenders?



Alexander Kozlov:

All tender procedures have been taken care of.

As for the quick victories plan, as we call it, it includes support for growth areas not in terms of permanent construction or other things. Say, we made a decision based on the example of Ulan-Ude, where we purchased 15 tramcars and renovated 6 kilometres of track. The last tramcar in the city, just one, was bought in 2008; 8 cars were purchased in 1996. We purchased 15 new cars for Ulan-Ude last year alone. As for Buryatia, you can see the figures in the presentation: 6.7 billion and 9.5 billion in the Trans-Baikal Territory. Mr Trutnev held a meeting of the subcommission where additional facilities were considered more professionally to deal with the issue of assigning land plots for the construction. The issue was addressed during the latest trip to Buryatia, and as part of this decision, we will develop Ulan-Ude in its entirety, not to just implement the budget, but to achieve results.

Mr Usmanov is implementing the Udokan project in the village of Chara, in Trans-Baikal Territory. Last week we visited the village; it has a population of 3,000. We toured the school, the Beryozka kindergarten. There is also a museum in the village, and indigenous people live there. All this requires support; so far we have allocated 180 million rubles. We will develop this village and we plan to bring an additional 2,000 people there. Building an airport is also being considered. The design and expert assessment have been completed, and the comprehensive plan includes the creation of a runway. We need to include it in the 2020 construction plans and begin the job because it takes 2.5 days to get there by train and 2.5 hours by AN-24 aircraft, which are 40 years old. This is how matters stand.

We paid a great deal of attention to people’s wishes, including to things that are not present in the national projects and state programmes: the construction for example of ordinary sports grounds in courtyards. A hundred sports grounds were built in the region as part of the programme. It also included automobiles and 88 buses. Various things have been done, including repair work. We have done a lot there and renovated many social infrastructure facilities because many of them really needed to be repaired.





Vladimir Putin:

You have already mentioned the Arctic, but let us get back to it. How are things going there?



Yury Trutnev:

We divided everything into five groups with different preferential systems depending on what taxes are the most significant for each group, for certain production areas. We agreed upon them with all the companies, federal agencies and the executive authorities. I am sure that this system will boost the development of the Arctic zone.



Vladimir Putin:

There are many large-scale projects there.



Yury Trutnev:

Yes. We intend to reach all the goals you outlined related to giving a full load to the Northern Sea Route and need to tie all this together.





Vladimir Putin:

Am I right in thinking there are both production and non-production projects?



Yury Trutnev:

And non-production ones, yes. Because there must be hotels and restaurants so people would have ways to spend their free time.



Vladimir Putin:

The preferential treatment that is already in force, is it noticeable?



Yury Trutnev:

It is. The system is slightly different from what we suggested, as well as from the adopted laws on the Far East. As a rule, there are no zero rates; preferential rates are lower by two thirds, but have to be paid starting from the first year. We consulted with companies; they are fully satisfied because the preferential term lasts longer this way. On the other hand, territories will begin to receive taxes immediately, so it will provide an addition to the budget due to new investment projects.



Vladimir Putin:

Good.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63157
__________________
Where should they dig the Very Deep Pit?
Piglet said that the best place would be somewhere where a Heffalump was, just before he fell into it, only about a foot farther on.
(c) Alan Alexander Miln

Last edited by Alex Him; May 20th, 2020 at 12:42 PM.
 
Old May 18th, 2020 #75
Alex Him
Senior Member
 
Alex Him's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,834
Blog Entries: 219
Post

Meeting on coronavirus pandemic development and preventive measures



The President held a videoconference meeting with experts on the development of the coronavirus pandemic and preventive measures.



April 7, 2020 - 16:30 - Novo-Ogaryovo, Moscow Region



The videoconference meeting was attended by Alexander Gintsburg, Director of the Gamaleya National Research Centre of Epidemiology and Microbiology; Vadim Govorun, Director of the Federal Research & Clinical Centre of Physical-Chemical Medicine; Ivan Dedov, President of the National Medical Research Centre for Endocrinology and Chief Visiting Endocrinologist of the Russian Ministry of Health; Vladislav Karkishchenko, Director of the Scientific Centre of Biomedical Technologies; Vladimir Kutyryov, Director of the Mikrob Russian Anti-Plague Research Institute; Rinat Maksyutov, General Director of the VEKTOR State Research Centre of Virology and Biotechnology; Andrei Svistunov, First Vice-Rector of the Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University; Dmitry Sychyov, Rector of the Russian Medical Academy of Postgraduate Education; and Viktor Fomin, Vice-Rector of the Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University.







President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

Good afternoon, colleagues.

Can you hear me, see me?



Reply:

Yes, Mr President.



Vladimir Putin:

Excellent. I can hear and see you too.

Taking part in our meeting today we have researchers, experts and professionals whose opinion is crucial for the development of the necessary decisions to fight the coronavirus infection.

We are monitoring the situation very carefully and we are taking into account both the positive and the negative experiences of other countries. I would like to reiterate that we have not seen the peak of the epidemic yet. Now it is very important to avoid repeating others’ mistakes, rather than learn from our own, to draw a lesson and make conclusions based on the position of the medical, scientific society.

I would like to hear the opinions of our experts today. First of all, I would like to give the floor to our colleagues, experts in virology. It seems that all of us have become virologists, the entire country. But the opinion of true experts is extremely important because authorities at all levels base their actions on the opinions of those who have devoted their lives to this complex, important and responsible work.

I will mention it again: all our actions must be proportionate to the threat and adequate to the situation. The most important thing here is the safety and health of Russian citizens. At the same time, it is crucial to provide conditions for a quick recovery of economic and business activities.

I would like to hear what my colleagues, who will have the floor now, think about how appropriate our actions are regarding the period of mandatory non-work days. In this regard, it is very important to hear out your opinions, friends. Do you think it will be possible to decrease the number of days during which many enterprises in Russia are not operating and do it soon? What is your prognosis for the short term?

There is another issue I would like to discuss. As I have said, specialists believe that the regime of restrictions and self-isolation is the most effective measure to break the chain of transmission. At the same time, we understand very well that protecting people, especially those in the risk groups, such as the family members of those infected, doctors, nurses, and hospital and clinic staff who are helping people and facing the threat of infection, of course, means providing them the necessary aid and support.

I know that our specialised agencies together with virologists, pharmacologists and doctors are working very hard on a special prevention system, including developing vaccines and effective methods to treat the coronavirus infection and its complications. Today, friends, I would like to hear your opinions on this issue as well as your assessments of the prospects of creating such medicines.

Let us begin our meeting.





<…>


Colleagues, this is how I think we should proceed: I will give the floor to the specialists whom I asked to come today and then we will exchange opinions and continue our conversation in an absolutely free mode.

Now I would like to give the floor to Vladimir Kutyryov, Director of the Russian Mikrob Antiplague Research Institute.

Mr Kutyryov, please.



Vladimir Kutyryov:

Thank you.

Mr President, colleagues,

Thank you very much for the opportunity to speak here and discuss matters of a medical nature at your level.

I would like to start by quoting you. At a meeting with young people in Cherepovets on February 4, which was attended by an employee of our Mikrob Anti-Plague Institute, which is at the forefront of fighting the most dangerous infections, and we have 19 of these, you replied to her that yes, Russia and the Soviet Union had highly competent experts that allowed the country to counter epidemics and pandemics and that this experience is being used today These are wonderful words and we fully support and share them.

In this context, I would like to say that pandemics take place in the world about every 10 years. For example, the 1957 Asian flu, the 1967 Hong Kong flu, etc. The last pandemic took place in 2009 with the swine flu virus. I must say that at that time, there were no adequate means of diagnosis or prevention and we had to work on them literally by hand.

Nevertheless, a specific feature of previous pandemics was that all measures were taken on a national scale. It was not happening like it is today. We believe that today there are two overlapping problems – globalisation and an epidemic that has turned into a pandemic. We probably do not have the competence to speak about the two main issues that have put the world on the brink of an economic crisis. Therefore, we will say a few words about the medical aspect of the problem.

The thing is, currently this new infection is not characterised as a highly dangerous infection but as a potentially serious acute viral respiratory infection. This is why the model our predecessors have developed to counter such infections is absolutely adequate in the current situation.

What are the peculiarities of the new infection? First, its structure. Over 80 percent of cases are mild, 15 percent are severe and five percent are critical. The main feature is that asymptomatic carriers with no clinical presentation can pass on the virus. This is the feature that defines this entire situation.

Another important feature is that the latency period is 14 days. While flu takes 3–5 days, this infection takes 14, which is quite a long latency period. For the most part, this is why the anti-epidemic measures were taken.

To date, the entire world has been relying on a well-known model showing that if restrictive measures are not taken against acute viral respiratory infections in time, they will spread and the morbidity will spike sharply, as we can see today.

This is why today we have three main models: the passive model to counter epidemics, which we can see in Africa and some countries; the tardy model that could clearly be observed in both Europe and the United States; and the advanced model with anti-epidemic measures that we can see in the Russian Federation, Singapore and several other countries.

Where is this manifested? For example, on December 31, 2019, the Russian Federation started monitoring developments in the People’s Republic of China. This was the instruction we received from the head of our agency, and we are still doing this: we are monitoring and giving recommendations.

Moreover, Russia began taking preventive measures back in January 2020, which made it possible to basically prevent the arrival of the ill and infected in the first phase, which is unprecedented and had a very important effect.

The second, proactive stage involved monitoring the developments in South Korea, Italy and Europe, and Iran. The preventive measures taken by the Government following your instruction, Mr President, in fact allowed the Russian Federation to limit the flow of infected people into Russia in the first two phases (there are four phases in total) and, thus, give the health systems almost three months at least to get prepared.

The next stage in the progression of the epidemic process and what we are observing. Of course, there are new patients today, as there should be according to the logic of the epidemic process, which has been around for a long time and is well-known, and proactive measures are being taken. I would especially like to emphasise that what was done in late March – the announcement of the so-called holiday, although we all understand very well that this is the stage of limiting contact with others, which is the most important factor in breaking the epidemic chains and the epidemic process – is having an impact.

While cases continue to grow internally, we are monitoring and recording the results, taking into account the incubation period. We will see the result of this restriction in a week – a decrease in the incidence rate or further growth.

In this regard, it is very important today to continue the great work that is being carried out in the Russian Federation with respect to preventive actions, and this is primarily what we talked about, what is happening – social distancing.

And of course, the risks. The risk group is older people primarily; work is underway, people are self-isolating. The practice of foreign countries shows that family clusters develop, and anti-epidemic and preventive measures are taken for family clusters.

Of course, as you just mentioned, medical institutions are one of the biggest risk groups. Therefore, we do a lot here to train personnel at medical institutions in terms of following proper procedures and ensuring biological safety.

Another very important aspect, which has been running parallel to this whole story, is the expansion of diagnostic capabilities. While during the first stage back in January we developed a test system that made it possible to efficiently identify coronavirus cases, today this process is expanding and improving; nine test systems have already been created and registered, and even private medical labs have joined laboratory diagnostics.

I would like to say that we are working hard. In Moscow, our employees are working in shifts. Mr Sobyanin asked us to train laboratory specialists in biological safety and we have done this in full. And of course we should promote this process.

I would like to emphasise once again that the measures taken in Russia have allowed us to create a period of three months aimed at forming and preparing our medical system for treating patients. We must comprehensively continue the policy on social distancing. We will see the effects in a week, primarily in Moscow.

It is most important today to observe and expand our methods of laboratory diagnostics for this disease so we can understand how people become infected. These asymptomatic forms are very important. Like any complex issue, there are two sides. Firstly, we have latent immunisation and secondly, the negative aspect that they may pass the infection to others.

And one more point. Our institute is involved in work conducted by the agency to develop recommendations for plants and factories so that once stage-by-stage sanitary and epidemiological control is established, the employees will be able to work. There is understanding of how to do this and I believe at our institute we will prepare such recommendations for plants and factories.

Briefly, this is what I wanted to say.

Thank you again.





Vladimir Putin:

Mr Kutyryov, what about the people that have been infected but have no symptoms? Is it possible to identify them in laboratories through testing?



Vladimir Kutyryov:

Yes, of course. Our tests have now become much more sensitive. It is very important to expand laboratory diagnostics in two ways. We must not only identify the source of infection but also, as we have been saying, the antibodies.

So, what is happening? People who are infected but have no clinical symptoms are developing immunity. We must find out how this layer of immunity is forming.



Vladimir Putin:

Mr Kutyryov, how do you see the development of the situation in this country? This period until the end of April, the period of forced time off, what do you think of it? Can it be reduced? Or is it too early to say?



Vladimir Kutyryov:

Mr President, I think we can return to this question in a week when the incubation period after social distancing ends. Then we will be able to better understand the trends with this disease.



Vladimir Putin:

Thank you very much. Thank you, Mr Kutyryov. I appreciate it.

Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Deputy Vice-Rector Viktor Fomin, the floor is yours.



Vice-Rector of the Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University Viktor Fomin:

Mr President, colleagues,

Social distancing plays a crucial role in curbing the epidemic process. Equally important is expanding the reach of testing, and we are already working under these conditions. Test systems are being produced in sufficient amounts, the availability of laboratory support, especially for all medical facilities operating in Moscow, is basically meeting our needs and expectations. However, in healthcare, a radically different regulatory foundation has been required since the onset of the epidemic, and it has been promptly developed by the Health Ministry of Russia.

We now have a clear understanding of the process of organising treatment for these patients, we clearly see what kind of material, technical and personnel base we need. Special focus has, of course, gone to the protection of medical personnel. And these regulatory documents are being constantly updated in view of the current situation and best world and domestic practices.

Without a doubt, it was critically important that the Russian Government’s resolutions made it possible to significantly speed up registration procedures for new medicines and medical items. Therefore, doctors who want to do their utmost to save their patients can stay within the confines of law. It is obvious even now, that organising medical treatment for such patients goes beyond our routine schemes of helping patients with other infectious diseases.

Complications from the coronavirus infection, such as pneumonia, can be a greater threat to the patient than the infection itself. In this respect, it is crucial that doctors of most clinical specialties are now legally allowed to treat coronavirus patients. This is the most important guarantee of quality of treatment.

Naturally, doctors who have not worked with infectious patients must undergo training, and within a very short time, and with coordination from the Health Ministry, educational resources have been created that are mandatory for medical workers, but they can do it online without leaving their workplaces.

The ultimate historical experience of all epidemics shows that they can be defeated by centralised resource management. To date, we have introduced a system to quickly provide reports by region. The Healthcare Ministry has a system to dynamically analyse the health of patients under treatment.

This information makes it possible to assess how effective the treatment plan is for every patient. After this analysis, we update the guidelines on the prevention, diagnostics and treatment of the novel coronavirus infection. This will serve as the basis for Russian clinical research in this area.

In general, everyone who works at a patient’s bedside understands that the search for new ways to treat the coronavirus has become the priority today. The most serious patients with the coronavirus infection are patients in need of respiratory support and patients with pneumonia as a complication. In the Russian regions, they are treated with methodoligical guidance from federal remote intensive care centres established at the leading institutions of the Healthcare Ministry. There are five such centres: two for adults, one for pregnant women, one for children and one to coordinate the work of onsite teams.

If necessary, leading experts such as pulmonologists, anesthesiologists, intensive care experts, infectiologists, paediatricians, obstetrician-gynaecologists and perinatologists are ready round the clock to provide virtual or onsite consultations where needed.

The experience of the Sechenov University Centre – we have patients with pneumonia in need of respiratory support and already work with 30 Russian regions – shows that these cases are very severe, with almost 80 percent of them on ventilators right now. By analysing these patients, we will soon be able to describe patterns in the clinical development of the coronavirus infection that will somehow differ from the global ones.

Of course, the elderly are the hardest hit. But we can see that almost 20 percent of those put on ventilators are under 45. What is the difference? They have chronic diseases, not only lung and cardiovascular diseases, but some are oncological patients and are receiving treatment, while others have renal failure, and obesity, and type 2 diabetes, which makes proper respiratory support very difficult. The record among our patients is a female patient weighing 160 kilogrammes.

The concentration of the material, technical, resource and personnel base in healthcare is achieved today by repurposing hospital beds, and there are clear requirements for these beds: at least 70 percent of them must be equipped with oxygen. This is very important because the onset of the disease can quickly develop into respiratory failure. More than one-third of these beds are fully equipped resuscitation beds.

Federal institutions are also actively involved in the provision of medical assistance, as they have sufficient equipment and, most importantly, highly qualified personnel. Thus, for Moscow residents, a total of 10,317 beds are being provided at institutions under the Ministry of Health, the Federal Medical-Biological Agency, the Ministry of the Interior, and the Ministry of Education and Science. Non-governmental medical organisations are also involved. In April, Sechenov University began providing beds to treat coronavirus patients.

And again, as to whether we need isolation and social distancing: yes, we do. Among our patients in intensive care, we can see several examples of the fact that group incidence in elderly patients, and these patients progressed from mild symptoms of acute respiratory viral infections to the need for ventilators in a very short period of time, group incidence is associated with casual observance of self-isolation: someone gets sick and spreads the virus to others at social, cultural, creative and other events.

And the second thing I would like to say, Mr President, is that this new reality in infectious diseases will certainly require us all to think about upgrading our specialised hospitals in the future. These hospitals should be fully prepared to receive patients with lung diseases of infectious origin.

Thank you.





Vladimir Putin:

Thank you very much. Thank you, Mr Fomin, for you recommendations and proposals.

Regarding the protection of medical worker, it is a very important matter. We spoke about it yesterday and today with the Minister of Industry, Mr Manturov.

Mr Manturov, will you please comment on what the Ministry and the Government in general are doing to address this issue.

It is clear that manufacturers were not preparing spe4cifically for what we are now going through, but what is being done in general? We will speak about that with the governors tomorrow, we have an array of possibilities, I mean among other things purchasing, if needed, through imports.

Go ahead, Mr Manturov.



Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov:

Thank you very much, Mr President.

Colleagues,

I will start with personal protection equipment. As of today, the daily output by Russian enterprises has reached almost 1.6 million surgical masks which can be used in medical facilities. In addition, gauze masks are now being produced which have a medical certificate. We are set to reach a daily output of 2.1 million by around April 20.

Besides that, practically all regions have managed, by engaging micro and small businesses, to reach a total of nearly 2.4 million masks made of various non-woven materials per day. To be honest, we did not expect that.

We did not stop at that, we are now using non-woven material as a base, the so-called SMS (Spunbond Meltblown Spunbond) fabric and sending rolls of it to textile factories so as to have two types of products made from it. First of all, we will continue to increase the production of masks, by mid-April we are set to produce about 200,000 more masks.

But the major issue is protective suits which you, Mr President, pointed out today. There is indeed a shortage of them. Unfortunately, we have never produce them in such quantities; these companies were specialising in manufacturing radiation-resistant suits and suits for the chemical industry. Until now, we have been producing no more than 6,000 medical suits.

We understand how to increase the production up to 25,000 suits. Unfortunately, we do not have domestically made material to produce more. There are two companies that make these non-woven fabrics from granules, and we expect them to allocate all of their inventory to produce protective medical equipment at the expense of other industries and other areas of the economy.

At the same time, we have purchased 51 million masks in China and delivered them to the regions. At this very moment another 21 million masks are being loaded in Shanghai, they will arrive at Chkalovsky airport tonight. We work in the same vein with respect to Tyvek-type suits. Overall, we have already imported almost 250,000 suits and they have been shipped to the regions. The other day we signed a contract for another 1.05 million suits. Unfortunately, we see from the data from the regions and from Roszdravnadzor, that the regions have 500,000 whereas they need 800,000. So we are about 300,000 suits short.

This is why we are working with another Chinese state corporation on more. Unfortunately, they cannot confirm the availability of hoods for these suits, So if we get the confirmation on hoods, we will be ready to sign the contract.

Goggles are an integral part of the suit. Daily output has been increased from 4,500 to 12,000; by mid-April we will be producing 22,000 a day.

It is the same with respirators. We expect an output of 20,000 respirators a day. They had been designated for industry, but Roszdravnadzor reached out to us and after a short series of tests we have designated seven II and III class respirator models as medical equipment.

We have a serious shortage of ventilators. But to be honest, last October we were thinking how to repurpose one of the Concern Radio-Electronic Technologies enterprises and even suggested shutting down production there. Thank God we didn’t. Today, we produce almost 80 ventilators a week. We must make almost 90 ventilators in the period from yesterday to Sunday. Next week we must produce about 200 devices, and we want to increase their production to 1,500 per month.

The biggest problem is spare parts. We have many suppliers, including the US, Italy, Switzerland and the Netherlands. Yesterday we received the first samples of reducers as spare parts from China so that we can try them out and test them until the end of the week to be able to replace them with other suppliers. They have stopped everything in the Netherlands. Regrettably, Switzerland is also stopping to ship. We have signed a contract with the Italians but for just 2,000 sets. The Americans confirmed a contract with Honeywell for almost 2,000 units. So, we are hoping to have enough for April and May and will be gradually looking for a replacement.

Out of 17 medications recommended by the Healthcare Ministry for countering the coronavirus, we have full-scale production of 14. We believe these and other medications will meet the healthcare system’s needs. In parallel, we are working with our Chinese colleagues to produce not only substances but also finished medical products in case we have to increase supplies.

Thank you.



Vladimir Putin:

Thank you.

We will return to this issue, and I have already asked you to submit wide-ranging proposals that cover all of these positions, including reserves, particularly in the regions. They have enough enterprises that can be quickly repurposed.

You said you are ready to give these materials and fabric for medical purposes at the expense of other industries but in this context medicine is not just an industry. Nothing is more important for us than human life. This has to be our approach.

I would like to hear from Mr Maksyutov, General Director of the Vektor State Research Centre of Virology and Biotechnology. Go ahead, Mr Maksyutov.





General Director of the Vektor State Research Centre of Virology and Biotechnology Rinat Maksyutov:

Mr President, thank you for the opportunity to report on the major results and our short-term plans to counter the novel coronavirus infection.

As the threat of the spread of the coronavirus became clear, the Vektor State Research Centre immediately began working out diagnostic, vaccine and medicinal agents. The first two diagnostic PCR kits were designed within five days following the publication of the first whole genome sequence of the new coronavirus, and by January 24, the production was launched and deliveries were made to the network of diagnostic laboratories in the regions. As of today, April 7, we have produced and supplied to all regions test systems for over 2 million tests, and now, in addition to those two, test systems from seven more Russian producers have been developed, registered and launched.

Also, an EIA test system has been designed which identifies novel coronavirus antibodies. This test makes it possible to understand if a person had the virus or not, and thus, to assess a community’s immunity and study the effectiveness of the vaccines being developed. We expect this EIA test system to be registered by April 10, and as early as April 13 we will ship the first allotment of kits for 20,000 tests to the regions. A finger prick blood sample is all that’s required for the test, and results for 90 people can be obtained within two hours.

As for the study of the virus itself, the first genome of the virus was deciphered at the Vektor back on February 20 this year and currently the genome sequences for 55 viral isolates have been identified, those that are circulating in the Russian Federation. An analysis of all the genomes shows a very high level of identity, over 99.9 percent. Viral isolates are being sequenced in Russia on a permanent basis. We can confirm the low mutation of this virus following the results of the sequencing.

As for working with live viruses: we received the first live virus from Australia on February 13 and to date we have already secured over 30 live viral isolates at different stages of the epidemic in Russia, that is, they are purely Russian viral isolates. The live virus is primarily needed for creating sensitive laboratory animals and we developed such models as early as February: ferrets and lower primates with a special way of contracting the new coronavirus. In the work published two days ago, our Chinese colleagues arrived at the same conclusions with respect to sensitive laboratory animals, that is, practically a month later after these results were obtained in Russia.

The Vektor centre under the Federal Service for the Oversight of Consumer Protection and Welfare (Rospotrebnadzor) has developed vaccine prototypes based on six technological platforms, such as based on widely used recombinant viral vectors of influenza, measles, vesicular stomatitis as well as based on technologies for synthetic vaccines – mRNA vaccines, peptide-based vaccines and subunit vaccines. The choice of technological platforms was based on the experience accumulated in developing vaccines against especially dangerous viruses. Now we are carrying out animal tests – using mice, rabbits, ferrets and lower primates – to determine the most promising vaccine prototype by April 30.

After that, by May 10, we will devise the methods of producing a ready pharmaceutical form and get the vaccine series for pre-clinical trials. We suggest conducting pre-clinical trials of vaccines’ effectiveness and safety in a minimal scope by June 22 and pass over to the first phase of clinical trials with three vaccines by June 29, using in total 180 volunteers.

In doing this, we can see the current international experience: in the United States they passed over to human trials after briefly experimenting with mice. It means that they skipped all stages of pre-clinical research, thinking it is acceptable during the pandemic.

Our novel coronavirus vaccine portfolio includes technology platforms that have been tested on humans in clinical trials for other infections. Primarily, that includes a peptide vaccine and a live culture vaccine. So, building on international experience and provided we obtain the Healthcare Ministry’s permission, we will be ready to start the first phase of clinical trials involving these vaccines already in May and conduct a full cycle of preclinical studies in the process.

We have recruited over 300 volunteers for the clinical trials of our vaccines from all over Russia, which is far more than we need for this study.

We have selected specific non-immunomodulating antiviral medicines based on the bioinformation analysis of data obtained during international clinical trials and based on publicly available international databases. We selected medicines registered in Russia and internationally, the safety of which has been proven, as well as promising innovative medicines.

We have begun studies of registered antiviral medicines, such as lopinavir, ritonavir, hydroxychloroquine and others, over 30 in all, to see if they are active against the novel coronavirus. Positive results have been obtained for two of them. Also, in conjunction with an institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences Siberian Branch, we began studies of 22 new preparations to see if they are active against the novel coronavirus. We proved their efficacy against other viral agents earlier. The studies will be completed by April 10. This is the first stage of studies based on cell culture.

We plan to complete the second phase of studies on sensitive animals before April 30.

This concludes my report.



Vladimir Putin:

Thank you very much.

In this regard, I would like to ask Mr Murashko if it is possible to cut the time involved in obtaining the vaccine. Our colleague just said that some countries, such as the United States, have modified their requirements given the current circumstances. What do you think about it?





Healthcare Minister Mikhail Murashko:

Mr President,

Indeed, there are such examples. We have an option to model the vaccines based on existing and properly registered ones, so it is possible to cut the time involved in preclinical trials and switch to clinical trials. That is true.

With regard to medications, we have amended legislation, and the Government issued a directive that allows us to use the already registered medications in the fourth phase of clinical trials, that is, to search for new applications. So, we can use medications with established safety and efficacy, the mechanism of which has been properly studied. We are looking into several groups of medications, including the ones with direct antiviral effect and medications that boost the immune system.



Vladimir Putin:

Good.

Before we move on to discussing and exchanging opinions on this matter, I would like to thank our colleagues, virologists, and doctors, for their recommendations for us, all levels of government, that make it possible for us to make effective decisions and issue corresponding recommendations to the public in this difficult, but certainly not hopeless situation. If we act competently in an organised and disciplined manner, we will make it through this complicated stage in the country’s life with minimal losses.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63173






Executive Order on additional support measures for families with children



Vladimir Putin signed the Executive Order On Additional Measures of Social Support for Families with Children.



April 7, 2020 - 19:00



To provide social support to families with children, the President ordered that monthly payments of 5,000 rubles be made in April-June 2020 to people living in the Russian Federation who are/were eligible for state support measures under the Federal Law On Additional Measures of Support for Families with Children dated December 29, 2006.

The Executive Order establishes the conditions of payments.

Corresponding instructions have been given to the Russian Government and the Pension Fund of the Russian Federation.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63174






Meeting with regional heads on combatting the spread of the coronavirus in Russia



Vladimir Putin is holding a meeting, via videoconference, with heads of Russian regions on combatting the spread of the novel coronavirus infection in the country.



April 8, 2020 - 17:30 - Novo-Ogaryovo, Moscow Region



Also taking part in the meeting are executives from the Government and Presidential Executive Office, Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoys to the federal districts as well as heads of ministries and departments.







President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

Good afternoon, colleagues,

Is everybody present? Can you all hear and see me?

Good afternoon.

The executives of the Russian Government and heads of all Russian regions are taking part in our work.

I suggest focusing on the issues that are the main ones for all of us today. These include: fighting the spread of the coronavirus, protecting people’s health and life, people’s safety, ensuring economic stability, safeguarding employment levels and our people’s incomes.

I will start with an overriding priority common to all regions. I mean improving the readiness of the medical institutions and considerably increasing their resources and capabilities. It is an unquestionable priority now.

The necessary federal support has already been provided to this end and reached the regions. This includes over 33 billion rubles for the deployment of additional specialised, fully-equipped beds in hospitals and contagious isolation wards.

About 13 billion rubles more have been allocated for the purchase of medical equipment, including ventilators as well as mobile intensive care units and ambulances, which will reach the regions already in April.

Hopefully, we will not need all the reserves and additional capacities that are being created in the healthcare system. But now we must be ready to fight for the life of every person in every region.

I believe you understand how much personal responsibility you have for ensuring that the allocated funds are used as effectively as possible.

I ask you to act in a prompt, organised and professional manner and to value time, every day and every ruble. To solve all organisational and personnel issues in advance. To form teams of specialists capable of working with new equipment in hospitals that are being converted to treat people with the coronavirus infection.

At the same time, I am instructing the Finance Ministry to give the regions the flexibility to concentrate the allocated funds on those problems that are more visible on the ground. I know that the regional heads – and I communicate with you, colleagues, on a daily basis – have proposals on these matters. And I ask you to give separate reports on them today, to address them separately.





But let me emphasise that when providing such freedom of movement, we will hold you strictly accountable. We will evaluate the result not by the formal number of reserved beds, but by the actual readiness of medical institutions, equipment and personnel to provide the specialised care that patients with severe symptoms need.

We also provided for additional payments to doctors, nurses and medical personnel for the special working conditions and increased workload. Funds for these purposes – more than 10 billion rubles – have been allocated from the federal budget and will soon reach the regions. People should receive such payments on time, without delay.

Moreover, I believe it necessary to implement another measure: to introduce, for three months starting in April, a special federal payment for specialists working directly with coronavirus patients who risk their health every moment.

Additional payment for doctors working directly with coronavirus patients will be 80,000 rubles per month, 50,000 rubles for mid-level personnel, such as paramedics and nurses, and 25,000 rubles per months for junior medical staff. Emergency physicians who also work with coronavirus patients will receive 50,000 rubles per month. Paramedics, nurses and drivers will get 25,000 rubles.

Let me repeat that these specialists are on the frontline. So we will proceed from this terminology and this situation. It would also be right to make another decision, namely, introduce increased insurance guarantees for them using the funds from the federal budget, as was done for Russian Armed Forces personnel.

Next, at the meeting with my plenipotentiary envoys to the federal districts, I instructed them to check all the details of interregional cooperation, including patients arriving from other regions and ambulance trips to neighbouring Russian regions. Please report to me today how this work has been arranged and whether there remain any unsolved problems.

It is also necessary to take full advantage of our leading federal medical centres. While I understand their specifics very well, it is still important to pool all our resources now. This is why I am instructing the Government to make a schedule, within two days, for moving the hospital bed stock from federal clinics to the regions.





Colleagues,

In accordance with my Executive Order, all Russian regions were to draft plans for optimal preventive measures, based on the risk of spreading the infection. Please report today on whether such plans have been put in place and, most importantly, how they are being implemented.

By giving additional powers to the heads of the regions, I proceeded from the fact that acting by a single model is not only ineffective but sometimes even harmful. You have all the opportunities to work both targetedly as well as accurately, to take into account the developments in each settlement, at specific enterprises, in a region as a whole, and to take adequate, well-considered preventive measures, the main purpose of which is to protect human life and health.

At the same time, the economy should not be stopped. We should not close down transport, freight or passenger traffic between the regions and massively restrict the work of enterprises, regardless of the real situation, even when there are only a few cases in a region. We must understand what damage, what destructive consequences this can lead to.

I would like to note that even in Moscow with its population density, high traffic flows, and therefore objectively greater risks of spreading the infection, there is no practice of ubiquitous closure of enterprises, nothing is painted with a single brush. Many Moscow companies continue to work or have switched to working remotely.

Now we need to create all the conditions for companies, organisations and entrepreneurs to return to their normal work schedule. I repeat, this must be done wisely and carefully, closely monitoring the situation. There should be a clear, understandable list of organisations whose work is limited due to higher risks. Other enterprises should not be burdened with various additional certificates, clarifications or approvals. They can continue to work, observing all the necessary sanitary requirements and safety standards.

And, of course, it is important to minimise crisis developments and cushion the blow for businesses whose losses, let’s be honest, are quite serious and can be even heavier.





We have agreed that there will be a regional list of important, backbone enterprises in every Russian region. I am once again asking the heads of the regions to look into the problems of every enterprise, help them maintain their stability, preserve employment and look for concrete solutions.

I would also like to speak about several new decisions at the federal level.

First of all, we have already halved social contributions for small and medium-sized businesses, from 30 to 15 percent. We have done this in order for enterprises to have additional resources to pay their employees. As I have already mentioned, this is a long-term measure.

I suggest allowing all the hard hit small and medium-sized businesses to postpone insurance payments to the social funds for six months, like we have already done for micro enterprises.

Second, we have envisaged a 6-month postponement on all tax payments, except VAT, for small and medium-sized businesses. However, after a meeting with entrepreneurs I have drawn the Government’s attention to the fact that it must prevent an outcome when six months later companies will have to pay the accumulated debts all at once. This is what worries the business community most, because it would affect businesses a lot. This is why we will restructure such debts. They will be able to deal with this debt smoothly, bit by bit in instalments, every month for at least a year after the postponement is over.





Meanwhile, the situation keeps on changing. Which brings us to number three. I instruct the Government together with the Central Bank to develop within five days a programme of additional support for business. It should make it possible for companies to preserve jobs and employees’ incomes to the greatest extent possible.

I understand that these are tough times for businesspeople, but you can see, friends, that it is happening everywhere, practically the entire world: demand is dropping, orders are being scaled back, many companies are facing hard times, especially in the services sector, many of them are closed. It is a serious trial for every businessperson and their business reputation. I am sure that businesses, thinking of the future, will make every effort to hold onto their staff and teams, and we will support such responsible and mature efforts.

I think that the following formula is fair: first help all those companies that are retaining jobs. However, if people still end up out of work, then we will directly help those people who are losing income, families with children that are facing difficulties, people who cannot pay off their loans in the previous amount. A number of measures more in this connection.

First. Yesterday I signed the Executive Order on additional payments to families eligible for maternity capital in the amount of 5,000 rubles per month for each child up to three years of age, inclusive. Payments will begin going out as early as in April, as well as in May and June.

Second. Also in June, a month ahead of schedule, we will start making payments to families with children from three to seven, inclusive.

However, it is important to underscore something which warrants more detail. When I proposed this measure in the Address, what I meant was so-called need-based eligibility, that is, the family had to show its income for the previous year in order to qualify. But at a time when many people’s incomes have plummeted, it is impossible to judge a family income by last year’s information.





So, for those who are classified as temporarily unemployed, I suggest disregarding the income earned earlier at the place of employment when calculating payments for children from three to seven and other benefits. That way we will considerably expand the range of people receiving such support. Those who previously did not qualify will now get it. Again, it is not based on last year’s information, but on the present-day real situation and problems of each family.

Third. For those who lost their jobs and contacted the unemployment service after March 1 of this year, I propose paying unemployment benefits in April, March and June automatically at the upper limit, which we have already revised upwards, at minimum wage – 12,130 rubles. Please make this procedure available remotely (online) and as simple as possible.

This is no time for bureaucratic formalities and running from one agency to another, so, I ask the Government to also work out a mechanism to automatically renew passports, driver’s licenses and other IDs for at least three months.

Fourth. As already mentioned, special support measures are needed for families with children where parents are temporarily unemployed. In this case, in addition to unemployment benefits and payments that we already have for families with children, I also propose paying an additional 3,000 rubles a month for each minor child over the next three months.

Fifth. In March, I instructed you to envisage repayment holiday for citizens on consumer and mortgage loans. I ask the Government to return to this support measure and consider expanding it so it becomes available to more people.





Colleagues,

As you know, yesterday I met with some scientists, epidemiologists. We are carefully studying the experience of other countries that are also facing the coronavirus threat, and we see that the first four to five weeks from the start of the epidemic are the most difficult. This means that the next two to three weeks will be decisive for the development of our situation. This is the period when we should fully concentrate our resources, strictly comply with the recommendations of doctors and the preventive measures that are being introduced in every region today.

Of course, we cannot be completely sure about how the situation will develop in the healthcare sector, and in the economy, both in our country and in the world as a whole. But we can most likely predict and anticipate possible developments, which means we can and must devise and have our own action plan in advance for each of these scenarios, and then these actions will be timely and effective.

We will work confidently, systematically and professionally. Let me stress that we have everything we need for this: a stable macroeconomic situation, the lowest public debt and a large “safety cushion” in the form of resources accumulated over the years; we have the means to solve these problems according to any possible scenario, and finally, we have experience with overcoming past crises.

It is clear that we cannot get by without certain losses, but we are able to minimise them and create conditions for future development. We will support the hard-hit economic sectors, the labour market and the healthcare system and do everything possible to help people in need today.

Let me repeat that the support measures in all these areas must be drafted in a timely manner and implemented quickly with consideration for the quick development of this situation. We cannot postpone these decisions. I am asking both the Russian Government and the heads of the Russian regions to use this initiative-based approach.





And now I would like to address all Russian citizens. I understand that you are already tired of the burden of financial, household and other everyday problems. Your usual routine has been disrupted. It is tiring for most of us to stay inside all the time. But there is no choice now. We must endure this self-isolation and the challenges it brings. The breakthrough in countering this infection that we must achieve depends on our discipline and responsibility.

You know, it is especially valuable that every day reaffirms the strength and unity of our society. I will once again speak about doctors and nurses. They act selflessly, as one team. Perhaps this is the first time in recent decades that we have realised so clearly how important and irreplaceable their work is. I am also talking about volunteers, whose ranks are expanding now, about athletes, artists and journalists who have joined this effort.

And, of course, I am talking about you: millions of people who help their neighbours, care about their parents and family and show high civil duty during this difficult time. These are not just simple, empty words but our reality, when all your best qualities are needed.

Friends, all things pass, and this will pass, too. Our country has suffered through many ordeals: both Pechenegs and Cumans attacked, and Russia got through it all. We will also defeat this coronavirus infection. Together, we can overcome anything.

Thank you. Let’s get down to work.





<…>


Vladimir Putin:

I would like to say a few words in conclusion. I am asking our colleagues from the regions to do the following.

All of your comprehensive regional plans, as well as specific measures — because I do not know, I have not seen all these plans, but the specific measures being taken at the regional level should be laid out — they should be immediately sent to the working group of the State Council and to the Government of the Russian Federation.

They should also include proposals of the heads of Russian regions on the measures we are taking at the regional and federal levels. These measures, these proposals have been mentioned today here. They should be sent to these two addresses.

Of course, special attention should be paid to the regions, which include cities with a population of over one million. This is a completely obvious thing, I think it is clear to everyone. This does not mean that other regions are to be considered secondarily, but we understand that the density of people is higher and there are more risks in cities with a population of over one million. We just need to keep this in mind.

And finally, I would ask the Government of the Russian Federation to analyse all the materials that will be received from the regions, proposals of the governors, regional leaders, not formally but very carefully, in terms of the adequacy of the measures being taken from the epidemiological point of view to combat the coronavirus infection, but at the same time from the point of view of the effectiveness and feasibility of the measures being taken from the point of view of the economy. They should be sufficient from the epidemiological point of view, from the point of view of epidemiological requirements, but not destructive for the economy.





This is extremely important. When it was said just now that measures are being taken, for example, restrictive ones, related to transport, we need to see what it is. How necessary they are to combat the coronavirus infection and whether they are harmful to the economy of a region itself, its neighbours, and the whole country. We should carefully analyse and give recommendations to our colleagues in the regions on whether certain measures should or should not be taken. This is extremely important in order to coordinate all our work. Only in this case will it be effective and will the measures taken be timely.

I do hope that such work will be continued at the level of the Russian Federation Government and at the level of the Presidential Executive Office, and I myself will certainly closely monitor what happens, and if necessary, we will hold such conference calls in the future.

I would really like you to respond as soon as possible to what I just said and to do all this by the end of the week.

Thank you, thank you very much.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63176






Meeting of the Commission for Military Technology Cooperation with Foreign States



The President held a meeting of the Commission for Military Technology Cooperation with Foreign States. Held via videoconference, it involved heads of a number of the defence industry enterprises.



April 9, 2020 - 17:00 - Novo-Ogaryovo, Moscow Region







President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

Colleagues, good afternoon,

Once again I welcome you all. Our schedule for today includes a meeting of the Commission for Military Technology Cooperation with Foreign States.

But before getting down to this work, I wanted to meet with a number of heads of the Russian regions and heads of holdings and enterprises of the defence industry complex. Because the more effectively the industry works, the more successfully we can cooperate with foreign states in this field.

So I decided to meet with you and talk about this topic first. We need to understand, I would like to see and hear from you directly how the interaction is going on today, how the work is organised between industrial enterprises, regional authorities and the headquarters of holdings and the Government. I would like to see how this interaction works amid today's quarantine restrictions.

I would also like to emphasise the following. Our actions, I have already said this repeatedly, are aimed at ensuring the safety and health of the citizens. But they, these actions, must be balanced, adequate in relation to the real situation in each region, especially if we are talking about ensuring stable and smooth work of systemically important enterprises, which certainly include the defence industry complex.

I will now give the floor to the colleagues, and then we will continue in closed format. First, I would like to listen to Mr Andrei Boginsky, General Director of the Russian Helicopters company.



General Director of the Russian Helicopters Holding Andrei Boginsky:

Mr President, colleagues,

Today, the holding’s enterprises operate within headquarters. Such headquarters were established at the Rostec State Corporation, at the holding and at the holding’s enterprises before the announced non-working days, and each headquarter coordinates its activities with the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Rostec State Corporation and with the regions.

As for individual enterprises, using the example of the Rostov Helicopter Plant, I can say that we coordinate activities with the authorities of the Rostov Region in terms of complying with sanitary rules and regulations. To date, the plant’s staff continues to complete on time and in full the tasks comprising the state defence order and meet our commitments in the field of military-technical cooperation.

From March 30 to April 3, we ensured continuous technological processes and the production of long-cycle parts and components at certain locations of our enterprises. At the same time, in cooperation with the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the region, we took measures to provide employees of the enterprise with mandatory antiseptic and personal protective equipment, as well as to create such reserves for the future.

Given the decision to extend the non-working days until April 30 and provide the regions with an option to adjust the operating schedule of enterprises, Russian Helicopters has already received permission from the Rostov Region to continue production.

To date, 30 percent of the main production employees are working at the enterprise. We plan to continue to gradually increase this number. By the middle of next week it will exceed 50 percent, and by late April it will reach 78 percent of the total number of main production workers. Of course, we will keep doing this taking into account the developments in the Rostov Region, in close cooperation with the regional headquarters, in compliance with all sanitary rules and regulations.

I would like to add that the maximum production capacities of the Rostov Helicopter Plant exceed the total volume of orders the enterprise has today under both state defence order and military-technical cooperation, so today Russian Helicopters is able to fulfil its obligations on time while maintaining the regularity of component deliveries.

Also, together with the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation and Rosoboronexport, we work with the region in terms of complying with sanitary regulations when company specialists, from Russian Helicopters in this case, return from foreign business trips. Fifteen employees are expected to return in April; all of them are in close contact with the embassies and Rostec state corporation representatives abroad.

The same standards and requirements have been introduced at all of the holding’s divisions. The total number of employees, the main production workers today, is 30 percent with a gradual increase to over 50 percent next week, and as I said, in late April, about 75 percent of the main production workers will start working at all the divisions. Employees over 65, people with diseases and parents of children who are not attending school at the moment will stay home.

That concludes my report.



Vladimir Putin:

How are your relations with the regional authorities and the Ministry developing?



Andrei Boginsky:

Mr President, we have direct contact with the governors, and direct contact with Mr Manturov, Mr Chemezov and Mr Borisov, so we receive quick responses to all our requests. Accordingly, we also work together to solve the issues that cannot be resolved quickly; we have relevant schedules, and we regularly submit reports on them and do everything we can to provide the employees with antiseptic agents.

Following Ms Popova’s recommendations, we have organised access control at the companies, work on disinfection of premises, so there is only help and support.



Vladimir Putin:

Thank you.

I would like to hear from the Governor of the Rostov Region, Mr Golubev.

Mr Golubev, please.





Governor of the Rostov Region Vasily Golubev:

Mr President, colleagues,

There are 25 defence industry enterprises today in the region, including 17 strategic companies. All of them are included on the list of backbone enterprises of the Rostov Region and all are now operating.

Following the Prime Minister’s instruction, all necessary sanitary measures were taken at the enterprises from March 18, and each enterprise enforced the necessary preventive measures. We have been particularly proactive during this period: special headquarters have been set up, workers were prohibited from leaving the Russian Federation and business trips of the personnel were limited. The employees returning from epidemic-hit countries were and are in self-isolation.

We have established daily temperature screenings of workers at their workplaces, and carry out a set of measures to regularly disinfect the premises. The personnel received instructions on the rules of sanitary behaviour in this situation and the course of action in case of identifying symptoms.

During the period the Presidential Executive Order was in effect, the enterprises partially suspended their operations until April 3. We know that it was agreed with the management of the head corporations. Nevertheless, the enterprises went on working, primarily on fulfilling the state defence order. We had an exception, though, which was the Kamenskvolokno enterprise. It has an uninterruptible technological cycle, and it kept on working.

Following your instruction, the regional government issued a resolution with a list of all activities suspended in the region. The defence industry enterprises were outside that list. We duly and promptly notified them.

At present, people are allowed back to work gradually. Enough people are working at all the enterprises which deal with the state defence order. And we clearly understand that, according to the management, the enterprises are carrying out necessary operations under the state defence order.

At the same time, we strictly monitor compliance with sanitary norms. The feedback from the enterprises shows – we conducted a special survey and talked to the management throughout that period – that the measures did not significantly affect the operations on fulfilling the state defence order.

Nevertheless, Mr President, there are several issues which I think should be addressed. The defence enterprises face some difficulties, and we discussed them together. For example, the suspension of suppliers’ operations. For example, Rostvertol works with 122 suppliers. As of this morning, 25 of them are on limited operations.

The next question is the lack of working assets caused by the partial suspension of operations. We have the following proposal: to consider the possibility of prepayment, based on the management’s estimates, of about 80 percent (I am talking about Rostvertol in this case) under the most significant state contracts, which will allow us to finance allied enterprises.

At the same time, the Ministry of Industry and Trade should consider conveying to the regions recommendations to not limit the activities of executors and co-executors of state defence orders within the scope of- their authority in accordance with the Presidential Executive Order.

Mr President, I would like to say the following in conclusion. It seems to me that our interaction with the holding and the heads of defence enterprises has always been productive. And in this situation, we are working together more regularly, analysing the situation almost daily – and not just for these companies, but these are under special control.

Rostvertol has never failed to fulfil a state defence order; I looked into this. And as the company’s management assured me, it will never fail in the future.

However, there is another thing I would like to draw attention to. Today, our enterprises employ 31,600 people, 2,600 of which are over 65 years old. I asked whether their absence would affect the solution to this problem. They told me it would not.

Therefore, I consider it important to fully maintain the restrictions for these people that are currently in effect for this category, and given that management says it will not affect the solution of the problem, we will strengthen our interaction, primarily taking care of the health of people over 65 and all employees of these enterprises.

Thank you.



Vladimir Putin:

Ok. Thank you very much.

I would like to hear from Mr Slyusar, United Aircraft Corporation. Please, go ahead.



General Director and Chairman of the Management Board of the United Aircraft Corporation Yury Slyusar:

Mr President, colleagues,

On March 25, right after the executive order was issued, we received instructions from the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the state corporation’s management to organise work under the new conditions. These instructions included unconditional execution of the state defence order and signed contracts, combined with similarly unconditional observance of strict public health standards. The corporation set up a crisis centre to combat the infection. We are monitoring the current situation at the plants on a regular basis, and evaluating and making decisions on bringing in personnel to work, and we are implementing public health orders.

Around the same time we stopped all business travel by managers. Those on vacation were recalled.

We have specified the work requirements for industrial enterprises with our colleagues from Rospotrebnadzor [the Federal Service for the Oversight of Consumer Protection and Welfare] both at the federal level with Ms Popova and colleagues from the central office, as well at the regional level.

Based on these requirements we made arrangements for the purchase of respiratory protection equipment, above all, masks, respirators and hand sanitizers. We ensured quality (and this is a very important point) cleaning of premises using disinfectants, paying special attention to disinfection of all contact surfaces and common areas. This concerns enterprises, workshops and our design offices, where 17,000 people work in Moscow alone.

We have arranged interaction-free temperature measurement for workers entering enterprises as well as during the working day; we take temperatures every four hours during the working day and remove from work those who are running a temperature or have symptoms of an infectious disease. Cafeterias were closed practically at all enterprises and at the rest of them we use disposable plates and dishes or treat multiple-use tableware in a special way.

Awareness raising is underway among the workers and staff regarding stopping the spread of the infection based on the recommendations provided by Ms Popova.

Signs have been posted in public places to observe social distance of 1.5 metres. Schedules were approved for employees to arrive at work in small groups so as to avoid crowds at entrances, which is a big problem for us. We have a workforce of many thousands. We need to set things up at the entrances in a certain way for temperature screening, symptom screening etc. to clear a shift of 8,000 workers.

Regrettably, we had to start producing medical masks ourselves in order to promptly provide the workers of each enterprise with personal protection equipment. Each enterprise is now producing masks.

Moreover, as many workers as possible were asked to work remotely if their absence would not affect the production process. During the transition to remote working, classified information and security protocol for secrets were taken into consideration. It was easier to do with the design bureaus that design civil aircraft. We transferred automated workplaces to the operators’ locations. The Tupolev, Ilyushin and Sukhoi, where combat aircraft are being designed, organised this process differently. The management at all the enterprises signed declarations on complying with Rospotrebnadzor requirements, meaning the heads of the plants take full responsibility for ensuring safe working conditions. Separate talks were held with primary trade union organisations on wage payments during the non-working days.

During the first week since the executive order was issued, from March 30 to April 5, just like at our colleagues’ enterprises, workers involved in uninterruptible production processes – smelting, galvanics – kept coming to work as well as those in charge of the company’s security. We separately engages departments responsible for combat equipment integrity (it is our top priority, we must maintain the integrity at the prescribed level), they were also engaged.

Mr President, after your second Executive Order was issued on April 2, we, in accordance with item 4 thereof, have organised work to coordinate our efforts with the governors of all regions where United Shipbuilding Corporation has its enterprises regarding bringing these enterprises’ employees back to work. We have received all approvals and reports. These were either written addresses from the regional heads or regional regulations that allow us to carry out this work now. A total of 12,000 employees have again started working and another 3,300 people are working remotely. Tomorrow, 30 percent of all personnel will be working. Our goal for next week is to resume operations at all companies with the exception of the risk groups: people over 65, those with chronic diseases and women on parental leave.

At this stage, we believed that we will fulfil state defence order and contracts on military-technical cooperation. We have a special area for work and the Ministry of Industry and Trade is helping us by monitoring this cooperation. By April 6, we compiled a list of 109 most critical suppliers of units, third-party components, etc. We have sent all of them notices on the need to maintain the current level of production under all programmes, including serial production, life cycle contacts and testing.

This concludes my report.





Vladimir Putin:

Thank you.

Mr Slyusar, are there any issues that you consider outstanding or resolved not as effectively? Do you have any requests or comments for me, the Prime Minister or other ministers? Go ahead, please.



Yury Slyusar:

We do not have any requests for you, Mr President. We are addressing our requests to the ministers and to Mr Borisov and all of them are being met. First, this is the centralised purchase of personal protective equipment, primarily masks. One example. Our corporation employs 100,000 people and we need four masks for every person per shift, and one mask to get to work and one more to go home. So, one person needs six masks per day. For us this means hundreds of thousands per day. This is a big challenge but we are purchasing the necessary materials and are producing them. The Ministry of Industry and Trade is helping a lot. Their support helped us get our employees to work.

And we have a complete understanding with the regions. The leaders understand that we cannot stop: we must fulfil state defence order, we must conduct tests, we must commission aircraft. So, we are taking measures to meet the requirements, on the one hand, and to continue working, on the other.



Vladimir Putin:

Ok, thank you. Thank you very much.

Mr Konoplev, Shipunov Design Bureau, please take the floor.



Managing Director of the Shipunov Instrument Design Bureau Dmitry Konoplev:

Mr President, colleagues,

We are aware that fulfilling the tasks under the state defence order is top priority. Last week, given the actual situation in the region and in direct cooperation with the Governor and the Government of the Tula Region, the bureau organised its work engaging just enough people to keep the company running and bringing in production personnel to fulfil state defence order in terms of bottlenecks in technological processes, as well as work on special topics.

Non-production personnel, a significant part of the design bloc, began working remotely. We used the whole of last week to increase the number of personal protection means, disinfectants, equipping entrance checkpoints with thermal imagers and thermometers. and organise transportation of workers and catering, including the use of disposable tableware. We received a lot of assistance from the Tula Region and the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

As per the decision of the Tula Region Governor, not just large plants but also small enterprises involved in the fulfilment of state defence order in the Tula Region resumed working this week, which is important because we depend largely on cooperation. At the same time, inspectors from the Tula office of Rospotrebnadzor verified compliance with the sanitary and epidemiological standards at each company, including ours.

About 40 percent of employees are at work this week. We will gradually increase their number with the exception of people over 65 years of age, those suffering from acute chronic illnesses, including respiratory or heart diseases, and women with children under 13.

Their responsibilities will be assumed by other employees. The personnel numbers will also depend on our partners’ ability to supply components. To minimise risks, we are overhauling the supply logistics and developing a new work rhythm with all of our suppliers.

In view of the stocks of components purchased and delivered earlier, I think we will meet the deadline.

Concerning military-technical cooperation. The instrument design bureau is currently working with 14 countries and fulfilling 43 contracts. Manufacturing under all contracts in effect is underway, we do not see risks to manufacturing the products.

Regarding newly concluded foreign contracts, there are four of them, they are awaiting ratification and prepayment. Financing under these contracts has been worked out with the banks, cooperation contracts are being concluded. We think the risks have been minimised.

That concludes my report.



Vladimir Putin:

Thank you

Next, Mr Dyumin. How do you assess interaction with the federal authorities and defence industry enterprises?



Governor of the Tula Region Alexei Dyumin:

Mr President, colleagues,

In following all the required instructions, resolutions and executive orders in accordance with your first and second Address to the Nation, we are closely working with Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov, with the Ministry of Industry and Trade with which we maintain close contact. We are also in contact with the Defence Ministry. We have prioritised not only the defence industry. In accordance with the Governor’s executive order, starting from Monday, we re-launched the entire military-industrial complex under our supervision. We allowed them time to ensure they have everything they need (Mr Konoplev just reported on that) to comply with the requirements of the Tula Region’s chief sanitary officer.

We have also resumed operations in the entire agricultural sector which is essential for food security, as well as in the chemical and metal industry – because we clearly understand that suspension or further restrictions would be very difficult for us. But, with absolute understanding of current developments, we are prioritizing the health safety of our citizens and we are enforcing all the required restrictive measures. We are overseeing these restrictive measures with the help from deployed forces such as the National Guard and Tula’s regional Interior Ministry.

We are cooperating with local companies very closely. At the regional response centre, which is operating almost 24/7, we are meeting with representatives of self-employed individuals, small and medium-sized businesses and, of course, our major defence sector companies, including those involved in the chemical and metal industtry, to provide them with methodological assistance.

We organised production of personal protection gear and face masks using the capacities of light industry companies. They were reassigned to the production of masks and received the necessary materials with assistance from the Ministry of Industry and Trade. We are supplying our own region and, of course, looking after our defence industry companies as we understand very well that they do not have the same options, so we are helping them. We also agreed with our chemical industry companies on supplying disinfectants to defence plants at reasonable prices to disinfect floors, walls and common areas. Also, in close coordination with the Ministry of Industry and Trade, we compiled an inventory with calculations and sent it to the companies. Five mobile brigades involving our regional sanitary doctors are monitoring the compliance with sanitary and epidemiological measures. We are overseeing the implementation of instructions issued by the Chief Sanitary Doctor, and ensuring that companies follow them.

I would like to report that, despite the fact that we gave our companies time to build up resources in order to operate under the current circumstances and changing conditions, despite the fact that our region is a special case having the oldest average population in Russia and the fact that we directly border the metropolitan area of Moscow and the Moscow Region with active migration, which we are monitoring, based on the requirements from the Government and the federal emergency response centre, we have not imposed any inter-municipal or inter-regional restrictions as we understand that it would have a serious economic effect and that overall it is unadvisable. However, we are monitoring this migration based on the data from the Interior Ministry, the National Guard and our regional security committee which have reported a decrease in migration. But the flow is still there as are the risks. At our local production facilities, we have removed and continue to remove from operations, any staff whose family members (spouses) work in Moscow or the Moscow Region. They have been suspended. Workers aged 65+ have also been removed, as we previously reported to you.

I think these measures are primarily aimed at protecting those people who work at defence enterprises. But we must not forget that these people are also residents of our region. And of course, the measures that the sanitary doctor has prescribed, if these measures are observed, are tightly controlled, we will certainly be able to avoid isolating entire shifts, which would basically lead to a halt in production if this situation continues to develop. This cannot be allowed, so we will tightly control and strictly watch the implementation of these sanitary measures and, in turn, will provide various types of assistance to help enterprises in the defence, chemical, and metal industries and farmers rebuild their potential and bring life back to normal in all areas.

This concludes my report, Mr President.





Vladimir Putin:

Mr Dyumin, do you think there are any unresolved issues pertaining to coordination between different levels of government: regional and federal, and between defence enterprises?



Alexei Dyumin:

Mr President, my colleague Mr Golubev reported that there is one fine point beyond our control. We have included all the supply chains located in our region in our defence enterprises loop because stopping one or another depends on the operation of the entire company. But there are cooperation chains that step down, they are insignificant, but still have a role.



Vladimir Putin:

No, this is different, Mr Dyumin, this is different. We will talk about cooperation separately. I mean, are there any other unresolved organisational issues between the levels of authority, between the Government, the regional authorities and enterprises, with such distances?



Alexei Dyumin:

Mr President, as regards the state customer, the Defence Ministry – the control centre it has deployed monitors the enterprises working on state defence order every day. They are using their own resources for monitoring, monitoring by Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, and the whole picture is displayed online at the control centre.

As regards our cooperation with the Defence Ministry, the Government represented by Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov, Minister Denis Manturov, there is close interaction, absolutely complete control – now with their executive offices, of course, not with them personally, because they are all dealing with serious issues at the federal level. Based on our regional specifics, we have developed close interaction with their deputies who oversee the defence and chemical industries, and light industry, and we have close cooperation with the Defence Ministry. I believe that the level of control, the horizontal and vertical management and interaction that we see today is sufficient and fully enables us to fulfil our responsibilities both locally and online and to report on any issues so that we can address them together and get methodological assistance and advice.

Thank you very much.



Vladimir Putin:

Thank you.

Mr Khabirov, Bashkortostan, please.



Head of the Republic of Bashkortostan Radiy Khabirov:

Mr President,

We have worked well with all the defence industry enterprises in the Republic for a long time already. We have 14 such enterprises. As of now, all of them are operating.

To date, we have only looked at a number of cases when, to our mind, work needed to be stepped up to enforce public health standards. To this end, we have set up an interdepartmental commission, which will start monitoring tomorrow. In general, our figures in terms of work scope and production are not bad at all.

Mr President, I wanted to thank you for the enterprise that I reported about. Since then, things have been going well, the work scope has picked up substantially; we have found new solutions jointly with Rostec. Therefore, the enterprise is working very well. I was there last week and they even showed me a new prototype, so they are in high spirits now.

The general situation in the military-industrial complex is as follows – we are working hand in glove with the assigned Deputy Ministers of Industry and each knows his responsibilities. This is why, Mr President, I have no special questions. Thank you.

That concludes my report.



Vladimir Putin:

Thank you very much.

Mr Rakhmanov, United Shipbuilding Corporation.



President of the United Shipbuilding Corporation Alexei Rakhmanov:

Mr President,

As soon as the quarantine was declared, we coordinated work regulations and procedures at enterprises that are completing ships and the orders for them. This work is being performed by limited personnel. We have followed all the rules and instructions to isolate employees over 65. For this reason, we are working now at about 32–35 percent of the total workforce of the enterprise, while noting again that the share is 50–55 percent at the enterprises fulfilling orders.

Next week we are planning to increase this share to 56–62 percent. And we will also start scaling up work not only at the enterprises executing government defence orders but also where civil orders are fulfilled, above all for our fishermen.

We have made all necessary efforts. The crisis centre is operating, we regularly exchange information with colleagues in our key regions, I speak directly with governors and, if necessary, we receive assistance from the Ministry of Industry and Trade. There are no issues requiring you to take action.

Thank you.



Vladimir Putin:

Thank you.

Tatarstan. Mr Minnikhanov, please take the floor.



President of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov:

Mr President, here is my report.

Twenty-seven enterprises are implementing the defence order in the Republic. The total number of workers is 74,000 people, and 49 percent of them are working now. In total, 225 large enterprises are operating in the Republic, and 71 are not, but we will consider this issue.

The most important condition for enterprise operation is health safety. Rospotrebnadzor issues instructions, and after the implementation of all these measures, we provide assistance. I visited the Kazan Helicopter Plant two days ago. In fact, people stayed home for a week and are happy to get back to work now. Therefore, work will be organised in compliance with all precautions, and we have no questions regarding these enterprises, we have full contact.

As for KamAZ, it has resumed operations, and the Kazan Aviation Plant is also up and running. We have direct contact with all enterprises, with all holdings, and we have a full understanding with the federal ministries. There are no questions at your level; we are resolving these issues at our level.



Vladimir Putin:

Thank you.

Mr Furgal, Khabarovsk Territory, please take the floor.



Governor of the Khabarovsk Territory Sergei Furgal:

Mr President,

In accordance with the resolution of the Government of Khabarovsk Territory of April 4, we determined the criteria for organisations that can carry out production during the declared non-working days. There are nine defence industry enterprises in the Khabarovsk Territory. They are all operating today. So far, more than 27 percent have already returned to work; at some enterprises, the figure is about 80 percent. In total, 104 backbone enterprises have been identified in Khabarovsk Territory. All of them are running.

We are gradually increasing the number of employees going back to work This is primarily related to the need to provide employees with personal protective devices and to carry out measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Therefore, today in Khabarovsk Territory, to provide personal protective equipment, we are producing masks at the Directorate of the Federal Penitentiary Service, in workshops, and also at the Amur Shipbuilding Plant and at the Gagarin Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aviation Plant. We have produced 9,800 masks at this point. The defence industry enterprises have no wage arrears. Advance payments and wages are paid in accordance with labour laws.

There are certain risks, of course; first, there is some risk of missed deadlines for government contracts, which is associated with a delay in the supply of diesel engines for ships under construction.

We have another nagging problem – underfinancing of the shipyards, Amur Shipyard and Khabarovsk Shipyard. However, a decision was made at a meeting you chaired, so we are eager to see it done.

Overall, the situation in Khabarovsk Territory is under control, we clearly identified and localised all primary sources of infection spread, correspondingly, we are conducting full-scale work on mapping contacts, we ran comprehensive tests on all those infected with the coronavirus, ran spiral computer tomography and discovered a pattern that, regardless of the course of the disease, everyone is prone to pneumonia to various degrees. It is not revealed by clinical methods, but the spiral CT does show it.

All laboratories are operating as of today. On certain days, we run up to a thousand tests. We are in contact with everyone around the clock, we have established an emergency response centre, and it is working. We do not see any particular problems but the situation in Khabarovsk Territory is better compared to other regions in terms of the number of cases. So we are thinking proactively, opening more enterprises, while following all the public health guidelines, of course. We are also in constant contact with Rospotrebnadzor. Generally, we do not have any particular requests. We are ready to get to the new tasks we are set.



Vladimir Putin:

All right. Thank you very much.

Mr Alexander Dergachev, Military-Industrial Corporation NPO Mashinistroyenia, please.



First Deputy Director General of Military-Industrial Corporation NPO Mashinostroyenia Alexander Dergachev:

Mr President, colleagues,

Under the threat of the coronavirus spreading, the enterprise has worked to ensure that the state defence order is fulfilled and workers’ health is protected. At present, 35 percent of the workers are engaged at the Reutovo facility where we have the bulk of our engineering staff employed. They are mostly residents of Reutovo who work within walking distance of their homes, so they do not use public transport.

Where conditions permit, serial deliveries are being made. That is the case in Orenburg Region, Strela Industrial Association, where 90 percent of the workforce is on the job. An emergency response centre was established, we are working smoothly in this area with the head corporation – the Tactical Missile Corporation, with the regional authorities, allied suppliers, Ministry of Defence facilities where the enterprise is currently conducting work. The tasks of the state defence order and military-technical cooperation will be met in full and on schedule.

That concludes my report.



Vladimir Putin:

Thank you

Do you think there are any unresolved organisational issues?



Alexander Dergachev:

There are none at the moment.



Vladimir Putin:

All right. Thank you very much.

We will discuss the issues of cooperation and industry support and so forth behind closed doors.


<…>


Vladimir Putin:

Colleagues,

Today we are holding a regular meeting of the Commission for Military Technology Cooperation. Some of the meeting participants took part in another meeting, which involved heads of the regions where our main defence plants are located, and the heads of these enterprises and holdings.

Obviously, the more efficiently enterprises operate, the more chances we will have to promote our products on the international arms markets.

Today we will sum up the 2019 results and identify the main areas of development for the near future.

Tackling the challenges of military technology cooperation is always difficult. International competition is very high. And additional risks, this is quite clear today, are associated with the spread of the coronavirus infection, which had an extremely negative impact on the entire global economy.

In this regard, we will need to make flexible and prompt adjustments to the forms and methods of work; we will have to look for effective ways to maintain Russia’s leading positions in the export of military products.

As for the results of military technology cooperation in 2019, they are certainly positive. Despite the generally unfavourable situation and tough competition, the system of military technology cooperation with foreign states worked successfully. We not only implemented our plans in full, but also exceeded them by two percent. Military equipment totalling over $15 billion was delivered abroad. The order portfolio amounts to over $55 billion. Our partners include about one hundred countries.

By the way, hosting the Russia-Africa Summit in October last year gave a good impetus. New contracts totalling about $1 billion were signed with African states.

Of course, the successful experience of the combat use of domestic weapons, which, in particular, demonstrated their excellence in Syria, also plays in our favour. Their effectiveness, precision, reliability and low-maintenance are the qualities that determine the demand in the global arms market.

I am sure that Russian military equipment will remain competitive and in demand due to its unique features and characteristics, as well as the most advanced developments.

The strong performance in 2019 is certainly the result of the hard work of defence industry workers and organisations exporting military products.

I would like to thank the labour teams of defence enterprises, all those who are engaged in military technology cooperation, for their high-quality and, I am not afraid of this word, selfless, fruitful work.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63179
__________________
Where should they dig the Very Deep Pit?
Piglet said that the best place would be somewhere where a Heffalump was, just before he fell into it, only about a foot farther on.
(c) Alan Alexander Miln
 
Old May 18th, 2020 #76
Alex Him
Senior Member
 
Alex Him's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,834
Blog Entries: 219
Post

Meeting with permanent members of the Security Council



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



April 9, 2020 - 17:30 - Novo-Ogaryovo, Moscow Region






The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko, State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev, Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Anton Vaino, Secretary of the Security Council Nikolai Patrushev, Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, Director of the Federal Security Service Alexander Bortnikov, Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service Sergei Naryshkin and Special Presidential Representative for Environmental Protection, Ecology and Transport Sergei Ivanov.







President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

Colleagues,

Today we are holding a regular meeting of the Security Council.








We are seeing how the situation in the world is changing due to the spread of the coronavirus infection, due to the efforts to counter it, how it is affecting the global economy, industrial and transport companies and the power industry, to name a few.








Russia has also been compelled to take adequate measures in the current situation. This considerably affects the usual way of life for millions of people. But one thing must remain immutable. We must guarantee national security and carefully analyse everything that is taking place around us so that our national interests are reliably and fully ensured.





This is what we will discuss today.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63180






Telephone conversation with Donald Trump and Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud



Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the United States of America Donald Trump and King of Saudi Arabia Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.



April 10, 2020 - 01:50



The discussion focused on the oil market situation, including in view of the talks at the OPEC+ extraordinary ministerial meeting and the forthcoming videoconference of the G20 energy ministers.

The parties confirmed their commitment to coordinate actions on stabilising the situation in global oil trade and minimising the negative effect of oil price volatility on the global economy.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63181






Video linkup with ISS crew



Vladimir Putin congratulated the International Space Station crew on Cosmonautics Day marked on April 12.



April 10, 2020 - 13:30 - Novo-Ogaryovo, Moscow Region






Taking part in the session were ISS Commander, instructor and research cosmonaut 2nd Rank Oleg Skripochka of Russia; ISS flight engineer, research cosmonaut 1st Rank Ivan Vagner of Russia; ISS flight engineer, instructor and research cosmonaut 1st Rank Anatoly Ivanishin of Russia; flight engineer (to become ISS commander on April 17, 2020) NASA astronaut Christopher Cassidy of the USA; flight engineers NASA astronaut Jessica Meir of the USA and astronaut Andrew Morgan of the USA.







President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

Greetings, my friends.



ISS Commander Oleg Skripochka:

Good afternoon.





Vladimir Putin:

I am very happy to greet two ISS crews at once. I wish those of you who are just starting your orbital mission to fulfil all the tasks, and to those who are wrapping up their mission to happily return back home to Earth.

Space exploration has always been and remains a token of progress and development for humankind, while activities in space open up more new prospects in the economy, science and social sphere with every coming year.

The orbit, including aboard your station, is a site for fundamental research in biology, medicine, physics and chemistry, a site where crucial practical problems are being resolved.

Russia has rich experience in international cooperation in space. We are happy that our specialists are successfully collaborating with their colleagues from the United States, one of the world’s leading space powers. It is a vivid example of an effective partnership between our countries for the benefit of the entire humanity.

We are now also trying to organise work on current problems. I do not like speaking about this but I have to. I mean the fight against the pandemic, as well as the situation in the global markets. The President of the United States and I discussed these issues just yesterday, and we will speak more on that topic. So, fortunately, cooperation is developing, and not only in space but also in other areas.

I would also note that the Cosmonaut Training Centre marked its 60th anniversary this year. A whole constellation of space explorers from over 25 countries was raised there.

And today, largely thanks to the Centre’s performance, the geography of nations sending their researchers into orbit keeps expanding. For example, a pilot from the United Arab Emirates was on board of the ISS last year.

Our country has always been a forerunner in exploring the universe. We will be doing everything to also pay attention to one of its crucial areas – manned space flights.

We will definitely continue pursuing our strategic plans on space exploration; we will be developing all our programmes.

By the way, today, ahead of Cosmonautics Day, we will discuss progress with the leaders of the industry, to adjust our plans, advance them, and do everything possible for them to materialise, including the construction of the new cosmodrome of Vostochny.

Friends, I would like to congratulate you, as well as all current and former workers of the Russian space industry, on the upcoming holiday.

I would like to remind you that the birth and maturing of the space sector in our country happened in the difficult post-war years. However, in spite of all the trials, people were dedicated to bringing the dream of flying into the universe to reality. They advanced courageously forward into the unknown and achieved success.

I am confident that today, when the world is facing tough challenges, space exploration and cooperation with our foreign partners will be actively advanced. Because humankind cannot stay where it is, it will always be trying to move forward, to join efforts to push back the limits of our knowledge.

Let me now address the Russian part of your crew, and convey my best wishes once again on the forthcoming holiday, Cosmonautics Day.

Best of luck to you.





Oleg Skripochka:

Thank you very much for your warm words.

We are also happy to greet everyone ahead of Cosmonautics Day. We are glad to send greetings on this wonderful event, and to wish further success and progress to both the space industry and other sectors.

Thank you very much.



Vladimir Putin:

Thank you. All the very best. I wish you every success.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63183






Meeting on rocket and space sector development



The President held a videoconference meeting on the rocket and space industry’s development.



April 10, 2020 - 15:00 - Novo-Ogaryovo, Moscow Region







President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

Colleagues, good afternoon.

Yesterday we discussed the situation at the leading enterprises in the defence industry. The rocket and space industry is certainly one of the most vital sectors of the national economy as well because it deals with issues that require work that is not interrupted and is carried out constantly.

The intensity of this work has decreased for understandable reasons, due to the pandemic, and today I have gathered you together to discuss how this work is being organised in this context, what measures are being taken to protect the people who work and whose work cannot be suspended, and how you, colleagues, are planning to arrange the work of the entire industry in the medium and longer term, bearing in mind the need to revive it to full capacity – naturally, as I already mentioned, taking into account all the necessary sanitary and epidemiological precautions, both today and in the near future.

I would like to call your attention to the following.

First of all, the manned flight programme remains one of our unconditional priorities. Traditionally, it is one of the Russian cosmonautics’ strong points, and leadership must be maintained here.

This programme largely depends on the creation of a new generation space transport system. Flight tests of the new manned transport ship are planned for 2023 at the Vostochny space centre. Please report to me today what measures Roscosmos is taking to make sure that the launch takes place as planned, on time.

The second point is that Russia must strengthen its foothold in the international launch services market. It is extremely important that our launch vehicles remain competitive and enjoy demand.

An infrastructure for heavy-lift and super heavy-lift launch vehicles should be created at Vostochny as planned. Test flights are scheduled to start in 2023 and 2028, respectively.

The third thing is to employ the possibilities and mechanisms of public-private partnership more intensively to achieve the industry’s goals. You know, PPP is a global practice that enables quick and efficient achievement of results, including developing innovative high-tech projects and commercially successful products.

Today I would like to hear your opinions on how to stimulate such partnerships, what we need to do here, what new formats we need to use to develop them successfully, and how to attract additional investment into the industry.

Now then, let us get down to work. The first speaker is Nikolai Testoyedov, CEO of JSC Academician M. F. Reshetnev Information Satellite Systems.





Information Satellite Systems CEO Nikolai Testoyedov:

Mr President,

Reshetnev Information Satellite Systems has organised the implementation of the 2020 state defence order under the limitations caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The necessary number of employees have been allowed to work, and all of them are provided with personal protective equipment.

The schedules of launching the manufactured spacecraft are being carried out in full. In 2020 there were plans for ten spacecraft, and two of them have already been launched, two more are at the launch site, and the remaining are either in storage or are still being manufactured.

In addition, the full scope of the state defence order for this year can also be implemented. Both in terms of the range of items (provided the research and development stages are adjusted), and the scope of work. To do that, data on the adjusted stages from the previous years, 2020 and the partially completed work for 2021 must be included.

Thus, we need the Defence Ministry’s acceptance of work on the adjusted previous years’ stages by the enterprises, the work for the current year and 2021. Work with allied suppliers has been well organised, and there are no problems.

This concludes my report.



Vladimir Putin:

Fine, thank you.

Mr Baranov, Progress Rocket Space Centre, please.



Rocket Space Centre General Director Dmitry Baranov:

Mr President,

The enterprise is working on fulfilling the 2020 state defence order. During the first week, when certain restrictions were introduced, we had several hundred out of 16,700 people working. We had only the most critical areas of spacecraft operating. Regarding the Defence Ministry products, the work did not stop at all.

Regarding the launch vehicles, assembly work on our main carrier, the Soyuz 2 rocket, was suspended because currently we have around 12 launch vehicles at launch sites, and about 40 launch vehicles are stored at the enterprise. Here we have a certain degree of safety. Nevertheless, we did not suspend work on the testing of already manufactured rockets and annual maintenance because we think this is critically important.

In addition, work on the Soyuz 5 launch vehicle has not been suspended. We understand that this is a head start for a super heavy vehicle, and we have a state contract on Soyuz 5 to be fulfilled by the end of 2022 when we are to manufacture and launch the first vehicle.

We somewhat increased the number of workers last week and now we are approaching about 1,500–2,000 people. We are planning to consider the matter after April 20 and to bring back the entire workforce while observing respective safety measures, of course.

Regarding interaction with the government and the governor, we have no problems. Transport issues and other questions are being settled in an orderly manner, promptly, we are in direct contact.

Concerning launches, we are ensuring work directly at the Baikonur Cosmodrome right now, including yesterday’s launch and a cargo spaceship launch in late April. We are also working with the Defence Ministry at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. This is routine work, and there cannot be any failures.

We will monitor the situation and proceed with the plans. We understand what is to be done in the mid-term. In the long term, it is also clear that the 2020 benchmark must be attained. Let me repeat, we work with what we regard as maximum possible safety measures.

This is the end of my report.





Vladimir Putin:

Thank you, Mr Baranov.

Mr Okhlopkov, please, general director of TsENKI.



Andrei Okhlopkov, General Director of the Centre for Operation of Space Ground-Based Infrastructure (TsENKI):

Mr President,

We continue working, the company has not suspended its operations, we are continuing our work. Just yesterday, we returned from Baikonur, where a manned launch was carried out under the head of Roscosmos.

We are supporting projects at all spaceports. With due account for lockdown policies, as well as the greater goals we have, our routine work and state defence contracts, we have increased our personnel to 70 percent in production and at the launch sites to ensure the unconditional fulfillment of our objectives.

Thanks to the decisions made by the head of Roscosmos and the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, in the current difficult situation we were able to carry out two launches, and are preparing for a third launch. We have also moved a large number of people and equipment across the border. The projects are being carried out unconditionally and with proper quality.

At the moment, we are working on the Defence Ministry’s assignments at the Plesetsk space centre. We are also working at the Guiana Space Centre. We have evacuated most of the Russian team because our partners there terminated some of the projects. A small group of 21 people stayed with those from NPO Lavochkin to bring the technical equipment to a safe state. From April 27 to April 30, we plan to evacuate that group too, bring them home and into quarantine.

At Vostochny, we have even slightly expanded the project to build infrastructure for the Angara heavy-lift carrier rocket due to the launch site’s isolated location. Thanks to the leaders of several regions, the supply of equipment and the production of equipment for the spaceport have continued without delay or disruption.

Mr President, we will certainly be able to fulfill the assigned task as a system-forming company.





Vladimir Putin:

Thank you.

Our colleagues who have just given their reports represent industrial enterprises and groups of enterprises. There are others here who work in this industry directly. At the beginning of our meeting, I had a question for all the representatives of industry here: are there any problems that you would like to highlight? None. Good.

Mr Rogozin, please.



General Director of the Roscosmos State Corporation for Space Activities Dmitry Rogozin:

Mr President,

Allow me to begin my presentation on the issues that were outlined in the beginning of this meeting. First, I would like to summarise some of our achievements in 2019.

Last year, we carried out 25 launches of space rockets, which is 25 percent more than in 2018. All the launches were accident-free.

Combat crews of the Defence Ministry also conducted 10 successful launches of the ballistic missiles manufactured at Roscosmos plants.

Thirty-three launches are planned for 2020, including 12 satellite launches under the Federal Space Programme, nine launches of commercial spacecraft and three launches from the Guiana Space Centre.

We have already conducted five launches. The launch yesterday was rather important and complicated because for the first time, we tested a crew-supported clustering of the Soyuz-MS with the Soyuz 2.1a rocket, operating on a fully Russian digital control system. The launch went well.

Due to the coronavirus spread and OneWeb’s bankruptcy, we estimate that at least nine launches are at risk. The launch of ExoMars has already been postponed until 2022. This problem is rather serious, Mr President, because the spacecraft we were supposed to launch from our cosmodromes simply cannot arrive in Russia as Roscosmos is perhaps the only space agency in the world today that continues working. All the other agencies have suspended their operations.

In 2019, Russia increased its share in the medium-lift and heavy-lift launch service market to 41 and 21 percent, respectively.

In order to expand our presence on international markets, we are currently working on cutting our launch service rates by over 30 percent by reducing our non-operating expenses and increasing the company’s operating efficiency.

The pricing schedule we proposed is essentially our response to the dumping by the American companies that are funded by the US budget. If a launch by, for example, SpaceX has a market price of around $60 million, NASA pays 50 to 300 percent more for the same service.

We would like to talk about a number of measures that need to be taken in the near future.

First, the electronic component base for our space systems is produced abroad; therefore, we cannot procure it due to the sanctions. However, Russian microelectronics is making progress, but not fast enough. For this reason, we would like to emphasise this particular industry; we need domestically produced microelectronics.

The second most important point is to introduce mandatory coordination between the Defence Ministry and the corporation on design solutions in building military space vehicles, that is, production cooperation in organising an order for the manufacturing of space vehicles and military systems, and of course, coordination on the pricing of state contracts that the Defence Ministry concludes with our plants as a customer.

Why is this important? Two customers should not order two different types of space vehicles with the same purpose from the same Roscosmos plant. This is why I suggest very close cooperation during the preorder stage. The role of general designers is very important at this point. Together with the Defence Ministry we have started doing this with the space forces at the working level. I think we will soon be signing practical agreements.

I must mention the negative impact of the coronavirus pandemic on our plans and current activities.

First, international cooperation has come to a standstill. The Guiana Space Centre, from which we launch foreign spacecraft on the Soyuz-2 rocket, is almost completely paralysed. The French employees have left the site. Our people have remained to ensure the safe storage and deactivation of the space tugs that were fueled before the launches were cancelled.

Secondly, the suspension of some civilian production lines during the quarantine, and this is where we have the highest number of employees, will compel them to take on additional expenses to pay salaries, maintain production capacity and counter the spread of the coronavirus.

But, once again, many employees at Roscosmos companies continue working. I am referring to personnel involved in Defence Ministry work, round-the-clock operations, test stations for all our advanced rockets that we must submit to testing this year, and of course, the Mission Control Centre, and not only the main one for the International Space Station but other orbital groups as well. Our companies are moving employees using their own transport vehicles and are providing them with medical gear to avoid infection.

This concludes my report.

Thank you.





Vladimir Putin:

Thank you.

I would like to ask Mr Kolmykov, Director General of the Lavochkin Scientific and Production Association, to comment on Mr Rogozin’s report where it concerns his company.



Director General of the Lavochkin Scientific and Production Association Vladimir Kolmykov:

Mr President,

Indeed, we are working extensively on the lunar programme. The Luna-25 spacecraft is currently in the assembly and first trial stages. Yes, there are some cooperation problems but we are working on them. I hope that the 2021 goal of launching Luna-25 will be achieved.

Work on Luna-26 and Luna-27 continues as well. We are finishing the contracting process for a government agreement. We are executing an engineering, procurement and construction contract that will be in effect through the launch. Cooperation has been established, and overallwe are fairly confident that the objectives involving Luna-26 and Luna-27 will be met in 2024 and 2025, respectively.

Our association is currently operating in all areas.

Thank you. This is the end of my report.





Vladimir Putin:

Thank you very much.

Mr Rogozin, colleagues.

Regarding this part of our work, the situation at Roscosmos is changing. Slowly, but it is still changing for the better. We can see it.

Clearly, the fact that we have to fight the coronavirus is forcing us to make adjustments in our country, the economy in general and Roscosmos specifically.

At the same time, I would like to warn you against the temptation to blame unresolved issues and loose ends – which are still in abundance – on the coronavirus. By the way, this goes for not only Roscosmos but for all manufacturing industries and all sectors. I hope my words will reach the parties concerned.

Now, let us move on to the restricted part of our meeting.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63184






Telephone conversation with US President Donald Trump



Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with US President Donald Trump, at the initiative of the American side.



April 10, 2020 - 17:40



The presidents exchanged views on the current developments in the global oil market, including the tentative OPEC+ agreement on reducing production volumes in order to stabilise oil prices. Donald Trump shared information about his contacts with the leaders of several oil-producing countries. The presidents agreed to continue Russian-American consultations on the issue.

Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump also discussed the coronavirus pandemic and gave an assessment to the actions being taken in Russia and the United States to prevent the spread of the virus.

Some topical aspects of bilateral relations were covered, including cooperation in space.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63185






Telephone conversation with Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammad bin Salman Al Saud



Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammad bin Salman Al Saud.



April 10, 2020 - 21:45



The sides discussed issues related to the OPEC+ talks on reducing oil production and agreed on further Russian-Saudi contacts in this context.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63186






Telephone conversations with Donald Trump and Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud



April 12, 2020 - 21:50



Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with US President Donald Trump and King of Saudi Arabia Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. The leaders confirmed the agreement reached within OPEC+ to voluntarily and gradually cut oil production in order to stabilise the global markets and ensure the sustainability of the global economy in general. This agreement is about to come into force.

Vladimir Putin also had a separate telephone conversation with Donald Trump.

The two leaders again exchanged opinions on the developments on the global oil markets and noted the importance of the OPEC+ deal to reduce production.

Current issues of ensuring strategic security were also discussed.

Vladimir Putin wished Donald Trump and all Christians in America a happy Easter.

It was agreed to maintain contacts between the leaders of the Russian Federation, the United States of America and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63190
__________________
Where should they dig the Very Deep Pit?
Piglet said that the best place would be somewhere where a Heffalump was, just before he fell into it, only about a foot farther on.
(c) Alan Alexander Miln

Last edited by Alex Him; May 20th, 2020 at 12:39 PM.
 
Old May 20th, 2020 #77
Alex Him
Senior Member
 
Alex Him's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,834
Blog Entries: 219
Post

Meeting with VTB CEO Andrei Kostin



Vladimir Putin met with President and Chairman of VTB Bank Management Board Andrei Kostin.



April 13, 2020 - 14:30 - Novo-Ogaryovo, Moscow Region







Andrei Kostin briefed the President on how the bank works with its customers who have been affected by the spread of the coronavirus, as well as with citizens whose average monthly income has decreased by 30 percent or more. As of March 31, VTB started granting repayment holiday for the most popular products, including mortgages, car loans and cash loans.

According to Mr Kostin, VTB has received applications for repayment holiday from small and micro enterprises totalling 226 billion rubles and has already approved applications for 160 billion rubles. On March 30, the bank launched its own support programmes for small and micro enterprises, which are granted a debt moratorium for up to six months.

Vladimir Putin asked the head of the bank to pay special attention to the need to support small and medium-sized businesses, strengthen call centres, improve internet access to banking services, and simplify, in fact not in word, a number of procedures.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63193






Meeting on sanitary and epidemiologic situation in Russia



Vladimir Putin held a meeting, via videoconference, on the sanitary and epidemiologic situation in Russia.



April 13, 2020 - 16:20 - Novo-Ogaryovo, Moscow Region






The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova, Healthcare Minister Mikhail Murashko, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin and Head of Rospetrobnatzor Anna Popova.







President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

Good afternoon, colleagues. Welcome!

I have asked you to sum up and to submit updates on the measures that are being taken at the moment to counter the coronavirus infection. But before we go over to updates and reports I would like to say a few words.

We are seeing that the situation is changing every single day and regrettably not for the better. The number of sick people is increasing along with the number of serious cases.

I have already noted that the next few weeks will largely determine the situation and this is why all our actions, including preventive measures on site and the organisation of the entire healthcare system should be most rational and taken on the safe side with due account of all factors.





In this context I would like to point out the following. Of course, I would like to hear from you more information and reports on how you assess the current situation in general in the country and in individual regions. Especially in the higher risk territories. These include, as we are well aware, Moscow, the Moscow Region, major cities, including million-plus cities where the concentration of the population is quite dense. What additional measures should be taken to ensure the safety of the population and to protect people’s health?

Second, in order to continue to act preventively – and although the situation is not getting any better, we are managing to act exactly this way – we need an objective forecast, not only for the medium- or long-term, but for the next three, seven and ten days. I am asking the Government to make and constantly update such a forecast based on the developments. I am also asking you to report to me on a daily basis.

Third, it is necessary to take into account all scenarios, even the most complex and extraordinary ones, so that we can be flexible and quick in adjusting our strategy and tactics, first of all, in terms of providing medical care to our citizens, of course.





The entire healthcare system must work as a single mechanism. In this regard, I am once again drawing your attention to the fact that seamless cooperation is needed both between the federal structures and between the regions, coordination in the work of institutions of the Healthcare Ministry, the Federal Medical-Biological Agency, other official ministerial medical organisations as well as private clinics. The Government has the authority to coordinate this work.

Fourth, today it is necessary to use all our resources effectively. Let me repeat that we must think through all the details and options and spread out the workload rationally between hospitals and clinics to provide room for manoeuvre depending on the situation in specific areas, for example, to quickly redirect protective gear supplies for medical personnel, ventilators and medicines as well as medical teams to the regions and organisations where they are most needed now.

Fifth. In Moscow and in a number of other regions, ambulance, clinic, and hospital staff have been working in extremely stressful conditions and under heavy workload for several weeks now. I would like to ask you to report on progress in forming additional medical teams. As we agreed, it is necessary to involve the personnel of all medical institutions, as well as medical universities and colleges.





Naturally, such specialists, as well as their colleagues, should receive all approved extra pay for special working conditions and should be provided with personal protective equipment. I know that this is not always enough. Surely, additional measures are needed to eliminate all these shortages. In particular, I propose considering centralised procurement and the formation of a single federal reserve of personal protective equipment for medical workers, as well as equipment and medicines used to treat the coronavirus infection, so that it would be possible, using this reserve, to quickly help regions and medical organisations.

And finally, sixth. You know that Defence Ministry service members work quite effectively abroad, helping our colleagues there to fight this infection. They have already gained considerable experience in quite difficult conditions. Of course, we need to use this experience and keep in mind that all the capabilities, including those of the Defence Ministry, can and should be deployed here, if necessary.

The Defence Ministry is working, I repeat, quite effectively. What is deployed abroad is only a small part of what the Ministry has, the main resources are still in reserve, so we need to keep this in mind. We will also bear in mind the fact that the Defence Ministry has spent additional funds received to build new infectious disease medical facilities in many Russian regions, which, if necessary, can also be used in the medium-term.

Let us get down to work.





<…>


Vladimir Putin:

Ok. Colleagues,

We know very well that compared to other countries facing the coronavirus, Russia looks better, at least for now. Of course, this is the result of how the healthcare system in the country is organised, which is obvious, not just because the infection came here later, but because the medical personnel has good training.

We have a lot of problems. There is nothing to boast about, and we must not let our guard down, because in general, as you and your specialists say, we have not passed the peak of the epidemic yet, not even in Moscow, so of course I believe the measures the city authorities have introduced are justified. It is important that all the technical and administrative aspects are thought through and effective so that they do not create additional problems for people.

I would like to specially draw your attention to the following. It has just been said that creating additional specialised beds is going according to plan: 30 percent has been added so far. At the same time, as you have said, other Russian regions are behind Moscow by 3–4 weeks. This means that they still have time. But this time can disappear very quickly; it must not be wasted but used in the most effective way possible.

Very recently we held a meeting with all the Russian regions. I would like to focus on this once again: if something is not done on time, I will regard this as criminal negligence with all the consequences that come with it, not just administrative ones.





Now about those negative facts that were mentioned in several regions where a considerable increase, if not an epidemic, was recorded. I know what it’s all about and this is a result of irresponsibility and slovenly work. I cannot describe it in any other way. This is why I would like to ask the local specialists, regional governors, doctors, and heads of companies to take all the requests and requirements of the chief sanitary doctors and specialists very seriously. Otherwise we will have to deal with the facts, some of which were mentioned at our current meeting.

It is necessary to constantly analyse what is happening and what is being done in the country. This will result in a quick and professional response to any developments. I am really interested in your opinion on this but we will talk about it next time, and you in this case are the consumers of products – your opinion on how the industry works, on medicines, face masks, gowns and other protective equipment, both for medical workers and for citizens.

Obviously, when an epidemic flares up on such a scale, industry is not ready for it in advance. However, we have a corresponding plan for building up production and I would like to ask our medical services to respond most carefully to how these plans are being carried out. Please also report to me on this regularly.





This is what I would like to draw your attention to. As I have already asked you, and this is the existing practice, but please report to me on the situation on a daily basis.

I wish you success!




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63194






Tatyana Moskalkova presented her annual report to the President



Human Rights Commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova presented to the President an annual report on her activities pursuant to the Federal Law On the Human Rights Commissioner in the Russian Federation.



April 14, 2020 - 08:50



The report reads that in 2019, the Commissioner received 38,328 letters (38,698 in 2018), of which 1,683 (4.4 percent) were petitions. Most often people wrote about ensuring their rights during criminal proceedings: there were 12,168 such letters (32 percent). The number of such letters grew by 9 percent compared to 2018.

The number of letters on the application of laws on social security and benefits increased by 8.5 percent and amounted to 2,756, and more than doubled on pension recalculation and benefits for people with disabilities.

By tradition, a special emphasis in the report was made on the protection of social and housing rights. In 2019, the letters to the Commissioner on this subject amounted to 4,492, which is a decrease from the previous year. The number of complaints regarding participation in the shared-equity housing construction went down by 43 percent. The number of letters on housing provision for certain categories of people (people with disabilities, orphans, members of large families and families with children), relocation from dilapidated housing and on the receipt of housing subsidies also dropped.

The full text of the report was published in Rossiyskaya Gazeta newspaper (in Russian).




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63197






Meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council



Vladimir Putin took part, via videoconference, in a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council on measures to combat the coronavirus and support economic stability in the Eurasian Economic Union member states.



April 14, 2020 - 12:15 - Novo-Ogaryovo, Moscow Region






In the meeting also took part President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kyrgyzstan Sooronbay Jeenbekov and Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan.

The Supreme Eurasian Economic Council adopted a joint statement on the meeting results.

The document emphasises the parties’ readiness to continue joint efforts to eliminate the negative consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, and to maintain the current level of integration cooperation and further economic development of the EAEU member states.

Members of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council urged all countries to support international cooperation, strengthen trust, stop armed conflicts, trade wars and unilateral financial and economic sanctions, and to strictly comply with international law.

The Joint Statement also says that the governments of the EAEU member states, national central banks and the Eurasian Economic Commission have been instructed to implement coordinated measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, strengthen economic cooperation, maintain uninterrupted operations of domestic markets, including the food market, and support people and businesses in overcoming the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.







President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

First of all I would like to join you in thanking our Belarusian friends for their initiative to hold this event.

I agree with many assessments voiced here. The coronavirus pandemic is having a strong negative impact on all areas of life almost everywhere in the world: in the economy and the social sphere. People’s mobility has decreased, trade in goods and services has become more difficult, and the global financial and, as the President of Kazakhstan has just said, raw materials markets have become highly volatile, this is very important for us. The burden on the healthcare system has increased significantly, and extraordinary measures are needed to stop the spread of the infection.

As we can see, some of our countries are taking really extraordinary measures. Let me repeat this: the President of Kazakhstan has just said so. It is clear that the only way to effectively counter the pandemic is through joint efforts of the global community. These are the collective approaches Russia promotes at all multilateral organisations: the UN, the G20 and the CIS.

And, of course, we believe that close cooperation between the EAEU states is crucial. We support the draft joint declaration by the leaders of the Five prepared for our approval. We believe that it fully reflects the approaches to the organisation of further work within the Union in the conditions of the spreading coronavirus.

A few words about the measures Russia is taking to counter the coronavirus and minimise the pandemic’s impact on the economy.

A coordination council headed by the Russian Government, a response centre to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and a State Council working group to coordinate regional efforts have been established and operate actively.

According to expert assessments, we have not passed the peak of the epidemic yet. As of April 13, there were 18,328 confirmed cases in Russia. Unfortunately, 148 people have passed away, and 2,558 have recovered.





We are closely monitoring the sanitary and epidemiological situation and taking the necessary preventive and other measures to curb the spread of the infection. Most Russian regions have adopted a self-isolation system or quarantine to slow down the epidemic rate. Non-working days with full pay will last all over the country until April 30.

The scope of diagnosing and testing to identify those with active infection or virus carriers is growing. Considerable financial resources have been allocated to create specially equipped infection wards in hospitals and purchase medical equipment and technology.

The Defence Ministry is building 16 specialised hospitals for coronavirus patients, which will open in near future. Naturally, they are not only for military personnel but also for civilians.

We have adopted a decision on additional payments to medical workers, who are risking their lives and health to help patients and fulfil their professional duty.

We are also supporting people. Primarily, families with children and temporarily unemployed whose incomes dropped by over 30 percent. They have been granted loan repayment holidays and deferrals on mortgage loans. The total funding allocated by the Government to minimise unfavourable effects of the epidemic amounts to 1.2 percent of the GDP. The same amount of aid will be provided by Russia’s Central Bank.

We have taken a number of serious measures in banking regulation and finance, including with a view to improving the availability of loans to support the regions facing a tax revenue shortfall. At the same time, in order to prevent capital flight, we have increased the tax rate on incomes transferred to foreign accounts to 15 percent.

Businesses are receiving targeted aid, above all those that are avoiding redundancies, as well as small- and medium-sized enterprises. We have granted a six-month deferral on tax and insurance payments and expedited the administrative procedure for issuing licenses and authorisation documents.

And this is not all. Naturally, we are thinking about the steps we will take next to support the economy.





Of course, a lot is being done to return Russian citizens who are staying abroad during the epidemic. Our air companies are involved in this work, and special charter flights are being organised. Those who return are quarantined. Financial support is also provided to those who are still waiting to get back to their homeland and are still abroad.

We are not indifferent to the problems faced by other states due to the pandemic, we are trying to help, first of all, countries in dire need. We will certainly continue this work as well as share our experience and exchange emergency information. It has already been noted here that Russia is very actively working on medicine, special means to combat the pandemic, and also on vaccines. Indeed, the work is going well. And I hope that in the near future we will be able to share the results with you.

I would like to emphasise the anti-crisis work that has been launched within the Eurasian Economic Union. Last Friday, a meeting of the intergovernmental council with the participation of prime ministers was held. Fundamental decisions were adopted aimed at minimising the consequences of the spread of the coronavirus and maintaining a stable socioeconomic situation in our states. A green corridor has been opened for importing into the EAEU socially significant goods such as food, medicine, medical equipment and personal protective equipment. I agree with those colleagues who said that we should think about expanding this practice. That is, such goods are exempted from import customs duties, and the corresponding customs procedures have been simplified and accelerated.

The governments of the Union states agreed to jointly take measures to restrict the export of critically important medical supplies and equipment and socially important goods to third countries, in order to prevent shortages in the Union market, if becomes necessary to help one another with the delivery of humanitarian aid and essentials.

It is worth thinking about reducing or zeroing customs duties on components and materials for economically and socially important sectors, and generally supporting the industrial production in our countries, those sectors of the economy that have suffered the most because of the epidemic. We are talking here primarily about air transport, tourism, the hotel business, entertainment and leisure, catering, culture and sports.





The coordination council to counter the pandemic established at the Eurasian Economic Commission monitors the developments in the EAEU in real time and assesses the member states’ needs and capacities to supply essential goods.

I agree that the resources of the Eurasian Fund for Stabilisation and Development and the Eurasian Development Bank can be attracted, if necessary.

I cannot help but agree that the methods to counter the pandemic must be sensible as well as proportionate and should not result in breaking decades-long cooperation ties or the suspension of international trade and mutual investment. Already now we must begin developing systematic measures within the EAEU to create conditions to restore and to ensure further economic development. In particular, to encourage the digitalisation process in logistics, as it has already been said, customs and taxation.

The cooperation between the member states’ central banks on easing lending conditions for enterprises working in the real sector of the economy, expanding non-cash and quick payments and online banking services is very important in order to preserve the macroeconomic stability.

As is known the draft strategic development areas of the Eurasian economic integration until 2025 is being prepared for the next meeting of the Supreme Council scheduled for May 19. Considering the experience we are gaining during the pandemic, I would like to suggest strengthening the provisions on cooperation in healthcare and assessing if the existing mechanisms are adequate and allow us to act more quickly, more smoothly and more effectively in case such a critical situation happens again.

In conclusion, I would like to ask Mr Lukashenko as Chairman of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council to inform our CIS colleagues and Uzbekistani partners that preside in the Commonwealth now about the results of today’s meeting and the measures taken by the EAEU countries to counter the spread of the coronavirus emphasising our readiness to work together with all our CIS partners.

Thank you for your attention.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63199






Meeting on economic issues



Vladimir Putin held meeting, via videoconference, on economic issues.



April 14, 2020 - 13:15 - Novo-Ogaryovo, Moscow Region






Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Anton Vaino, First Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Belousov, First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Alexei Gromov, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office and Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov, Aide to the President – Head of the Presidential Speechwriting Office Dmitry Kalimulin, Aide to the President Maxim Oreshkin, Minister of Labour and Social Protection Anton Kotyakov, Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov, Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov, Minister of Finance Anton Siluanov, Central Bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina and Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin took part in the meeting.







President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

Good afternoon, colleagues,

Today, as is customary, we will discuss the state of affairs in the economy. As a group, we meet regularly to discuss this matter. Even though we have been meeting in this format for a while now, today’s situation is, clearly, unusual.





So, we will need to look into and carefully analyse the most recent trends in our economy and discuss forecasts.

Obviously, just like in other countries, our economy and businesses are facing serious pressure. The coronavirus epidemic has already affected and continues to adversely affect business and entrepreneurial activities as well as the dynamics of the labour market.





Many cooperation, trade, and economic ties have been severed. A very short while ago, as you may have seen, I discussed this with our colleagues – heads of state that are our closest partners, our EAEU partners. Everyone is concerned with these problems.





As I mentioned, many cooperation, trade and economic ties have been severed. Due to the mandatory restrictive measures, the companies were forced to change their usual schedules. The situation is especially tough for small- and medium-sized businesses, as well as for the services sector.

The most sensitive problem for companies – both here and in other countries – is a reduction in demand. Thus, retail sales decreased by more than 35 percent in April in Russia. This indicates how sharply, almost immediately, the market contracted. And for many enterprises this is a great shock.





Another integral indicator of the state of the economy is energy consumption. Unfortunately, the dynamics are also negative. For the first 12 days of April, electricity consumption decreased by 5 percent compared to the same period last year. That is, enterprises began to use their capacities less.

In addition, lending to the real economy has come to a virtual standstill. And this means that many companies’ investment plans, and enterprises’ development and renewal programmes are on hold.





It should be noted that in the first week of April, banks, including major banks, saw a sharp drop in the number of new mortgage loans. This cannot but affect the construction industry and related sectors. Actually, there is nothing unexpected for us here. We understood how the situation would develop. This is a shock for enterprises, but for the management system there should not be any shock. We knew what would happen, and even understood the time frame in which we would face these difficulties.





A number of solutions to support the economy, business, and small and medium-sized enterprises have already been announced and are being implemented. But the situation requires additional steps commensurate with the new challenges. We have the necessary resources, tools and reserves for an active anti-crisis policy – I have already talked about this. It is necessary to use them as efficiently as possible and with tangible results for the economy, and therefore for citizens.





Last week, the Government was instructed to develop a programme to support business, with particular emphasis on maintaining employment and people's incomes. Earlier, I also asked for measures to be worked out to ensure sustainable lending to the real sector of the economy.

Today we will discuss all these specific proposals.

Let us get down to work.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63200






Meeting with Government members



The President held a meeting with Government members via videoconference.



April 15, 2020 - 17:30



Attending the meeting were Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Anton Vaino, First Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Belousov, Deputy Prime Ministers Viktoria Abramchenko, Yury Borisov, Tatyana Golikova, Alexei Overchuk and Dmitry Chernyshenko, Deputy Prime Minister – Chief of the Government Staff Dmitry Grigorenko, Deputy Prime Minister – Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District Yury Trutnev, Aide to the President Maxim Oreshkin, Economic Development Minister Maxim Reshetnikov, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov, Labour and Social Protection Minister Anton Kotyakov, Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov, Energy Minister Alexander Novak and Chairman of the Accounts Chamber Alexei Kudrin.







President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

Good afternoon, colleagues.

Today’s meeting will be devoted to supporting the economy, businesses, employment and people’s incomes amid the fight against the coronavirus epidemic.

The Government has already developed and is implementing a number of measures in this area. At the same time, we agreed to take additional steps as the situation evolves. In this regard, I believe that small and medium-sized companies that trade in non-food products should be added to the list of the most affected sectors, namely small and medium-sized businesses engaged in catering, tourism and hospitality. They also have enough problems now.

Most importantly, I would ask you to include in the programme for supporting the economy and business the following systemic decisions that have been, let me emphasise, coordinated with all departments.

First, I propose providing small and medium-sized companies in the affected sectors – I would like to emphasise, this is in addition to the support measures already taken – direct, free financial assistance from the state. These funds can be used by enterprises to address the current most urgent problems, including paying salaries and maintaining levels for their employees in April and May. The amount of support for a particular company will be calculated taking into account the total number of its employees as of April 1 of the current year, based on the amount of 12,130 rubles per employee per month.

Applying for such aid should be simple and convenient for businesses, with the opportunity to make a request remotely without having to wait in line or be hurried along. Therefore, I ask the Government to make it possible to send such a request within a month, starting May 1.

The only mandatory condition and requirement to a business is that they should hang on to as many jobs as possible – at least 90 percent of the number of staff as of April 1. If this requirement is met, and the Government can check on it, the company in question will receive state financial support for April on its account starting May 18. Correspondingly, funds for May will arrive in June.

Second, the Government has already proposed a programme of interest-free loans for the payment of salaries. Such loans are issued for a term of six months. However, practice has shown that this support measure for the labour market is inefficient. It is difficult to receive a loan, banks are reluctant to accomodate borrowers.

In this context, I believe that Vnesheconombank should guarantee at least 75 percent of such payroll loans. This will make it possible to reduce the risks for commercial banks and, hence, make loans more accessible.

It is also necessary to expand this support measure and allow medium and large companies in the economic sectors that have been hard hit to make use of such loans to enable them not to dismiss their employees or accumulate payroll debt.

Third, regarding core companies, I would like to ask the Government to update the list of these based on clear-cut, objective criteria. The list should include companies that are vital for the entire national economy.

I also propose new special loans for these companies – and a draft Government Resolution already includes over one thousand such companies that form the backbone of the national economy. I am referring to soft loans for floating assets that these companies need for the purchase of raw materials and spare parts and for advance payments to suppliers. Such support will allow these core companies and their partners to continue functioning smoothly. In other words, we will support employment and payroll payments to personnel in the entire cooperation chain.

The rate on these loans will be subsidised by the state at the Bank of Russia’s key rate. So, the real cost of a loan for enterprises today will be 6 percent lower than the current market rate. In addition, half of the loan will have state guarantees under the Ministry of Finance, which will also incentivise banks to issue such loans, minimising the risk for the banking system.

Fourth. I already spoke about the need for additional financial assistance for the regions. Their revenues have decreased for various reasons. However, the regions, where a lot of work is underway to support the economy and the people, are suffering under a heavy load, and the regions must have the necessary resources for this.

Therefore, I propose allocating an additional 200 billion rubles to provide for the sustainability and balance of the regional budgets. Moreover, the regions should have flexibility in using these funds and directing them to implement their own regional measures to support employment and business activity, pay benefits and salaries to state employees, and resolve the most urgent social issues and help people.

Colleagues,

Once again, the situation is changing dynamically. I would ask the Government, together with the regions and the business associations, to continuously evaluate the effectiveness and adequacy of the measures taken. Obviously, updated solutions will be required, both in the economy as a whole and in individual sectors. These decisions need to be worked out now, and the necessary resources should be consolidated. We have spoken about this many times.

Last week, as you may know, we reviewed the situation in the defence industry and the space and rocket industry. Tomorrow we will devote a separate meeting to the construction industry. Shortly, we will discuss measures to support the automotive industry and agriculture, housing and utilities, the light industry, aircraft manufacturing, and other industries.

We know that the airline industry is facing serious difficulties. As an urgent and emergency measure, I consider it necessary to allocate over 23 billion rubles to support air carriers. In particular, these funds will be used to lease equipment, to finance working capital, salaries and to pay for aircraft parking.

In general, I would ask you to quickly work out and submit an action plan, for each of the basic, backbone economic sectors, including support for import substitution in industry.

Let us get down to the agenda. Let us begin with some current issues.

First, I would like to ask Mr Novak, Energy Minister, to report on the talks on the OPEC+ deal and the G20 energy ministers’ meeting.

Mr Novak, please.



Energy Minister Alexander Novak:

Thank you.

Mr President, colleagues,

I have to report that the rapid spread of the pandemic and the resolute measures taken by most countries to counter it have led to a sharp decline in economic activity and hence, a drop in the mobility of the population. This has caused a substantial reduction in global demand for oil and petroleum products. In turn, this has called for the adoption of urgent and commensurate measures to decrease market supply with a view to stabilising the global oil market, and preventing overproduction and, in effect, a collapse of the world oil industry.

Given the reduced demand, the current oil surplus is estimated at 15–20 million barrels a day. The decline in demand by the end of the year could average out to about 8 million barrels a day, which is almost 8 percent of the global oil market. Meanwhile, accessible global oil storage facilities will likely reach capacity in the next four to five weeks.

Mr President, following your instructions, we discussed potential measures on a coordinated reduction of supply with oil producing countries. After fairly difficult discussions, 23 countries, including Russia, agreed on joint action, on a voluntary reduction of production over the next two years.

Mr President, allow me to thank you for your personal participation in a series of talks with the leaders of Saudi Arabia and the United States. This made it possible to overcome differences between some parties to the agreement and to reach a practical compromise. I would also like to thank you on behalf of the ministers that took part in the talks for Russia’s leading role in executing the agreement.

As for the parameters of the deal, in accordance with the agreements reached, the production cut in May-June of this year will total 9.7 million barrels per day. This is almost ten percent of global output. Then, production will be gradually restored. From July to December 2020, the cut will amount to 7.7 million barrels per day, and from January 2021 to April 2022, it will be 5.7 million barrels per day. At the same time, the market will be constantly monitored with the possibility of adjusting the deal parameters.

I would also like to emphasise that in addition to the OPEC+ countries that participated in the agreement, about ten more countries announced their readiness to support the efforts to balance the world market.

Last Friday, a meeting of the G20 energy ministers took place with all the ministers participating. Almost all producers, including the United States, Canada, Norway and Brazil, noted solidarity with the efforts of OPEC+ and announced their own cuts.

Thus, in total, producing countries can reduce their daily oil output by about 15–20 million barrels per day in the first months of the agreement. This will mitigate the effects of the reduced demand caused by the novel coronavirus pandemic, stabilise global markets and avoid overstocking and dramatic volatility of oil prices. It will also increase the financial stability of the oil industry and the global economy as a whole.

The current parameters of the agreements fully meet Russia's interests in terms of the effect on the Russian economy and budget.

Mr President, let me also report that the day before yesterday, a videoconference was held with our leading oil-producing companies. The leaders of Russian oil companies fully supported the parameters of the new deal and noted that the market today needs decisive measures to achieve balance.

Despite the current rather complicated situation in the market, fuel and energy companies continue their work to provide the domestic market with oil and petroleum products in full. The Ministry of Energy and the Russian Government will continue to monitor the implementation of the agreements, as well as the situation on the global oil market.

Thank you.



Vladimir Putin:

It is important, indeed, that everyone complies with the agreements reached. Of course, we need to be in constant contact with all our colleagues, primarily, of course, with the leading players.

I want to thank you, Mr Novak – I saw you working in this direction – you and all your colleagues. This is a collective result. Thank you very much.

(Addressing Minister of Labour and Social Protection Anton Kotyakov.) Mr Kotyakov, please say a few words about the situation in the labour market.





Minister of Labour and Social Protection Anton Kotyakov:

Thank you.

Mr President, colleagues,

There are currently 735,000 unemployed people in the Russian Federation. Since the start of the year, this number has increased by 44,000. At this time last year, employment centers recorded 813,000 jobless people, therefore, information on unemployment that is officially on record excludes the days off work.

To get an objective picture of what is happening in the labour market, we have organised daily online monitoring. We have launched a data collection service on the Work in Russia website. This monitoring includes those who currently work part-time or remotely, and companies’ plans to reduce personnel.

The service now covers almost 100,000 companies that employ over 12 million people or 20 percent of all employed people in the Russian Federation, and they provide current information on their personnel. The incoming data are available by region, industry and core company.

Our current monitoring shows that more and more companies are having their employees work remotely; about 7.5 percent of all employees are working remotely now.

Simplified rules for processing sick leave for employees over 65 were introduced in early April to ensure self-isolation. The Social Insurance Fund receives all the required information directly from employers, without input from the employee. A sick leave certificate is issued remotely for two weeks. An employee will receive payment directly even without waiting for the completion of the sick leave period. Over 530,000 people have already used this opportunity.

Regarding these days off work, we are receiving a lot of questions from employers and employees on how the norms of the labour law are to be applied. We have launched a service for quick consultations at the online platform, онлайнинспекция.рф. As of today, over 70,000 have used the service.

Additional support measures have been introduced for people who are losing their jobs in this situation. The maximum unemployment insurance figure has been increased: it was 8,000 rubles, but now it equals the minimum subsistence level at 12,130 rubles.

Citizens who lost their jobs after March 1 and registered at employment centres as unemployed will receive the maximum amount for the first three months: April, May and June. Those unemployed who have children will also receive 3,000 rubles a month for each underage child.

An online unemployment registration procedure has been introduced. Over 180,000 applications have already been received through this tool. To file an application, it is only necessary to fill in one’s application form and curriculum vitae on the Work in Russia website. No additional certificates are required; all the other information will be obtained through interagency online information exchange.

The parameters used to calculate the average per capita income will be adjusted in order for people who have lost their jobs to use these social support benefits. Employment income received over the previous period is excluded from a household income where there is an unemployed person today. This methodology will be used until the end of the year and will be applied when assigning monthly payments for children aged 3 to 7 as well as payments for the birth of the first and second child, state social benefits and to pay for housing and utility services.

I would like to note that all of these additional measures of support are needed, and the procedure has been simplified as much as possible. For example, as of today, over one million families that are eligible for maternity capital have applied for the monthly payment of 5,000 rubles for each child under 3.

This is all. Thank you.



Vladimir Putin:

Mr Kotyakov, how is the Labour Ministry’s 24-hour hotline doing?



Anton Kotyakov:

Yes, it is available around the clock. We are receiving about 5,000–6,000 calls and messages. Over 50 operators are working all the time to counsel callers.

In addition, they can send questions in writing to the website онлайнинспекция.рф. A written reply will be sent within three working days.



Vladimir Putin:

I would like to ask you to monitor very attentively the observance of the labour rights of the employees that have been told to work from home.



Anton Kotyakov:

Got it, Mr President.



Vladimir Putin:

Thank you.

Mr Siluanov, please tell us about the additional payment benefits for medical workers and the repayment holidays. How is this organised?



Finance Minister Anton Siluanov:

Mr President, colleagues,

First a few words about repayment holidays.

The Federal Law and a Government resolution on repayment holidays were adopted on April 3. They envisage repayment holidays on the following amounts for individuals, self-employed individuals and small- and medium-sized companies: consumer loans of 250,000 rubles and 300,000 rubles for physical persons and self-employed individuals, correspondingly; credit card loans of 100,000 rubles; auto loans of 600,000 rubles; and mortgage loans up to 1.5 million rubles. The latter figure was determined from the very start and is the highest amount.

Even so, under your instructions, we held additional consultations with the Central Bank and the bank community on increasing these threshold figures on mortgage loans.

In line with the Russian Government’s resolutions of April 10 of this year, mortgage loan limits have been raised, that is, a two million ruble loan limit was set for all the regions of the Russian Federation (let me remind you that last year the average mortgage loan stood at 1.5 million rubles), and a 3.5 million ruble limit for Moscow Region, St Petersburg and the Far Eastern Federal District. The mortgage repayment holiday for Moscow is set at a higher level of 4.5 million rubles. Thus, the decision covers practically all mortgage loans on standard housing.

In addition, commercial banks began launching their own restructuring programmes in addition to the government programme to accommodate those who found themselves in dire straits.

In the first week, just two banks – Sberbank and Vneshtorgbank – received over 60,000 applications for repayment holidays, with 70 percent of them submitted remotely. According to the banks, the majority of the applications, over 90 percent, are granted immediately; the remaining ones require additional consultations.

The second question you asked concerns incentive payments.



Vladimir Putin:

Mr Siluanov, the matter of the second question is very simple. I voiced the respective numbers – 80,000 rubles of additional payments for medical personnel working with coronavirus patients; 80,000 rubles, 50,000 rubles, 25,000 rubles.

Under the current law, they are subject to personal income tax. But the numbers that were announced are absolute, meaning the amount people take home. It requires amendments to the respective legislation. I ask you to do that.



Anton Siluanov:

I see. We will draft such proposals.



Vladmir Putin:

Thank you.

And now the main issue of the meeting – the radio electronic industry, the development of the radio electronic industry.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63204






Greetings to BP Russia



Vladimir Putin congratulated the staff of BP Russia on the 30th anniversary of the company’s presence in the country.



April 16, 2020 - 10:00



The message reads, in part:

“Over these years, BP Russia has come a long way from the first gasoline station in Moscow to establishing a strong strategic partnership with the national oil company Rosneft.

Today, BP is rightfully considered one of the leading investors in Russia and the largest foreign shareholder in Rosneft. Over the long and successful history of cooperation, the companies have developed an efficient format of multifaceted interaction, including joint participation in large-scale projects in geological exploration, development of promising fields and production and delivery of oil and gas.

And, of course, it is important that BP Russia has always shown high social responsibility The long-term, strong and genuinely friendly relations that you have with the Russian Geographical Society, the Mariinsky Theatre, the State Hermitage Museum and the Britten-Shostakovich Festival Orchestra are crucially important for the preservation of the wonderful traditions of art, culture and education that our country is famous for.

I am certain that you will retain your strong positions on the Russian energy market and make a significant contribution to enhancing Russia’s energy and economic potential and developing fruitful international relations.”




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63207
__________________
Where should they dig the Very Deep Pit?
Piglet said that the best place would be somewhere where a Heffalump was, just before he fell into it, only about a foot farther on.
(c) Alan Alexander Miln

Last edited by Alex Him; May 20th, 2020 at 12:19 PM.
 
Old May 20th, 2020 #78
Alex Him
Senior Member
 
Alex Him's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,834
Blog Entries: 219
Post

Meeting on construction industry development



The President held a meeting via videoconference on developing the construction industry.



April 16, 2020 - 17:20






Taking part in the meeting were First Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Belousov, Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin, Minister of Transport Yevgeny Dietrich, Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov, Minister of Finance Anton Siluanov, Minister of Construction, Housing and Utilities Vladimir Yakushev, Central Bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina, Head of the Federal Service for the Oversight of Consumer Protection and Welfare and Chief State Sanitary Physician Anna Popova, MOSTOTREST General Director Vladimir Vlasov, President of the Russian Union of Builders Anton Glushkov, President of PIK Group of Companies Sergei Gordeyev, and General Director of DOM.RF Vitaly Mutko.







President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

Colleagues, good afternoon.

Let us get down to work.

We are continuing a series of meetings on key, base industries that determine the dynamics of national economic development and provide employment and income for millions of our citizens.

Today, we will focus on the construction industry. The situation in the housing market, the implementation of large-scale plans for the construction and maintenance of roads, seaports, transport hubs, and other national support infrastructure all depend on the efficient and systematic work of this sector.

And of course, as we know, construction is an industry that generally covers a large number of enterprises: large, medium and small companies from related sectors, such as the production of building materials and machinery, metallurgy, woodworking, chemical, and so forth. This may be obvious, but they must be taken into account when making decisions on the construction sector.

We have some construction company executives taking part in the meeting. Colleagues, I would like to ask you to tell us about some of the problems facing your companies, suppliers and contractors, and your work in this difficult situation caused by the spread of the coronavirus infection.

I am also addressing regional governors. When taking preventive measures in your regions, you need to consider the specifics of the construction industry and the need for work to continue, especially on key, vital projects. Please work to find flexible, well-balanced solutions. Specialists are saying that this is possible. All you have to do is strictly meet the labour safety requirements and protect the health of the workers. But it is not necessary to slow down or suspend the construction process.

This is all the more important because, like many other industries, the construction industry has faced objective difficulties. The main problem is a drop in demand. Thus, the growth of mortgage loans in the first quarter of this year has been replaced by a decline. We can see this. It has also become more difficult for developers to obtain loans.

I also understand the concern of the companies involved in major infrastructure projects. It is important for them to see the prospects, to be able to plan for a long time ahead. Therefore, I will say straight away that we will certainly support the construction industry. Moreover, during the economic recovery it should become one of the growth drivers that will pull other sectors up.

This is what I wanted to say at the beginning of the meeting, colleagues.

Now I would like to give the floor to representatives from the construction business and our other colleagues here. After this, we will review the results. Go ahead, please.





<…>


Vladimir Putin:

Colleagues,

At my request, the Government is working to find measures to support various industries. This includes the construction sector as well.

However, I decided to listen to my colleagues who are here today before making any decisions. Representatives of the construction sector have voiced their initiatives.

What are the things that I believe are important to do in the short term in this context and considering your opinion?

First, I suggest launching, as was described just now, a special preferential-term mortgage programme to support both our citizens and the construction industry and give people additional opportunities to improve their housing conditions. Under this programme, it will be possible to take out a mortgage at an annual rate of 6.5 percent to purchase new comfort class housing at a price of up to 3 million rubles in the regions and up to 8 million in Moscow and St Petersburg.

Let me repeat that the interest rate for our citizens will be 6.5 percent. Everything above that will be subsidised by the state. Let me note that this reduced preferential rate will be valid for the entire term of the loan. People can apply for a mortgage with this rate until November 1, 2020. I am asking the Government to launch this programme as soon as possible. According to preliminary estimates, this programme will require about 6 billion rubles in 2020. I know that the number is still being discussed, but about 6 billion rubles will be necessary.

Secondly, I am instructing the Government to develop a package of measures to increase the accessibility of bank loans for companies in the construction sector. My colleagues have just spoken about this. In this case, I am also suggesting subsidising the interest rate. But let me stress that this assistance will only be provided to companies that maintain their employment levels. I am asking the Government to determine detailed criteria as soon as possible, by the end of the month.

Another condition, or rather a requirement, and I need this to be a legal stipulation: when receiving the loan support I have just mentioned, companies must assume the obligation to complete the housing construction scheduled for commissioning this and next year. We must avoid delays in this construction. It is important that people are confident that their flats will be built efficiently and on time.

I know that the Government has already determined the amount of funding that it plans to allocate to the loan programme for the construction industry. The total is 12 billion rubles. I would like to ask you to launch this mechanism as soon as possible, before the end of April.

Thirdly, the problem of those whom we call defrauded investors is still outstanding in many regions. I suggest adding 30 billion rubles to the fund for the protection of their rights and spending this money to resolve the problems that have accumulated in recent years, and complete the construction of unfinished buildings. This is how we can load the construction industry and, most importantly, it will help our people by letting thousands of families receive their long awaited housing.

Fourth is another measure of support for housing construction that I suggest is providing a 50 billion ruble Finance Ministry state guarantee to the DOM.RF corporation. With this guarantee, the corporation will be able to obtain loans from commercial banks and buy new comfort class flats directly from the developer. Later, people will buy these flats, in part through our mortgage programmes. I have just spoken about this.

Fifth. We will continue the implementation of large-scale infrastructure projects. My colleagues have mentioned this. I am referring to projects on expanding the capacity of the BAM and Transsib railways, building roads in the south of Russia, including approaches to the Crimean Bridge and the Black Sea coast, modernising airports in Chelyabinsk, Perm, Khabarovsk and Norilsk, and building modern ports in Murmansk, on the Baltic Sea, the Black Sea and in the Far East. This will create a firm foundation for the economy and future growth.

Needless to say, there are understandable objective restrictions in conditions of countering the coronavirus. Despite this, it is necessary to adhere to infrastructure project schedules as closely as possible. It is important to avoid the freezing of state funds and to use them for the economy, for developing the country and the regions and for upgrading the living standards of our people.

My consultations, which I regularly hold with experts, show that special and safe procedures of construction work can be developed. I would ask the Government, together with the regions and construction companies, to quickly approve and use such procedures.

Further, I propose considering the possibility of redistributing part of the costs under the Safe and High-Quality Roads national project, as well as under the substandard housing relocation programmes, in order to increase the pace of such housing relocation and the construction and repair of roads, and thereby additionally provide orders to the construction and related industries and support employment. I instruct the Government to calculate the possible parameters of such a manoeuvre and report to me on the proposals within a month.

I would also ask you to separately consider the issue of increasing advances under contracts in infrastructure construction. We also spoke about it. Now, 30 percent of the contract is advanced, and I propose to increase this share to 50 percent, thereby providing construction and other companies with additional working capital, which will allow them to work rhythmically, meet their obligations to suppliers in other industries, and most importantly, to save the jobs and salaries of their employees and to attract new specialists.

We will continue to analyse the situation in the industry and together develop new additional solutions. Not everything that we have just spoken about was mentioned in my closing remarks, I am aware. Therefore, I would ask the Government to stay informed, to be in touch with industry workers, analyse the situation and propose options for the development of the industry based on the current situation.

I would like to thank all of you for your fruitful work today.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63208






Telephone conversation with President of China Xi Jinping



Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping.



April 16, 2020 - 18:00



It was stressed during an in-depth discussion of the developments in the coronavirus pandemic that mutual support in countering this global threat is further evidence of the special nature of the Russian-Chinese comprehensive strategic partnership. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening their cooperation in this area, including the exchange of experts and medical equipment, medicines and protective gear.

Vladimir Putin praised the consistent and effective actions of Russia’s Chinese partners, which helped stabilise the epidemiological situation in the country. He stressed that it was counterproductive to accuse China of releasing information to the global community on this dangerous infection in an untimely manner. The two leaders expressed confidence that the countries would be able to successfully overcome pandemic-related challenges if they continue to cooperate closely with each other.

The positive development of bilateral relations in general, including the continuous growth of mutual trade, was noted.

The leaders also touched upon current international issues. They agreed that Russia and China would further coordinate their diplomatic efforts.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63209






Meeting with permanent members of Security Council



At the beginning of the meeting with permanent members of the Security Council, the President addressed Russian citizens.



April 16, 2020 - 18:15 - Novo-Ogaryovo, Moscow Region






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







President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

Friends,

May 9 is nearing – the most important and sacred holiday for our country, for every Russian family.





I am addressing all citizens of Russia.

We are marking the 75th anniversary of the Great Victory this year.





We began preparing for this major date in advance, at the federal level and in all regions. You know that, without exaggeration, the whole country participates in Victory Day celebrations.





On Victory Day, we honour and pay tribute to the heroes who defended our country and the whole world, and sacrificed their lives in order to save the lives of others. The winners, the veterans set the highest moral standard for us, and passed on to us their beliefs and faith. We must carefully preserve these values and bring up future generations on them.


[Unfortunately, the translators did not translate to the end, but you can watch the corresponding video.]




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63210






Meeting on construction and repurposing of medical institutions in the regions



Vladimir Putin held a meeting, via videoconference, on the construction and repurposing of medical institutions to treat patients with the coronavirus infection in the Russian regions.



April 17, 2020 - 17:05 - Novo-Ogaryovo, Moscow Region






President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

Colleagues, good afternoon,

Today two new specialised medical centres to treat people infected with the coronavirus opened in Russia.

One of them is a hospital with 500 beds in Voronovskoye, Moscow, which will begin admitting patients on April 20, and the other is a multifunctional medical centre of the Defence Ministry, with 60 beds, in Nizhny Novgorod. It is ready to start working today.

Both centres were created from scratch over a very short time, just several weeks, which is unprecedented. I want to thank the civilian builders and the military personnel of the Defence Ministry.

The centres have been fully staffed. Doctors, nurses and medical personnel are facing a period of hard and intense work. Friends, I wish you success with all my heart.

But today, of course, is not the time for solemn speeches on the opening of new facilities, although we need them very much and we need to mark such events. We still have a lot to do all across Russia, in every region.

In this connection, I believe it is important to take note of the following before we listen to the reports.

We all know that Moscow was the first city to face the impact of the epidemic, and now it is quickly building up healthcare capacities based on its financial potential and large capabilities of the construction sector. The Defence Ministry also has great human and organisational resources, and I am confident that its programme to establish 16 medical centres will be completed in full and on schedule.

But let me repeat: it is important for us that the entire country – not just large cities and agglomerations but every region – are one hundred percent ready to fight for every person’s life and help those who have been affected by the disease.

The risks associated with the spread of the epidemic are still very high. We have not yet reached its peak. The number of infected people is growing, and not only in Moscow but also in many other regions of Russia.

Even if all the reserves that are being created today are not needed on a full scale, we still must have them to be able to respond to any challenge and deal with any scenario that may develop in any region. God helps those who help themselves.

The task was to prepare an additional 95,000 specialised beds for treating people with the coronavirus infection. Thirty percent of such beds were ready on April 3, and 72 percent by yesterday, according to the latest information. This work must be fully completed by April 28.

Less than two weeks are left before the deadline. Therefore, I ask you to speed up this work as much as possible and report today on the problems that still exist in preparing specialised beds, purchasing equipment and reorienting the work of hospitals and infectious disease wards, on the regions where these problems exist and on the exact steps being taken to promptly resolve them.

The number of beds is not the only concern. They must be fitted out with everything that is required. There must be a staff of specialists that should undergo special training, while doctors and other medical workers must be provided with personal protective equipment. It is necessary to continuously monitor the implementation of all these measures.

Today, we will listen to a report by the Vladimir Region Governor, Mr Vladimir Sipyagin. A complicated epidemiological situation is developing in the region, and it faces problems with organising medical assistance.

There is also a dangerous hotspot of the epidemic in the Komi Republic . I ask you to analyse whether enough is being done to localise the hotspots, all the more so since the new head of the region – Vladimir Uyba – is well versed in all these issues. He headed the Federal Medical-Biological Agency for many years. We will also listen to reports by a number of other regional governors who will tell us what is being done in their regions.

But first I will give the floor to Healthcare Minister Mikhail Murashko. Please report on the situation in general and the most important issues that the federal authorities and all regions are facing.

I would like to emphasise once again: as I said in the beginning, Moscow was the first to be hit by this problem, but now we see it spreading into the regions and people in every region must be ready to overcome all difficulties that may emerge. This is a must for every region.

Mr Minister, go ahead please.







Healthcare Minister Mikhail Murashko:

Good afternoon.

Mr President,

Measures to stop the coronavirus infection from getting into the country and spreading around helped avoid the peak load on medical organisations and create an additional reserve of time. So far, 32,000 cases have been reported. The largest number, as you noted, is in Moscow, the Moscow Region, St Petersburg, the Komi Republic, and the Nizhny Novgorod Region.

Over 2,500 people have already recovered and have been discharged from medical institutions. Medical workers fight for every human life.

Medical measures to combat the coronavirus are being used in three main areas.

The first is creating the necessary bed capacity, which, in accordance with the course of this disease, requires an oxygen supply, resuscitation and, as per the requirements established by regulatory legal acts specially developed to fight this infection, should be provided with a full range of services.

As you mentioned, 95,000 beds are expected to be created by April 28. Today, more than 72 percent have been set up. There are 26,000 patients in hospitals now, including patients not only with a confirmed diagnosis, but also those who are being diagnosed and treated for community-acquired pneumonia of another etiology. Today we have a good reserve, but nevertheless, following your instruction, we are working on plans for additional beds, if necessary, including in federal medical institutions located in the regions. In addition to Moscow, we plan to reequip 44 medical institutions, that is more than 5,000 beds.

Today the Government has allocated over 78 billion rubles to finance this process of repurposing regional and federal healthcare facility beds – that’s jointly with all support measures. Although we believe coverage with ventilators is not bad, 69 percent, this is an issue for special control, and today, the Ministry of Industry and Trade is working actively, giving the regions with the most complicated epidemiological situation first priority.

Human resources are the second essential issue. Over the last two months we have carried out re-training in every way possible, remotely or face-to-face where possible, for 1.2 million medical workers. As of today, over 150,000 medical personnel in total are providing medical aid to patients with the coronavirus in hospitals and outpatient facilities. I am sincerely grateful to my colleagues for working responsibly and fulfilling their duty. Under your instructions, today additional compensation has been set and funding allocated for special working conditions and additional load on medical personnel.

For the first time, we have created three remote intensive care consulting centres at the federal level. Almost every serious patient in Russia today is receiving consultations from federal experts, and each of them agrees to a strategy with the leading Russian experts. Today there are over 640 patients that are being observed remotely and consulted, that’s over 10 children and 16 pregnant women. Every patient on ventilator receives several consultations; and their situation is being monitored in real time.

Of course, we are focusing on the personnel and the provision of personal protective equipment. This is a very important issue that the Ministry of Industry and Trade is addressing today, and not only through imports, which we are pleased to note, but also through production launched in several regions of the Russian Federation.

It is important to note that our colleagues from Rospotrebnadzor have begun testing personnel working with the coronavirus infection for specific immunity to it.

The third important component of the treatment process is the provision and development of medicines and medical equipment. And of course, we are looking forward to the eventual development of a vaccine.

The early initiation of treatment prescribed when the patient was diagnosed – based on their clinical data, x-rays, computer scans – can help avoid the development of severe cases. I would like to take this opportunity to repeat that everyone should remember this and should begin treatment promptly under the supervision of a doctor. Failure to begin treatment on time often leads to serious complications and requires much more effort, and we all know that greater medical intervention also means a greater load on the patient during treatment and subsequent rehabilitation.

The scientific community has incorporated international experience and developed several treatment regimens. We have already released the fifth version of protocols; they are updated regularly. These regimens are described in detail, including the diagnosis, treatment and safety precautions for the personnel.

Five new drugs are now at the clinical trial stage. Four more drugs planned to be included in the treatment protocol are undergoing state registration according to the new procedure established by the Government. Vaccine research is underway at seven research sites; the projects are at varying stages of progress.

Russia has 12 domestic test systems for lab diagnosis and verification of the coronavirus infection, and in the near future, seven more diagnostic kits should be registered by Roszdravnadzor.

We are introducing organisational models for the provision of medical care to patients with infectious diseases. Information resources have been created for managing and predicting the situation. We are supervising the treatment of every patient in the country today.

The new routing arrangements required certain changes as the healthcare system is adapting to the new challenges. We can see that today all regions are already involved in this, including the outpatient and inpatient services, and new approaches to diagnosing and treatment are being formed.

Scientific research institutions of Russia’s Healthcare Ministry have confirmed their participation in testing international treatment protocols under the auspices of the World Health Organisation.

We are not relaxing, by any means, because this work involves the regions. And here I would like to thank those governors who got the most involved in the process, especially, perhaps, Mr Sergei Sobyanin, because he is also sharing his experience with the governors of other regions, and there is also general support and efforts to deploy networks and mobilise medical resources.

This concludes my brief report. Thank you.





Vladimir Putin:

Mr Murashko, you said – and I know that too – that seven research sites are working on coronavirus vaccines. I know, in general terms, that the projects are making good progress, at least some of them. What can you say about this?



Mikhail Murashko:

They have already begun preclinical testing, and protocols for subsequent clinical trials are in the works for this type of drug product. There are encouraging results, and, in particular, we are actually starting to work with production facilities that can start manufacturing this product on their production lines. We are working in several areas in parallel.



Vladimir Putin:

This is what I wanted to hear – that, first, your colleagues are moving, and confidently progressing towards creating these vaccines. What do you think about the timeframe – can they finish earlier than they said before, maybe earlier than the third quarter of this year?



Mikhail Murashko:

Today, we are using every regulatory mechanism available, including the possibility of using some of them in parallel. However, we understand that in addition to simply producing the vaccine we need to confirm its safety and effectiveness. This is why we are testing and working out different versions in cooperation with the scientific and expert community, including those versions of the vaccine that already have a background in application against other diseases, which might be accepted for use quicker. At this point, several versions are being considered and developed.



Vladimir Putin:

Ok.

I do understand that you must be cautious in these evaluations and forecasts. But I want to express my hope to everybody who is working in this area. We all understand how important the results are for us, for our country and really, for the entire world. So we hope this research will be completed with favourable results, and as soon as possible.

And one aspect of a practical nature – which you just mentioned – is production. In addition to finding the right vaccine, it also has to be produced in the necessary volumes. This is why we should take care of this now. We need to work on the production process now, as you said. Hopefully, it will be organised like this.

Now, for the regions. You mentioned some good examples, but I know that not everything is going so well in the regions. What can you tell us in this respect?



Mikhail Murashko:

We would like to note that a number of regions really require further mobilisation of efforts. I want to stress that the Irkutsk Region, Udmurtia and, as you mentioned, the Komi Republic, the Vladimir Region and, probably the Trans-Baikal Territory should work to step up their efforts. We can see that this work is being performed and at a pretty good pace, but the situation requires not only keeping to the schedule, but also preventing possible risks and, God forbid, failures.

Thank you very much, Mr President.


<…>


Vladimir Putin:

The Defence Ministry has been devoting a lot of resources to building medical centres in Russia’s regions. Mr Shoigu, please go ahead.



Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu:

Comrade Supreme Commander-in-Chief,

Following your instructions, the Defence Ministry, with a tight schedule, is engaged in building 16 multipurpose medical centres in 15 regions of the Russian Federation from Kamchatka to Kaliningrad. The centres are based on the Defence Ministry’s military hospitals and will add up to 1,600 hospital beds for patients with infectious pathologies.

Modern technologies significantly reduce the time needed for construction and ensure high quality operational characteristics. The total area of the facilities is almost 115,000 square metres; each facility is between 5,000 to 12,000 square metres. Construction has been proceeding around the clock for 29 days in every military district – the Western, Southern, Central and Eastern.

Almost 11,000 workers and 540 pieces of equipment are at the construction sites. The projects are being performed in two stages: by April 30 we will have completed eight centres (in Odintsovo, Podolsk, Nizhny Novgorod, Smolensk, Volgograd, Novosibirsk, Rostov-on-Don and Omsk), and the remaining eight centres will be finished by May 15.

Cutting-edge medical equipment is being installed in all the centres including ventilators, CT scanners, and intensive care equipment. Telemedicine equipment will be installed to hold real-time consultations with leading experts at central military hospitals and the Kirov Military Medical Academy.

The medical staff will include 2,224 people, and the specialists have been trained to diagnose and treat the novel coronavirus infection at the Military Medical Academy of the Defence Ministry. The necessary reserve of personal protective equipment and medications has been created for the centre. Today, the first of the 16 medical centres will be commissioned in Nizhny Novgorod.

Comrade Supreme Commander-in-Chief,

Under your instructions, the Armed Forces have established staff to provide help to the constituent entities of the Russian Federation. Sixty-five resuscitation medical teams have been formed, 20 of them have already started work in Moscow clinics. Seven mobile hospitals were prepared, each with a capacity of 100 patients, and three medical special task units. The Irtysh hospital ship in Vladivostok has 450 beds ready. Sixteen additional laboratory centres were commissioned for PCR-diagnostics for the coronavirus infection, 17 rapid response units have been trained, and four field laboratories were opened, which can identify the presence of the coronavirus.

If necessary, we will deploy six infectious disease hospitals – two in the Nizhny Novgorod Region, two in the Ryazan Region, one hospital in the Chelyabinsk Region and one in the Primorye Territory, for a total of 900 beds. As of today, 4,900 beds have been prepared in case the constituent entities of the Russian Federation need help, and by May 15, we will be ready to offer our citizens 7,500 properly equipped hospital beds and 5,200 personnel for servicing them.

We are ready to step up the availability of the CBRN defence troops to disinfect buildings, equipment and localities by deploying an additional group. To pursue the task, the army has over 3,500 pieces of special equipment and 10,120 personnel. The Armed Forces are ready to fulfil the tasks you ordered.

Thank you.





Vladimir Putin:

Thank you.

Today, the Defence Ministry is opening a multipurpose medical centre at the 422nd military hospital in the Western Military District. Deputy Defence Minister Timur Ivanov is now in Nizhny Novgorod.

Please go ahead, Mr Ivanov.



Deputy Defence Minister Timur Ivanov:

Comrade Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation,

This is a report by Deputy Defence Minister of the Russian Federation Timur Ivanov.

The construction of a multipurpose medical centre with 60 beds and a total area of 5,500 square metres has been completed in 28 days on the grounds of the 422nd military hospital of the Western Military District in Nizhny Novgorod. The medical centre is designed for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with various infectious diseases. The centre has 10 intensive care wards.

The centre meets all the requirements for treating the new coronavirus infection. The medical centre units can receive and treat patients and are functionally and territorially separated. The centre has all the necessary gear for protecting the medical staff and civilians against the infection.

This multipurpose medical centre is fully fitted with the necessary medical equipment, including ventilators, CT scanners, X-ray machines, ultrasound scanners, ECMOs and other modern equipment which makes it possible to provide medical aid on the required scale and at the highest technical level. The centre also has a sufficient inventory of medications.

The centre’s staff consists of 35 doctors, 50 nurses and 40 ward attendants. Military doctors have undergone additional training on the diagnosis and treatment of the new coronavirus infection at the Kirov Military Medical Academy. All medical workers have received full personal protective equipment and have already started performing their duties.

This concludes my report.



Vladimir Putin:

Thank you.





<…>


Vladimir Putin:

Colleagues,

What would I like to say about the results of our discussion here at the end of the meeting?

First, I would like to ask the Government, the Healthcare Ministry and other federal agencies to work more closely with the regions. What the Healthcare Minister just said about the Irkutsk Region, Udmurtia and the Trans-Baikal Territory is a source of concern for me.

What’s happening, colleagues? We all know, and I said at the beginning, that Moscow was the first place to be hit by this problem. But we are seeing that it is now spreading into Russia’s regions that are not as affluent, to be honest, as Moscow. They do not have as many beds; they have no federal medical centres, and do not have many departmental medical institutions. Therefore, our efforts in the regions, on these territories, must be particularly intensive.

I know that the regions are sending more requests for the purchase of equipment and to refit bed capacity, as our colleagues have just said.

I would like to tell you that the Government has allocated over 36 billion rubles for these additional requests. Let me emphasise that these funds must be used efficiently, carefully and as sparingly as possible.

I would like to recall that considerable funds – over 50 billion rubles – have already been earmarked to support regional healthcare, including over 33 billion rubles for reequipping in-patient facilities and fitting out beds for coronavirus patients and another 17.7 billion rubles for purchasing modern medical equipment, including, as a matter of fact, ling ventilators that we discussed today, and ambulances.

An additional federal reserve of medications and equipment, including personal protective equipment for medical workers will be created soon. I ask you to quickly work out a mechanism for sending these reserves to the regions and those medical institutions where the situation is particularly complicated.

Next, starting in April, special federal payments were introduced for doctors, nurses and other specialists working directly with coronavirus patients all across Russia. I am once again telling the regional heads that all regional premiums and extras for medical personnel must be fully preserved.

Every regional head is personally responsible for organising the effort to increase the preparedness and the capacity of the healthcare system onsite. I am asking you to go into every detail. We are talking about people’s health and lives.

I would also like to stress that all the goals we have set must be resolved not only in a timely manner, regardless of any difficulties, but also efficiently and professionally. The money we are now allocating to counter the epidemic – to purchase equipment, to reequip and build hospitals, retrain personnel – represent additional considerable investment into our healthcare system in general. Everything we are doing now as emergency measures must be used efficiently in the future.

I am asking the Government and the regions to do all the planning and analysis already now, in particular, how to use the purchased diagnostics and treatment equipment in the future to strengthen the primary and other elements of healthcare in the regions, or in what areas the centres being constructed or upgraded now will be used in the future.

Let me repeat that everything we are doing now must help protect people’s health in the future too.

We know and we can be sure that Russia will overcome this epidemic. We will pass through this difficult period, and this victory will be more important if, during this difficult time, we make the healthcare system in Russia, in every region, stronger, more up-to-date, effective and accessible so that Russian citizens more than anyone can feel these real, qualitative changes.

I would like to encourage you to work effectively together, and I hope that our meeting today will only be a step towards achieving a common result.

Thank you.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63212






The President signed Executive Order on regulation of legal status of foreign nationals and stateless persons during the COVID-19 pandemic



Vladimir Putin signed Executive Order On Measures to Regulate the Legal Status of Foreign Nationals and Stateless Persons in Connection with the Threat of the Further Spread of the Novel Coronavirus Infection (COVID-19).



April 18, 2020 - 10:40



The Executive Order regulates the legal status of foreign nationals and stateless persons with the aim of preventing the further spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

In accordance with the Executive Order, the period from March 15 until June 15, inclusive, shall not be included in the period of temporary stay or temporary or permanent residence in Russia for foreign nationals and stateless persons, or in their registration period if it expires in the specified period.

This provision also applies to the time limit set for leaving Russia voluntarily by foreign nationals and stateless persons who are subject to administrative expulsion from Russia's territory, deportation or extradition. This also applies to certain documents that expire during the specified period, such as temporary residence permit, residence permit, migration card, refugee certificate, work permit, license, and others.

From March 15 until June 15, inclusive, employers have the right to engage or hire foreign nationals and stateless persons who have no work permit or license, provided that employers observe the set restrictions and sanitary and epidemiological measures.

During this period, no decisions shall be taken concerning foreign nationals and stateless persons as regards undesirability of their stay, administrative expulsion from Russia, deportation or extradition, depriving them of the refugee status and temporary refuge, visa cancellation, work permits, licenses, resident permits, and others.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63216






Easter greetings



Vladimir Putin greeted Orthodox Christians and all citizens of Russia celebrating Easter Sunday.



April 19, 2020 - 09:00






President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

Dear friends,

With great sincerity, I extend greetings to all Orthodox Christians on the day of Christ’s Resurrection, the great holiday of Easter.

I know that members of all religious denominations and followers of all traditional religions in Russia will join me in these greetings.

This year celebrations are being held under mandated restrictions. They are necessary to fight the spread of the coronavirus infection, a disease that is by now known throughout the world.

By joining efforts, together we are overcoming challenges as they emerge. And as I have repeatedly said, we have everything we need for this – a healthy and strong economy, scientific capabilities, the necessary material base and highly professional healthcare.

We are carefully monitoring the experience of foreign countries and are engaged in active cooperation with our foreign friends and colleagues. We are aware of what is going on and see the risks, and we know what needs to be done under any circumstance we might face. We are doing what is required, and in a pre-emptive manner.





True, all these steps to protect people’s lives and health and support the economy require vast additional resources and funds. We have them. And we are making use of them – thriftily, and selectively and with the main priority of helping people and families who have found themselves in a difficult situation.

Authorities on all levels are functioning in a streamlined, orderly manner and recognize the responsibility before them. The situation is under total control. Our society as a whole becomes united when confronted with a common threat.

I would like to again thank those who responded to the call of their hearts and lent a helping hand to their neighbours, to those who need it most. Thank you to all of you again. There is no doubt that we will overcome all the trials we are facing.

And today’s spiritual and joyous event and centuries-long Easter traditions will also provide the support each of us needs, while also strengthening our hope and faith. Because Easter and the Resurrection of Christ are tokens of the triumph of life over all its adversaries. It is a symbol of purification, revival and the continuity of life.

As the saying goes, God helps those who help themselves That is what we do. But on this brilliant holiday of Christ’s

Resurrection I feel the need to say – With God’s help, everything will be fine.

Happy Easter. Be happy and healthy.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63222
__________________
Where should they dig the Very Deep Pit?
Piglet said that the best place would be somewhere where a Heffalump was, just before he fell into it, only about a foot farther on.
(c) Alan Alexander Miln
 
Old May 20th, 2020 #79
Alex Him
Senior Member
 
Alex Him's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,834
Blog Entries: 219
Post

Meeting on sanitary and epidemiological situation



Vladimir Putin held a meeting on the sanitary and epidemiological situation in the Russian Federation in video conference format.



April 20, 2020 - 16:20 - Novo-Ogaryovo, Moscow Region






President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

Good afternoon, colleagues.

Taking part in our work today are experts in countering epidemics, leading virologists, infectious disease specialists, as well as heads of research centres.

Your professional assessments and recommendations are vitally important for us, federal and regional authorities. This is why we will constantly be keeping in touch with you.

You are well aware that the situation remains difficult. Regrettably, the epidemic keeps spreading. The number of people infected with the coronavirus is growing, and not only in Moscow which was the first to encounter the threat. However, we understood, knew and were preparing for this, we knew that the epidemic would begin to spill over to other regions. Unfortunately, this has also happened.

However, we managed to somewhat rein in and slow down this process by carrying out preventive measures. Nevertheless, the infection has already been registered in 85 regions of the Federation, unfortunately, even if it is a matter of several cases.

I know that you and your colleagues analyse this information carefully and compare the received data with the situation in other countries. Your conclusions reaffirm that in general we are managing to solve the tasks of the first stage of countering the epidemic, namely, slowing down its spread.

However, we must by no means take things calmly. According to specialists – I mean you and your colleagues – the peak of morbidity is still ahead of us. And now we must do everything to flatten the peak when the highest number of new cases is recorded.

Now work is underway in all areas, including an additional specialised bed stock that will be deployed in all the regions by the end of this week or the beginning of the next one. Let me repeat, we are considering all possible scenarios in our preparations.

In this connection, I would like to ask you how you assess the current situation and the speed with which the epidemic is spreading through Russia. What prognosis can you give for the next say three, seven or ten days, or a month, including the number of cases with severe complications requiring urgent hospitalisation, which is also very important?

Do we have enough reserves already? I do not only mean specially equipped beds in hospitals and infection departments but also the supply of medicine, ventilators and individual protective gear as well as the forming of new medical teams.

Let me stress that increased, reliable protection from the infection must be ensured for medical personnel, and right now every single one of them counts. What additional recommendations can you give now?

Prevention is the next important subject I would like to discuss with you.





We have gained a certain amount of time due to the announced period of non-working days, quarantine measures, self-isolation rules and other previous decisions. As I have already mentioned, we have managed to slow down the spread of the epidemic and readjust the healthcare system.

Do you think the introduced prevention measures, including in Moscow, are enough? What else do you think we should do today? What additional preventive decisions do we have to make?

I would like to reiterate, we will be guided by the most important thing, the protection of the lives and health of people, and we will use expert opinions when introducing the safest ways to operate industries, enterprises and companies. We will act very carefully because we understand that it is impossible to stop the economy completely. But we need to minimise the negative impact on the employment and incomes of citizens. People are extremely concerned about this.

I would like to hear today about how work is proceeding in creating a vaccine. I understand that complex and painstaking research is being conducted now. It is impossible to say anything for certain here. It is not enough to develop a vaccine; it also should be proven in terms of its efficiency and safety. I understand that a huge responsibility now lies upon the scientists. Nevertheless, I would like to ask you to tell me your opinion on the possible terms of development of a vaccine. We need to know this now so that we would be able to reserve and prepare industrial capacities to launch the production in the necessary volumes.

What additional financial and organisational assistance do these research groups need? Rest assured, I will give the necessary instructions immediately.

I know that the search for new treatments, new drugs and their combinations is underway. How, in your opinion, can we use the experience of other countries in this field?

Anyone can get affected by this disease, and it is crucially important that medical personnel have algorithms to provide patients of all ages with efficient treatment, including those with comorbid chronic diseases.

Of course, special attention should be paid to pregnant women, future mothers, and children, including newborns. I would like to ask you to consider this very carefully.

I know that we will be able to talk to our colleague from St Petersburg; we spoke by telephone recently and I ask him to speak today too.

But before we get down to business, please report on the current data on the coronavirus situation in the country and in Moscow, the city with the largest number of cases.

Ms Golikova, the floor is yours.





Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova:

Thank you, Mr President.

Today there are 47,121 registered cases in the Russian Federation, with an increase of 10 percent over the last 24 hours.

Every time we focus on the Moscow agglomeration, which is Moscow and Moscow Region, I will give the latest numbers concerning Moscow and Moscow Region. The increase in Moscow was 8.3 percent, although Moscow has the highest number of cases, as of today: 26,350; the increase in Moscow Region is 12.4 percent and the number of cases is 5,241.

Now to the other part of Russia, without Moscow and Moscow Region. Over the past 24 hours, the increase in cases was 12 percent.

In general, other Russian regions are two or three weeks behind Moscow and Moscow Region on average in terms of the speed of the spreading and development of the illness. The number of cases in the Russian regions except Moscow and Moscow Region is 15,530.

We assess the situation with the spread of the novel coronavirus infection proceeding from the number of cases per 100,000 people. Today the average number is 32.1 per 100,000. This number is higher in nine regions: Moscow, Moscow Region, the Republic of Ingushetia, the Republic of Komi, Murmansk Region, Magadan Region, the Republic of Mari El, the Republic of Mordovia and St Petersburg. The lowest number per 100,000 is in Kemerovo Region.

As of today, one of the highest levels of coverage with testing is noted in Russia. As of this morning, 2.53 million tests had been carried out. This is the second highest result in the world. Such a volume of testing allows us to actively identify asymptomatic forms, which are epidemiologically important.

Last week the share of asymptomatic cases among the new ones was 44 percent on average.

I would also like to note that we cannot simply compare the number of known cases in Russia and in other countries where, for example, only people with symptoms or serious diseases are subject to testing.

Now to focal morbidity and focal distribution. As of this morning, there are 285 hotbeds of the disease in Russia, with 4,704 observed patients there in total. Mostly these are various medical organisations, but also social service residential agencies and others. We are working here to control the hotbeds as much as possible and to prevent the spread inside them and from them.

The greatest number of cases is due to the hotbeds. These are the Republic of Komi, the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) and Murmansk Region where the large number of cases is due to such serious hotbeds there.

Now just a few words about the age breakdown of the disease in the Russian Federation. To date, the average age of patients in our country is 47.9 years for women and 44.7 for men.

As for people over 65 and children, here the trends are approximately the same as at the beginning of the disease in Russia. But I would like to note the following: if the share of children under 17 is 7.6 percent, and this corresponds approximately to the general trend that has developed in the world, then the share of 65-plus cases is 15.5 percent. This is lower than in other countries, and is mainly due to the fact that we made a decision in advance on the self-isolation of these citizens with the possibility, if they are working citizens, to take sick leave and, accordingly, not to fall ill. According to our data, these events yielded an appropriate result.

Now, as you said, Mr President, the regions, despite the fact that the disease is still growing there, still have a certain lag to prepare the medical network for these patients.

As you know, today the Russian Government made all the necessary decisions to allocate funds and prepare the needed beds. This effort is ongoing. The Russian regions are working very quickly, despite the difficulties and problems that arise; everyone is taking full responsibility for this.

I would also like to note that we are working very closely with our colleagues, who are here today, and our other experts and scientists. I would like to emphasise once again that representatives of scientific organisations, the Ministry of Health, the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, Rospotrebnadzor and the Federal Medical-Biological Agency are working hard on a new vaccine and searching for medicines.

Of course, we already have some plans, but I do not want to get so far ahead now. I believe my colleagues will talk about this themselves.

Thank you.





Vladimir Putin:

Thank you very much.

The regions certainly require more attention. We agreed with the Prime Minister that he would hold a meeting with our colleagues from the regions in the near future. It will be necessary to look at the regions where the problems have accumulated the most, and those that work efficiently, for example, like Mr Tsivilev in Kemerovo, as you said. We need to look at these best practices and implement them throughout the country.

Thank you very much.


<…>


Vladimir Putin:

Our colleagues have touched upon many important issues. I am very grateful for that.

One of the issues that has also been mentioned briefly is providing our medical facilities with the necessary equipment, instruments and protective gear.

I must say, our own industry is boosting production volumes. I will say a few words about it. We are actively cooperating with our foreign partners. For instance, we sent two million masks to China in February, when they had a difficult time there. As of today, China has provided us with 150 million masks via various channels.

We are expanding and boosting our own production capacities. As of the beginning of March, we were producing 1.2 million masks per day. Plans call for producing 3.5 million masks and in the near future 7.5 million masks per day. In addition, small and medium-sized companies have launched the production of 5.8 million hygienic masks.

As for hazmat suits, some 1.7 million of them have been delivered to Russia. Our own production has increased from 6,000 in mid-March to 20,000 suits. Plans call for producing over 100,000 suits per day by May. In addition, 2 million protective suits have been brought from China, and this work will continue.

Respirators. Their production has doubled over the past month to 280,000 per day. China has provided us with 2.5 million more; some 700,000 will be delivered before the end of April and another 2.6 million in May. As I have said, we have broad cooperation with our colleagues in this area.

We have enough antiseptic products and do not need to import them.

It is widely known that we have begun practical cooperation with some partners in Italy. We have also sent our military doctors and equipment there, as is known, from our civilian agencies, from the Ministry of Healthcare.

I would like to say that this is not just a one-sided relationship or a one-way street. We purchase pressure sensors in Italy, and without them, it is impossible to manufacture ventilators in Russia. And this cooperation is growing.

The day after our military transport aircraft carrying equipment and protective gear landed in New York City, we signed a contract with our US partners to purchase airflow sensors, which are also necessary to manufacture ventilators in Russia.

I am confident that this cooperation will continue to develop. But there are things we are doing from scratch and quite effectively. For example, we have never produced single-use breathing circuits for ventilators. Today one of our companies has launched the production of single-use breathing circuits for ventilators. In April, 80,000 will be produced. Starting in May, the company will produce 200,000 circuits per month. And, of course, such work will continue in all areas.

My colleagues have spoken today about many important issues. By the way, Mr Nikolai Filatov said that there was a broad-spectrum vaccine developed previously. I would like to ask the Minister to report to me on this, not now but later.

The same goes for the use of Russian antivirus medicines. We have spoken with several colleagues of ours. The last speaker, Mr Yury Lobzin, the director of a children’s clinical research centre from St Petersburg, also spoke about this. We will have to return to this later, in the course of our work. I am addressing this to my colleagues from the Government.

The same applies to the “vaccine” amendments to legislation, including Government Resolution No.441, the allocation of additional resources and so forth. We will discuss all of this with my colleagues from the Government later.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63229






Telephone conversation with President of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro



Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro at the initiative of the Venezuelan side.



April 20, 2020 - 17:50



Issues regarding the fight against the spread of the coronavirus were discussed. Nicolas Maduro expressed gratitude for the assistance rendered by Russia including a supply of test systems.

The leaders stressed the importance of coordinated steps by the international community to fight this new global threat including the implementation of Vladimir Putin’s initiative on setting up “green corridors” free from trade wars and sanctions to supply medications, food, equipment and technologies, for the duration of the crisis.

As the parties shared opinions on developments in the global oil market, they stressed the great importance of the agreement reached by OPEC+ on the coordinated reduction of oil production.

Current issues of furthering the Russian-Venezuelan strategic partnership were touched upon, primarily in trade and the economy. Russia reaffirmed its support for efforts by Venezuela’s legitimate government to settle the domestic political discord via a nation-wide dialogue. The leaders emphasised the unacceptability of destructive external interference in Venezuela’s affairs.

It was agreed to maintain contacts at various levels including the respective health ministries.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63230






Working meeting with Primorye Territory Governor Oleg Kozhemyako



Vladimir Putin met with Governor of Primorye Territory Oleg Kozhemyako via videoconference.



April 21, 2020 - 14:30 - Novo-Ogaryovo, Moscow Region







The Governor reported that to date there were 104 cases of the coronavirus infection, two deaths, seven severe cases and one person is on a lung ventilator.

In line with the President’s instructions, by April 15, 485 beds have been prepared, including 340 with oxygen, or 100 percent of the norm. There are 170 ventilators, which also accounted for 100 percent of the norm; and a total of 948 beds will be prepared by April 28.

Vladimir Putin noted that these items were completed well overall and that this effort must be continued at the same pace. He also stressed that there should be hope that not all the equipment would be needed, but it must be available.





Oleg Kozhemyako thanked the President for allocating about one billion rubles for preparing beds and purchasing personal protective equipment. He also spoke about support measures for the medical personnel who are addressing the most important tasks of treating patients with the coronavirus as well as support for the population, in particular, the low-income citizens. Support is also to be provided for entrepreneurs.

The Governor noted that Primorye Territory was a transit region with a large flow of people, including from China. But this movement was stopped early. There are currently 366 Chinese people in self-isolation and in quarantine in the region. Contact is maintained with the consulate general and the Russian Foreign Ministry.

Mr Kozhemyako asked the President to support the region’s proposal to build an inpatient infection hospital with 400 beds by 2022, because Primorye Territory serves as a gateway to the Asian-Pacific countries and large migration flows. In addition, many foreign workers are employed in the implementation of the largest investment projects. The hospital could become a strong shield against the spread of infections in the Far East, among other regions.





Industry, which employs almost 500,000 people, was also discussed. All quarantine control measures have been taken at enterprises. The Governor also stressed that industry in the region needed opportunities for further development, in particular, related to transport; specifically, new bridges are needed.

During the conversation, Vladimir Putin called Minister of Transport Yevgeny Ditrikh by telephone and instructed him to contact the Governor of Primorye Territory and discuss these issues.

The development of tourism was also discussed. Mr Kozhemyako spoke about strong interest on the part of South Korea and Japan. The Governor also suggested that more Russians would like to visit Primorye Territory, but that conditions must be created for this.

Vladimir Putin noted that support was envisaged in this area and suggested the Governor discuss all of these issues with the Government and report back on the results.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63233






Telephone conversation with President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan



Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan.



April 21, 2020 - 15:30



The discussion focused on a range of issues related to the spread of the coronavirus. The presidents expressed their preparedness to build up joint efforts in the fight against the infection, including through the health ministries and other relevant agencies and to continue close coordination to ensure the return of Russian and Turkish citizens to their homelands.

The presidents of Russia and Turkey had a detailed exchange of views on developments in Syria, including the implementation of agreements on the Idlib de-escalation zone, primarily the Additional Protocol to the Sochi Memorandum of September 17, 2018, adopted in Moscow on March 5, 2020. The need for unconditional compliance with the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic was reaffirmed. At the same time, the presidents emphasised the importance of further close cooperation between Russia and Turkey through military and diplomatic channels.

In addition, current issues of Russian-Turkish cooperation were addressed, primarily in the trade and economic sphere, including the implementation of joint projects in the nuclear energy sector, and the expansion of cooperation in the agriculture and transport.

The presidents agreed on further maintening regular contact at various levels.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63235






Working meeting with Kaliningrad Region Governor Anton Alikhanov



The President met with Governor of Kaliningrad Region Anton Alikhanov via videoconference.



April 21, 2020 - 16:30 - Novo-Ogaryovo, Moscow Region







The President first asked Anton Alikhanov to report on measures to counteract the spread of the coronavirus infection in the region.

According to the Governor, 144 cases of the infection are confirmed as of today. Of these, one person is in serious condition and is on a ventilator. Forty-one people have been discharged. One person has died. A little more than a thousand people are under observation: these are people who returned to the region either from foreign trips or from other regions of Russia. Thirty-six people are under observation at an in-patient facility.

Exactly 707 beds have been created at four medical institutions, while the federal Health Ministry’s standard is 507, and 409 beds have oxygen supply. The region is focusing on the need to double this standard, so that even the sharpest peaks can be smoothed out and the healthcare system can cope with the number of patients.

The provision of medical equipment is at almost 90 percent, and of medical staff – at 82 percent. Funds have been received from the federal budget for additional payment benefits to medical personnel. The region will add its funds for such payments.

In addition to the coronavirus, there are many other tasks pursued in healthcare, Mr Alikhanov noted. He said, in particular, that in the first months of this year a decrease in the mortality rate was almost 11 percent compared to last year. This was due to the attention given to reducing the mortality rate from circulatory diseases, among other things.





So that the economy does not stop, industrial enterprises have resumed operation in the region, and in compliance with the requirements for protecting people.

In general, the situation is under control. A plan has been prepared for the gradual opening of other sectors of the economy as the situation develops.

The Governor spoke about developments in the hotel business and federal resorts and drew attention to the need to prevent bankruptcies in this area, since after the epidemic ends, domestic tourism will be in high demand.

The issues of labour support, compensation for customs duties paid by manufacturers in the region, as well as the programme for socioeconomic development in Kaliningrad Region until 2025, were also discussed. The Governor asked the President for help in launching this programme next year and including it in the draft federal budget for the next three-year period.

Vladimir Putin discussed these issues by telephone with Minister of Finance Anton Siluanov and instructed him to discuss the details with the head of the region and then report back on the agreed upon measures.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63234






Telephone conversation with President of Iran Hassan Rouhani



Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Hassan Rouhani.



April 21, 2020 - 17:55



The presidents discussed countering the spread of the coronavirus infection. In this context, Hassan Rouhani thanked Russia for its assistance to Iran. It was agreed to step up cooperation between relevant departments, including direct contacts between the healthcare ministries.

The leaders emphasised the importance of consolidating the efforts of the international community to fight the coronavirus pandemic, as well as the Russian initiative to create “green corridors” during the crisis for unhindered supplies of medications, equipment and technology and to introduce a moratorium on any restrictions on exports of essential goods.

The presidents also reviewed a number of urgent issues of bilateral cooperation, including the implementation of major joint projects in energy, agriculture and transport.

While exchanging views on the situation in Syria, the leaders expressed the shared intention to continue cooperation with a view to reaching a long-term settlement in that country, primarily in the Astana format, which has proven effective.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63236






Working meeting with Sverdlovsk Region Governor Yevgeny Kuyvashev



The President had a working meeting, via videoconference, with Sverdlovsk Region Governor Yevgeny Kuyvashev.



April 22, 2020 - 14:10 - Novo-Ogaryovo, Moscow Region







The discussion started with measures on countering the spread of the coronavirus in the region.

The Governor reported that 243 cases of the coronavirus infection have been recorded in the region as of April 22. Sixty people have recovered and have been released from hospital. There are 183 patients in infection wards. Ten of them are in a critical condition, including four that have been put on ventilators; 30 cases are moderately severe, and most patients are in a satisfactory condition. Regrettably, there have been two deaths.

As per the President’s instruction, bed capacity is being increased. According to a target plan, an additional 2,897 infectious disease beds should be made available in the Sverdlovsk Region by April 28. Currently there are 2,187 beds. The plan will be fulfilled on time.

Mr Kuyvashev also quoted figures on ventilator availability. He said the region has three plants manufacturing ventilators that are suplied to all Russian regions. In May ventilator production will be increased several-fold. The Ural Instrument Engineering Plant alone will manufacture 3,000 ventilators and increase their production tenfold. Other plants producing medical equipment will increase ventilator production as well.





The Governor also described other measures on countering the spread of the infection, and steps taken to stabilise the economy, support businesses and help the most vulnerable categories of the population.

He addressed the President with two requests: to include housing and utilities on the list of domestic sectors that were hit hardest by the spread of the novel coronavirus infection and to support the construction industry.

Vladimir Putin said that an expanded meeting on support for housing and utilities sector and resource providers will be held soon. He added that the construction industry has already been discussed but it will always be in the focus of attention.

The President had a telephone conversation with Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin and discussed with him the construction of a ring road around Yekaterinburg, also instructing Mr Khusnullin to discuss support for the construction industry in the region with the Governor and submit the proposals agreed upon.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63237






Meeting with Voronezh Region Governor Alexander Gusev



Vladimir Putin had a meeting, via videoconference, with Voronezh Region Governor Alexander Gusev.



April 22, 2020 - 15:45 - Novo-Ogaryovo, Moscow Region







The Governor reported on measures to counter the coronavirus and prevent the spread of this diseases in the Voronezh Region. He said 211 cases of the coronavirus infection have been recorded; 30 people have recovered and seven people have died.

A total of 1,306 beds have been deployed for treating COVID-19 patients, including 984 beds that are equipped with oxygen supply equipment. By April 25, all 1,686 beds will be available, which conforms to Healthcare Ministry standards. Oxygen will be available for 1,180 beds. According to Mr Gusev, there is a short deficit of lung ventilators but large supplies are scheduled for May.

Mr Gusev described other measures to counter the coronavirus and reported on the funding allocated for this purpose.

The Governor also spoke about the operation of economic entities. The spring sowing campaign is taking place on schedule. A total of 42 percent of all planned areas have already been sown. Agricultural processing plants – there are about 150 of them in the region – are operating at a steady pace. The workers are safely protected from the infection.





Backbone industrial companies are also operating. A decision has been made to resume operations in companies with up to 50 employees in the processing industry.

The Governor noted that public transport is one of the industries affected by the new infection. It is necessary to upgrade the rolling stock. Mr Gusev asked the President to help with this. He also asked the President for support in building a regional infectious hospital. The start of construction is scheduled for 2021.

The President asked the Governor many questions about the time frame and financial investment required for this project and suggested taking a different approach to expedite its implementation. He suggested building a permanent fast-constructed facility. There are standard building types in the Defence Ministry, the Emergencies Ministry and in Moscow.

The President expressed his willingness to talk with any top executive in these departments. He immediately called Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Healthcare Minister Mikhail Murashko.





During the conversation, Mr Murashko was instructed to coordinate with the Governor and the Defence Ministry the construction in Voronezh of a fast-constructed facility based on one of the Defence Ministry’s designs to treat people with infectious diseases and to report on the cost of such project. The President asked the Defence Minister to order military experts to choose the best location for this medical facility.

To discuss the Governor’s other request about upgrading the rolling stock, the President called Transport Minister Yevgeny Ditrikh. The Minister reviewed the request orders from the Voronezh Region and confirmed that they would be fulfilled. The President instructed the Minister and the Governor to coordinate the corresponding issues.

Vladimir Putin also noted that the programmes concerning the rolling stock would also support the auto industry and reported that a meeting on the auto industry would take place next week.

In concluding the discussion, the President said he hopes that all plans on additional beds will be implemented efficiently and on schedule. Vladimir Putin said that people should see and understand that the region’s medical needs that depend on the authorities will be carried out and that they will always receive timely and proper assistance.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63240






Telephone conversation with Federal Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel



Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with Federal Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany Angela Merkel at the German side’s initiative.



April 22, 2020 - 16:15



The discussion focused on countering the coronavirus pandemic. The two leaders stressed the importance of closely coordinated international efforts in this area with the active involvement of the World Health Organisation. They agreed to maintain bilateral contacts between relevant ministries.

The settlement of the intra-Ukrainian conflict was discussed in detail. The two leaders praised the recent prisoner exchange between Kiev and the Donetsk and Lugansk people’s republics. They emphasised that consistent implementation of the Minsk Package of Measures and decisions made at the Normandy format summit was necessary. It was noted, in particular, that the Ukrainian authorities should fulfil their commitments regarding the political aspect of the settlement process, including the formalisation of the special status of Donbass in Ukrainian law.

The two leaders also touched upon the developments in Syria and Libya as well as the current situation on the global oil market.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63241
__________________
Where should they dig the Very Deep Pit?
Piglet said that the best place would be somewhere where a Heffalump was, just before he fell into it, only about a foot farther on.
(c) Alan Alexander Miln
 
Old May 21st, 2020 #80
Alex Him
Senior Member
 
Alex Him's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,834
Blog Entries: 219
Post

Greetings on the opening of Memory Watch national event



Vladimir Putin sent greetings to the participants in the opening of the Memory Watch 2020 national event.



April 23, 2020 - 11:00



The message reads, in part:

“This year, we were forced to postpone the nationwide celebrations of the 75th anniversary of the Great Victory due to the spread of a dangerous infection that threatens people’s lives and health. But I am sure that all events – the Immortal Regiment march, the military parade, meetings with veterans and other important patriotic events – will certainly take place. I have no doubt that the Russian Search Movement will take an active part in their organisation.

I am pleased to note that over the past years, the search movement has become a remarkable and truly unique phenomenon in Russia’s public life, and its noble mission has rallied tens of thousands of people who care – those who sincerely love their motherland and feel personal responsibility for preserving the memory of its military glory. The participants tend military mass graves, take care of veterans, work in field expeditions, painstakingly work in archives reconstructing, bit by bit, WWII soldiers’ destinies, retrieving the lost pages of family histories, and building invaluable databases of participants in the Great Patriotic War.

And today, in a difficult period, you are marching in the same ranks as volunteers and volunteer associations, helping people.”




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63246






Meeting on bank lending to the economy



Vladimir Putin held a meeting, via videoconference, on bank lending as one of the measures to support the Russian economy.



April 23, 2020 - 14:00 - Novo-Ogaryovo, Moscow Region






Taking part in the meeting were Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Anton Vaino, First Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Belousov, Presidential Aide Maxim Oreshkin, Economic Development Minister Maxim Reshetnikov, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov, Central Bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina, Head of the Federal Taxation Service Daniil Yegorov, as well as CEOs of Alfa Bank, Sberbank of Russia, Sovcombank, Bank FC Otkritie, VTB Bank, Promsvyazbank and the VEB.RF State Development Corporation.







President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

Good afternoon, colleagues,

The coronavirus epidemic has affected the entire world and threatens first of all people’s lives and health. But its impact on the economy and whole industries is equally dangerous. Our common and most urgent task is to minimise this negative effect and reduce inevitable socioeconomic losses.

This is the reason why alongside steps on preventing the disease and stepping up healthcare capabilities we have also taken a number of decisions to support Russian families, jobs, helping individual entrepreneurs, small and medium-sized businesses and key companies.

I would stress straightaway that the banking community plays a crucial role in implementing many of those steps. I am aware that credit organisations have already taken on an additional load – I will say frankly, we keep talking about it with colleagues from the banking community – including losses due to anti-crisis assistance to their customers. I understand these and other challenges the banks are dealing with now.

You work directly with people and companies and are familiar with their problems and needs. It largely depends on you to make the support measures work effectively and reach everyone who needs them.

I mean the payment holiday on mortgages and personal loans for people who lost more than 30 percent of their income; preferential loans to entrepreneurs to replenish their working capital and pay wages; additional protection for organisations, people and individual entrepreneurs if, for objective reasons, they cannot service their loans.

These and other decisions are aimed at helping Russian families overcome the current difficulties and making sure that companies and enterprises do not stop their operations, keep their staff and the level of people’s salaries and fulfil orders for their suppliers and subcontractors in the current difficult situation.

Let me note the preferential mortgage programme, under which a loan for new housing can be taken out at a rate of 6.5 percent until November 1. The rest will be compensated by the state during the entire period of the mortgage, as I have already said. Thus, this measure of support for Russian families will be long-term.

Banks have already assumed certain responsibilities and begun accepting applications for such loans. I ask you to tell us about this work, cooperation with developers and measures taken to make it possible for mortgage applications to be processed faster, with fewer formalities, and even online.

It is also important that the money does not remain only with the developers but works and maintains employment in related industries, along the entire cooperation chain. I repeat what I have already talked about in the past: the construction of housing and infrastructure facilities – in strict accordance with all sanitary norms and requirements – must continue.

In general, today, together with the banking community representatives, we will discuss the implementation of the proposed support measures for people and the economy and the work of the Government, regions and businesses in this sphere.





We can see that there are obvious problems and difficulties here when people cannot get repayment holiday and entrepreneurs cannot get preferential loans. They are either refused immediately, or the decision takes too long, or the requirements are clearly impossible, and there are a lot of cases like that.

I consider it very important to emphasise that it is not enough to just announce the adopted decisions. It is necessary to work on all stages of their implementation to make sure that assistance comes on time and those who need it are able to get it. Nobody needs abstract promises that do not affect people’s lives and the effect from such decisions and the allocated resources will be low.

I would like to ask the Government to analyse the situation and together with the Central Bank promptly introduce the necessary amendments to legislation. There are things to think over in this context.

I would like to draw your attention again to the following: all support instruments, including bank products and benefit schemes must be easily accessible for those individuals and companies for whom they are designed.

The Federal Taxation Service has launched a special e-service to help banks to make objective and quick decisions on easy loans, primarily for the payment of salaries. I would like to ask the head of this service, Mr Yegorov, to report today on how this works in practice.

There is one more important requirement. It is absolutely necessary to ensure the sustainability of the banking system. We must prevent a critical accumulation of bad debts and failures in the banks’ work. To reduce risks, it is necessary to enhance the mutual trust of the participants in the economic activity. We have already provided for a number of instruments, including guarantees from the Finance Ministry and VEB on easy credits and other bank products.

I would like to ask the Government, the Central Bank and the entire banking community to think of what else can be done to ensure a reliable credit portfolio without increasing the burden on borrowers.

There is one more point I would like to make. Banks certainly feel what is happening in the economy faster than it is reflected in statistics because all economic processes have a direct impact on banking. Therefore, I would like to ask the banking community to share its estimates of the current economic situation and your forecasts for the future.

Let me repeat that it is important for us to create conditions for resolving tasks in the medium and long-term perspective, considering that the banks’ ability to make loans much more accessible for individuals and companies and increase loan amounts will become a major factor in restoring and developing the Russian economy.

Let’s begin our discussion.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63244






Meeting on automobile industry development



Vladimir Putin held a videoconference meeting on automobile industry development.



April 24, 2020 - 15:30 - Novo-Ogaryovo, Moscow Region






President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

Good afternoon, colleagues.

We have been preparing this meeting on the automobile industry for a long time. Today we will continue the cycle of such meetings to discuss developments in the key sectors. Today we will talk about the state of the automobile industry.

As I have said, the coronavirus epidemic has broken the rhythm of the economic and business life in Russia and other countries. Many companies have suddenly had to face major challenges. The demand is plummeting, including demand for complex, high-tech products. Cooperation ties and chains have been disrupted.

The epidemic has also had an impact on the Russian automobile industry, and its indicators largely reflect the current state of the consumer market and the entire economy.

Some producers’ sales almost stopped during the first weeks of April. It is quite clear why this is dangerous: first of all, there are risks of job and wage cuts. Let me note that the Russian automobile industry employs almost 300,000 people.

Moreover, thousands of companies all across Russia – large suppliers, medium-sized and small businesses, and the retail network, including car dealerships and service stations – are one way or another connected, dependent on automobile plants.

This is why it is essential to ensure the stable operation of the automobile industry in strict compliance with all the sanitary and preventive measures; to help producers and, above all, to support demand in order to preserve jobs and incomes as well as to retain qualified specialists, engineers and workers, so that those who supply components and spare parts are confident that this joint work is reliable.

At the beginning, I would like say that we already have the experience of anti-crisis support for the automobile industry. Many of my colleagues who were working then remember 2008–2009, including the global crisis the entire world was facing. Back then, timely and tailored solutions helped car producers pass through the difficult period. Moreover, after that, the industry showed a good speed of recovery and qualitative development.

Of course, the current period has its own peculiarities, and businesses understand it very well using the example of their enterprises and regions where they operate. This is why I believe it important that together with company heads and representatives of the Government we discuss and determine specific parameters and areas of support for the automobile industry and the entire automobile market.

Let me add that several decisions have already been made. For example, 12 Russian automobile producers have been included in the list of backbone companies, those that play an exceptional role in the Russian economy. The criteria to include automobile companies in this list were objective and transparent: revenue starting from 20 billion rubles and 1,000 or more employees.

These companies can receive a special bank product: a preferential loan to replenish their working capital. The rate will be subsidised in the amount of the Central Bank’s key rate, and half of the loan is also covered by guarantees of the Finance Ministry.

At the meeting on bank lending, we agreed that this programme must be launched next week. Yesterday my colleagues from the banking sector voiced their position. Today I would like to hear your opinions on how to best adjust this mechanism in the companies’ interests.

You also know that it was decided to purchase additional vehicles with federal money. I mean 1,200 mobile ICUs for regional medical institutions. Money has already been allocated, 5.2 billion rubles. The equipment that people and the healthcare system need so much must be delivered to the regions as quickly as possible. I ask the Government and heads of the Russian regions to monitor this situation.

Of course, during this acute situation it is important for us to have strategic objectives for the development of the automobile industry and build the partnership between businesses, regions and federal agencies in a way that would ensure long-term stability in the industry and strong ties along the entire production chain.

I am confident that, like the construction industry, the automobile industry can become a fundamental, backbone sector to restore the entire economy.

Let us get down to discussing these topics.


* * *





Vladimir Putin:

Thank you.

I see that the Ministry of Industry is gaining momentum and is responding promptly to the necessary issues with its colleagues from other ministries and departments, regions and industrial enterprises. Hopefully, we will go on working like this.

To everyone else here today: are there any volunteers to say anything in addition to what has been already said? Is this it? Fine, thank you.

I want to ask Mister Belousov and Mister Oreshkin to arrange a similar discussion on other sectors in the near future. I mean primarily the transport sector: both automobile and railway transport, aviation, rivers, seas – all this must be considered as a whole. The energy industry too: oil, gas, coal and nuclear power, definitely including the grid complex. We must understand that we are opening new facilities, more and more facilities are being commissioned, and we need to have them connected to the grid, to power and so on in a timely manner. And the complex itself – the basic backbone complex – we need to understand what is going on there, and if there is a need to make any adjustments to operations or provide support.

For today, I think we had a very substantive discussion. No doubt, I will instruct you to carefully analyse all the proposals and take them into account when preparing your final resolutions. Among other things, I think it is important for all enterprises to use your experience in arranging stable and safe production, and in introducing preventive measures to protect the life and health of the personnel as much as possible.

Of course, I am grateful to the companies that have joined the collaborative fight against the coronavirus, including those producing personal protective equipment and other products we need. To counter this plague we – the state, businesses and non-profit organisations, volunteer organisations and all citizens – need to act as a single force.

Now, about the steps I believe should be taken in the near future.

First, to reiterate, it is important to create stable and rhythmic work throughout the entire automotive industry and the automotive market chain from auto parts production to retail sales and servicing of automobiles. I mentioned this yesterday during a discussion with the banks. Mikhail Zadornov, I believe, has come up with a proposal to improve sales. We will see what we can do in the near future given the corona virus-related restrictions.

I want the Government and our colleagues in the regions to make informed and balanced decisions with regard to continuing or resuming the operation of businesses. Of course, this should be done in line with safety requirements and the situation in specific regions and municipalities.

Secondly, companies are actively looking for and introducing innovative approaches to doing business. Primarily, this concerns the use of modern online services – we covered this today as well – to issue bank loans or purchase housing remotely, as well as other formats that are comfortable for businesses and customers. We discussed these matters at a meeting with construction companies and with banks yesterday.

It is necessary to remove administrative barriers to using these innovations as soon as possible, including on the auto market, rather than stand in the way. I want the Government, in conjunction with the auto community, to come up with proper amendments to the regulatory framework, including the possibility of distance car sales. I mentioned this today as well.

Thirdly, it is imperative to support the consumer demand for automotive industry products.

We have a number of mechanisms and tools for such support in place already. I am referring to easy-term car loan programmes, such as Family Car, which our colleagues mentioned today, as well, or the First Car programme, under which a young or a large family can buy a locally made car with a 10-percent discount on the down payment.

I suggest allocating an additional 7 billion rubles already this year to fund such programmes and thus make them more affordable for the citizens.

Again, in this case we will support the demand for products made at Russian auto plants and, generally, as part of all measures to support the automotive industry, we will focus on the support of those companies that provide or increase the level of localisation and create high-quality, modern jobs in Russia.

Fourthly, I also propose expanding programmes for the preferential leasing of vehicles – trucks, commercial vehicles that are needed by small and medium-sized businesses in rural areas. We also spoke about this today. An additional 6 billion rubles should be allocated to programmes like Preferential Car Leasing. We also have such programmes as Russian Tractor Truck, and Own Business, which also involve a discount on advance payments to the purchaser.

In addition, in recent years, the so-called car-sharing services have been actively developing, where companies provide people with cars for short-term or long-term rental. To help these companies to not only survive in today's difficult period, but also to expand, we should help them to renew their fleet and increase the availability of these services in the regions. I propose providing preferential lease programmes for them as well and allocating 2.5 billion rubles for these purposes.

Fifth. I already spoke today about the purchasing of ambulances. I consider it necessary to allocate another 5 billion rubles (this is an response to what our colleagues said earlier) for the purchase of ambulances, thereby increasing the efficiency and accessibility of medical care, including for residents of small towns and villages. This order will certainly help stimulate demand and support automakers. But mainly this is vital today for the whole country, for the regions, for the people. And therefore I hope that the contracts will be executed efficiently and on time.

In general, I ask you to develop a set of solutions that will significantly increase the demand for vehicle equipment from the state and companies with state participation. I completely agree with your proposals. In particular, it is necessary to take an inventory of the activities of the national projects –you are also correct on this – projects that involve the purchasing of vehicles, and if possible, to carry out such purchasing ahead of schedule, already this year.

In terms of upgrading public transit, I am asking the Government together with VEB to work on the launch of an appropriate programme.

In addition, such agencies as the Interior Ministry, the National Guard, the Defence Ministry, the Emergencies Ministry as well as several other organisations will purchase about 25,000 additional vehicles this year. This decision has already been made.

It is important that state companies do not lower their orders either, first of all, for light commercial vehicles and equipment to implement investment projects. We have discussed the post today. Russian Post alone will purchase an additional 6,000 automobiles this year.

I am instructing the Government to prepare additional financial and support tools for such investment and purchases.

Of course, I am also asking for strict oversight, so that government bodies, agencies and state companies – please note this – purchase equipment that is necessary for work and not foreign limousines.

And, finally, my sixth point. In my opening remarks, I already spoke about measures to ensure the current stability of critical companies in the automobile industry as well as sufficient working capital for them.

Among other things, we need to fine-tune the mechanism of issuing loans to replenish working capital. All the details must be perfected, so that both enterprises and banks can work comfortably under this loan programme, as we discussed yesterday. I am asking you to assess other measures to provide working capital in the industry.

Let me note that all the steps outlined today must be put into practice as quickly as possible.

In conclusion, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the current and former staff of the Volga Automobile Plant on its anniversary, which the company president has already mentioned. It is true that 50 years ago, on April 19, 1970, the first VAZ automobile rolled off the assembly line, the iconic Kopeika, which the company president recalled today, and the great history of our automobile giant began. I wish the plant’s workers and partners success, all the best, good health and achievements in production. And, of course, I will try to take you up on your invitation. I would be pleased to visit the enterprise as soon as it is possible.

Best regards. Thank you very much.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63274






Meeting with permanent members of Security Council



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



April 24, 2020 - 16:15 - Novo-Ogaryovo, Moscow Region







The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko, State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev, Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Anton Vaino, Secretary of the Russian Federation Security Council Nikolai Patrushev, Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, Director of the Federal Security Service Alexander Bortnikov, Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service Sergei Naryshkin, and Special Presidential Representative for Environmental Protection, Ecology and Transport Sergei Ivanov.







President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

Colleagues, good afternoon.

Today we are holding a regular meeting of the permanent members of the Security Council, our current working meeting.

But before we start working as usual, I have a request for the leaders of the security agencies. You have probably already noticed that today a decision has been made to accelerate the procurement of official and other specialised vehicles by law enforcement agencies such as the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of the Interior, the Emergencies Ministry and others. I am asking you to be very attentive to this and carry out the procurement in a well-organised manner, in due time and in the right amount. If you need to make any additional decisions with regard to this, please submit your proposals. We will respond to them very quickly, without delay. This is my first point.

The second point concerns the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Our current work the Ministry is responsible for is proceeding properly – I am closely watching it and reading your reports. But I would like to highlight the need to help our civilian agencies such as the Ministry of Healthcare and other ministries to establish appropriate contacts with their partners abroad so that they can properly organise their cooperation in containing the coronavirus infection.

You can see from my telephone conversations with my colleagues from other countries that almost all of our partners express interest in working together and offer their services and options for cooperation, even in a variety of spheres. We definitely need to maintain this. But to do it effectively, we need the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I would like to ask you to organise this work.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63275






Joint statement by President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin and President of the United States of America Donald Trump commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the meeting on the Elbe



April 25, 2020 - 18:00



April 25, 2020, marks the 75th Anniversary of the historic meeting between Soviet and American soldiers, who shook hands on the damaged bridge over the Elbe River. This event heralded the decisive defeat of the Nazi regime.

The meeting on the Elbe represented a culmination of tremendous efforts by the many countries and peoples that joined forces under the framework of the United Nations Declaration of 1942. This common struggle required enormous sacrifice by millions of soldiers, sailors, and citizens in multiple theaters of war.

We also recognize the contributions from millions of men and women on the home front, who forged vast quantities of war materials for use around the world. Workers and manufacturers played a crucial role in supplying the allied forces with the tools necessary for victory.

The “Spirit of the Elbe” is an example of how our countries can put aside differences, build trust, and cooperate in pursuit of a greater cause. As we work today to confront the most important challenges of the 21st century, we pay tribute to the valor and courage of all those who fought together to defeat fascism. Their heroic feat will never be forgotten.




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63277






Greetings on the opening of the Stalin-Churchill-Roosevelt: A Joint Fight Against Nazism virtual exhibition



Vladimir Putin sent greetings to the organisers and visitors of the Stalin-Churchill-Roosevelt: A Joint Fight Against Nazism virtual historical and archival exhibition.



April 27, 2020 - 10:30



The message reads, in part:

“I believe it is exceptionally important that the Federal Archive Agency, in cooperation with the Foreign Ministry and the Russian Historical Society, continues the fundamental research and educational project dedicated to the turning points and milestones in the history of the 20th century. Following two major informative exhibitions on the causes and the start of WWII, a new large-scale historical and archival exhibition is opening, Stalin-Churchill-Roosevelt: A Joint Fight Against Nazism, dedicated to cooperation of the three great powers who were allies in the Anti-Hitler Coalition during the war.

I would like to note that, despite the political disagreements and differences, sometimes opposing views on events, leaders of the Soviet Union, Great Britain and the United States managed to set their priorities correctly, rise above their personal ambitions, reach an agreement on key issues and develop common approaches to complicated problems in the interests of ending WWII as soon as possible and building a global security system based on collective action and the UN Charter.

We highly value the contribution of our allies in arms to the defeat of Nazism. They fought alongside Red Army soldiers and officers against the cruel and ferocious enemy defending the ideals of freedom and humanity, together bringing the long-awaited and precious Victory closer.

This story is compellingly told by the unique archival materials presented at the exhibition. Many of these documents are being displayed for the first time.

Today, when the humankind is facing new global challenges and threats, we must fully rely on the invaluable experience of international cooperation and genuine unity accumulated by our countries during WWII.

I am certain that the exhibition will spark broad public interest and will contribute to preserving the historical truth. Of course, I would like to extend my special words of gratitude to the organisers for their thorough and dedicated hard work.”




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63284






Greetings on Day of Russian Parliamentarism



Vladimir Putin congratulated members of the Federation Council, State Duma deputies and deputies of regional legislatures on the Day of Russian Parliamentarism.



April 27, 2020 - 14:00



The message reads, in part:

“The first State Duma convened in an impressive setting of the Tavrichesky (Tauride) Palace 114 years ago, on April 27, 1906. Our country’s first nationwide legislative body made a truly unique contribution to the development of the Russian parliamentary system and gained valuable experience in law-making and parliamentary practice.

I am pleased to note that the Federation Council, the State Duma and regional legislatures are playing an immense role in addressing major tasks facing the country. Deputies of all levels adopt necessary and relevant laws in education, ecology and housing policy. And, of course, at this difficult time, in view of the dangerous epidemic, we need to unite the efforts of all branches of power to adopt well thought-out and balanced decisions aimed to ensure the health and wellbeing of the people, stability of the economy and social sphere.”




The source of information - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/63283
__________________
Where should they dig the Very Deep Pit?
Piglet said that the best place would be somewhere where a Heffalump was, just before he fell into it, only about a foot farther on.
(c) Alan Alexander Miln
 
Reply

Share


Thread
Display Modes


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:24 PM.
Page generated in 4.49727 seconds.