Putin's Marathon Presser: "Results of the year with Vladimir Putin" Part Three

And the final Part Three:

Evgeny Perminov: Hello, dear Vladimir Vladimirovich!

My name is Yegor, I'm from the Sverdlovsk region, Reftinsky village.

Our trouble and problem is healthcare, or rather, the lack of it. The authorities are actively engaged in landscaping, but not hospitals – they are in complete ruin: the lack of equipment, staff salaries leave much to be desired, most of the repairs are still Soviet and falling apart before our eyes. In such conditions, we cannot receive normal medical care. We ask you to help us.

Thank you.

Vladimir Putin: Where is this coming from?

P. Zarubin: From the Sverdlovsk region.

Vladimir Putin: I will definitely look at what exactly and what specific locality.

Pavel Zarubin: The village of Reftinsky is not far from Yekaterinburg, as far as I remember.

Vladimir Putin: Let me know later, I'll write it down now: Reftinsky, right?

Pavel Zarubin: Yes.

Vladimir Putin: We also have a program of modernization of primary health care, and the funds allocated there are very solid. Some cars there, in my opinion, 14 thousand were transferred. FAPs are being built and updated. Probably not enough. And, by the way, we will definitely extend the program of modernization of primary health care, which will also be one part of the future presidential program.

Pavel Zarubin: Here are the images from this [locality] right now.

Vladimir Putin: A lot has actually been done, but judging by what we see now, it is clearly not enough. I would like to say once again: we understand this problem, and it is not by chance that we have created a special program for primary health care, and we will continue it.

Here it is very important to pay special attention, of course – the program, by the way, says so-to pay special attention to rural areas and settlements in rural areas. A little more than half of all funds allocated for the development of primary health care go there. So we will continue to do so. And we will certainly work on a specific object.

Dmitry Peskov: Let's go back to the journalists again. Vladimir Vladimirovich, there is RT here. Let's give it to them, because they're sitting right on the edge, and no one will notice them.

Mikhail Gazdiev: Thank you, Dmitry Sergeevich.

Vladimir Vladimirovich, Russia Today TV channel, Murad Gazdiev.

This issue is particularly painful for us as an international channel and for our country as a multinational country. Vladimir Vladimirovich, how do you assess the growing nationalism both in Russia and around the world, not only nationalism, but also anti-Semitism?

I'll just point out that there is no such problem at the front. In our trenches, in a tiny dugout, a Jew, a Christian and a Muslim can sit, and everything is fine with them. But when you leave, it's just like in Russia and all over the world, and for some reason it's a growing problem. What should I do, Mr President?

Vladimir Putin: You know, the latest VTsIOM research, in my opinion, says this: 96 percent of Russian citizens consider interfaith and interethnic harmony in our country to be a huge competitive advantage over other parts of the world, a huge one. So it is.

This is primarily because we are addressing traditional values, and I will now turn to the topic of our traditional values. And traditional confessions make a huge contribution to preserving this situation and the relationship between representatives of different ethnic groups and religions.

As for the growth of Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, Russophobia and other manifestations of this kind, yes, they do take place and there is a tendency to increase. Do you know what this is related to, in my opinion? With the fact that people are facing some kind of injustice.

Look at what is happening in Gaza: there is a certain reaction in the entire Islamic world and an increase in the number of people who think radically in this regard. This growth is obvious, and the number of such people is increasing. There is nothing good here, but it is still the result of the policy of certain elites and the lack of resolution of issues for decades, the lack of a just solution to the Palestinian problem. The reaction of the Islamic world, and then the growth of these anti-Islamic phobias. This is very bad.

As I have already said, in our country, both confessions and the appeal to our traditional values play a huge role. But still, the fact that we conduct a balanced domestic and international policy plays an important role. All the same, we are doing what we can to achieve justice in all these areas. And I think that people still appreciate it. That is why we are creating such a situation.

As for Russophobia, it is one of the vectors of the fight against Russia, one of the directions. Yes, the world has it. We must do everything we can to ensure that nothing of this kind occurs in our country, and we must stop any attempts to shake society from the inside out. That's what we're going to do.

TF1 is a French company?

:(as translated)Zh.Garro Thank you.

Mr. Putin, you have maintained contacts with Emmanuel Macron for a long time. Tell me, how do you perceive France and its President today? Do you plan to meet him again? What topics will be discussed? What are the meeting conditions?

Vladimir Putin: Yes, we had quite good, kind, working relations. As you know, I have also been to France, and Mr. Macron came to Russia. We have always had a rich agenda concerning bilateral relations and international issues. We are ready to continue cooperating with France.

But at some point, the French President ended relations with us. We didn't stop it, I didn't stop it. That's what he stopped. If you have any interest – please, we are ready. There is no interest – we will manage. That's all, there is nothing so unusual here. We do not shy away from these contacts. If European countries and the French President in particular do not want to communicate with us-no. There is no trial, as we say. We have a lot to do. If you are interested – we are ready.

You are welcome.

Vladimir Putin: Come on, Magadan Region.

I just have a request: let's not be so loud about ourselves anymore, otherwise the cacophony will start, it will be difficult to understand at all.

A. Orlov: I'm sorry. But, as practice has shown, it sometimes works.

Vladimir Putin: Yes, it helps.

A. Orlov: Alexander Orlov, Kolyma-Plus, Magadan region.

Hello, Vladimir Vladimirovich!

Vladimir Putin: Hello!

Alexey Orlov: First of all, I would like to note that the Magadan Region fully feels the support of the Government of the country, in particular, because we see the implementation of federal projects in our region, which has a positive effect on its development and, among other things, has a positive effect on the attitude of our population towards the President. Including my relationship, to be honest. We all support your decision to run for election next year.

Vladimir Putin: Thank you.

Andrey Orlov: Because you have always been in power for as long as I can remember.

Vladimir Putin: Thank you very much.

Alexey Orlov: I think we should move on to the questions.

First question. Communication with the Mainland is very important for our region. In addition, few residents of the Far East and the Magadan region – I think my colleagues from the Far East will agree-spend their holidays in their region, that is, at home.

This is where the difficulties arise. Magadan has three subsidized destinations: These are Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Blagoveshchensk and Moscow. But such important destinations as Khabarovsk, which is nearby, and Novosibirsk, are not included in the subsidies. Because of this, one trip to the final destination can take more than a day, and besides, it can be quite expensive to afford, because it is much cheaper to get to Moscow than to Khabarovsk, which is neighboring.

Such residents of the Magadan region, like, say, me, who have no children, no disability, who have already passed the age of benefits-everything, I am already 22, I can not fly as a young-promising.

Vladimir Putin: Have children.

A. Orlov: I agree with you. I'm working on it.

Vladimir Putin: Here is a way to solve the problem and access flat fares.

A. Orlov: Yes. But we have Far Eastern tariffs.

Vladimir Putin: You are such a young, energetic, good-looking young man. Well, what are you?

Andrey Orlov: Is it possible to expand the list of subsidized destinations for Far Easterners, provided that this can help and develop tourism in our region? Fly around the Far East on subsidies. This is the first question.

And the second one. I think that everyone from the Far North and the Far East knows that we also receive northern allowances in addition to our salary, and this is no secret to anyone. In each region, the maximum coefficient is set in its own way. But in general, you need to work for about five years to get the maximum. So the catch is that we, people who were born and work in the Far East, in the same way, along with visiting specialists, earn this coefficient for ourselves, without getting it right away. Is it possible to return the current draft law? That is, previously, those who were born in the Far East and Far North received all the coefficients at once. Is it possible to return this bill?

Thank you.

Vladimir Putin: You know, the question is clear. It is being discussed in the Government, and I would do so. I would not wait for the deadline for passing, living, or working. This would secure people in the Far East, which is beneficial for the country, and Russia needs it. This is a matter of budget security and federal budget capacity. But we will think about it. And I will once again ask the Government to put this back on the agenda.

As for the flat tariffs, first of all, I want to say that they will be extended. This is usually done at the end of the year, after my consultations with Aeroflot, first of all, with other companies, with the Ministry of Transport. We will certainly extend the flat rate.

Of course, I understand you, it would be good to expand them. This is also just a matter of additional budget funding. Let's see, okay? But we will extend it-that's for sure.

Although I understand that the region there is colossal, it captures simply. The Far East is a whole separate world. And there, of course, at such great distances, even inside it is not easy to move, I understand. We'll take a look, okay?

Thank you very much.

Vladimir Putin: Veliky Novgorod.

The girl took [the poster] as if she had nothing to do with it. (Laughter) I was surprised.

N. Khmeleva: I was lucky for the first time.

Natalia Khmeleva, Novgorod Regional Television.

We have a question from the healthcare sector. In our region, the situation has been improving in recent years: equipment is being purchased, and measures to support young professionals are also being taken. But all the same, a key, very significant part of mortality is accounted for by cardiovascular diseases.

In this connection, we also have a question about the federal program: maybe we can create a federal program for the construction of cardiac centers in the regions? In our region, it would be very useful. I think that other regions would also support us, but without federal assistance, unfortunately, we will not be able to do this.

Thank you.

Vladimir Putin: Thank you.

I will talk, of course, with Andrey Nikitin, with the governor, and with the Ministry of Health. I don't know if I need to create a separate cardio program. Yes, we have a separate cancer program that works well. Cardio is really one of the problems and one of the causes of high mortality, vascular and cardiovascular diseases. We'll definitely take a look. But the first thing to do is to extend, of course, the program related to the development of primary health care. And it may be necessary to provide for a separate direction that would ensure the preservation of the health of people at known risk, timely detection, medical examination and subsequent decision-making. We'll see. The Ministry of Health deals with cardiological diseases very intensively. In my opinion, the number of deaths is decreasing.

I heard what you said. We'll see.

Dmitry Peskov: Alexander Gamov, Komsomolskaya Pravda.

Vladimir Putin: Please.

Alexander Gamov: Thank you very much! Alexander Gamov, radio site and newspaper "Komsomolskaya Pravda".

Many thanks to you for supporting the initiative of Military Commander Seryozha Zenin, who is currently in the Donbas. He suggested using the authority, knowledge, experience and exploits of the participants of the SVO for peaceful purposes, I mean, so that this will not be lost in the work that is being carried out on the patriotic education of our youth, our children.

My question is this. The first. Why do you think we need a new history textbook, Mr Putin? After all, history goes on by itself, what difference does history make, what kind of textbook will we come up with for it?

Second. Next year, we will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the complete lifting of the siege of Leningrad, 10 years of the event when the Crimea sailed to its native harbor, as you said. In 2025-80 years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. And here is what each of these events means for you personally.

Well, along the way, since they gave me a microphone. In 2025 – 100 years of Komsomolskaya Pravda, and we invite you to the anniversary. And maybe you can tell Dmitry Sergeevich to put it on the schedule, and we'll look forward to seeing you.

Thank you.

Vladimir Putin: Thank you for the invitation. The year 2025 is not so soon yet.

A. Gamov: Nearby.

Vladimir Putin: Well, from a historical point of view, this is quite a long time in a person's life. But I'll try, God willing, everything will be fine.

About the anniversary dates you mentioned. I think that not for me, but for the entire Russian people, even for all the peoples of the former Soviet Union, it is of great moral importance. And for almost every Russian family, this also has a personal dimension. I have, for example, at the Piskarevskoye cemetery in St. Petersburg, as you know, in a mass grave lies my older brother, whom I have never seen, of course, because he was born much later, but nevertheless this also matters to me personally, in personal terms.

The first part is about what?

Alexander Gamov: I just thanked you on behalf of Komsomolskaya Pravda for supporting Seryozha Zenin, a well-known military correspondent of VGTRK, who is currently in the Donbas. And he said that this capital, these guys, fighters of the SVO-they need to be used for peaceful purposes, so that they can go to schools. I remember that we had a military instructor, a participant in the Great Patriotic War, who represented the entire state program for patriotic education.

Thank you.

Vladimir Putin: As I said, there's nothing to add. Wars are won by teachers, and education – especially by those who directly participated in the fighting, risked their own lives, and fought for their homeland-is of particular importance.

I studied at the law school in Leningrad, we had teachers who participated in the Great Patriotic War, and we carefully and with special respect treated what they said and how they behaved. This is the best example. So, of course, we will use them.

Pavel Zarubin: Exactly new for the press conference and Direct Lines…

Dmitry Peskov: I'm sorry. (To A. Gamov.) I also asked about the textbook.

Vladimir Putin: Yes, about the textbook. It is clear why the new textbook.

A. Gamov: Yes, why do we need a new history textbook?

Vladimir Putin: I understood.Well, there were more than 60 versions of them, in my opinion, 65 textbooks – and in many textbooks for the Russian audience it will be clear… Now we were just talking about our anniversaries related to the Great Patriotic War, including: in many textbooks, everything was written, including actively describing the significance of the second front, the opening of the second front, but nothing was said or almost nothing was said about the significance of the battle of Stalingrad. Is this normal?

Of course, we need some kind of fundamental state version, which should be communicated to all those who read this textbook. Because, as you know, today-a child, tomorrow-a citizen. This is extremely important. Therefore, yes, and the textbook was needed.

By the way, I know that questions arise, and even criticism arises – a normal thing. Let the scientific community and the pedagogical community together – by the way, and with the involvement of the parent community-think about this, develop it, make some changes taking into account the realities of today, taking into account the soft, benevolent and kind approach and all the difficulties of a historical nature in the history of our country, and here, just like in the past, we have the history of any country, internal problems were enough. Therefore, you need to be very intelligent and friendly about this. But all these textbooks should correspond to the truth, they should be truthful, and not serve someone's interests, as we did.

P. Zarubin: So, something new for "direct lines" and press conferences-people have practically stopped complaining about the state of all – Russian roads, even praising them.

We are waiting for the opening of the Moscow – Kazan highway very soon, and then we will continue to build it. The Rostov-on-Don bypass and the route to St. Petersburg have already been built – in general, a lot has actually been done.

But people are interested in the new toll roads: why is it so expensive, why are the prices so high for driving on them? We are calling Sergey Viktorovich from Moscow.

Sergey Viktorovich, ask a question.

Sergey Gvozdev-Karelin: Hello, Mr President! My name is Sergey Viktorovich, I'm from Moscow.

My question is about fares on the long-awaited M-12 Moscow – Kazan highway. The fare on the newly opened section of this highway for a passenger car now averages seven rubles per kilometer, and the fare Moscow-Kazan is expected [in the amount of] about six thousand rubles, which for most motorists, of course, is very expensive. A year ago, Avtodor called the figure four rubles per kilometer and the fare for the entire Moscow – Kazan highway from three to four thousand rubles – reasonable, I think.

Vladimir Vladimirovich, please consider instructing the relevant agencies to review the M-12 fares downwards so that it becomes affordable for a wide range of motorists. Thank you very much.

Vladimir Putin: Sergey Viktorovich, right?

Sergey Gvozdev-Karelin: Yes.

Vladimir Putin: Sergey Viktorovich, to be honest, I do not know where such a figure comes from – six thousand, Moscow-Kazan? Is this already public…

Sergey Gvozdev-Karelin: Look, 2800 – Moscow-Arzamas, multiply by two, we get 5600-Moscow-Kazan.

Vladimir Putin: Perhaps not every land plot will have the same price. Because I know that the figure should be well, not four-4.5 thousand. I'll check it out. It seems to me that just such direct arithmetic does not really work here, maybe. I'll check it out, Sergey Viktorovich. I promise. I'll definitely check it out.

Sergey Gvozdev-Karelin: Thank you.

Look, it costs less than four thousand rubles to get to the Crimea now, although it's not very close to the Crimea. To St. Petersburg – less than four thousand rubles. Therefore, I would like Kazan to be no exception among these destinations.

Vladimir Putin: How good that Muscovites take care of Kazan. You see, everything is developing harmoniously here.

Sergey Gvozdev-Karelin: There is a lot to do with Kazan, so there is such concern.

Vladimir Putin: But, I repeat, I don't really understand why six thousand was raised, because four thousand was actually promised.

Sergey Gvozdev-Karelin: I said about six thousand, sorry.

Vladimir Putin: I understood. According to my data, it should be no more than four and a half. I will definitely check it out, Sergey Viktorovich.

Sergey Gvozdev-Karelin: All right, thank you very much.

Vladimir Putin: And so, in general, toll roads can be paid only when there are alternative ways, so by law. Therefore, it is always possible not to pay, but to drive for free, but there are difficulties.

But still, road builders try to make sure that there is no excessive financial burden. As you mentioned, a bridge has now been built south of Kazan, but the ferry has been operating until now. The ferry cost 300 rubles, and it will be possible to pass over the bridge – somewhere 260-270 rubles, a little bit, but cheaper. I will definitely set up road builders and related services for this purpose later. But I'll check Moscow – Kazan.

Yelena Berezovskaya: Mr President, since we are already talking about roads. When Pavel and I went to the program, it was impossible not to pay attention – traffic jams, rush hour, a huge number of Chinese cars, just a real expansion. Experts say that literally 60 percent of our market has already been captured by Chinese cars. Not only that they are not cheap, but also ours, in general, they will match. Many citizens write and ask quite a reasonable question: why did the price tag for AvtoVAZ products fly into space?

Vladimir Putin: I don't think it went into space by 40 percent.

Sergey Gvozdev-Karelin: Well, there are almost no cars left that are of such a middle class, up to a million rubles, almost impossible to find.

Vladimir Putin: I agree, yes. But 40 percent is also a lot, I understand.

Well, related to what? I don't think I need to explain it here, and everyone understands everything, but I'll tell you anyway if there is such a question.

Of course, when European brands left Russia – European, Japanese, and South Korean-several questions arose. And of course, they left with the components. There was a question of developing your own database. "AvtoVAZ", I must say that it copes with the quantity, but the more [products], the lower the price will be.

Certain costs are still associated with the fact that one way or another the manufacturer produces these imported components, but at a different price, and this leads to an increase in price. Plus, a small amount: the more, the cheaper. AvtoVAZ is following this path. I hope that this will also lead to lower prices. But the most important thing is to create your own platforms and develop them. We have both AvtoVAZ and other manufacturers doing this. It takes time. I really want to hope, I'm even sure that this will happen and prices will go down.

And the second very important task is to create our own component base, because we "advanced" our so-called partners, and this industry of automotive components was almost completely lost, so we need to recreate it. The Ministry of Industry and Trade is engaged in this, the task is being solved. You know, I try to speak very carefully.

Yelena Berezovskaya: Don't be hopeful.

Vladimir Putin: Yes, because you will say-tomorrow, and tomorrow they will not have time to do it, they will say: here, I said, I promised and did not do it. But I assure you, the Ministry of Industry and Trade is working very actively on this, and manufacturers are actively working. I am sure that they will achieve results.

Pavel Zarubin: But the LADA Granta seems to be cheaper than a million after all.

E. Berezovskaya: You can find it.

Vladimir Putin: But still the growth is under 40 percent.

E. Berezovskaya: So read it, we only want to go on the" Aurus " all, there were several messages.

Vladimir Putin: Aurus is very expensive, but it is also produced in very small quantities. Now they have even started to produce abroad, they have started to produce in the Emirates, where Aurus is assembled. Our friends in the Emirates like this car along with other manufacturers. We have a whole line of Auruses: limos, sedans, jeeps, and a bus.

All this is available, but it needs to be started, eventually, to be mass-produced, and then the price will immediately go away. But it takes time. In any case, you know what I would like to emphasize: those who thought that everything would collapse here, I think they are disappointed. Nothing collapsed.

As for Chinese cars, our Chinese friends know what's going on. This is not unique to Russia. Chinese manufacturers are very active in global markets and have already begun to displace European manufacturers, including in the European market. Automobile cities in Germany-look at what is happening there: unfortunately for them, the situation there is getting worse.

More and more cars are coming, more and more electric cars are being sold, and so on. American factories are opening there. Where the interests of European, in particular German, manufacturers are located is unclear. There, at one time, a few years ago, an attack was launched, in the United States, against Volkswagen. So what? The damage was enormous. So, how does the government protect automakers? Traditionally powerful German or European automakers in general? No way. They were left there to fend for themselves, and that was all.

And the Chinese government is working-working actively, supporting its automakers, and they are pushing Europeans out of the market. This is happening not only in Russia. Still, the price. And the quality is growing. And the price-quality still makes it possible for our motorists to choose what they want. We will work, we will all work together.

The young man directly across from me raised his hand. You are welcome.

A. Klimenyuk: Andrey Klimenyuk, State TV and Radio Broadcasting Company "Slavia", Veliky Novgorod, Novgorod region.

My question concerns the power grid complex of the region. Power lines built in the post-war years have become very outdated since then. The percentage of power line wear is now about 70 percent. At the slightest snowfall, entire districts can remain without electricity, where thousands of residents of the Novgorod Region live, respectively. This was the case in December 2021. Then several districts were without electricity for two or three weeks.

Governor Andrey Nikitin has asked you to help improve the reliability of power grids. You supported his appeal. Six months later, in the summer of 2022, an agreement was signed between the regional government and Rosseti. We planned to allocate six billion rubles, and we planned to use this money to upgrade power lines and buy the necessary equipment.

More than a year has passed since then, but nothing has changed. Accordingly, we would like to know how soon the power engineers will start fulfilling your assignment, and the Novgorod Region will wait for the power grid complex to be updated.

Thank you.

Vladimir Putin: Rosseti operates quite actively throughout the country. What exactly was planned – six billion, to be honest, I won't lie – I don't know what Rosseti planned. I'll find out, take a look, and be sure to talk to the management of Rosseti and the governor. We will try to help and support the implementation of these plans.

The network economy in Russia is huge, I mean our vast territory. But this is the European part, and there were failures. The snowfall is also serious, and the snow load is also strong.

I will find out how much they planned to allocate – they have plans for regions and territories – and we will definitely discuss this with Andrey Nikitin. I will try to help and support you.

Young man, please, please.

Alexander Zarubin: Hello, Mr President!

My name is Alexander Zarubin. A multi-million-strong audience knows me as Alexander Stone. I am an artist of Gazprom-Media Holding, also a resident of the Insight People production center, and I represent the blogosphere.

Now this sphere is developing very strongly, especially in recent years, it is gaining a crazy pace. Different information, different news, different sites are being opened, and some sites are being closed. I would like to hear your opinion on the future of our field and what, for example, I personally can do to ensure that we continue to work, develop, create, so that our work is completely transparent and there are no questions to us.

Vladimir Putin: If there are no questions, what are we talking about? But this is a free sphere, it is as democratized as possible – the main thing here is that the state does not interfere. If the state interferes with something, please tell us and we will try to correct it. And if everything develops as you see fit, well, God grant everyone good health – we will continue to create such an atmosphere, such conditions for the development of the blogosphere.

The only thing I would like to wish for… We understand that the responsibility of people who work in this field is enormous, precisely because there is no such control on the part of the state. But we must proceed from such corporate ethics and self-restraint-you know what I mean. Therefore, it concerns morals, morals, and the safety of children-of course. Therefore, it is better when the professional community is organized in the same way as in the field of high technologies, and so on. But if you have any suggestions, please state them and we will try to respond.

Alexander Zarubin: There are a lot of questions and different opinions right now. There are a lot of guys who are gaining popularity very quickly. And there are no such people around who have any great experience in general in life in general, in building a business, who can explain banal things to you: how to pay taxes, how to register an individual entrepreneur. Unfortunately, there are many young people in this field, and they do not even feel this responsibility, as you correctly pointed out. I would probably like the majority of people who work in this field to be given a little advice and guidance, and then we would continue to work responsibly and continue to create.

Thank you.

Vladimir Putin: It's good to have someone to rely on and someone who can give you professional and competent advice. By the way, this is very important. You have drawn attention to what should be, of course, even one of the priorities of the state. I heard it.

Thank you very much.

Dmitry Peskov: Let's maybe give another one to the audience. Come on, I see the "World – - let's "World", after all, this is a huge area of the CIS.

Elena Dashkueva: Thank you, Dmitry Sergeevich.

Hello, Vladimir Vladimirovich! Hello, colleagues!

Elina Dashkueva, MTRK Mir.

In 2024, the CIS presidency will pass to Russia. In Bishkek on October 13, you said that Russia is determined to work actively to continue, to maintain the continuing authority of the Commonwealth. But the fact is that Moldova says that it may leave the union, and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has recently ignored all the summits of the leaders of the CIS, the EEU and the CSTO.

How critical is Yerevan's position for the CSTO? And how do you generally assess integration associations in the former Soviet Union?

Thank you.

Vladimir Putin: We build all our integration plans, I mean Russia, solely on the basis of the voluntary nature of all participants in this process and mutual benefit.

Trade turnover between the Eurasec countries is steadily growing. Opening up labor, capital, and labor markets, maintaining mutual cooperation, making effective use of the advantages that we inherited from the Soviet era in terms of having a unified infrastructure – transport and so on, and having a language for interethnic communication-and President Tokayev even took the initiative to create an international structure to support the Russian language, for which we are very grateful– all this creates conditions that increase our competitiveness in world markets and contribute to solving problems not only in the economic sphere, but, as an end result, also in the social sphere, in increasing the well-being of citizens.

If Moldova does not want to participate in this process, then this is the choice of the Moldovan leadership, so be it. Moldova is one of the poorest countries in Europe. Most recently, it was the poorest country in Europe. Now Ukraine has taken this "honorable" place. But if the poorest country in Europe, receiving from us, for example, the same energy resources at rather low prices, wants to follow the example of Germany, which now receives energy resources from the United States at 30 percent more expensive than before from the Russian Federation-please, if you have extra money, let them do so. Similarly, in other areas, for example, the market of agricultural products: the Russian market of agricultural products is used quite actively by agricultural producers in Moldova. If they don't want to, don't. Where will they go with this product?

You see, in Europe, it seems, in the countries that are Ukraine's allies, roads are blocked, Ukrainian agricultural products are not allowed on their territory, even if it is assumed that these products are in transit. They closed it, and that's it. They have their own interests and there is someone to fight for these interests. Where will Moldovans go with these products?

At some point, they said that they were giving up our gas, but in fact they are not giving up. As they want, so let them do it. For us, the presence of this country in the CIS is not very valuable, but we are ready, we do not give up, we do not push anyone away, they want to work – we are happy, please. If they don't want to, it's their choice.

As for Armenia, there are also difficult processes related to Karabakh, we all understand this. But we did not abandon Karabakh – it was Armenia that recognized that Karabakh is part of Azerbaijan. They actually did it on their own initiative, and we were not particularly informed that such decisions were being prepared for adoption. This is just a statement of fact, because there are pros and cons to it. This is what happened, and the processes are complex domestic political. I do not think that it is in Armenia's interests to somehow terminate its membership in the CIS, in the Eurasec, in the CSTO. In the end, it is still the choice of the state.

As for the absence of the Prime Minister of Armenia from general events, we know-at least as we know – that this is simply due to some processes in Armenia and is not related to the desire or unwillingness to continue working in these integration associations. Let's see how the situation develops.

Pavel Zarubin: There are a lot of questions. Speeding up.

Small and medium-sized businesses, people who also helped Russia survive the impact of sanctions. We are watching a video question from Vasily Babintsev from Izhevsk.

Vladimir Putin: Well

Vladimir Babintsev: Mr President, good afternoon.

My name is Vasily, I am from Udmurtia and represent the Bungly Boo brand!

We produce clothing for adults and children, such as such beautiful and stylish jumpsuits that mothers and children really like. Recently, we won the "Know Our People" contest from the Agency for Strategic Initiatives and received prizes that we needed to promote on marketplaces, which allowed us to increase our sales. So to speak, we were lucky that we got the right prizes.

I have another example from colleagues in the shop – this is the company "Splav", they produce tourist clothing, and with the start of the special operation, they were able to increase sales due to the emergence of a new category of consumers – these are military and mobilized. Again, we can say that a good combination of circumstances.

I have a question. In today's reality, can we create such a system of support for domestic brands and entrepreneurs that their development does not have the character of just a successful case?

Vladimir Putin: Look, you just said that everything worked out for you, and not only for you. The event that was held by the Agency for Strategic Initiatives, by the way, together with VEB, and Vnesheconombank is still a state structure. Even the ASI, although the Agency is independent, still operates with the support of the state. And the fact that they held this competition of national brands is still agreed upon and supported by the state.

In our domestic market, the presence of our brands has grown by more than 30 percent – 31 percent, in my opinion. But you are right that this process should not be stopped and should have a systemic nature.

In this regard, without any doubt, it is necessary to involve not only federal structures, but also regional ones in this work. I now appeal to the heads of regions, to my colleagues, to take this under control and promote regional brands in every possible way. As you know, this will significantly diversify our market, make it interesting, rich and more attractive to consumers.

We have something to be proud of in our regions. Some of my colleagues here, I think they are from Mordovia, spoke and invited me to the Mordovian exhibition at VDNH. Look at what is produced in the regions. We need to promote it. We need each region to have its own program of work to support small and medium-sized enterprises, to support and promote our brands.

Pavel Zarubin: We are all following the development of artificial intelligence very closely, and we must admit that many people are very afraid of this.

Here is Arina Dmitrievna from the Volgograd region asking.

(Demonstration of the video question.)

A. Simonova: Hello, Vladimir Vladimirovich!

My name is Arina, I am 8 years old. At the lesson, we were told that in the future a robot can replace a person. What if he can replace me, Mom, dad, grandparents? Do you think you should be afraid of robots?

Yelena Berezovskaya: Mr President, before you have had time to respond, we have another video on this topic, which is very impressive. I suggest you take a look.

Video question: Vladimir Vladimirovich, hello!

I am a student and study at St. Petersburg State University. I want to ask: is it true that you have a lot of doppelgangers?

And more: how do you feel about the dangers that artificial intelligence and neural networks bring to our lives? Thank you.

E. Berezovskaya: The citizen from St. Petersburg did not introduce himself.

Vladimir Putin: Yes. I see that you may look like me and speak in my voice, but I thought and decided that only one person should look like me and speak in my voice. And that person will be me. That's how one of our leaders once joked.

As for artificial intelligence ... yes, this is my first double, by the way.

And answering the question of Arina Dmitrievna. Arina, I can tell you one thing absolutely for sure, you can absolutely remember this: no one can replace your grandmother, it is impossible to replace it.

Artificial intelligence, should we be afraid of it? To prevent the development of artificial intelligence, including superintelligence, which begins to feel, which distinguishes smells, it has cognitive capabilities, which develops itself-it is simply impossible to prevent this, it is impossible to prevent development. This means that we need to lead, or in any case, we need to do everything to ensure that we can be one of the leaders in this direction. But how it will end, no one knows. These are the realities, at least today.

Yes, we can now talk about possible restrictions, about self-restrictions, and we can and should talk about the need to somehow negotiate between leaders so as not to create conditions that can lead to some dangers for humanity.

At one time, when nuclear energy turned into a nuclear bomb and they realized that the threat to those who own these weapons was growing, then they began to negotiate. This threat and damage becomes unacceptable. We started negotiating. It will probably be the same with artificial intelligence: when the leaders of this area of development realize that there are some threats, then they will probably start negotiating, but before that, they will hardly be able to reach any real agreements. But of course, you need to think about it today.

Dmitry Peskov: Let's go back to the audience and see the journalists again.

Vladimir Putin: Please.

Dmitry Peskov:Mr President, I would like to ask you two questions. "RIA Novosti" [microphone] to give, and further-Republika Srpska, our friends.

Elena Glushakova: Good afternoon! Elena Glushakova, RIA Novosti.

In general, there is a lot of talk on the big agenda about the Free Economic Zone and new regions. Today's press conference reflects this agenda in principle.

But nevertheless, there are regions that are experiencing no less problems, no less difficulties, but they are probably less talked about and less mentioned. I want to say something about the Belgorod Region and the Kursk Region, which are being shelled and live in very difficult conditions.

We talked to a colleague from the Valuyskaya Zvezda newspaper. She says that the shelling is their daily life, their ordinary life.

In your opinion, is there enough done to support residents, protect their rights, and restore their homes?

And the second question is about the business that continues to work there: there is a huge factory in Shebekino, and in other regions and districts of the Belgorod region, which is being shelled. In your opinion, does the Government help them enough and should they continue to work there, develop entrepreneurship there, taking into account the fact that the Free Trade zone is still ongoing? Thank you.

Elena Berezovskaya: Mr President, we have just received a video question from entrepreneurs from Shebekino.

Vladimir Putin: Please.

(Demonstration of the video question.)

Olga Kositsina: Oksana Kositsina, director of the Shebekino plant.

In June, many businesses in Shebekino were subjected to a terrorist attack by the armed forces of Ukraine and were significantly destroyed.

In this regard, we would like to ask you to draw your personal attention to this problem and help with the restoration in the form of federal grants that will save more than three thousand jobs, as well as restore the unique production of products that are currently on the sanctions list. We produce them on the territory of the Russian Federation, in particular in the city of Shebekino. And also to introduce a special economic zone in the city of Shebekino for at least three to five years, in order to help restore production after the terrorist attack from Ukraine.

Vladimir Putin: I'll answer briefly. I think that the conditions of the special economic zone in Shebekino and the creation of such a zone there should be supported. I will ask the Government to make proposals as soon as possible. We need to save jobs there and ensure economic recovery in the near future, including in this area you mentioned.

(To E. Glushakova.) Perhaps this answers your question as well.

Dmitry Peskov: You know, I promised Republika Srpska…

Vladimir Putin: Look, just a second. While the question was being asked, I read one of the important ones here on the left side of the big screen. Family with children, two children, mortgage-it ends… It is true that the family mortgage is coming to an end soon, and I think it is only valid until July next year, and the Government is now thinking about extending it. Also, of course, the Government should proceed from the real possibilities of the federal budget, but I think it is better to think in the direction of extending this family mortgage. There, the initial payment is minimal-20 percent, and six percent per annum. And if there are three children, as I have already said, and subsidies are still due, 450 thousand.

Therefore, we should definitely think about this, and I will definitely instruct the Government to prepare and submit proposals on these issues.

Dmitry Peskov: Let's say Republika Srpska, and then some other region.

Vladimir Putin: Yes, okay, okay, please.

Dmitry Petrovich: Hello, Vladimir Vladimirovich! My name is Darinka Petrović, I am a journalist from Republika Srpska, Alternative Television.

You have just mentioned how serious the situation is in the whole world, and conflicts are emerging from Ukraine to the Middle East. All this, of course, affects the Balkans and complicates the already very difficult and serious situation, especially in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Republika Srpska.

You know very well the current political situation in Bosnia, which is a de facto Western protectorate. We have an illegitimate Office of the High Representative. The Serbs are blamed for supporting Russia, that is, for the fact that we have good, fraternal, friendly relations. Both Russians and our citizens and the leadership of Republika Srpska are being blamed for – as they call it-expanding the so-called malignant Russian influence. So far, there are no Russian media outlets or non-governmental organizations in Republika Srpska at all. On the other hand, there is a flood of Western media and various organizations.

I want to ask you, how do you see the future of Republika Srpska and the whole region, and how would you comment on all this, if you mean that the biggest wars have always started in the Balkans?

Of course, I still have a lot of questions, but I will not waste the time of my colleagues, we will save it for later, when we will have an interview with you one day.

Thank you.

Vladimir Putin: Thank you. I will also try to answer briefly. We do know the situation in Republika Srpska, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and our assessment of this situation fully coincides with that of your political leadership. This is the first one.

Second. As for the Russian media-yes, indeed, it is a pity that they are not there. I do not know if RT is accepted there? Not accepted, right? I will ask my colleagues, Oleg Borisovich [Dobrodeev], also from VGTRK, to see what can be done in this direction.

As for the future. The people who live in this territory should determine their future. And no matter what decisions from the past or today are imposed on those who live in this or that territory, in the end, if we want to live in a balanced world that takes into account the interests of all people, first of all those living in this or that territory, we must take into account the mood and plans and aspirations of these people. We will base our policy towards this region and towards Bosnia and Herzegovina and Republika Srpska on these principles.

Vladimir Putin: LPR, DPR, come on, please, I beg you.

Evgeny Murylev: Mr President, hello!

Vladimir Putin: Hello!

Evgeny Murylev: My name is Evgeny Murylev, Luhansk 24 .

Thank you so much for giving your word. You know, to be honest, we arrived without a question, because we don't have a question. To date, I believe that the Luhansk People's Republic has absolutely nothing to complain about and no one to complain about.

We just came to say a huge thank you to you personally for the fact that today the Donbass is part of the Russian Federation. Many thanks to the Government for the work it is doing today. Integration, integration processes are as painless as possible. And special thanks to all the regional chefs. They have done a great job, and they are working hard today, day and night. Our children have finally started going out on playgrounds. New modern kindergartens and schools.

Thank you, low bow. My handshake to you from all of Donbass. Thank you very much.

The question, in fact, is small, one: when to visit?

Vladimir Putin: Thank you very much. I'll be happy to come. I was, however, was unnoticed, but nevertheless drove through Lugansk, looked.

Once again, I want to repeat what I have already said. You know, everything looks quite modest-not like in Moscow. Moscow – one of the best megacities in the world, of course, today has become so. Everything here is modest, but everything is so tidy – clean, and neat-this indicates the level of general culture of the people who live and work there. And there is no need to talk about the character of those who live in the Donbas, including in the Luhansk People's Republic: for so many years they fought and did not give up and are winning. I am sure that the victory will be ours – shared.

So I would like to express my gratitude to you and to all those who live in the Donbas and wish you every success.

P. Zarubin: We continue to receive a massive number of questions. Let's take a look, please.

Vladimir Putin: Wait – there's a man standing there.

M. Minasyan: Hello!

My name is Mikael Minasyan, I am a volunteer from the Donetsk People's Republic.

For the past nine years, we have always been helping our region in the Donbas – from the very beginning of hostilities.

I lost my friends, volunteers, while performing a humanitarian mission. I was also injured and saw their deaths with my own eyes. Vladimir Vladimirovich, every day we are on the verge of life and death, performing a humanitarian mission. Volunteer children from other regions come to us, and when they come, they receive certain insurance: if they are killed or injured, their relatives receive financial compensation, among other things.

Such insurance for residents of the LPR and DPR does not exist now, that is, we, being at home, risk exactly the same as guys from other regions. Therefore, a huge request: if possible, equalize all the volunteers of our great Russia in their rights.

Vladimir Putin: I fully agree, and I have already said something like this: everyone should be given equal rights. What difference does it make to us where this person lives? This is regardless of whether the person was a Russian citizen at the time of the injury or not, and in your case, even more so. And this is especially true for volunteers who, at the call of their hearts, help our children and civilians in these territories, risk themselves, their health and lives. Of course, this must be done. We will definitely strive for this. I will definitely make sure that all this is regulated accordingly.

M. Minasyan: Thank you very much.

Vladimir Putin: Thank you very much.

Pavel Zarubin: We receive a huge number of calls and video calls. Please excuse me for a second, but some very important questions, including those from rural areas, are coming in. Let's see another one.

Vladimir Putin: Wait. Can I have a second, please?

Pavel Zarubin: Yes, of course.

Vladimir Putin: I read it on the big screen here: "When will microfinance organizations be liquidated?". Do we need to eliminate them?

Yes, there are probably a lot of problems there, but they work in their niche and help many people. Another thing is that if they abuse people's trust or do something else that they shouldn't have done, you need to bring them to their senses – that's the truth.

I would like to draw your attention to this again – I have already spoken to our respective financial authorities many times – how these microfinance organizations work. Let's see again.

Pavel Zarubin: So, a question from the villagers.

Vladimir Putin: Please.

Dmitry Panin: Dear Vladimir Vladimirovich,

Dmitry Ivanovich Panin, Head of the Sokol Agro-industrial complex, Don Cossack, Serebryansky farm, Volgograd region, is writing to you.

For several years, we have been reviving the cattle farm, meat and dairy direction. In principle, everything is going well for us. I assume that such farms for 100-200 heads are the most optimal for the development of the meat and dairy industry, for the future.

In this regard, the question is: are there any new programs planned by the Ministry of Agriculture to support such enterprises?

And the second question. We carry milk off-road-terribly hard, tractors. I would like to ask: perhaps I will live to see the happiness when the promised road will be built for us for many years?

Finally, I would like to send greetings to our fellow countrymen, our village soldiers. We are waiting for them with victory, all our army.

Glory to Russia!

P. Zarubin: And can I ask you another question?

Vladimir Putin: Now. Where is this coming from?

P. Zarubin: This is a question we have from the Volgograd region.

And another question that the villagers are also interested in: "Can we say that food security for the main types of products in the country is ensured?".

Vladimir Putin: First, the question that Dmitry Ivanovich asks.

First, the Ministry of Agriculture has many programs to support agriculture, and the state allocates a lot of money. But, of course, without the active, full-time work of the villagers, nothing would have happened. And the results are generally good.

As for small farms, of the total amount of aid allocated by the State to support the agricultural sector, 40 percent goes to support farming. It is true that farmers are providing more and more agricultural products on the domestic market, which is a lot – I would not lie now, but in my opinion, 15 percent-first of all.

And secondly, their products diversify our domestic agricultural market. And this is very good.

I would like to appeal to all those who work in rural areas - both in large enterprises, in subsidiary farms, and to farmers: I want to thank you for the results of this year's work.

We again have one of the record harvests – more than 150 million tons of grain. However, this is the total number. In its purified form, it will be about 146 million tons-this is together with the so-called new territories, which will produce about five to six million tons. The result is very good.

I recalled here the leadership of the Ministry of Agriculture in connection with the lack of the necessary amount of chicken eggs and poultry meat – there is something to criticize. But in general, the results of the agricultural sector, which, of course, again worked with a big plus this year, and, accordingly, the efforts of the Ministry of Agriculture deserve approval and a good assessment.

Therefore, these small livestock enterprises are being assisted by a number of programs. If something is missing, we can still talk about this topic. I will even ask the leadership of the Ministry of Agriculture to contact this particular enterprise and talk. There are also various options for supporting such farms. Do I need to come up with something else in addition? You just need to use what is available. But I repeat, and I want Dmitry Ivanovich to know that we will continue this work. The leadership of the Ministry will also contact you and talk about this topic.

About ensuring food security. It is safe to say that Russia's food security is guaranteed. There are problems that concern seeds first of all, and the most diverse crops. There is something to work on here, there are tasks that are worth doing in the field of breeding. We have a program on seeds, in my opinion, it is until 2030, and it is being implemented, this program is being implemented. The necessary financial resources are allocated for this purpose. This is a problem that we need to solve. It is being solved, but we will solve it completely.

Elena Berezovskaya: Mr President, next year will be the Year of the Family in our country. An absolutely wonderful occasion to once again remember our relatives and friends. You once said that there is nothing better than a family with many children growing up. I became a mother myself this year, my daughter is exactly six months old today, right today.

Vladimir Putin: Congratulations.

Yelena Berezovskaya: But, as you know, the issue of children is very sensitive. So it happens that when a woman finds out about her pregnancy, it happens that for some important, compelling reasons, she decides to terminate it. The topic of abortion in our country is very hot right now, it concerns our citizens.

I will read out just a few appeals from Moscow: "We ask you to stop the orgy of abortions. The ban on private clinics will lead to an increase in the burden on public hospitals, which are already being mercilessly reduced due to health care reforms," " The ban on abortions is a direct path to clandestine activities of doctors and an increase in mortality among women. This is stupid."

What is your position?

Vladimir Putin: But is there a ban?

Elena Berezovskaya: Not yet. But it is possible to reduce the number in private clinics…

Vladimir Putin: But why do they talk about some kind of bacchanal, bans? They don't exist.

As for any bans, you know, I have just mentioned the bans in the field of the anti-alcohol campaign. We remember what this led to: it led to the use of surrogates, to an increase in moonshine production and to an increase in victims from these poisonings with these surrogates. And in this area, which you have just mentioned and which we are now talking about, we also need to act very carefully.

Of course, I know the position of the church, and there can be no other position for the church. Because the church, it fights for the life of every person, and it has its own attitude to abortion issues-this is understandable. But at the same time, I just mentioned the sad results of the anti – alcohol campaign, and we should keep this in mind.

But the state is interested in solving this demographic problem if women, after learning about their pregnancy, make a decision in favor of preserving the child's life. This is an obvious thing. But, I repeat, the rights and freedoms of women must also be respected in our country.

But the solution to the problem primarily lies, as it seems to me, in at least two areas. The first is an appeal to our traditional values, one of which is, of course, a large family. This is education in the sense that a child is a gift from God to all: both women and men. And this, of course, lies in the sphere of material well-being.

We talked about primary health care. But in addition to this, you should definitely pay attention to women's consultations: you need to put everything in order there, there is something to work on. We need to think about how and at what pace the maternity wards of regional hospitals and polyclinics should be put in order. We need to think about this aspect of the case.

And third – we need to think about how to continue working to support families with children. This includes mortgages, subsidies, and further improvement of all the tools that the state has developed in recent years in terms of supporting families with children. That's about the ratio.

Dmitry Peskov:I suggest that we go back to the regions and journalists.

I see the middle row, "Turn East". Please tell us what media outlet you are from.

Pavel Zaitsev: Hello, Mr President!

Pavel Zaitsev, Public Television of Primorye. Not as young as my colleague from Magadan, but, I hope, no less energetic.

Vladimir Vladimirovich, the" Turn to the East " is a global strategy that was discussed earlier, discussed more, and now it is being systematically and progressively implemented, especially in economic terms.

And you have already touched upon many issues, many areas: This includes railway transport, air transport, the automobile industry, and so on, which is very exciting for Far Easterners. But one of the main indicators is the supply of Russian natural gas to friendly Asian countries.

And you also mentioned gasification. This is also a very important point, including for the Far East. How promising is the Asian market for our country? What preferences, perhaps, does it entail for the Far East?

And at the same time, I would like to ask. A reasonable question arises among many Russians, and we have repeatedly encountered it on Internet platforms: why is it that with the enormous sanctions pressure on Russia in the current geopolitical situation, one of our most important resources – natural gas-is still supplied to the West, you mentioned Moldova, including through Ukraine to Europe?

Wouldn't it be easier to turn to friendly partners in Asia and pay attention to gasification of the regions? Thank you.

Vladimir Putin: First of all, we are engaged in gasification, I have already said this, and I can repeat it again. 450,000 households are connected to the gas grid, a million have received the technical ability to do this, and we will continue this work.

Why do we ship to Europe? Gazprom is a reliable partner, it has contractual obligations, it has always fulfilled these contractual obligations and is now fulfilling them.

The fact that Europe does not receive enough gas is their problem. Oddly enough, they tried to blame it on us, that we were not selling something. This is complete nonsense, because we did not close the Yamal – Europe gas pipeline, Poland did it, we did not close the second branch of the gas pipeline through the territory of Ukraine, Ukraine did it, and we did not blow up Nord Stream-1 and partially Nord Stream-2, most likely the Americans did it or someone did it with their help, and we are not the ones who are not opening Nord Stream 1, because at least one of the pipes is partially or half working there, but Germany is not doing it. Doesn't do it, doesn't want to – don't. They have a rise in prices there, entire industries are being closed: glass, chemical, metallurgical industries, and, accordingly, all those that are associated with this. There are real problems there.

Most likely, the German economy will go into negative territory – a small one, but a negative one. But this is their decision, not ours. And Gazprom fulfills all its obligations, including transit through the territory of Ukraine.

But we also get money. Of course, Ukraine receives transit fees. We don't seem to supply gas to Ukraine – in fact, they consume our gas, by the way.

Do you know how the gas network has been organized there, in Ukraine, since Soviet times? There is an entrance, as it were, to the main gas pipeline – the one that goes to Europe. In fact, as soon as our gas enters the territory of Ukraine, it is immediately distributed throughout the country. And what Ukraine has accumulated over the summer period in UGS facilities on its western border, it goes there as if it comes directly from Gazprom, as if, and thus fulfills its obligations to consumers.

First of all, today it is Southern Europe. I must say, why should we punish Hungary or Slovakia? We do not have such a goal, and they regularly pay money, and decent money at that. Therefore, we have never done anything for political reasons and, in general, we are not going to do anything.

As for turning east. As I have said many times, it did not happen because the situation in Ukraine has worsened. We started doing this a long time ago. The Power of Siberia gas pipeline was not built in connection with Ukraine. It started building earlier. Why? But because we see trends in the development of the global economy. New centers of economic growth are being created – the main consumer is emerging there. That's where we send them, where they buy oil, gas, and coal. May God grant health to all these economies that consume our energy and pay us money for it. We are thinking about further expansion of supplies to China, and we are thinking about other countries as possible consumers.

By the way, Japan does not refuse, but takes it. Please take it, and for God's sake let him keep doing it. We don't mind. By the way, NOVATEK is still developing relations in the Arctic with some European partners, as well as with Asian ones. China is also present there, is actively working and intends to continue working, and we welcome this. So in this respect, the situation is stable and is based not on the current political situation, but on Russia's strong interest in the world's growing economic center.

Pavel Zarubin: We can't help but mention another topic that people are very concerned about – labor migration. Now in large megacities there have been heavy snowfalls, and many are grateful to the migrants (they helped to clear it, not the fact that they would have gone to work themselves). But to put it mildly, there is also concern about the number of migrants and the consequences of such migration. Some regions even impose restrictions on the work of migrants. What do you think about this problem in general?

Vladimir Putin: This is not an easy problem. It is typical for many countries of the world, and for us too. According to various estimates, we have more than 10 million migrant workers. But here we also have a labor market, as I said at the beginning, 2.9 percent unemployment, that is, it is almost nonexistent. And there are needs in the labor market. But this does not mean that we should solve economic problems and solve labor market problems at all costs and to the detriment of the indigenous population of Russia. Is it necessary to attract here? Need. But, of course, we are primarily interested in skilled labor. It seems that we can't do without a lower-skilled labor force, but first of all, we need to start working together with our partners from the countries from which these migrants come to us in advance. And I must say that our friends from these countries are only in favor of opening Russian schools with the Russian language, opening branches of our universities and universities. We welcome this and will do our best to do so. They need and ask us to send their teachers, expand these programs, and send textbooks to them. This should be prepared in advance. First.

Second. It is necessary that all migrants respect our laws and traditions of the peoples of the Russian Federation without any doubt, and the relevant authorities monitor this compliance and respond in a timely manner to violations.

The third. We need to create normal human conditions for these migrants. Here I saw on the boards and on the screens the question: how much money will we spend on solving the social problems of migrant family members? Yes, of course, I understand the sensitivity of this issue, but would it be better if we abandon these people, these children, and the wives of migrants altogether? What will it turn into? We'd better influence them.

Yes, and here everything is not so simple, neither black nor white. In some schools, we have more migrant children there than local citizens. But we need to solve these issues in advance, we need to prepare them, we need to work with them, and not pretend that problems arise only right now.

And, probably, we need a special body, not only the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which deals with technical legal issues, we need a special body that would look at this problem in a comprehensive way and find a timely solution to each aspect of this problem.

This is a lot of work, but, without any doubt, we must be guided first of all, and I want to draw the attention of representatives of all areas and levels of government to this – first of all, we must be guided by the interests of the local population – citizens of the Russian Federation.

Pavel Zarubin: By the way, Ekaterina and I noticed that there were a lot of messages, a lot of requests to you from citizens of different European countries, US citizens to grant them Russian citizenship.

E. Berezovskaya: Italy, Sweden, Germany. Moreover, the stories described by people who contacted us on the "Direct Line" are completely wild. For example, in Sweden, a family was simply evicted from their home when the SVO started. People want to return to Russia and live there permanently.

Vladimir Putin: We have certain rules, there is a legal regulation that solves the issues of obtaining Russian citizenship. We will only welcome this, all law-abiding citizens of other countries who want to move to Russia, live here, work, and connect their fate and the fate of their children with our country.

Perhaps there is no such mass flow as the number of emigrants who go to Western European countries, for example, from Africa and the Middle East, or to the United States from Latin America. Because of this, the ethnic composition there is changing and will soon change, the ratio of ethnic groups in the same States will inevitably change, and the increase in the Latin American population is inevitable, we must closely monitor it. But the category you are talking about, people who are consciously trying to move to us, not even for economic reasons, we will only welcome, but we will act in accordance with our law.

Yelena Berezovskaya: Mr President, we have passed the four-hour mark.

Vladimir Putin: We need to finish it.

Yelena Berezovskaya: Maybe a blitz?

Vladimir Putin: Come on.

Yelena Berezovskaya: What did you dream of being as a child?

Vladimir Putin: I've talked about it. Each person at different periods of his life has a different attitude to the values that surround him. I also wanted to be a pilot. The main thing is that when I was in high school, I wanted to be a scout, and as you know, I became one.

P. Zarubin: This is a completely New Year's question: what do you like best-herring under a fur coat or olivier?

Vladimir Putin: It depends on what you eat.

E. Berezovskaya: The most memorable gift from Santa Claus.

Vladimir Putin: You know, the most memorable gift… I think that many people in the audience and those who listen to us and see us will agree: the greatest gift is children and our children's children. This is a gift from the Almighty.

Oh, speaking of gifts. Most of all, perhaps, we are happy not even with the gifts that are given to us, but with the gifts that we give, because we look at ourselves in the mirror: oh, what a good fellow I am. This, I am sure, is especially true for the male part of the audience, the country, and this is absolutely for sure, the process of giving to someone brings more pleasure than receiving from someone. Although both are nice.

Pavel Zarubin: What advice would you give to young people?

Vladimir Putin: We also have folk wisdom, there are a lot of them, one of them is "take care of your honor from a young age". You know, this is in the broadest sense of the word. You need to think ahead, today you need to think about what will happen tomorrow.

But here's something else I'd add to that. We must always set ambitious goals and objectives for ourselves. Set yourself tasks and goals that may seem unattainable. But if a person sets such goals for himself, he will always fight, go to them and will definitely achieve success.

Yelena Berezovskaya: Mr President, what are you reading?

Vladimir Putin:I will now read the Criminal Code again, because some people think that our punishments are too severe for certain minor offenses, as your colleagues think.

I don't have much time to read. I have a volume of Lermontov on the nightstand in my bedroom. I love. He was a brilliant young man. I am very interested in how such brilliant people of that time thought, what were the values, how it relates to today. And in general, he is a brilliant person. I enjoy reading it.

P. Zarubin: Dmitry Sergeevich.

Dmitry Peskov: It's really more than four o'clock. After all, can we sum up the results through our communication with journalists, Mr Putin?

Vladimir Putin: Come on, Buryatia. The Buryats are not retreating, I remember.

Yelena Elistratova: Yes, the Buryats are not fleeing, as you said.

Vladimir Putin: I didn't say that.

Elena Elistratova: Yes. Our hero.

Vladimir Vladimirovich, hello!

Ekaterina Elistratova, city of Ulan-Ude, Republic of Buryatia, "Tivikom".

As you know, in Buryatia there is a unique center of oriental medicine, it is the only center in our country where traditional and even non-traditional diagnostic methods are treated, using Eastern methods. Now they produce medicines there, as well as regularly provide assistance to the participants of the SVO in rehabilitation. And I really want to see an expansion of capacities, because there is a lot of demand, I want enough fighters to receive treatment, as many fighters as possible to undergo rehabilitation there, because they really put people on their feet there, there are examples of this. Therefore, we ask you to support the creation of a new building of the Center for Oriental Medicine and give the center the status of a research institute. Please support us.

Vladimir Putin: I just need more specifics: what exactly, where.

E. Elistratova: Center for Oriental Medicine. He's the only one we have.

Vladimir Putin: OK, I marked it. Okay, good, good.

Dmitry Peskov: We'll take all the coordinates.

Vladimir Putin: We'll do our best. Take it, please. Agreed.

Ugra.

L. Kurbanova: Mr President, hello!

Following your August meeting with Government members, you instructed us to consider creating a railway line that will connect Ugra with Siberia, Yakutia and China. In your opinion, how realistic is this project and when will Ugra residents expect its implementation?

Vladimir Putin:We need this project. The Government and Russian Railways are considering possible options. This is always connected with the investment program of Russian Railways. Now, of course, the most significant is the development of the Eastern polygon, all efforts are focused there, but this direction is also somehow related to the solutions of the main tasks. I won't lie, I'll just ask Belozerov and Andrei Belousov, who oversees all these areas through the Government. Let's get back to that and see again, okay?

Come on, Siberia.

Elena Belyaeva: Good afternoon!

Elena Belyaeva, GTRK "Irtysh", "Vesti Omsk".

Today we have already talked about turning to the east. Yes, there, of course, we now have a certain economic interest, and the Omsk region is just at the intersection of major transport routes. As you know, we have the Trans-Siberian Railway, the Irtysh navigable highway, and the federal highway that connects the east and west of the country, and the main cargo flow is Europe-Kazakhstan-Central Asia through the Omsk region.

But there is such a problem. A rather long stretch of the very popular Tyumen–Novosibirsk highway-for us in the direction of Novosibirsk-is a two-lane road. Very emergency, I go on it myself, I see trucks lying in ditches. And, accordingly, are there plans to expand this route? This is the first one.

And the second. In order for us to solve the logistics tasks that the country is currently setting for us for the benefit of the country as efficiently as possible, we also need a large, modern, international-class airport. Can we count on federal support?

Vladimir Putin: Look at this. At the beginning of our conversation, we talked about the route to Kazan, and then, by the way, to Tyumen and Novosibirsk. We want to do everything there. There are funds for this, they have been allocated, and we will implement them. These plans are being implemented. This particular area needs to be viewed.

I will definitely tell Marat Shakirzyanovich Khusnullin about this. But this requires a lot of investment, we need to look at it. We also need to implement what we already have in our plans, what the builders are focused on, the routes are already verified, and so on. Well, I will definitely tell both the Ministry of Transport and the Deputy Prime Minister in charge. Let's think about it.

Dmitry Peskov: Friends, the final question, because we have already left in four hours.

Come on, Andrey Kolesnikov, who will conclude this part of the press conference.

Alexey Kolesnikov: Good afternoon!

Kommersant newspaper.

Vladimir Vladimirovich, you said yourself that the world will never be the same again. Tell me, what would you say to Vladimir Putin in 2000, if you had the opportunity? What advice would you give? What would you warn me against? Do you have any regrets?

Vladimir Putin: What would I say? I would say: you are going the right way, comrades.

What would I warn you about? From naivety and excessive credulity in relation to our so-called partners.

As for the advice and parting words: we must believe in the great Russian people. This faith is the key to success in the revival, formation and development of Russia.

Thank you.

Please don't be angry if you haven't answered all your questions. Indeed, one must also know the honor.

Thank you. All the best!

Now it’s time to digest all of that and sift out what’s genuinely important. And that will require another article after seeing what Russian media thought about it all.

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