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

It’s been over a year since Putin held one of his trademark marathon press conference and public Q&A events, none since the SMO’s launch on 24 February 2022. The video, which is available in Russian at the above link, says it lasts just over 4 hours, so there’s no way this will be completed in two parts and might require four, and the transcript isn’t finished being posted yet. It’s clear the organizers wanted to develop the progress thematically; so, first we get talk about the importance of sovereignty that moves into the economy and from there into the SMO. After that rather brief introduction the main Q&A core commences. There’s also what IMO is a record number of photos posted for this event—55—that can be accessed at the above link. I see that the transcript is now complete, so I’ll start the process of loading it.

Elena Berezovskaya: Exactly two weeks ago we received questions from all over the country. The number of requests is really huge. The whole of Russia speaks and shows without exaggeration. Straight, honest, and honest.

Pavel Zarubin: And Ekaterina [Berezovskaya] and I have also delved into this huge number of requests in as much detail as possible, we have viewed thousands of pages with your questions, and we have watched many videos.

Elena Berezovskaya: In general, in the past two weeks, probably the most large-scale all-Russian sociological survey was held. Pavel [Zarubin] and I felt that we were not only journalists, but also sociologists in general.

Pavel Zarubin: It is clear that it is simply physically impossible to answer all the millions of questions, but there are, of course, common topics. And which of them are leading? Of course, the main topic is a special military operation. Our military personnel and their relatives also write. Payments, certificates, supplies-today we will definitely talk about all this in as much detail as possible.

E. Berezovskaya: Well, where without traditional, popular questions about housing and communal services, about sports and not only?

Well, here we go.

Hello!

Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon!

Yelena Berezovskaya: This year, the All-Russian Popular Front has already joined us at the stage of collecting questions. There is no doubt that all requests will be processed, and they will not remain unanswered. ONF activists have a whole year to do this. And the most vivid, interesting and relevant questions will be heard today on our air.

P. Zarubin: "Yesterday morning I wrote to the website moskva-putinu.ru the question is that they don't pay the salary, but it came in the evening." Many problems were solved even preemptively, but how many unresolved! And most importantly, we all now live in a completely different world, and, of course, people are concerned not only with social issues.

Yelena Berezovskaya: In general, when, if not now, two weeks before the New Year, should we sum up the results of the year? December is always traditionally rich in events.

Last week, Mr President, you announced your decision to run for President. In this regard, the question is: what are your main tasks at home and abroad?

Vladimir Putin: I've said this many times before, but it's not a sin to repeat myself. For a country like Russia, the existence, just the existence of our country without sovereignty is impossible, it simply will not exist. In any case, in the form in which it exists today and in which it existed for a thousand years.

Therefore, the main thing is to strengthen sovereignty. But this is a very broad concept. Strengthening the external sovereignty, so to speak, means strengthening the country's defense capability and security along the external contour. This is the strengthening of public sovereignty, meaning the unconditional guarantee of the rights and freedoms of citizens of the country, the development of our political system and parliamentarism. And, finally, it is ensuring security and sovereignty in the sphere of economy, technological sovereignty.

I think that right now, when answering your question, there is no need to disclose all these areas, but I am sure that the audience here, and the whole country, understands perfectly well that without this, Russia cannot exist. Financial, economic, and technological sovereignty is the future of every country, including Russia.

So these are the main, if conceptually speaking, directions.

P. Zarubin: Just about the economy: many people in the world are surprised that the Russian economy did not collapse under the pressure of our so-called former partners. But they do not hide the goal that we need to be crushed, crushed-they say it right in these words.

What is the overall margin of safety of the Russian economy?

Vladimir Putin: Enough to not only feel confident, but also go forward.

And this margin of safety – we have already talked about this many times, but I repeat-is provided by several components.

The first and most important thing is the high level of consolidation of Russian society.

The second is the sustainability of the country's financial and economic system. As it turned out, and this was a surprise for our so-called partners, to be honest, and for many of us, that over the past decades Russia has accumulated this margin of safety and stability in finance and economy.

And the third, of course – is an increase in the capabilities of our power component: the army and security agencies.

Elena Berezovskaya: Mr President, if we talk about specific economic indicators, what can we be proud of?

Vladimir Putin: You know, as I usually do, I brought a sign saying that there is nothing here that we probably don't know, and yesterday, in my opinion, the Finance Minister announced some figures. The most important indicator of economic growth – gross domestic product growth by the end of the year is expected to be 3.5 percent. This is a good indicator, which means that we have recouped the decline of last year, where we had, in my opinion, 2.1 percent. If this year it will be a plus of 3.5, it means that we have recouped the fall and made quite a serious step forward.

Unfortunately, we have increased inflation, and by the end of the year it is expected to reach 7.5, maybe a little more, to 8 percent. But the Central Bank and the Government are taking the necessary measures. We can talk more about this, I mean raising the key rate, and some other measures that the Central Bank and the Government are taking. We believe that we will be able to return to the target indicators.

Industrial production is growing steadily, at 3.6 percent. But what is particularly pleasing is that the manufacturing industry is growing-7.5 percent will be in the year. We haven't had this in a long time.

What is particularly encouraging is a 10 percent increase in fixed capital investment. What does this mean? Today we have an obvious growth in industry and GDP. Plus 10 percent in fixed capital for investment, what does it mean? That there will be guaranteed sustainable development in the medium term, money will be invested, production will expand, and jobs will be created. I'll tell you more about unemployment.

The profit of enterprises amounted to plus 24 percent, not to mention the banks, they will earn under 3 trillion rubles, over three trillion. Of course, I know, and in this audience, and in the country as a whole, they will say: well, banks are fattening, and so on. This is all clear. But for those people who keep money in Russian bank accounts, this is good news for them – the stability of the Russian financial banking system.

Now the real salary will grow, it will be about 8 percent, this is after deducting inflation. I understand that not everyone will do this, but this statistic is accurate on the national average. And the real disposable income of the population is also growing. There are more components here, somewhere under 5 percent will be.

The unemployment rate I mentioned. More recently, we were proud of the fact that we had a historical minimum of 3 percent. Yesterday, my colleagues and I were preparing for today's meeting, for today's conversation – already 2.9 percent. This has never happened in the history of Russia. This is a very good integrated indicator of the state of the economy.

When I spoke about the increase in real incomes, I should mention, of course, that starting from January 1, the minimum wage will be raised immediately by 18 percent. We didn't do it often.

The government's external debt is shrinking. It also speaks about macroeconomic stability and financial stability. The national debt was reduced from $ 46 billion to $ 32 billion. Private external debt has also been reduced (our companies regularly repay all loans taken from foreign financial institutions) from $ 337 billion to $ 297 billion. In other words, repayment proceeds rhythmically, often even ahead of schedule.

And such an integrated social indicator. We will probably have a lot of topics on social issues today, but still there is such an integrated indicator-the growth of life expectancy, what we always talk about and what we strive for.

Look at the dynamics: 2021-life expectancy in Russia is 70.06, 2022-72.73, and in 2023 it is expected to be 74 years. After all, this is an indicator of how the state's efforts in both the economy and social policy are generally reflected in the most important social indicator.

Pavel Zarubin: The other day you were awarding the Heroes of Russia, and then we saw how you said: the guys should be protected, but do, do, do.

For almost two years now, our country has been living in a special military operation, and there are, of course, a flurry of questions from citizens to our program about this. I'll just literally read out some of them: "How do you assess these two years? What is the current situation? What is the dynamic? The goals and objectives of the operation – are they the same as they were at first, or are they no longer there? " And of course, the most important thing: "When will there be peace?"

Vladimir Putin: There will be peace when we achieve the goals you mentioned. Now let's get back to these goals – they don't change. Let me remind you of what we were talking about at the time. On the denazification of Ukraine, on demilitarization, on its neutral status.

See what happens in terms of denazification. During the negotiation process, which had a certain stage after the preparation of a draft possible agreement, which officials in Kiev recently mentioned, they generally did not agree that any kind of denazification was needed, and they said that there was no fascization or growth of such sentiments. Why not? When a national hero is known not just as a nationalist, but as a Nazi. Bandera was elevated to the rank of a national hero. Why not?

And when the head of today's Kiev administration, in front of the whole world, gives a standing ovation to a former SS soldier who directly participated in the Holocaust, in the extermination of one and a half million Jews in Ukraine, Russians and Poles, he gives a standing ovation. Isn't this a manifestation of Nazism? Therefore, the issue of denazification is relevant. However, during the negotiation process, we were generally told, our negotiators, that in principle they do not exclude the possibility of adopting some legislative acts in Ukraine. It was then, during the negotiations in Istanbul.

Now, as for demilitarization. If they don't want to negotiate, then we have to take other measures, including military ones. Today, Ukraine produces almost nothing, they are trying to save something there, but they produce almost nothing, they bring everything-sorry for the bad manners - they bring everything for free. But this freebie may end sometime, and, apparently, it ends little by little. But that's not even the point, I think they will still give, but the destruction is happening. I will not recall these figures for aircraft and air defense systems right now. We gave them what they were promised, 400 tanks, 420-430. By the way, everyone gave what they promised. Everything that the Westerners promised, Ukraine got everything, even more. But we only destroyed 747 tanks starting with the so-called counteroffensive. This is the data for last night. Almost 2,300 armored vehicles of various classes. This is demilitarization. Or we will agree on demilitarization, we will agree on certain parameters, and, by the way, during the negotiations in Istanbul, we agreed on them, but then we just threw these agreements into the oven, but we also agreed on this. There are other possibilities either to reach an agreement or to resolve it by force. This is what we will strive for.

Pavel Zarubin: The question is short, but it concerns many people: will there be a second wave of mobilization?

Vladimir Putin: I understand that this is a sensitive issue. Look, we had a partial mobilization, and then we called up 300 thousand people. By the way, at first there was a lot of irony, all sorts of laughter on this score, they stuck the name to these people – "mobiki". I remember it all very well. The guys are fighting well, just fine. 14 Heroes of the Russian Federation from among the mobilized. I'm not even talking about medals and orders of a different dignity. Now, in my opinion, 244 thousand are directly in the combat zone, in the zone of the Free Defense. Shelves have been formed for the maintenance of equipment, because there are many good specialists among them, and people are very much in demand. In my opinion, 41 thousand people were dismissed due to reaching the age limit, health reasons, and so on.

After that, we launched a fairly broad campaign to attract people on a voluntary basis to sign contracts with the Armed Forces. And we planned to reach, in my opinion, a little over 400 thousand by the end of the year. As of last night, I was informed that 486 thousand men have been recruited, and the flow of our men who are ready to defend the interests of the Motherland with weapons in their hands is not decreasing. One and a half thousand daily across the country. So together with the volunteers, it's just a conditional division, the contract is signed for two or three years, and the so-called volunteers, although all, in fact, are heroes and soldiers of the Fatherland, but they just have a year, for a shorter period, but all together – there will be under half a million people by the end of this year. Well, why do we need mobilization? Therefore, today there is no need for this.

Dmitry Peskov: If I may remind you, we have a combined format, we have a direct line and a press conference, so let's start communicating with the President…

L. Koliyeva: If it is possible, the first word to a girl from the Caucasus?

Dmitry Peskov: Just a second, please excuse me.

Vladimir Putin: You see, we are a democracy. (To L. Koliyeva.) Tell me what you wanted, though. Dmitry Sergeevich, come on.

Dmitry Peskov: Give me a microphone, please.

L. Koliyeva: Hello!

My name is Lyudmila Koliyeva, I represent North Ossetia, the 15th region.

Vladimir Vladimirovich, North Ossetia has always defended the interests of our country. These are Issa Pliev and Haji-Umar Mamsurov-great commanders and Heroes of the Soviet Union who proved themselves in the Great Patriotic War. And now the interests of North Ossetia, that is, the interests of Russia, also continue to be protected by representatives and residents of North and South Ossetia and the entire North Caucasus.

What do I want to say? Including a lot of volunteers. We have, for example, in North Ossetia, two volunteer detachments - this is " Storm. Ossetia" and "Alania". Today, many benefits and various support measures have been developed for military personnel who serve under contract. Can volunteers also count on them?

Thank you.

Vladimir Putin: You know, I've looked at the questions that are coming in, but of course, you can't even view them all. How much is there, Dmitry, in total?

E. Berezovskaya: More than two million.

Dmitry Peskov: Two million 100 thousand already.

Vladimir Putin: But nevertheless, Dmitry Sergeyevich brought me such a pile a few days ago, I looked through them, and there are many such questions. I want to repeat my position once again, and I'm sure there will be more questions of this kind. All volunteers, all those who defend the interests of Russia with weapons in their hands, fight for it, risk their lives and health, all must be put in absolutely the same conditions.

There are certain shortcomings, and we are aware of them. Only yesterday, when analyzing incoming letters, I spoke about this with the Minister of Defense, the Chief of the General Staff, and Tatyana Golikova, we discussed her as a deputy prime minister who heads the social block. There, on some points, it will even be necessary to adopt changes in the law. Maybe we'll come back to this again. I am sure that the deputies of the State Duma will support it 100 percent, you just need to formulate it correctly.

We will definitely ensure that everyone is placed in the same conditions and receives the same support from the state.

I know that and "Storm. [Ossetia]", and "Alania" are fighting brilliantly. The head of the region also told me about this, reported to me.

Pavel Zarubin: Can I show you the kippa? This is just what I selected: a problem with issuing military veterans ' IDs.

I suggest that we go straight to the video question on this topic now.

Sergey Zenin: Mr President, hello!

It is a great and special honor for me to address you with a question from the Donbass. Very close now to the front line, the war can be heard well here. Next to me are soldiers of the assault brigade of the Russian Ministry of Defense, veterans of your personal brigade. All of them have been in the SVO for almost two years, the guys are on the front line, now near Donetsk. They work confidently, the enemy's defense is literally bursting and bursting at the seams. Every new day brings a new good result.

Vladimir Vladimirovich, our victory is already visible. Even the enemy understands this. But when the war is over, it is necessary to equip those people who fought. Here are the same veterans – people with colossal combat experience, an example of real patriotism, they could be engaged in educating the younger generation, preparing a replacement for our army.

Do you think it makes sense to create an appropriate military-patriotic structure for our youth? Are there any such plans?

Vladimir Putin: First of all, I want to thank you for what you are doing. This sounds a bit like a dud, but nevertheless, believe me, from the bottom of my heart. And NGSh, other commanders repeatedly told me you know what? Such a situation is created on such and such a site. Now there are veterans there, the situation will be absolutely taken under control. And these simple words are an assessment of what you are doing, can do, and I am sure you will do again on the battlefield.

As for the demand for people like you in the process of educating the younger generation, our schoolchildren, and young people in general, it is highly in demand, to the highest degree. And this is an absolutely obvious thing, especially at crucial moments in the history of any country, as we have now.

It may not be appropriate to remember Bismarck, but nevertheless he once served in Russia and lived in Russia, although he became an outstanding German figure. He once said that wars are won not by military leaders, but by schoolteachers and priests. And that's right, that's absolutely right.

This is the education of young people in the spirit of patriotism in the best, not leavened sense of the word, it is extremely important, and we are already starting to do this. More than a thousand of your colleagues and your comrades-in-arms who served and returned to civilian life have already returned, and more than a thousand are working in schools and with children's and youth groups.

And we will definitely continue to do this, and we will definitely expand this work. Because it's one thing to read a patriotic story in a book or even watch a movie, but it's another thing to convey something by personal example. The best parenting is a personal example. But who can do it better than you?

P. Zarubin: We have a live broadcast, live fabric: we can immediately see that everything is so, on a live thread. Please, Dmitry Sergeevich.

Dmitry Peskov: Thank you, Pavel.

Vladimir Putin: Dmitry, I'm sorry, please.

"They're killing the Volga." What is it? What about the Volga Region?

P. Zarubin: Apparently, now we will always be in this [format]…

Yelena Berezovskaya: There is a real problem, we have a lot of requests.

Elena Usmanova: Hello, Vladimir Vladimirovich! My name is Elena Usmanova, business newspaper of Tatarstan "Business Online".

This year, residents of the Volga region regions faced a catastrophic shallowing of the Kuibyshev reservoir. All summer the water was lowered to the lower reaches of the Volga, arguing that the interests of the fishing industry in Astrakhan suffer.

How do you think the problem of shallowing the Volga should be solved? And don't you think that with this attitude we can lose the main Russian river?

Thank you.

Vladimir Putin: I hope that this will not happen. There is a conflict of interest between power engineers and other water users in the lower reaches. Power engineers want to maintain a high level so that the volume of electricity from the Volga cascade, from the power plant, is sufficient to meet the interests of industry and the food industry. And other water users – in the lower reaches-want the river to be more full-flowing. Sailors, of course, and shipowners want the fairway to be secured and deeper. These questions are known.

Believe me, the Government is working on this and will not let it slide in the literal and figurative sense of the word. But of course there is a problem. I agree.

Dmitry Peskov: Come on, we'll continue. There are a lot of questions so that we can still maintain parity.

Vladimir Putin: Let's return the reins of power to Dmitry Sergeevich.

Dmitry Peskov: Come on, I see ITAR-TASS, the middle sector, please, the first row. The Kremlin pool, in fact. You are welcome.

Elena Korostovtseva: Mr President, hello! TASS News Agency, Ekaterina Korostovtseva. We have a question on an international topic, a three-part question.

What do you think are the prospects for normalizing relations with the European Union? Recently, it has become increasingly clear that Western countries are tired of supporting Ukraine. How do you assess this new factor?

And one more question. Right-wing forces are currently strengthening their positions on the European political scene. How would you comment on this and whether it bothers you?

Thank you.

Vladimir Putin: As for the normalization of relations, it depends not only on us – we did not spoil these relations.: it was with us that relations were ruined and they tried to push us all the time somewhere in the second or third plan, ignoring our interests.

The conflict that occurred in Ukraine, how did it start? Let's remember – we will not spare three or four minutes: it began with the coup in Ukraine in 2014. Before that, we tried at all costs, for decades – I want to emphasize this-for decades we tried to build normal relations with Ukraine. Even after the same, in fact, coup, when Viktor Yanukovych was not allowed to power: he won the election, but the third round was announced. What is this, if not a coup d'etat? The Constitution did not provide for a third round. This is a creeping coup d'etat. But okay, we've come to terms with that, too.

What happened next? He still won the next election. What did our so-called opponents do? On the coup d'etat.

Do you understand what the problem is? The problem is that, as I have always said and still say, despite all the tragedy of the events that are taking place, Russians and Ukrainians are basically one people. And what is happening now is a huge tragedy, similar to the civil war between brothers, when the brothers were on opposite sides. But to a large extent, they have nothing to do with it.

The entire south-east of Ukraine, it has always been pro-Russian, because these are historically Russian territories. Here's a colleague holding up a sign: Turkey. He knows, and they know it well in Turkey: the entire Black Sea region was ceded to Russia as a result of the Russo-Turkish wars. What does Ukraine have to do with it? Neither Crimea nor the entire Black Sea region has anything to do with it. Odessa is generally a Russian city. We know about it. Everyone knows this very well. No, they made up all sorts of historical nonsense.

Well, once upon a time Vladimir Ilyich Lenin transferred everything to Ukraine during the formation of the Soviet Union. We came to terms with this after the collapse of the Soviet Union and were ready to live in this paradigm. But this part-the south-east-is pro-Russian, and this was also important for us. They always voted for those who followed the pro-Russian slogans of Ukraine's domestic and foreign policy. And in general, Russia was quite satisfied with this.

But after the coup d'etat in 2014, it became clear to us that we simply would not be allowed to build normal relations with Ukraine by force. The coup d'etat, for which, as the Americans said, five billion dollars were spent, was publicly said, and they did not even hesitate.

In 2014, three foreign ministers from Europe arrived: Polish, German, and French. We signed them as guarantors of agreements between the government-President Yanukovych – and the opposition. We agreed that everything will be resolved peacefully. Two days later, they made a coup d'etat. What for? We would have gone to the polls and won. To put a stop to it, to create a conflict – that's why.

Who did this? Our American "friends". And the Europeans, who signed up as guarantors of agreements between the government and the opposition, pretended that they didn't know anything at all. And now ask in Europe, does anyone remember this? No But we have not forgotten and will not forget.

This, plus the unrestrained desire to crawl up to our borders, capturing Ukraine in NATO - all this led to this tragedy. Plus the bloody events in the Donbas for eight years. All this led to the tragedy that we are now experiencing. They forced us to do this.

In these circumstances, when-I say, the United States conceived and organized, and Europe stands and silently looks at it, or plays along, sings along with them-how to build relations with them? We are " for " – we didn't tear anything up, but they pretended that they didn't know anything about it and didn't remember it. Only two or three times it was mentioned that the Minsk agreements were signed for fun and were not going to be implemented. These guarantees, agreements between the government and the opposition in Ukraine in 2014 seem to have been signed by the way, but they were immediately forgotten and ignored.

Do you understand what this is all about? The fact is that they have largely lost their sovereignty, as we can see now, and they make many decisions to their own detriment. To the detriment of yourself! But they do it anyway.

Many European leaders outwardly behave like General de Gaulle, who fought for the interests of France with weapons in his hands, gathered everything that the French had in order to resist the invaders. But in practice, they behave like Marshal Petain, who, although he was a hero of the First World War, became a collaborator in the Second World War and obeyed the will of the invaders.

Almost everyone behaves like this, except for a few people. Robert Fico has appeared now, after the elections [in Slovakia], Viktor Orban in Hungary. I've already said it many times: they are not pro-Russian politicians, they are pro-national-they protect their interests. But they don't exist anymore, they just don't exist. I don't know what this is related to. It is connected with a great dependence on the" big brother " – on the States. But we are ready to build relationships with them.

As for the United States. We are also ready to build relations with them. We believe that the United States is an important and necessary country for the world. But this absolutely imperial policy hinders them, not even us-it hinders them. Why? Because in the public consciousness, they should behave like an empire, and if they agree on something somewhere or concede to someone, this is already perceived by the electorate as some kind of failure or gap. Therefore, the elites are forced to behave this way in part.

When there are some internal changes, when they start respecting other people and other countries, when they start looking for compromises, and when they don't try to resolve their issues with the help of sanctions and military actions, then fundamental conditions will be created for restoring full-fledged relations. There are no such conditions yet. But we are ready for this.

Dmitry Peskov: Mr President, we don't have all the military enlistment officers on the front line right now.I see that we have Nikolai Dolgachev in our studio. Ask your own question.

Nikolai Dolgachev: Mr President, hello!

Nikolay Dolgachev, Vesti correspondent and now director of the VGTRK branch in Luhansk.

The Luhansk Republic is almost completely liberated, and peaceful life is being restored, but we are worried about the entire front and know what active battles are being fought in the south and along the Dnieper. Even for some time now, they have been talking about a certain enemy bridgehead on the left bank of the Dnieper, near the village of Krynki. What kind of springboard is this, how is the situation going there?

And if I may add more. The fact is that in those liberated areas that are already a little further from the front, very large-scale work is really underway to restore both social facilities and infrastructure. We see this with our own eyes, how much life is changing, but many people ask, and I will ask: what is the future of all the new regions of our country? What is the goal? In a few years, how will we see them in the country?

And we know, Mr President, that what you say will happen, so please tell us what will happen.

Vladimir Putin: I would like it to be as I said, so it will be. Unfortunately, this is not always the case, but it is a global practice. Yes, I think that everyone sitting here, and everyone who listens and watches us, is also the same: we say something, we want something, something works out, something doesn't work out-this is normal. But you definitely need to strive to achieve your goals.

Now about Krynok. What's going on there? The enemy announced a large counteroffensive – but nothing happened anywhere. The last attempt – or at least it looks like the last attempt to date-was to break through to the left bank of the Dnieper and secure a movement in the direction of the Crimea. Everyone is talking about it, everyone knows it well, and there is nothing new here. What happened in this area?

The Ukrainian Armed Forces concentrated artillery strikes on a very narrow section of the left bank. In order to save our guys and not expose them to unnecessary risks, not to incur losses, the military command decided to withdraw a few meters – I'll tell you, you are a war correspondent, you know what I'm talking about – in the forest plantation they hide the personnel and protect them from unnecessary losses.

The APU entered this area. It was small, about 1200 meters long and about 300 meters wide. I don't even know why they do it: they just push their people to exterminate them. The Ukrainian military themselves say that this is a one-way road. After all, in order to send personnel there – there were 80 people there all the time, now fewer are already there – only boats are used, but they are also under fire from artillery, drones, and other means of destruction. Our servicemen suffered two or three sanitary losses there, six people were wounded three days ago, and the enemy had dozens of dead. It's just that they have fallen into the "fire bag" and for political reasons, I think, only for political reasons, they are throwing personnel there.

What is the reason for this? One can only imagine, guess. It is probably connected with the trips of the Ukrainian leadership abroad in order to beg for additional money for the maintenance of the country, for the military component, for equipment, for ammunition. And the approach, apparently, is this: while they go and beg, they need to show that the armed forces of Ukraine have some chances to achieve at all costs, at any cost, regardless of losses, some success in the so-called counteroffensive. They just get knocked out, that's all. You can build bridges and pontoons there, of course, but they don't build them, because they understand that they will be destroyed immediately, but everything will be shot. That's what's happening.

I want to draw your attention to what? These are not just military personnel of the armed forces of Ukraine, they are the elite, assault detachments. There aren't really that many of them. If you calculate the losses of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in a month and a half, you can imagine how sensitive this is. I think this is stupid and irresponsible on the part of the country's political leadership. But that's their business.

There is no secret here, I told the NGS [Chief of the General Staff] some time ago: don't rush to squeeze them out. I'll put it bluntly: it is profitable for us that they send their personnel there mindlessly. Unfortunately. This is the logic of armed struggle. But they continue to do so, and this is a tragedy, I believe, for them. But nevertheless, both the Minister and the NGS said: no, we will gradually narrow this space of freedom. This is what happens. I think that soon it will end there.

Now the situation at the front as a whole, you asked. You know yourself, you're an expert already. By the way, I look after you, and sometimes my heart sinks – especially the girls there, right on the first line, running around. I don't know, but the management of the main channels should still be told to remove women from there, it's kind of scary to look at this. Well okay.

You know what the situation is: practically along the entire line of contact, our Armed Forces are, let's say modestly, improving their position. Almost everyone is in the active stage of action, in the active stage. And the situation of our troops is improving all along the way.

Now about the future of the regions. There are many questions about this, both from new regions and from other parts of the Russian Federation: what will happen and how they will develop. Every year, the federal budget provides over a trillion rubles for the development of these regions and their gradual integration into the economic and social life of Russia.

Of course, the situation is much better in other regions. This is due to the fact that for some reason, just like in Crimea, the former Kiev authorities did not pay due attention to these regions. But a trillion is invested annually and will continue to be invested in the coming years. Plus, we have established twinning relations between these regions and other regions of the Russian Federation. They have already invested, in my opinion, under 100-140, somewhere in the region of 150 billion. And the regions and our other regions are planning to invest about another 100 billion rubles.

But what do I want to say? It is important that this year these so-called new regions have paid 170 billion rubles to the federal budget. What does this mean? This suggests that the economy of these regions is recovering and returning to a normal state. Of course, there is still a lot to be done. We'll do it.

P. Zarubin: We work live, and there are always different technical nuances. A little earlier, we saw a video question from the military correspondent of VGTRK Sergey Zenin.

Vladimir Putin: May I?

Pavel Zarubin: Yes, of course.

Vladimir Putin: I have drawn your attention to your colleagues. "Turkey" here at it. Let's ask.

Pavel Zarubin: But then we will return to the military registration and enlistment office.

Vladimir Putin: We will definitely return. I promise.

Elena Berezovskaya: And there are girls among them, too.

Dmitry Peskov: Please introduce yourself.

A. Jura: Ali Jura, Anadolu Agency.

Mr. President, as a result of Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip, one child is killed every six to seven minutes. Eight thousand Palestinian children and more than six thousand women have already been killed. Unfortunately, the United Nations and the world's major powers cannot stop these attacks. Do you think the UN has lost its function?

And in connection with this situation in Palestine: are there any joint efforts of Turkey and Russia to ensure peace in the region? In addition, what are the general plans of Moscow and Ankara on international and regional issues? Are you planning to visit Turkey in the near future?

Thank you.

Vladimir Putin: First, I look at what is happening, of course, in Gaza. I'll give you my description now. I generally agree with what you say, but I would like to note the significant and leading role of Turkish President Erdogan in restoring the situation in Gaza. He is certainly one of the leaders of the international community who is paying attention to this tragedy and doing everything possible to change the situation for the better, to create conditions for long-term peace. This is obvious. He is very active in this area. And God grant him good health. Because what is happening is, of course, a disaster.

We have just discussed – and, as I understand it, we will return to-the situation related to the Ukrainian crisis. But you and everyone here and around the world can see – look at the special military operation and what is happening in Gaza, and feel the difference: there is nothing like this in Ukraine.

You mentioned the deaths of thousands of children and women. The United Nations Secretary-General has described today's Gaza Strip as the largest cemetery for children in the world. This assessment speaks volumes. This is an objective assessment of what to say here.

As for the role of the UN, you know, there is nothing unusual here, and I have also spoken about it. After all, during the Cold War, very often different forces, different states blocked certain decisions that were promoted by other countries. But the UN was originally created in such a way as to seek consensus. And if it is not found, then no decisions are made. Nothing unusual happens in the life of the UN, it has always been so, especially during the Cold War. It is no accident that the Soviet Foreign Minister Gromyko was called "Mr. No", because very often the Soviet Union vetoed him. This makes a lot of sense: there is a veto, which means that actions that a certain country perceives as hostile to itself do not take place. And this is important, and it is important to preserve such mechanisms in the UN, otherwise it will simply turn into a talking shop, as it was in a certain period after the First World War.

But this does not mean that it is impossible and unnecessary to seek these consensuses. Need. We, like Turkey, believe that the UN decisions on the establishment of a Palestinian State with East Jerusalem as its capital should be implemented, and this is extremely important. We need to create fundamental foundations for an Israeli-Palestinian settlement.

Now about the plans. President Erdogan and I are in constant contact on these issues, and we have very similar positions. I think that we will be able to meet with him, I really plan to. I planned it recently, but I can say that there are no secrets here, President Erdogan did not work out according to his schedule. Although I was ready to fly to Turkey, I told him about it, but it didn't work out on schedule. He didn't make it, not me. It happens that way. But we are agreeing, perhaps, to carry out this visit at the beginning of next year.

As for our efforts, you know that I have recently visited two Arab countries, consulted with our friends in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and we are also in contact with Egypt.

First, we need to keep the people in Gaza safe.

Second – we need to provide massive humanitarian support to people.

When I was in the Emirates, it turned out that the Emirati side had established a field hospital on the territory of Gaza, but not far from Rafah, from the checkpoint and from the Egyptian border. We talked about how it would be possible for Russia to open its own hospital at the stadium in the same place. But this, of course, requires the consent of both Egypt and Israel. I talked to the President of Egypt, and he is in favor and supports me. I spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu, and they consulted between various security agencies. The Israeli side believes that the opening of a Russian hospital in Gaza is unsafe.

But this does not mean that we will stop these efforts. If today it is not safe and the Israeli side does not support it, nevertheless, we have an agreement with the Israelis and they have asked us to increase the number of deliveries of medical equipment and medicines, and we will do it, of course. So we are in contact with all sides of the ongoing events and will actively work.

P. Zarubin: So that's about the brave girls-military correspondents, which you yourself said. Real reporters. We contacted the correspondent of Channel One Valentina Solovyova, who is again working in the Zaporozhye region.

V. Solovyova: Hello!

We are located in the Melitopol Regional cancer dispensary. Here is one of his chambers. Look at how tight the bunks are: here are three bunks, here are six more bunks.

The chief physician of this dispensary is Konstantin Yuryevich Lakunin.

Konstantin Lakunin: Good afternoon!

V. Solovyova: Konstantin Yuryevich, we can see that you have a lot of patients. What is the situation with doctors?

Konstantin Lakunin: There are a lot of patients, but of course there are not enough doctors – both in Russia and here. But our situation may be even more dramatic: there are not enough oncologists, there are not enough hematologists, there are not enough children's oncologists. Therefore, the dispensary has to take on all these functions. Thank you to the federal research centers that provide us with both clinical and methodological assistance, and accept our patients for treatment.

V. Solovyova: How many patients are there per doctor now?

Konstantin Lakunin: There are about 50-60 people a day on an outpatient basis, compared to the 30 prescribed by the standards. In other words, the load is approximately doubled. Exactly the same workload in hospitals, that is, we have at least 20 people per doctor, cancer patients, which is also twice as high.

V. Solovyova: But at the same time, you are developing, you have equipment supplies, I see.

Konstantin Lakunin: At the same time, yes, we are undergoing a full-scale repair of the surgical building, and the equipment for it has already been delivered under federal programs. It is located here, in particular, it is an operating table for new operating rooms. Therefore, we believe that we will earn with new successes.

V. Solovyova: Accordingly, the personnel issue is very acute for you. A question you would like to ask?

Konstantin Lakunin: A question, also known as a proposal: consider creating a special federal program to attract personnel to new regions, to attract personnel to medicine and the social sphere of new regions. Perhaps it will be the construction of housing, perhaps it will be the provision of land plots, maybe a preferential mortgage. But for the staff to appear here, you need to attract them in some special way.

V. Solovyova: Is the salary competitive now?

Konstantin Lakunin: The salary is quite competitive now, and, as a matter of fact, specialists come to us for this salary. We can't say that they don't exist, they are coming, but these measures are probably not enough.

V. Solovyova: Thank you very much. This is our question.

Vladimir Putin: The question is clear. Do you know what was nice? When the doctor said: we do not have enough specialists, doctors, as in the whole of Russia, I quote. That is, the perception of your region, your subject as part of Russia. From this point of view, I would like to mention this question.

The problem is clear. A proposal to create a special federal program that would help purchase housing and so on. I do not know if you need to create a special program, but you definitely need to pay attention to it, I agree with him. We have a preferential mortgage for these regions, it is two percent, it is more than preferential, more preferential than even for families with children in general.

But what is the problem there, as far as I understand? The problem is that this benefit applies only to new housing, and new housing is being built there so far, to put it mildly, a little. So we need to extend this to the secondary market in the same way as in the Far East – that's what we need to do, and then it will work quickly, and it will start working right now. This is the first one.

And the second. About creating additional incentives. If the salary is competitive, as the doctor said, then what is needed?

(Addressing the audience and commenting on the poster.) "Shumbrat". Shumbrat is Mordovian for "hello". Yes, I'll answer it in a moment.

So, what should I do? It may be necessary, just as in the Far East, to increase the initial lifting capacity for the Zemsky Doctor . For doctors – up to two million rubles, and for paramedics - up to a million rubles, and I think this will be a good incentive.

I will definitely discuss this with the Government, the budget has been approved, but nevertheless we can think and formulate these decisions in the very near future.

Yelena Berezovskaya: Mr President, we can see that our colleagues can't even wait for your reply to finish. Let's pass the word…

Dmitry Peskov: Mr President, you said "shumbrat", right?

Vladimir Putin: I promised after all. You're probably from Mordovia, right?

Dmitry Peskov: Come on. Give the girl in red a microphone, please.

A. Vidyaeva: Mr President, hello.

Vladimir Putin: Good morning.

A. Vidyaeva: I am Anastasia Vidyaeva from the branch of VGTRK – GTRK "Mordovia". I represent our multinational republic.

I would like to invite you to our pavilion at the exhibition "Russia".

Vladimir Putin: Thank you.

A. Vidyaeva: First of all, thank you for this idea – what kind of feedback, Mr President. Recently, a survey was conducted, the results were summed up, and 97 percent of Russians feel proud after visiting this exhibition. Of course, the regions have something to be proud of.

Thanks to your support, innovative production is being implemented in Mordovia. First, import-substituting, fiber-optic, and cable production. This is the pharmaceutical sector, and, of course, the business card of Mordovia is "black diamond", our blackened oak. We extract it from the bottom of rivers and make such beauty.

Vladimir Vladimirovich, of course, this is not only an opportunity to see beauty, but also to settle various issues, resolve issues with the business community, and resolve various issues. And I invite you and would very much like to be there. On the eve of the New Year, every girl, even a big one, dreams of a miracle. So I think that you will not refuse.

Vladimir Putin: Good. Thank you so much for the invitation. Mordovia is indeed a very beautiful republic. I really like the way people relate to their traditions, to their culture in all its forms, and to clothing, and to traditions in the broadest sense of the word.

As for the regions and the exhibition, the regional part, it really worked out. Regional exhibitions at VDNKh are probably some of the brightest and most interesting for visitors. And I agree with you, I will try to visit there.

Thank you very much.

Dmitry Peskov: Let's have one more question from the media before we return to citizens ' questions. Let's go to Match TV. Something, probably, about sports, judging by the channel.

Maria Korobova: Hello!

Maria Korobova. Indeed, the TV channel "Match TV". The question, of course, is about sports, especially since there is something to ask, there is something to discuss.

The IOC a week ago put forward extremely strict criteria for the admission of Russian athletes to the 2024 Games. For example, there are no special restrictions or requirements for Israeli athletes. Should I go to the Olympics in this situation? And in general, what is the situation with high-performance sports in our country?

And we can't help but ask you something else, because we know that there are a lot of questions coming from the regions. Due to the difficult situation and difficult times, will the program for the development of physical culture and sports be continued, especially in the Russian hinterland? Thank you.

Yelena Berezovskaya: Mr President, before you answer, you yourself have always called sports and judo your first love. Indeed, it is. We have a huge number of appeals just from parents, from coaches and even from the children themselves, who say that there is a huge will to win, to participate in competitions, but there is absolutely no place to train, the conditions are simply unworthy.

Let's watch a video message from Crimea.

(Video demonstration.)

Alexey Doroshenko: Dear Vladimir Vladimirovich,

Crimean guys are turning to you. We live in the village of Solnechnaya Dolina, Sudak city district. We are athletes, we are engaged in football and field hockey, we have been to many competitions, including regional and all-Russian ones, we have always brought medals, cups, diplomas and even prizes.

We always worked out in the gym in the clubhouse, but this year it was completely impossible to hold our training sessions here. Repairs have not been made in more than 40 years, the floors have long been rotten, the walls are covered with mold, the windows are broken, it is raining from the ceiling. It's colder in the building than outside. Our coaches have applied to all instances, but our local and other authorities ignore all appeals. The month of December, we are engaged in the fresh air.

We are asking you to help us renovate our gym. Help us to be heard and helped. We want to grow up strong and healthy and be a protection and support for our Motherland. We wish you victory!

Vladimir Putin: Well I'll answer the guys now, of course.

About the IOC decision, comparison with other athletes – with Israeli athletes, and so on. First, everything that international officials do in relation to Russian sports is a complete contradiction and perversion of the idea of Pierre de Coubertin "O sport, you are the world".

That's why the Olympic movement was created, so that sports would unite people, and not divide them. Modern international officials are too caught up in the business side of sports movements, they have become extremely dependent on sponsors. Sponsors pay attention to the cost of a minute of advertising time on television, and so on. There are enough internal problems there. If they continue to act in this way, they will bury the Olympic movement. The very idea of Olympism suffers today.

In this regard, you have just mentioned Israel, Israeli athletes-despite the events taking place in Gaza... If I were to support this in any way, I would be like these international sports officials. Sports are outside politics, designed to bring people together.

And so we, as well as… You know, we say: don't count the money in someone else's pocket. Just like here, it seems to me that it is incorrect to point the finger at some other athletes. There are problems there, and we have just spoken with your Turkish counterpart. But what does the athletes have to do with it? Let them go and compete without any restrictions. The same should be done with regard to Russia.

But this does not happen, they are influenced by the political elites of the West to make favorable decisions for them, unfavorable for world sports. Just as European politicians make decisions that are beneficial for the United States, for its economy, and unprofitable, disastrous for themselves. It's the same here, but in a different area.

To go or not to go? You know, there's a point here. We need to look carefully at what these conditions are-well, the flag, the anthem. I have always said that athletes have been training for years and we need to give them the opportunity to compete at major events, including the Olympic Games. Everyone knows that this is our flag, not ours, and everyone knows that our athlete. This is an obvious thing. And that's why I supported our athletes going to such competitions in principle.

But we must now carefully analyze what conditions the IOC puts forward. If these artificial conditions, politically motivated artificial conditions are aimed at cutting off our leaders, cutting off those athletes who are competing for gold, silver or bronze medals, cutting off power to our national team, well, then ... for example, athletes from CSKA may not be able [to participate], from Dynamo, because they are allegedly associated with the Armed Forces. Although today's CSKA has nothing to do with the Armed Forces at all, it is generally a private organization.

After all, they can invent anything. If the goal is to cut off our leaders and show that Russian sports are not developing or are failing, then the Ministry of Sports and the National Olympic Committee of Russia should analyze and make an informed decision.

Yelena Berezovskaya: Mr President, you still promised our guys from Crimea, who addressed your appeal.

Vladimir Putin: Yes, from the Crimea-of course.

I marked it, and I want to address the guys and say: in general, we need to develop sports and develop all our programs. By the way, in fact, in the past years we have allocated about one and a half billion, even more, in my opinion, one billion 700 [million rubles], from the federal budget for the development of regional and municipal sports. This year, there isn't even 700 million in this budget.

But we must definitely return to this, and this should be, by the way, in the future presidential program. It is absolutely necessary to do this. We'll do it.

As for the specific issue in Crimea, I will also talk to Sergey Valeryevich [Aksenov], and we will help from the federal level. We will definitely solve this problem on a point-by-point basis.

E. Berezovskaya: There really are a lot of such appeals, I chose a whole stack for myself: Tyumen region-hockey, various sports.

Dmitry Sergeyevich, I give you the floor again.

Vladimir Putin: They got to us – we'll help.

Dmitry Peskov: The All-Russian Popular Front, in fact, will process all these appeals over the coming year, as we said.

Friends, I see Dmitry Kulko here – this is another military commander. It's unusual to see him in a suit and tie. Please give me a microphone.

Dmitry Kulko: Dmitry Kulko, military correspondent of Channel One.

Hello, Vladimir Vladimirovich!

Vladimir Putin: Hello!

Dmitry Kulko: If I may, I have a few questions from the fighters from the free defense zone.

First of all, do you think the system of payments to military personnel is well-established today? Can it be improved? I know specific people who haven't received money for months.

The second question is about our wounded, about the Defenders of the Fatherland Foundation, which was created to support the families of the victims and veterans of the SVO. How do you assess the work of this foundation?

And here, Mr President, if I may, I would like to make a suggestion. The fact is that today the soldiers who were injured, after the hospital are required to return to the unit to pass the military medical commission. That is, our guys have to go back to the SVO zone, who, unfortunately, have lost their legs and arms after serious injuries. It would be better if this commission was still held in places of treatment or after-treatment.

And one last question: drones. Dronov, Vladimir Vladimirovich, is still very much lacking at the front, soldiers are constantly asking for help, we are doing training camps, and people are responding to this – thank you very much. But none of this is enough.

For example, recently we did a gathering together with the Popular Front. Dozens of drones were brought to the 4th brigade, which is now bravely fighting in Kleshcheyevka. But less than a month has passed – already half of these copters, unfortunately, are gone. These are consumables: operators can't help but fly far during the assault, because despite the rain, despite the interference of electronic warfare stations, our guys are down there, our boys, they can't leave them without reconnaissance. When will the situation improve?

Thank you very much.

Vladimir Putin: I think you can't help but see that it is improving, right? Tell them it's true.

Dmitry Kulko: It's getting better, yes. But modern warfare…

Vladimir Putin: This is a fact. But, of course, you are right, not always enough, not everything works out.

I already told you: we still have a front line, do you know how many? Almost two thousand kilometers. And, probably – not probably, but absolutely for sure – not everything is delivered on time everywhere. But our own production is also growing, and it is being purchased, including, by the way, privately, and much is being purchased abroad. The state, the Ministry of Defense, and industry, of course, are actively working in this direction.

You know, and many things appear in the electronic warfare system, you probably know all these names, maybe even better than me. "Lesochek" - now the new system is being installed on almost all armored vehicles, as far as possible, of course. We will increase it, of course.

As for the fact that people are responding, that the Popular Front is actively working on this – the whole movement was created by "Everything for Victory"… You know, of course, the state can do without this support, but it is impossible to stop it. From the bottom of my heart, I would like to thank our citizens who are so caring and warm to the needs of the front, to the needs of our guys who are fighting for the interests of Russia.

Over 10 billion rubles of donations [made]. Of course, the state – especially now, when our economy is booming-has these funds. But what people direct from themselves, and what nets are woven, mittens are knitted, socks are knitted, they direct… Children sent three million letters to the soldiers at the front. Three million! And you know how such letters warm the children's hearts. We will support this in every possible way. I would like to express my gratitude to all the volunteers.

But, probably, somewhere else crashes occur. You know, we also meet regularly, I mean, with military correspondents, you follow what is happening there. I hope that we will continue to have such contacts – and you will pass all this on to me and the Ministry of Defense.

As for the fact that the wounded children need to return from the hospital to the unit in order to issue documents: I have seen these questions in my letters. After all, the situation there has changed. Maybe you have outdated data or I have inaccurate data. But, as I was informed in the Ministry of Defense, everything can be done not in the hospital, but in rehabilitation centers, because after the hospital they are immediately sent to rehabilitation centers and centers. I was told that things are going well there, and maybe they are still getting better.

I will definitely check whether the work related to the provision of housing, with the provision of all sorts of benefits, with the registration of documents, and whether there is no need to return to the unit. But if this still happens, after our dialogue with you, I will definitely talk to the Minister of Defense now – this should be and will be corrected.

As for the Defenders of the Fatherland Foundation: it works well. There are very good people there. I met with the manager, with Anna Yevgenyevna [Tsivileva], I was in one of the branches in the region [Veliky Novgorod] – smart people, you know, charged with very positive work. But their competencies are limited, and their statutory documents are formulated in such a way that they do not seem to take direct part. I, for one, have always been against them managing any money. But I am in favor of increasing their rights in the sphere of control over how much is allocated, to whom it is allocated, and what results the allocated funds bring, including rehabilitation funds.

I won't go into details now, but I know that the State Duma deputies are also working on this issue after I visited one of the branches of the Defenders of the Fatherland Foundation. We will improve the work of this foundation and ensure that it is a good, effective tool for protecting the interests of our children who are fighting and taking part in military operations.

Yelena Berezovskaya: Mr President, you have already said what a huge role volunteers play in the current situation, and what a soul they are. Indeed, there are a lot of questions from them.

Marina Igorevna Makeeva from the Moscow region asks the following question. Today, the population is very active in helping the soldiers of the SVO: humanitarian aid, building materials, supplies, transport. But why do ordinary people do this at all, and not the state?

Vladimir Putin: I just said something – I think I've already answered it. The state does this: 99.9 percent of the efforts are made by the state. But people do it from the heart, we welcome it and will not limit it. I just want to thank you for that.

Ye. Berezovskaya: You also said a few words about electronic warfare jammers, but Andrey Nikishin, a wounded ground attack fighter from the Omsk Region, writes: he asks you to provide electronic warfare jammers against drones. They just don't exist.

Vladimir Putin: You can tell me exactly where you came from later. Let's check it out. They may be missing somewhere – at some point in a particular part. Once again, the length of the contact line is more than two thousand kilometers, and there are 617,000 people in the combat zone. So yes, of course, there may be glitches somewhere. But I ask you to give me specific things and [I ask] the war correspondents with whom we meet, I personally meet regularly. We will definitely watch it.

P. Zarubin: And back to the very important video call. Sergey Sobolev from the Novosibirsk region.

Sergey Sobolev: Dear Vladimir Vladimirovich,

This is Sergey Maksimovich Sobolev addressing you. On November 13, 2022, he signed a contract with a private military company for a period of six months. Upon returning home, he applied to the Iskitim military commissariat for obtaining a combat veteran's certificate, which was refused. I applied to the Defenders of the Fatherland Foundation, which was refused. I applied to the Center for Social Support of the Population of Iskitima, which was refused.

Please understand this situation, as most of my comrades-in-arms also served in this private military company.

P. Zarubin: And there are a lot of such questions.

Vladimir Putin: Do you know what the problem is? There is a problem. I think these are gaps that should not have been allowed by the Ministry of Defense.

What is the problem? And the fact that formally, legally, there are no private military companies in Russia. They are not provided for by the law, that's the problem. First.

Second, no contracts were signed with the state by participants of military operations within the framework of private military companies, as if private military companies. This is the main problem. The commanders of these private military companies were in various relations with the state. Unfortunately, payments were also made in cash. And this is also a big problem. Now it is very difficult to establish even the list of personnel of these military units.

But all the people, I know these people firsthand, I and my close friends have children who fought in private military companies. Among those people who surround me and work next to me, there are also and were close people, some passed away, gave their lives for the Motherland, fighting within the framework of this private military company.

Their rights, without any doubt, should be restored. They have the right to all social benefits, to any form of State support that other combatants enjoy. There is no doubt about it, this is my absolutely principled position.

I won't go into the details right now, but it needs to be done. The Ministry of Defense knows this, and the Government knows this attitude. If it is necessary, or perhaps necessary, to make changes to the law, and this will be done, we will definitely achieve this. In any case, I promise that we will strive for this.

On the screens run lines, one of them is: "Elpatyevo Yaroslavl region: please bring gas". We will definitely take a look. Now, perhaps, we will return to the issue related to gasification. But I marked Elpatyevo in the Yaroslavl region.

Pavel Zarubin: Let's call you now and make a video call. Rysaykino village, Yulia Valentinovna Bereza.

Yulia Valentinovna, if you can hear us, please state your question.

Yu.Birch: I wish you good health, Vladimir Vladimirovich!

I am an active serviceman, and I am not in Rysaykino, but in Luhansk at the moment. Medical motorized rifle battalion, Junior Sergeant Yulia Bereza.

From the beginning of the SVO, I tried my best to get to the Donbass as a volunteer, just like my husband. On May 10, 2022, at the military enlistment office in Donetsk, I signed a paper on voluntary mobilization and was enlisted in the DPR People's Militia rifle regiment. I will say right away that we came here out of our convictions, to stand up for the Motherland and people, to protect our loved ones, as well as for the sake of truth and justice.

Since we were mobilized in the DPR, and not in the Russian Federation, I was not able to apply for benefits for members of the SVO. I wanted my mother to apply for benefits directly, since she is located in Rysaykino. In particular, I received a certificate of participation in the military operations of the DPR, and it is valid only on the territory of the DPR. When I decided to go to the personal account of a serviceman to apply for benefits, it turned out that there is simply no such serviceman with the same number that is indicated in my personal file. My husband has exactly the same situation.

Therefore, I am writing to you with a request to facilitate the registration of assistance benefits for our mothers. thank you very much.

Vladimir Putin: Thank you for your question.

That's what the problem is. You correctly said that you were registered with the People's Militia of the DPR. The People's Militia, so that everyone understands, is practically the same Armed Forces that actually were and are still on the contact line, participating in military operations.

Indeed, the problem is that these contracts were concluded at a time when neither the Luhansk People's Republic nor the Donetsk People's Republic were part of the Russian Federation. Comrade Senior sergeant, as I understand it, is a citizen of the Russian Federation, but the problem is especially acute for those who did not have Russian citizenship.

Papers that you have issued and that give benefits within the framework of the DPR or LPR. There is one way – to recognize them on the territory of the Russian Federation. But there is another way to solve the problem – issuing relevant documents directly on behalf of the Russian Federation.

Relevant commissions have now been set up in both the Donetsk Republic and the Luhansk Republic, and these commissions are working. In my opinion, 4.5 thousand people have already confirmed their rights in the DPR, and 17.5 thousand people have confirmed their rights in the Luhansk Republic. In Donetsk, in my opinion, about several thousand relevant certificates have already been issued-under 2 thousand, and in the Luhansk Republic – there are also 1,700 there.

We have already taken this path and will step up our efforts to restore and confirm the rights of combatants. There should be no doubt about this – if something is not completed yet, I am sure that we will do it and bring it to the end. But if there are any difficulties in applying to this commission, then just tell us what these difficulties are, and we will correct them.

Vladimir Putin: Let's say "North".

Dmitry Shuchalina: Dear Vladimir Vladimirovich, good afternoon!

Daria Shuchalina, Republic of Komi, I represent the municipal newspaper "Panorama of the Capital", I am a member of the Public Chamber of our region.

I would like to convey a question that I was asked to ask you by the residents of our northern territories – Inta and Vorkuta. You know that, unfortunately, in our country as a whole, and this applies not only to our region, we are implementing a very important program for resettling residents from the Far North and equivalent areas at a fairly long pace. We have six such municipalities in Komi. It is clear that people who have given their whole lives to raise the North, now, on a well-deserved vacation, of course, want to spend time in retirement in areas with a milder climate.

Just two digits. In our republic, 129 housing state certificates were issued this year, and we have 21 thousand people on the waiting list. It is clear that asking you to provide assistance and settle all the waiting lists at the same time is, of course, unrealistic, so I see two options.

The first option is to prioritize two queues – people with disabilities and pensioners. These are two of our categories, some of which should really be a priority.

And there are two options: either we can really provide for additional funding in our federal budget, despite the fact that it is quite tense, and if it is difficult, then our region is ready, if a budget loan is allocated at a low interest rate, our authorities are ready to relocate Inta and Vorkuta residents, in general, those who are not able to pay for the project. who lives in these municipalities, within the region – in the same, say, Syktyvkar, in the capital, or in the south of Komi, where the climate is quite acceptable.

Is it possible to consider one of these two options? Maybe there are some other options. thank you.

And thank you for resolving our issue of transferring the Vorkuta airport complex to federal ownership. A long-awaited, very valuable solution, thank you so much for this.

Vladimir Putin: It is only important that it develops.

Dmitry Shuchalina: Yes.

Vladimir Putin: Because it happens when we send money to the regions, and then all this freezes, and the region then comes and asks for federal money for development.

Dmitry Shuchalina: Our republic's leadership is very active. And taking into account the fact that Vladimir Viktorovich Uiba asked you to do this, all the decisions have already been made there.

Vladimir Putin: Yes, yes, I know.

Uiba is a very active person, he has great connections. He also worked in the federal government, and he can function properly here.

I would like you to repeat your offer again. You suggest that you focus on two things when relocating:…

Dmitry Shuchalina: Yes, there are two lines of people with disabilities and pensioners. As we can see, there are two options.

The first step, of course, is to ask for additional funding from the federal budget.

The second option, the one that we can implement in our region, is to settle these citizens, participants of the program, inside the Komi Republic. But to do this, we need a budget loan at a low interest rate, so that we can solve the housing problem either in Syktyvkar or in the south of Komi. Because we have a large republic, and in principle, moving from the north to the center or to the south is also quite a solution to the problem.

Vladimir Putin: You know, if the Finance Minister were sitting here right now, of course, he would say that we don't have any money. The Ministry of Finance never has any money. But nevertheless, it is certainly possible and necessary to look at the expansion of the program. Indeed, people who have worked in the north all their lives at some point in their lives want to move to regions with a milder climate. This is understandable.

First of all, we will continue the program – this is the most important thing.

Secondly, as for the increase in expenses, we need to take a look. The budget will be adjusted for next year. I hope there will be additional revenues. We need to look at this part.

As for the relocation inside. Yes, it is quite possible. We will talk to the head of the republic. I will also discuss this with the Government. Loans are also not an easy thing. But this is probably a milder form of assistance to the region and not so burdensome for the Ministry of Finance, although it is also a certain burden. But we need to think about it and try to implement it.

As for focusing on preferential categories, this is also the right thing to do. We will definitely discuss this with the Government. Thank you for your suggestion.

Dmitry Peskov: Mr President, if we can continue here. Let's go to the third row, in my opinion- a young man stretches out his hand. Please introduce yourself.

And so ends Part One.

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