Outcomes of the Yr with Vladimir Putin • President of Russia

[ad_1] Yekaterina Berezovskaya : Good afternoon.

We're broadcasting dwell from Moscow.

We, Pavel Zarubin…

Pavel Zarubin : … and Yekaterina Berezovskaya…

Yekaterina Berezovskaya : … welcome all our viewers from Gostiny Dvor.

Pavel Zarubin : The President will probably be becoming a member of us in only a couple of minutes. Of course, we're all trying ahead to this, since all of us have so many questions. Yekaterina and I are effectively conscious of the indisputable fact that we obtained tens of hundreds, even hundreds of thousands of questions from our tv viewers. At the similar time, we don’t but know what questions matter most to you, journalists from the main media retailers. Proper now, you've a distinctive alternative.

We will see that you're recording every thing, however might I ask you to cease only for a second, and take heed to us?

Yekaterina Berezovskaya : Colleagues, we are able to see that you simply have already taken your seats. Now, it’s time to put your telephones apart, even when you're utilizing them to file us or your colleagues round you or scrolling by means of the information to study in regards to the newest developments, as we journalists so typically do. The primary information messages will probably be coming very quickly, simply be affected person. They'll come from our studio when the President joins us. For now, now we have a couple of minutes to speak to one another.

As Pavel has stated, we're working dwell, and the total nation can see and hear you.

Colleagues, don't be shy, since you've a distinctive alternative to ask your query.

Please, introduce your self. Which media outlet do you signify?

Comment : After I appeared into your huge, stunning eyes, I knew that you'd flip to me. This was inevitable. In any case, I am from Belarus.

Yekaterina Berezovskaya : Belarus. What's on the minds of individuals in Belarus? What's your query about?

Comment : First and foremost, the improvement of our shared dwelling, the Union State, is what issues for Belarus, together with the threats now we have needed to counter along with Russia.

Yekaterina Berezovskaya : Thanks very a lot.

Certainly, we're about to start the media occasion of the 12 months. That is mirrored in each element. We've got representatives of regional media retailers, as effectively as our overseas colleagues, and company from the Union State. There are all types of individuals in this corridor. This will probably be a true question-and-answer marathon.

Pavel Zarubin : The corridor is split into sections, and I ought to point out that from right here, from the central podium, now we have a excellent view of everybody. So if you increase your hand to ask a query, the President will see you.

I’ll begin with this sector, and I can’t transfer previous the entrance row. We've got some very younger journalists right here. How previous are you?

Comment : Good day! I’m 13.

Pavel Zarubin : The place are you from, and what media do you signify?

Comment : We’re from Moscow, representing a youth media, Detskaya Redaktsiya (the Kids’s Editorial Board).

Pavel Zarubin : A journalist at 13, and proper in the entrance row. What's your query? If it’s not a secret, of course.

Comment : We wish to understand how the President receives the worthwhile info as to what our individuals really want.

Pavel Zarubin : Nicely, over these previous few weeks now we have all been receiving a nice deal of worthwhile info and we proceed to accomplish that as we speak. So I would say this array of info is already worthwhile.

Yekaterina Berezovskaya : Completely. Pavel, you realize, my primary query for our colleagues is that this: how do you really seize the President’s consideration? We all know there's going to be a actual battle for Vladimir Putin’s focus as we speak. You and I have seen this earlier than – we all know how the ambiance in the corridor is about to warmth up.

I will now flip to a younger girl carrying a kokoshnik. Earlier this 12 months, the President famous that the kokoshnik is not any joke – it’s greater than only a image of our conventional costume. What would you want to ask? The place are you from? Please, introduce your self.

Yulia Korotkova : Good afternoon. My title is Yulia Korotkova. I am a presenter with the Volga and Volga-24 NNTV channels from the Nizhny Novgorod Area. And this outfit isn’t nearly magnificence – it represents our area. The purple color, the kudrina sample, the Khokhloma model.

My query touches on extra than simply our creative craft; it is usually in regards to the ban on vaping. It's a very severe situation.

Yekaterina Berezovskaya : It's a extremely related matter, too. These questions have been arising, and I’m certain they are going to be addressed right here as we speak.

Pavel, let’s proceed assembly our colleagues.

What does your signal say right here?

Comment: This phrase, “ychchuu,” is from the Yakut language, that means “chilly.” It alerts our query to the President about power costs – a essential situation for us. That is particularly essential contemplating that in the Arctic and the North, the so referred to as Far Japanese allowance (a bonus to the wage) is being utilized, however its utility is considerably restricted. We completely wish to increase this situation.

Yekaterina Berezovskaya : Thanks very a lot.

I ought to be aware that everybody now has small placards. The state of affairs is sort of completely different from a number of years in the past.

Pavel Zarubin : That’s proper. In earlier years, individuals didn’t simply include placards – you can say they arrived with full-scale banners. They virtually staged demonstrations. These banners had been so giant that they blocked the cameras, interfered with the broadcast picture, and even obstructed the journalists themselves. After that, there have been comprehensible requests for extra restraint and for placards to be restricted to A4 dimension. Nonetheless, as we all know, our individuals are endlessly creative.

Yekaterina Berezovskaya : Pavel, look, right here it’s not even a placard, but the topic of the query is evident. However nonetheless…

Comment : The phrase “Astrakhan” is written on a figurine of a Caspian roach. Our query issues the improvement of the North–South worldwide transport hall and the downside of the shallowing of the Volga, which impacts not solely the inhabitants but additionally the pure atmosphere, in explicit aquatic organic sources.

Yekaterina Berezovskaya : Colleagues, I wish to draw your consideration to what number of regional journalists are current right here as we speak. In a sense, every of you serves as a conduit to your area. You aren't merely members of the press – you'll genuinely information us and voice the particular issues of the individuals in every of your areas.

Pavel Zarubin : We actually shouldn’t have moved on from this space. I see a younger girl right here with Labubu dolls. Is that proper? I should admit, I’m not fully acquainted. Who's depicted right here and why?

Regina Orekhova : Even I’m unsure of the right time period. We introduced them with us. Regina Orekhova, Channel 360. These Labubus turned a actual sensation – in a great way – at the St Petersburg Worldwide Financial Discussion board, nearly attaining symbolic standing. We got here up with a pattern for early 2025: pairing them with the faces of our legislators.

Pavel Zarubin : And who do you've there?

Regina Orekhova : Elvira Nabiullina, Sergei Lavrov – do you recognise them? Mikhail Mishustin. And an unique merchandise: Donald Trump. As you may guess, my query will probably be about worldwide politics. I hope to catch the consideration of the President or Dmitry Peskov. By the manner, there’s additionally a figurine with Mr Peskov’s face.

Yekaterina Berezovskaya : So, it may simply as effectively have been a query about import substitution.

Let’s give the flooring to the Amur Area. What query are you going to ask President Putin?

Irina Batina: Good afternoon. My title is Irina Batina. I signify the Amur Area Tv, Blagoveshchensk.

We've got come right here to invite the President to a distinctive worldwide occasion, held on the ice of the Amur River. Blagoveshchensk is the solely regional capital positioned immediately on the state border.

Yekaterina Berezovskaya: That sounds extra like an invitation than a query.

Irina Batina: Sure, it’s an invitation. We’ve handed over our symbols – a panda and a brown bear. We hope they may attain our President.

As for our query, we wish to ask if visa-free journey for Russians to China and for the residents of China to go to us in Blagoveshchensk, will probably be promoted. It’s an unimaginable feeling when you've one foot in Russia and the different in China. We invite our President to expertise it for himself.

Yekaterina Berezovskaya: Thanks very a lot.

Pavel, what’s occurring in your sector?

Pavel Zarubin: I merely can’t stroll previous the solely journalist right here who's a Hero of Russia – Yevgeny Poddubny.

Good afternoon, Yevgeny. This applause is for you. I know you all the time have many questions. What do you wish to ask as we speak?

Yevgeny Poddubny: Of course, I have a query, however I don’t need to give all of it away. I’ll simply say that it issues lots of of hundreds of individuals throughout the nation, together with these in frontline areas the place preventing is underway. That’s why it’s particularly essential for me to ask it.

Pavel Zarubin: Do your finest, hold elevating your hand.

Yekaterina Berezovskaya: Colleagues, we’ve simply taken our viewers on a digital tour of the corridor, introducing our regional journalists and luminaries. I’d prefer to give the flooring to Anton Vernitsky.

Anton, what are you doing?

Anton Vernitsky: You gained’t consider it, however I’m streaming for our channel.

Yekaterina Berezovskaya: Similar to that?

Anton Vernitsky: Sure, I’m doing two jobs at as soon as, operating two dwell broadcasts concurrently.

Yekaterina Berezovskaya: That’s spectacular. What number of main occasions just like the annual information convention have you ever attended? What was it like in the previous, and what's it like now, this Outcomes of the Yr with Vladimir Putin occasion?

Anton Vernitsky: Sure, I was simply interested by that. The first giant information convention for regional and overseas journalists was held in 2001. It was actually one thing new. The first time it was held was in 2001. As for how many I have attended, the reply is 22. That’s a lot –I may even be a file holder. Any person requested me as we speak: “Can we speak or take a photograph with you? You had been one in every of the first to attend this occasion.”

Really, there are lots of such individuals, like Alexander Gamov from Komsomolskaya Pravda. I know that he’s in the corridor as we speak; we had been simply speaking about it.

Yekaterina Berezovskaya: There he's – Alexander is waving to you, over there, nearer to Pavel.

Anton Vernitsky: You recognize, we sit up for this information convention yearly as a result of we all the time hear one thing new. This time, I’ve taken a strategic place – proper in the centre.

Yekaterina Berezovskaya: Completely.

Anton Vernitsky: I actually hope I will get a probability to ask my query.

Yekaterina Berezovskaya: It truly is a long-anticipated occasion, and our programme, Outcomes of the Yr with Vladimir Putin, will start in only a couple of minutes.

Colleagues, I wish to emphasise that we are already dwell on air, and that the total nation can see and hear you. We all the time have a big viewers since viewers take a lot of curiosity in occasions of this type. There are seemingly tens of hundreds of thousands of individuals watching this broadcast.

Pavel Zarubin : Of course, we obtained many severe questions. It goes with out saying that you simply contributed the bulk of the severe questions. That stated, there have been all types of questions. Here's what I famous. For instance, there was a query on once we may have a banknote with an picture of the Oreshnik missile? That is what our viewers wish to know. “Who does the President discover tougher to talk with when making essential choices: his opponents, allies or himself?” There was additionally a query on who is best, Messi or Ronaldo – it additionally got here from a kids’s editorial board, it appears. Right here is one other query for Vladimir Putin: Would you want your information to be digitised and utilized by synthetic intelligence in the future?

Nonetheless, now we have little question that as we speak you'll be asking the best questions.

Yekaterina Berezovskaya : I am certain that these would be the finest questions. I wish to draw the consideration of our colleagues to this younger man with a placard that reads, “I wish to get married.” And over there's a younger girl, as my colleagues inform me, with poster saying, “I need a husband.” Why are you sitting to this point aside from one another? The place is the younger girl who desires to get married? Right here she is.

Pavel Zarubin : They need to be sitting collectively, it appears.

Yekaterina Berezovskaya : Could I ask you to introduce your self. Demographics is, of course, a essential matter. I assume that's what your query is about.

Comment : Sure, I wish to ask a query about demographics, particularly since I know whom I wish to marry. We’ve been collectively for eight years now. We met in faculty. I’m from Yekaterinburg – in reality, from Pavel’s dwelling area. I work at the similar TV channel, Channel 4. Total, I very a lot hope that this excellent placard will assist me entice the President’s consideration.

Pavel Zarubin : I didn’t postpone my marriage for such a lengthy time.

Deputy Chief of Workers of the Presidential Government Workplace – Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov : Associates,

We're delighted to see all of you right here. In only a couple of minutes the President will probably be becoming a member of us, and we'll begin the Outcomes of the Yr with Vladimir Putin programme.

Let me remind you that this can be a hybrid format, combining the annual information convention with the Direct Line with the head of state. Having this direct engagement is one thing distinctive for the total world. Over the previous two weeks, now we have obtained nearly three million messages from the individuals. This is the reason we will probably be switching again and forth between questions from the individuals – the ones we obtained and which had been chosen by the moderators and the President himself, and the questions from journalists. As regular, I will ask you to increase your hand. Please, attempt to be as transient as potential when asking your questions. The briefer you make your query, the extra of your colleagues will have the ability to ask their query as effectively.

Let me remind you that every thing stated throughout the Direct Line and the information convention undergoes intensive scrutiny and serves as a foundation for drafting a listing of presidential directions. This would be the case this time too. And the Russian Standard Entrance will work all through the 12 months to guarantee that no request we obtain from the individuals is left unanswered, to evaluation all of them and provide the wanted help. Municipal, regional and federal authorities companies contribute to these efforts.

I wish to ask you to mute your telephones so that they don't distract us. The President will probably be becoming a member of us very shortly. Let us keep centered. We will probably be beginning quickly.

Thanks.

Yekaterina Berezovskaya : Sure, thanks, Mr Peskov.

However I would prefer to quote the President, who as soon as stated that “each rule and each regulation grow to be outdated already in the course of its improvement and adoption. Solely direct communication with individuals helps the state steer its coverage in the proper route.” Maybe that is the main goal of this programme: direct communication and the alternative to hold one’s finger on the pulse of present occasions.

Pavel Zarubin : Yekaterina, it has occurred in the previous that new legal guidelines had been adopted or amendments had been made to present legal guidelines following direct strains. It’s very seemingly that we are going to see the similar occur as we speak.

The Standard Entrance has as soon as once more supplied monumental assist with processing questions. Each volunteers and veterans of the particular navy operation have been taking calls. By the manner, when the questions first began coming in, I requested the Director of the Standard Entrance: “You could have obtained an immense variety of questions. What are you going to do with them? Will you ahead them to the similar establishments that gave individuals the runaround earlier than?” “No,” he answered, “We'll take cost of following by means of on the most pressing issues.” And this is precisely what occurred – proper up till we went on air.

Yekaterina Berezovskaya : That’s proper. As a matter of reality, we even have a digital assistant referred to as GigaChat. However I’ve been instructed we're able to begin. Right here we go.

President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin.

We will probably be accepting questions and inquiries till the finish of this dwell programme. As all the time, there are a number of choices: you possibly can name 8 (800) 200 4040, ship an SMS or MMS message to 0 4040, or submit your query through VK, Odnoklassniki, moskva-putinu.ru, or the MAX chat bot. By the manner, we're utilizing MAX for the first time this 12 months and it’s been extremely standard. As for the variety of questions, by this very second now we have obtained over 2.5 million.

Pavel Zarubin : We're about to begin asking the President questions. Only a few extra issues.

Yekaterina and I have reviewed tens of hundreds of your questions. They've come from throughout Russia and past. Of course, these two million questions come from completely different individuals, though they typically concern related points. We've got grouped them into matters which are actually related to hundreds of thousands of individuals. And everyone knows which matter issues the public most of all.

Yekaterina Berezovskaya : Mr President, quite a few questions are coming in concerning social coverage, but the primary inquiries concern battle and peace.

You could have made it clear on a number of events that we're prepared for peace negotiations; nonetheless, at the similar time, we're happy with the dynamics on the frontlines. So, what's it to be – battle or peace? What path ensures the attainment of the objectives of the particular navy operation? What's the state of affairs on the negotiation observe, given Vladimir Zelensky’s assertion in Berlin that Ukraine shouldn't be able to talk about the territorial situation?

President of Russia Vladimir Putin : Up to now we actually do not see such readiness.

Let me remind you the way it all started. It started with the 2014 coup d’état in Ukraine and the deception over the potential decision of all points by means of the Minsk agreements. In 2022, when every thing had already reached a breaking level, when the Kiev regime unleashed battle in southeastern Ukraine, we made it clear to them: hear, we may have no selection however to recognise these unrecognised republics. It could be preferable if you merely let the individuals dwell peacefully as they need, with out your coups, with out Russophobia and so on – simply withdraw your troops from these territories, and that's all.

They didn't settle for that, even then. Following the negotiations in Istanbul, they first agreed, nearly initialled [the agreements], and then reneged, discarding all these preparations. At present, they're primarily refusing to finish this battle by peaceable means. Nonetheless, we understand and are conscious of sure alerts, together with from the Kiev regime, indicating that they're ready to have interaction in some type of dialogue.

The solely level I want to convey, and now we have all the time acknowledged this, is that we're prepared and prepared to conclude this battle by peaceable means, primarily based on the rules I outlined in June of final 12 months at the Russian International Ministry, supplied that the root causes that led to this disaster are eradicated.

Yekaterina Berezovskaya : Mr President, the state of affairs on the frontlines adjustments each day; now we have seen, time and once more, and know, that you simply all the time hold your finger on the pulse, personally participating with commanders and our fighters. But, I repeat, the state of affairs adjustments day-after-day, and our forces are advancing confidently and daringly.

As Supreme Commander-in-Chief, how do you assess the state of affairs at the second?

Vladimir Putin : I have simply obtained one other report from the Chief of the Basic Workers.

In normal, right here’s what I would really like to say. Principally, ever since our forces drove the enemy from the Kursk Area, the strategic initiative has been firmly in the fingers of the Russian Armed Forces. What does this imply? It implies that our forces are advancing alongside the total line of contact, quicker in some areas, a little slower in others, however in all instructions. The adversary is being pushed again.

The key factor, and we began with that once we stated that we had supplied the Kiev regime to withdraw their troops from the territory of the then-unrecognised republics that didn't need to dwell below the stress of nationalists: the Kiev regime had already constructed, over the course of a decade, a fortified space in the Slavyansk–Kramatorsk–Konstantinovka agglomeration – that is their principal fortified space.

Let’s start there. What’s the state of affairs? Only recently, the Chief of the Basic Workers, the group commander, and native commanders, together with the brigade commander who was in my workplace, reported the seize of Seversk. It is a key city that gives a staging level for an advance in direction of one in every of the primary fortified areas in this city space – Slavyansk.

In the meantime, a little additional south, our models are additionally conducting energetic and profitable operations in the southern Liman sector. Our troops are already contained in the metropolis of Krasny Liman, engaged in avenue preventing. I count on it to fall very shortly. We at present management roughly half the metropolis, and the advance will press southward, in direction of Slavyansk.

As I talked about, this city space additionally contains Konstantinovka. Preventing is ongoing there as effectively, and we maintain over 50 % of the metropolis. I have little question our forces will safe that space too.

The seize of Krasnoarmeysk was a notably important improvement. It opens up a number of alternatives… The excessive command has but to finalise the precise axis of advance, however it gives an wonderful springboard for future offensive operations.

Simply to the north-northeast, the metropolis of Dimitrov – one other essential locality and strategic foothold – is now fully encircled. I consider our troops already management about half of it. The enemy has not been given orders to give up and is trying to get away in small teams.

They've made makes an attempt to retake at least a portion of Krasnoarmeysk, however with out success. They're sustaining heavy losses there and have made no headway.

Individually, our Vostok Group of Forces is advancing quickly by means of the Zaporozhye Area, liberating one group after one other. As you realize, fight is at present happening in Gulyaipole. The metropolis is split by the river, with the primary half on the proper financial institution. Our troops have crossed that water impediment, entered the metropolis, and now management roughly 50 % of it. Nonetheless, not all of our forces are dedicated to this city combat; a significant slice continues to advance from east to west, systematically clearing settlements throughout the area.

In addition, we're establishing safety zones. On the Sumy axis, the metropolis of Volchansk has been taken. And in the Kharkov Area, as is broadly identified, the metropolis of Kupyansk got here below our management a number of weeks in the past. Our forces are consolidating their maintain there. They should not but pushing west as a result of they've a essential prior activity: eliminating the enemy grouping on the left financial institution of the Oskol River and securing the key rail junction of Kupyansk-Uzlovoy. The encircled pressure in that pocket is substantial – about 15 battalions, as I’ve stated, roughly 3,500 personnel. They, too, haven't obtained orders to lay down their arms. Their place is virtually hopeless, as they're tightly surrounded by our Armed Forces.

As soon as that operation is concluded – and it will likely be – our models will then redirect westward. I am assured, completely assured, that earlier than the 12 months’s finish, we'll see additional important successes by our Armed Forces all alongside the line of contact.

Pavel Zarubin: What's the state of affairs in Seversk? Why was it so troublesome to seize that metropolis?

Vladimir Putin: You in all probability noticed and heard the reviews from the Chief of the Basic Workers, the commanders of the group of forces and the military, as effectively as the commander of the brigade that was preventing there. I requested him: “How do you assess the state of affairs in Seversk? Are you safely controlling the metropolis?” He replied: “Mr President, we're already transferring west. My brigade has superior about 1.5 to 2 kilometres in the western route, and we hold transferring.”

You additionally in all probability keep in mind that a part of our assembly when an assault group reported dwell about capturing Seversk proper from the metropolis. It's possible you'll recall that at the finish of that report, I requested them to rapidly change their place. Yesterday – I suppose it was yesterday – at the Defence Ministry [Board] assembly, after the assembly, the Defence Ministry Board assembly, I introduced decorations – sure, I suppose it was yesterday or the day earlier than – to our males who liberated Seversk.

After that, I returned to the Kremlin and requested the commander of that assault group to come to the Kremlin too. I wished to speak with him about present issues. I generally try this when there's such a chance. He arrived whereas I was discussing preparations for as we speak’s occasion with my colleagues. He entered the Safety Council room the place we had been assembly. I requested him: “Please, say a few phrases in order that my colleagues know what the state of affairs in Seversk is now, and what it was like.” And he began speaking proper there and then, reporting briefly.

When he left the room, my colleagues requested: “Can we invite him to the Direct Line?” I replied: “I don’t know, you’ll have to ask him if he has time for that. His depart could be very quick.” They referred to as him, and he agreed to come.

Right here he's, Naran Ochir-Goryayev. (Applause.)

Dmitry Peskov: Give him the microphone, please.

Vladimir Putin: Naran, please sit down. Have I instructed every thing appropriately?

Naran Ochir-Goryayev: Sure, sir.

Vladimir Putin: If anybody has any questions in regards to the present state of affairs in Seversk and what the preventing there was like, you possibly can ask them now. That would be the finest manner.

Yekaterina Berezovskaya: Colleagues, let’s welcome our Hero of Russia, who's with us as we speak. (Applause.)

Pavel Zarubin: Naran, we noticed you throughout that videoconference – you had been the one in the helmet – however we don’t know you. Are you able to inform us about your self? The place are you from? How lengthy have you ever been taking part in the particular navy operation? The place did you begin?

Naran Ochir-Goryayev: I’m from Kalmykia. I joined the preventing at Soledar, beginning as a rank-and-file assault soldier and rising to assault firm commander.

Vladimir Putin: Naran is just too modest. He began as a driver, and now he's an assault firm commander with over 80 subordinates. He has been awarded the title of Hero of Russia for his service. (Applause.)

Yekaterina Berezovskaya: Naran, we, and I suppose the journalists right here all noticed your video convention with Mr President. Whenever you spoke, the connection was unstable, which is comprehensible given the circumstances [on the front line]. However now that now we have an alternative to speak to you immediately, may you please share the particulars of that sensible operation to liberate Seversk, or at least as many as potential. How did you liberate the metropolis? What was it like? And how did your males, your subordinates act in that state of affairs?

Vladimir Putin : Let me ask the questions I posed to Naran when he entered the Safety Council corridor. I requested, “Mr Ochir-Goryayev, what was the most difficult side of capturing Seversk?”

Naran Ochir-Goryayev : The most troublesome half was reaching Seversk undetected, as the terrain was open with minimal pure cowl. Due to this fact, we determined to advance in small, covert teams. This activity was completed. We gathered below the enemy’s nostril and, as soon as assembled, we waited for the order to start the assault.

Pavel Zarubin : There have been additionally many civilians remaining in the metropolis. How did the Armed Forces of Ukraine deal with these individuals?

Naran Ochir-Goryayev : The civilians had been below fixed…

Yekaterina Berezovskaya : In concern, of course, below the direst circumstances.

Naran Ochir-Goryayev : They had been always below enemy stress. As soon as we liberated our designated zone in Seversk, we started participating with the civilians. As they retreated, the Armed Forces of Ukraine, very similar to the Nazis, shot civilians who refused to depart with them.

Pavel Zarubin : So, these had been unarmed civilians, and they had been shot merely for staying behind?

Naran Ochir-Goryayev : Sure, exactly as a result of they stayed.

Yekaterina Berezovskaya : When our troops arrived, if you entered, how did the individuals react? What did they are saying?

Naran Ochir-Goryayev : When we arrived, the individuals had been in a dire state – bodily and morally damaged. When they first noticed us, they had been overjoyed, actually overjoyed. That they had even been secretly listening to Russian radio, awaiting our arrival. They had been immensely relieved.

Vladimir Putin : Mr Ochir-Goryayev, you talked about that the AFU executed civilians as they retreated. However you additionally explicitly acknowledged that primarily younger individuals had been focused, right?

Naran Ochir-Goryayev : Sure, younger individuals. Significantly these aged 30 to 40 had been taken out and executed with out trial or investigation.

Pavel Zarubin : Everybody indiscriminately?

Naran Ochir-Goryayev : Sure, everybody.

Pavel Zarubin : How do you assess the present state of affairs on this sector of the entrance?

Naran Ochir-Goryayev : The state of affairs is steady. As the President famous, now we have superior past Seversk.

Yekaterina Berezovskaya : Mr Ochir-Goryayev, you and listening to you, I should say once more that our fighters are true heroes, actual males. Thanks for your service. I’d prefer to ask, what's the morale of your troops?

Naran Ochir-Goryayev : Our lads are decided. We're performing methodically and consciously, upholding the course set by the Supreme Commander-in-Chief. The goals of the particular navy operation will probably be achieved.

Pavel Zarubin : Mr Ochir-Goryayev, what number of personnel are below your command? And, if potential, what losses have you ever sustained?

Naran Ochir-Goryayev : My assault group consists of 157 individuals. For the seize of the group, as I talked about earlier, 24 groups totalling 84 personnel had been deployed. Losses had been minimal because of our small-group techniques. In the course of the seize, 4 personnel had been misplaced.

Yekaterina Berezovskaya : Out of 157?

Naran Ochir-Goryayev : Out of 84.

Yekaterina Berezovskaya : Out of 84.

Naran Ochir-Goryayev : These immediately concerned in the assault operations.

Pavel Zarubin : Allow us to as soon as once more welcome and thank the Hero of Russia.

Yekaterina Berezovskaya : Thanks very a lot.

Pavel Zarubin : Given all this, I should ask: a week in the past, [Vladimir] Zelensky supposedly filmed a video in entrance of the Kupyansk stele. However many individuals rapidly referred to as it a pretend, pointing to numerous inconsistencies as proof. If it truly is staged, why would he resort to a forgery of this scale at such a essential time?

Vladimir Putin : I don’t know; I don’t comply with that. He’s an actor – a gifted one, I’ll say that with out irony. We bear in mind him from his previous movies. So, it’s not precisely out of character. They are saying the precise stele appears fully completely different now.

However that’s not even the primary level. That stele is a couple of kilometre from the metropolis correct. If Kupyansk is basically below their management, why linger on the doorstep? Why not merely enter?

In the meantime, some feminine bloggers really managed to slip in there. Fortunately, they got here out unhurt.

Let me let you know, the skies there are merely swarming with drones, like flies, from either side. You possibly can’t simply take a stroll into Kupyansk.

The time will come when our forces will full their mission to remove the encircled group on the river’s east financial institution, they will flip west, and it'll occur fairly quickly. They'll take all of it again. It’s only a matter of time. There aren't any issues right here.

As for these staged stunts, or their determined makes an attempt to regain misplaced floor, like what they’re making an attempt now close to Krasnoarmeysk, they’re failing there, too. Their greater downside is that this: because of the energetic and efficient operations of our troops, it appears the enemy has exhausted its strategic reserves. They’ve suffered very severe losses; there are virtually none left. This, I hope, is a important issue that ought to encourage the Ukrainian regime in Kiev to resolve all disputes and finish this battle by peaceable means. Their reserves are virtually gone.

Pavel Zarubin : I suppose everybody watching, and everybody right here, understands that battle locations a heavy burden on any financial system. But, European “swine underlings,” as you lately referred to as them, proceed doing every thing in their energy to, as they are saying, smash the Russian financial system.

Below such troublesome circumstances, can we even converse of additional financial development? Are we seeing development in some sectors however not others? And if that's the case, which of them?

Vladimir Putin : You recognize, I often convey a spreadsheet to each Direct Line. That is nothing confidential – it’s open knowledge on the efficiency of the Russian financial system over the previous 12 months. Our GDP development is 1 %; nonetheless, if we take the earlier three years – this form of evaluation can be significant –, the total development has been 9.7 %. In the meantime, the Eurozone has proven 3.1 %.

As for the 1 % development this 12 months and the financial development charge in normal, they're the results of deliberate actions by the Authorities, the Central Financial institution and the nation’s management to goal inflation. I ought to be aware that total, now we have been capable of deal with this activity as a result of the purpose was set to decrease the inflation charge to at least 6 %. We will see now that by the finish of the 12 months, the inflation charge will fall even additional, to round 5.7–5.8 %. Slowing financial development was a deliberate step to preserve the high quality of the financial system and the macroeconomic indicators.

What else is going on? Industrial manufacturing has grown by 1 % whereas the processing trade is up 3.1 %. Agricultural manufacturing has elevated by 3.3 %.

Housing development is an essential space. Thousands and thousands of sq. metres have been constructed. Final 12 months, the complete was 107.8 million sq. metres. This 12 months, output is barely decrease though nonetheless appreciable, round 103˗105 million.

We've got managed to preserve good actual wage development. The charges should not as excessive as final 12 months, however in my opinion, they supply a strong actual wage. Adjusted for inflation, actual wages have elevated by 4.5 %.

Sadly, it have to be admitted frankly that, over the similar interval, labour productiveness development has been relatively modest, just one.1 %. Of course, we must always make effort to enhance this ratio in favour of larger labour productiveness.

Final 12 months, the unemployment charge was at a historic low of 2.5 %. This 12 months, it has fallen additional to 2.2 %. Total, these are wonderful indicators.

The Central Financial institution’s worldwide reserves are additionally rising. I spoke with Ms Nabiullina yesterday: as of a few days in the past, the reserves amounted to $741.5 billion if we use the US greenback equal.

The federal finances deficit stands at 2.6 %. We count on it to fall to 1.6 % subsequent 12 months and 1.5 % throughout the subsequent three years. It is a good indicator, contemplating that the nationwide debt stays very low, one in every of the lowest amongst developed economies. We estimated yesterday that the nationwide debt at present stands at 17.7 % and shouldn't be anticipated to rise above 20 % in the subsequent three years.

So, these are the indicators. The principal factor is that… What's the principal factor? Most significantly, now we have managed to steadiness the finances – and credit score is because of the Authorities for performing important work. The high quality of this balancing is at the degree of 2021. It is a essential indicator of stability of the financial system and the monetary system of our nation.

It means that we can absolutely remedy the points concerning the social obligations in direction of the inhabitants, deal with the improvement points below our nationwide tasks, obtain technological improvement objectives and, definitely, meet the wants of the Armed Forces. All this put collectively signifies that the financial system and the monetary system are steady and absolutely below the management of the Authorities and the Central Financial institution.

Pavel Zarubin : Folks in the viewers are desirous to ask their questions.

Mr Peskov, over to you.

Dmitry Peskov : Let me remind you that we're working in a hybrid format, since that is each a Direct Line and the annual information convention. I counsel we now flip to journalists in order that they will ask their questions.

We will begin from the central part, maybe. I can see somebody with a ‘Siberia’ placard. Why not begin with Siberia then? Go forward, please.

Ivan Dvoynichnikov : Good afternoon, Mr President.

Ivan Dvoynichnikov, Gorodskaya Volna [City Wave] radio station, Novosibirsk.

Everybody is aware of Novosibirsk for its Educational City. In latest years, and together with your assist, by the manner, now we have been constructing the Siberian Round Photon Supply, or SKIF. What makes this system much more distinctive is that it'll open new analysis horizons not just for our nation, however for the total world too.

The researchers managed to construct it with out utilizing any overseas elements or supplies, all whereas dealing with sanctions and having to navigate a very complicated financial atmosphere. This unit is predicted to be launched subsequent 12 months.

What's my query? My query is whether or not it is feasible and what might be performed to retain younger researchers?

We will probably be launching the SKIF subsequent 12 months and are trying ahead to seeing you at its opening ceremony.

Thanks.

Vladimir Putin : Thanks for elevating this matter. That is wonderful information and very welcome for everybody concerned in this course of.

What do I imply? This matter got here up throughout a assembly of the Presidential Council for Science, which befell in 2018, I suppose, and Novosibirsk served as its venue. It was then that our colleagues from the Siberian Department of the Academy of Sciences – the Institute of Nuclear Physics – raised this situation and talked in regards to the have to create the SKIF, this method, an accelerator.

It's true that sanctions-related points induced some delays, however we managed to full the challenge and end the job. That is a nice achievement. I wish to congratulate everybody who was concerned in this course of and who will probably be working and utilizing this unit in the future. It's an unquestionable success.

We already had a related unit right here in Moscow, at the Kurchatov Institute. It's an older technology unit that requires fairly a few upgrades, and there are plans to make these enhancements. At the similar time, related methods with the similar tools will probably be put in in Vladivostok and different cities. We've got them in Gatchina and different areas as effectively. We'll work to make this occur.

As for the SKIF, this can be a nice success story, certainly. Why? As a result of it makes it potential to conduct not solely fundamental but additionally utilized analysis. That is instrumental because it gives an alternative to work on prescribed drugs, new supplies, and many others.

How can we hold younger specialists in the nation? We’ve constructed a complete system, and total, it’s working. However what’s the key? We've got to develop the laboratory infrastructure. True scientists are pushed by their work; for them, that zeal might be the most essential factor. However different components matter, too: wage, housing and high quality of life. We’re implementing all of this step by step. That’s the goal of our total grant system, together with the “megagrants.”

In reality, the recipients of these megagrants – top-tier scientists, each Russian and worldwide, who've labored below these programmes – raised this very level with us at a assembly. They stated it plainly: you need to create the circumstances for younger specialists to keep. You need to provide them a clear horizon, to allow them to see the scope of their analysis, making certain that funding isn’t only for six months or a couple of years, however for a longer cycle – 5 years and past. We’ve performed that as effectively, and it helps retain expertise. It does.

Furthermore, many are coming again. I’ve spoken with such specialists myself. Younger individuals who used to work overseas are now returning to Russia. Mockingly, our so-called Western colleagues are actively serving to us with this. When requested why they returned, they are saying, first, as a result of analysis amenities and alternatives are being created right here. However one of the primary causes is: “We’re involved for our kids. The concept of sending them to the native faculties there's out of the query.”

Nicely, thank God, the safety of conventional values is a part of our agenda. Folks recognize that, and collectively with different elements, it leads them to come dwelling. There are a lot of such individuals, and their quantity is rising.

We'll, of course, proceed working in all these areas.

Ivan Dvoynichnikov: Will you come go to?

Vladimir Putin : I will definitely attempt, thanks very a lot.

Dmitry Peskov : Let’s take a couple extra questions from the viewers.

I see one in every of the long-standing members of the Kremlin press pool. Please give Alexander Gamov the microphone. Alexander, in case you have a query – you raised your hand very timidly.

Alexander Gamov : Of course I do. Thanks very a lot.

Alexander Gamov, Komsomolskaya Pravda radio, information web site, and newspaper.

Mr President, this 12 months, Komsomolskaya Pravda is celebrating the one hundredth anniversary of its first situation. You awarded us the Order of Honour. Thanks very a lot for this excessive recognition. I merely haven’t had an alternative to thanks but.

I wished to remind you that you simply held your very first Direct Line convention at our workplaces, on February 9, 2000, in the event you recall.

I wish to body my query in Komsomolskaya Pravda’s frontline-reporting model. I wished to ask you in regards to the Time of the Heroes programme, its improvement and progress. You initiated it. Have you ever been following the manner individuals who benefited from this programme have been doing their job, these you've assigned to excessive authorities posts? To what extent has this method confirmed its value in normal? How lengthy will this programme final? What new appointments can we count on?

Thanks very a lot.

Vladimir Putin : First, I counsel that we bear in mind those that took half in the Nice Patriotic Warfare. The individuals who fought on the frontlines of the Nice Patriotic Warfare got here again and achieved excellent ends in analysis, artwork and schooling.

You recognize, after I was a college scholar, there have been Nice Patriotic Warfare veterans among the many school members who taught me. We handled them with nice respect. A few of them had suffered very severe wounds. There was one professor who misplaced his leg and needed to use a prosthetic, however he was completely sensible in his topic. All of us bear in mind him with a sense of deep gratitude for the information he shared with us.

There was additionally Nikulin, and so many different individuals of science who reached a very excessive degree of excellence and contributed to the improvement of our Motherland.

Why can’t our fighters, contributors in the particular navy operation, do the similar? We've got Naran Ochir-Goryayev sitting right here. You recognize, I didn't recognise him at first since we're in a huge room. There's a microphone, and the cameras are rolling. However these individuals have a lot behind their belts. When he walked into the Safety Council corridor in the Kremlin, I instructed him: “Naran, inform us what's going on there, please.” And everybody couldn't consider what they heard throughout his report. Right here, he retains a low profile, however why am I saying this? These individuals have a lot of optimistic potential.

Of course, there have been doubts at the outset. Preventing is one factor, whereas heading a group or an total sector, standing at the helm of a main company or even areas, or ministries, is one other. It goes with out saying that this requires ability and expertise.

Look, now we have lots of of hundreds of males preventing over there, and not all of them aspire to pursue a civilian profession. In reality, this isn't what a lot of them are after. Nonetheless, for those that do wish to transfer in this route and have the potential, the essential degree of schooling and expertise, or are able to get the essential credentials, the state should do every thing to provide alternatives to individuals who have confirmed they're able to assert the pursuits of their Motherland with out sparing themselves.

I suppose I have already talked about how this entire concept occurred to me. There was a assembly with younger individuals, together with college students. I was listening to them as they elaborated on their ideas and proposals, the objectives they set for themselves, and what they thought had been essential nationwide objectives in normal – it was throughout this dialog that it occurred to me that we needed to convey collectively these individuals and assist them obtain extra and transfer ahead. With them, the future of our nation is in secure fingers.

Of course, they want coaching. This a lot is apparent. Therefore the programme. I wish to thank the heads of the areas for scaling and spreading this programme at the regional degree. It does work, you realize. I am very glad for the graduates of the first enrolment marketing campaign. The second enrolment wave has been accomplished, and coaching is underway. Many graduates have already grow to be governors, deputy ministers, or work for our corporations. A number of individuals work for the Presidential Government Workplace. They're doing nice.

It's clear that there might be some challenges right here and there. It could be that a few of them resolve to select a completely different space. Nonetheless, the programme has been efficient and is delivering tangible outcomes.

Yekaterina Berezovskaya: Mr Putin, colleagues, if I might, I have information that's essential for our nation, breaking information. It has been reported that Brussels’ makes an attempt to seize our asset have failed.

How will you touch upon that?

Pavel Zarubin: They haven't stolen them but, however they hold making an attempt.

Yekaterina Berezovskaya: However they haven't succeeded to this point.

Vladimir Putin: Pavel, stealing shouldn't be the proper phrase. Stealing is a covert theft of property. However they're doing this brazenly. Due to this fact, it's theft.

Why aren’t they succeeding? As a result of the penalties will probably be grave for the robbers. What does this imply? First, it's troublesome to accomplish. They haven't stated that they may rob and seize. One in all their concepts is to situation a reparation mortgage secured by our property.

What does issuing a mortgage imply? It means penalties for the budgets of each nation concerned; this may enhance the budgetary debt of every nation. If a nation points a mortgage secured by our gold and foreign money property, this should be mirrored in its finances. Take France, whose state debt has reached 120 % [of GDP]. Our state debt is 17.7 %, and theirs is 120 %. It is true that our finances deficit is 2.6 %, however it'll go all the way down to 1.6 % subsequent 12 months, whereas France’s finances deficit is 6 %. The new obligations must be added to the finances. I consider they're having huge issues with subsequent 12 months’s finances. All that is the cause why it's troublesome to take choices associated to the theft of another person's property.

However there will probably be graver penalties for those that may endeavour that. This won't simply be a blow to their picture, however this may subvert all the confidence in the euro space, since many nations retailer their overseas reserves in the eurozone. Not solely Russia does that, but additionally those that have free reserves, primarily oil-producing nations. They'll have a look at what's occurring – they're already doing so, and they may have suspicions, doubts and fears. What if the similar occurs to them?

It is just troublesome the first time, and then you are able to do the similar below completely different pretexts. At present, they don’t like our particular navy operation and the combat towards neo-Nazism in Ukraine. Later, they may very well be displeased with some nation’s coverage in direction of the LGBTQ group. There are very many strict legal guidelines in Muslim nations that shield our frequent conventional values. We don’t have such legal guidelines, however they do. This may very well be used as a pretext for seizing sovereign property, sovereign sources and cash. And why not? Or they will discover another pretext.

Other than image-related losses, there will probably be direct monetary losses associated to the up to date monetary structure. That's the reason it's so troublesome to accomplish. And the primary factor is it doesn't matter what they steal, sooner or later they must give it again.

In addition to, we'll shield our pursuits. How? Most significantly, we'll go to courts to shield our pursuits. We'll do our utmost to discover a jurisdiction that will probably be impartial from the political context.

Dmitry Peskov : Let’s give the flooring to the viewers.

Vladimir Putin : Sure. Street of Life – please go forward.

Darya Shuchalina: Good afternoon, Mr President.

Darya Shuchalina, Komi Republic. I signify the Komiinform information company and I’m a member of the Civic Chamber of our area.

You're conscious {that a} important a part of the Komi Republic and the neighbouring Nenets Autonomous Space are reduce off from the mainland, as they lack year-round street connections to central Russia. The street from Moscow ends inside our republic, and past that, there isn't any route additional north.

At the similar time, there's a standard motorway: Syktyvkar – Ukhta – Usinsk – Pechora – Naryan-Mar. This spans over a thousand kilometres, 869 of which lie inside our republic. The route ensures year-round northern deliveries, connects residential communities and, most significantly, ensures secure journey for northern residents.

Nonetheless, Mr President, to be completely sincere, a lot of the street is in a deplorable state. It's clear that the Komi Republic alone can't presumably preserve and restore a street of federal significance. Furthermore, Komi has nearly no federal motorways, not like different areas in the European a part of Russia.

In this regard, Mr President, I have a proposal for you. Is it potential to switch our Street of Life – the solely route serving the North – to federal possession? This might stabilise northern deliveries for a huge inhabitants, guarantee connectivity with central Russia, and present a new impetus for the northern areas.

Additionally, whereas I have the alternative, I would prefer to invite you to go to the Komi Republic. We've got two important anniversaries approaching: in 2029, the metropolis of Ukhta, the birthplace of Russia’s first oil, will have a good time its 100 th anniversary. At present, it is the largest centre of the oil and fuel trade in the northwest. And in 2030, because of the government order you signed, our capital, Syktyvkar, will mark its 250 th anniversary. Your go to could be a historic occasion for our republic.

Thanks.

Vladimir Putin : Thanks very a lot for the invitation.

Relating to the street, this can be a identified situation, and we are conscious of this downside.

Certainly, the resolution lies in transferring all sections of this path to the federal degree, as the federation faces the activity of bringing our federal motorways as much as the established requirements. This activity has been largely completed for federal motorways. The focus now could be on growing and bringing regional roads as much as normal.

A number of key points are at play right here – northern deliveries and street security, I agree. However I can’t promise that development will start tomorrow. You perceive, we should calculate every thing, evaluation the plans for growing the nation’s spine street community – now we have such a idea. I will certainly talk about this with the Authorities, and we'll reply – we'll definitely reply.

Thanks for the invitation.

Dmitry Peskov : Let’s proceed and take a query from the viewers.

Yekaterina Berezovskaya : The direct line is a mixed format. We’ll should share the territory.

Dmitry Peskov : That’s proper. Journalists are additionally very enthusiastic.

Let’s proceed. Channel One, third row. Our navy correspondents.

Amir Yusupov : Good afternoon, Mr President. My title is Amir Yusupov. I’m a navy correspondent from Channel One. I have three questions however I’ll attempt to be transient.

My first query is from our drone operators at the entrance. Of course, they expressed their gratitude for the present assault drone provides, particularly the fibre-optic UAVs that may cease total columns. Knyaz Vandal Novgorodsky is actually one thing.

Nonetheless, we have only a few giant hexacopters like Baba-Yaga – the sorts which are extensively utilized by the Ukrainian military. We want them to ship meals provides and munitions to battlefield positions. You your self stated as we speak that the entire sky is crammed with drones, and even carrying a bottle of water to the first line is nearly an not possible activity. The guys really want these drones.

My second query can be from the operators. As soon as I was sitting in the trenches with a man, and he stated: “I’m going to be a father. I’ll go dwelling then.” I requested him: “Will you miss the entrance?” He stated: “Of course.” I was stunned when he stated he would miss working drones. We've got a nice variety of drone operators that's rising all of the time, and they wish to do it as a civilian job. Are there any prospects for unmanned civil aviation? Will this expertise be helpful in peacetime?

And the final query is from me personally. Because the first days of the particular navy operation, now we have labored with the well-known Veterans Brigade. They're well-known for their underground operations in Avdeyevka, Dzerzhinsk and Sudzha. Their most up-to-date operation obtained worldwide protection. However regardless of their achievements and each day laborious work on the floor, this brigade is just referred to as a voluntary unit in many Defence Ministry reviews. I wish to ask you to confer the honorary title of a guards brigade on the Veterans Brigade.

Thanks.

Vladimir Putin : I will begin together with your final query. Of course, the Veterans Brigade deserves the highest reward. They're actually heroic people, and it goes past that. You recognize, it's not simple to danger your life and climb right into a pipeline. They ready each operation competently, meticulously and totally. They performed severe groundwork to work out approaches, entrances, exits and provide routes. This is extraordinarily laborious skilled work. They're heroic troopers, and that could be a reality. There is no such thing as a doubt that this brigade deserves the highest reward and the guards title. I agree with you. That is the first level.

Now, concerning your first query on UAVs. It's true that there's a scarcity of heavy drones. The Defence Ministry and the Ministry of Trade are engaged on enhancements. This activity will probably be solved.

I wish to acknowledge the Minister of Defence, who's personally in cost of UAV provides and has performed a nice deal. It's because of his efforts, amongst different issues, that the availability of UAVs has modified drastically. The troops at the contact line have famous this. I suppose you're effectively conscious of this. We'll proceed to assist our modern-day Kulibins. There may be an total system of grants and different assist in place. We'll hold going.

I wish to specific my gratitude to our residents and our entrepreneurs. In addition to every thing else they're doing, our individuals have raised 83 billion rubles, which have been used for a variety of functions however largely for drones.

It must be stated – and I suppose there's nothing to be shy of right here – that we're the indeniable chief in phrases of the variety of drones. We're nonetheless wanting heavy drones just like the adversary’s Baba-Yaga, however with respect to the variety of drones, we're forward of our adversary in nearly all of the segments of the frontline. It's a reality, though we could also be wanting some particular sorts in some segments.

As for civilian items and proof of our management, it will probably solely be proved if the items now we have began producing as a result of we'd like them for our fight operations are additionally utilized and improved in the civilian sphere, following which they're used to construct up and strengthen nationwide defences. We will definitely do that. We have began doing this, and we'll proceed to do that.

I am speaking about every thing you're effectively conscious of, akin to the use of drones to ship all types of stuff, together with mail, meals, and medicines. This isn't solely true for fixed-wing drones or small air-based copters. The matter issues all sorts of drones, together with unmanned floor autos and crewless boats. This area is growing at a good tempo, and we'll proceed to do that in the future as effectively.

Talking about those that fought and wish to proceed preventing, I wish to share some info with you. The state of affairs is considerably particular. What does this imply? We proceed to recruit personnel for our Armed Forces, and this course of is progressing at a good tempo and in accordance with plans. A lot of our males, actual males, voluntarily enlist in the Armed Forces and voluntarily shield the pursuits of the Motherland and our individuals.

Naran has instructed us about how the Ukrainian navy maltreat civilians. He didn't say this now, however he talked about it once we talked in the Kremlin: “After we noticed what they did to civilians, we couldn’t wait to get our fingers on them.” Did you say this, Naran? “We're able to hold preventing to end off that viper.” Do you perceive? Once they noticed what was performed to individuals, to civilians… Grannies had been shot and killed by drones… He's a modest man, and it's in all probability the first time he's in the similar room with so many individuals, however he stated this to me.

So, over 400,000 individuals signed up in the outgoing 12 months, 406,000 or 410,000, however the variety of those that wish to serve in the new department now we have not too long ago created, the Unmanned Techniques Troops, is so giant that the Defence Ministry needed to announce a competitors. It's outstanding that some very younger individuals, college students at numerous universities, are taking an educational depart to join service on the frontline. Above all, they wish to participate in fight exercise as drone operators.

I can perceive the man you've talked with. Here's what I will let you know. Even those that come dwelling on depart generally proceed to participate in fight operations. Fashionable applied sciences have made this potential.

Yekaterina Berezovskaya : This is essential – persevering with the topic now we have simply touched upon, concerning our fighters… You your self, Mr President, have stated that supporting our troopers shouldn't be a pattern however the state’s tribute to its defenders. And that's certainly the case.

Here's a essential commentary associated to preparations for as we speak’s programme. Pavel and I have reviewed an monumental variety of appeals. As confirmed by GigaChat, this 12 months the variety of appeals from servicemen, their members of the family, and the fighters themselves is decrease than final 12 months or, say, the 12 months earlier than. Work is underway, and a nice deal is being performed – this work is being carried out by the Standard Entrance, the Ministry of Defence, and the Defenders of the Fatherland Basis. Issues stay, associated to delays, fee points, and looking out for these lacking in motion. However once more, I’d prefer to reiterate: a lot is being performed, and it's being performed actually inside days.

Let me give a few examples. Alexei Gushchin from the Oryol Area wrote to our programme. Two years in the past, he was significantly wounded and couldn't obtain the fee of 3 million rubles he was entitled to. As it turned out, not all of the paperwork had arrived from his navy unit. The Standard Entrance obtained concerned in resolving the situation, the fee was processed, and the cash ought to attain him any day now.

There was an attraction from Lyudmila Orlova from Beloretsk, the mom of a fallen hero. Her son died final 12 months and was posthumously awarded the Medal For Braveness, however the medal itself couldn't be handed over to her. Volunteers appeared into the matter. The award was discovered and has now been introduced to the hero’s mom.

What do these tales have in frequent? They remained unresolved for a 12 months or longer, and individuals didn't obtain what they had been due. The professionals stepped in and, most significantly, deeply caring people who genuinely engaged with the downside and resolved it actually inside days.

Pavel Zarubin : Simply two days in the past, at the Ministry of Defence Board assembly, you stated that there's nonetheless work to be performed in this respect. Naturally, whereas getting ready for as we speak’s programme, we repeatedly noticed proof of this.

Now, let’s watch a video message from Kristina Grebe from Novosibirsk. We all know her state of affairs can be below management, however we additionally know that there are lots of such tales.

Kristina Grebe : Good afternoon.

My title is Kristina Grebe. I am the widow of a serviceman who was killed in the particular navy operation zone. We dwell in the metropolis of Novosibirsk. We have two kids, six and 4 years previous. Right here is my query. To today, we haven't obtained the survivor’s pension, nor do now we have the certificates confirming the standing of members of the family of the deceased, which grant entitlement to sure advantages.

My husband died in January 2024. On December 10, 2024, I obtained the demise certificates primarily based on [Government Resolution] PP-1421. We are actually approaching the finish of 2025, and there's nonetheless no pension. My query is that this: can the processing time for such purposes – for the survivor pension and the issuance of certificates for members of the family of the deceased – be shortened?

Vladimir Putin : First of all, Miss Grebe, I wish to apologise to you for the sluggishness on the a part of the providers in cost of these issues. I apologise.

Relaxation assured, your case goes to be resolved rapidly. However the downside is there. I not too long ago met with Anna Tsivileva, who at present additionally serves as Deputy Minister of Defence, and she briefed me on the work of the Defenders of the Fatherland Basis. She instructed me that, sadly, regular cooperation nonetheless hasn’t been established between the Ministry of Defence and the Authorities’s social affairs bloc.

The points are largely bureaucratic: paperwork get misplaced, handed down from one division to one other, choices are delayed, and so on. We'll work on that to expedite every thing. I will certainly hold observe of all that personally.

The manner ahead is evident. We merely have to act quicker and extra effectively, so that individuals, particularly these in conditions like yours, with two kids, don’t face pointless hardship.

Nonetheless, there’s one other, broadly mentioned downside that’s additionally evident from the questions coming in by means of numerous channels. Mr Peskov handed me a giant folder of such questions and requests, which I reviewed. It issues the seek for lacking individuals. That is an extraordinarily pressing matter.

In Kristina Grebe’s particular case, I hope the issues she is dealing with will now be resolved rapidly and directly. However the situation of lacking individuals is especially acute.

I ought to be aware that the Ministry of Defence has taken particular steps in this space which are yielding outcomes. First, a coordination centre, a central coordinating physique, for the search for lacking servicemen has been created.

Second, devoted departments have been arrange throughout the teams of forces and at the native degree, and a separate registry has been created. If we evaluate the state of affairs at the begin of the 12 months and at this time, the variety of lacking servicemen has been diminished by 50 %; in comparison with the starting of the 12 months, it’s a 3-fold change. That could be a important enchancment. This work should and will proceed and enhance. Our goal is to minimise such instances, in the end bringing them all the way down to zero.

Yekaterina Berezovskaya : The situation of lacking individuals is basically essential certainly. I know that many journalists, together with a few of our colleagues right here, have family members who participated in the particular navy operation and are lacking. This downside is very actual. I suppose everybody current would assist a request for you to situation an instruction making certain that each one such inquiries from troopers’ households obtain particular consideration and are by no means disregarded. And, as now we have stated, it’s essential to bear in mind each the lacking and those that have been taken prisoners.

Vladimir Putin : Such directions have already been issued. In reality, I have simply outlined the steps the Ministry of Defence is taking in this regard.

Dmitry Peskov : I counsel that we flip to the individuals in this room and invite them to ask a few questions. I can see Mir tv firm. Are you able to hand over the microphone to the girl in purple?

Elina Dashkuyeva : Thanks.

Mr Putin, good afternoon. Good day to my colleagues too.

I am Elina Dashkuyeva, Mir Worldwide Tv Firm.

Telephone scams stay an situation today. Have the measures adopted by the state been efficient? Do you've any info on whether or not the variety of individuals affected by this sort of fraud has declined?

Thanks very a lot.

Vladimir Putin : Sure, I do have this info. The measures have proved to be efficient. A lot must be performed, of course, in this regard. There was a seven-percent decline in the variety of crimes of this type, in response to the Inside Ministry, whereas the injury decreased by 33 %. Total, this was fairly a optimistic outcome.

There may be, nonetheless, one factor I wished to level out. I wish to handle the residents of the nation. Fraud continues to be very a lot an situation. And the extra refined our gadgets are getting, the extra refined our life is changing into, the extra refined instruments scammers use in flip to defraud the residents. This is the reason, no matter the voice you hear, which is very harmful contemplating what synthetic intelligence can do, if somebody begins speaking to you about cash, about property, simply put down the telephone, put down the telephone instantly! You shouldn't say something.

If that is about banks and the like, there are individuals to speak to, individuals you realize. You may get issues performed by visiting the financial institution in particular person. That is the finest manner.

I advise you towards discussing any issues coping with cash or property with anybody.

Dmitry Peskov : Thanks.

Staying in this room, I wish to as soon as once more ask journalists to be as concise as potential.

Vladimir Putin : I see a younger man holding the Kids’s Newsdesk poster. How can we fail to recognise him? Go forward, please.

Maxim Zakharov : Good afternoon, Mr Putin.

My title is Maxim Zakharov, I am 13 years previous, and I am a correspondent with the Kids’s Newsdesk.

Right here is my query. You could have stated not too long ago that you simply generally drive round Moscow incognito. In addition, once we hear you at numerous conferences or even now, you're very effectively knowledgeable. Right here is my query: How do you get to know the most essential issues, what individuals actually want?

Vladimir Putin : I didn't precisely say that I drive round Moscow incognito – that does occur, however very not often. What I meant is that generally I drive and not using a site visitors police escort. Most of the time, that's how it's.

These journeys aren’t meaningless; even from the automobile window, it's fascinating to see extra than simply the street I take between the official residence and Moscow. And after I drive by means of completely different elements of the metropolis, it is usually fairly fascinating to observe what is going on round.

As for acquiring dependable info on present occasions, conferences like this in all probability present the finest sociological snapshot. How many individuals are we speaking about – two million?

Yekaterina Berezovskaya : Two and a half.

Vladimir Putin : 2.5 million.

Pavel Zarubin : 2.7 million.

Vladimir Putin : Are you able to think about, Maxim? Two and a half million individuals reached out by means of the Direct Line.

Of course, it's not possible to course of and reply to all of this throughout our present session. However since these 2.5 million inquiries mirror individuals’s most urgent issues, they are going to be addressed, in half, with the assist of synthetic intelligence. My, let's consider, loyal colleagues from the Standard Entrance will probably be engaged on this all through the 12 months. This gives the strongest sociological snapshot of each the state of society and the points that matter most to individuals. That’s the first level.

Second, of course, intelligence and regulation enforcement companies present numerous sorts of info. I attempt to use it not in a generalised kind, however in its unique context, so to converse. Assembly with individuals immediately – whether or not with servicemen from the entrance, staff, or throughout journeys throughout the nation – is extraordinarily essential. Direct communication sparks a sure power; you instantly start to sense individuals’s temper, their wants, and their aspirations.

And, of course, we can't overlook sociological surveys. I perceive that individuals have completely different views of them, however it's essential to keep in mind that these are primarily skilled instruments. Common figures can generally irritate individuals as a result of they don't all the time mirror private expertise. Nonetheless, they're worthwhile and important for understanding broader developments and dynamics in the nation.

Taken collectively, these numerous sources present a pretty goal image of what is going on.

Dmitry Peskov : Let’s take a few extra questions from the viewers.

Yakutia, please.

Oleg Kolesov : Good afternoon, Mr President. Oleg Kolesov, Sakha Nationwide Broadcasting Firm. We signify the coldest a part of the world, Yakutia. Proper now, the temperature is −50 levels. As you realize, in a harsh local weather, individuals particularly worth heat and unity.

You could have declared 2026 the Yr of Russian Peoples’ Unity. Everyone knows that the particular navy operation is the place this unity is manifested most clearly. As a navy correspondent, I know first-hand that our troops are preventing for the Motherland shoulder to shoulder, no matter their ethnicity or religion. They put on chevrons that say “I am Russian. God is with us,” no matter their ethnic background.

What chevron would you put on in the Yr of Peoples’ Unity?

Persevering with on the theme of unity in tradition, a distinctive Arctic Centre of Epic Literature and Arts will open in Yakutia subsequent 12 months, together with a new constructing for the Increased College of Music. Each are being constructed at your instruction. We wish to invite you to attend their opening ceremonies.

Yakutia is additionally identified for its movie trade. We're engaged on a movie about Hero of Russia Andrei Grigoryev, callsign Tuta. We hope you'll assist the manufacturing and distribution of this movie.

What measures will probably be taken to assist Russia’s ethnic teams in the Yr of Peoples’ Unity? Thanks.

Vladimir Putin : With regard to supporting ethnic teams, now we have a focused coverage of supporting the cultures and languages of Russia’s peoples – in faculties, in the media, and in literature.

You could have simply talked about numerous initiatives in Yakutia. The individuals of Yakutia are very gifted. It's no coincidence that this music faculty is opening there. I typically recall my first journey, after I visited a related music faculty, which has since expanded, the place kids from cities and villages, irrespective of how small, throughout the republic may take pleasure in inventive actions. The movie trade in Yakutia is additionally thriving. In reality, Yakutia itself is on the rise and rising quickly. The republic can be sending navy personnel to the line of contact who possess distinctive capabilities – maybe unmatched anyplace in the world.

The movie you talked about will definitely obtain assist with distribution and so on.

As for the Yr of Russian Peoples’ Unity in normal, I suppose we're doing the proper factor, particularly now throughout the particular navy operation, as a result of when a nation faces challenges, it closes ranks.

You place it completely, and it’s true. What distinction does it make to individuals below hearth what religion they belong to? Naran understands this very effectively, doesn’t he? What does it matter? There’s a joke for such conditions: if God exists – and I have little question that He does – then He absolutely doesn’t know that individuals on earth have divided themselves into completely different church buildings. What unites us are our shared values. These are what matter most – values which are conventional for all of the peoples of the Russian Federation. And now, throughout the particular navy operation, that is changing into particularly evident, outstanding, and clear. We see it plainly.

This simply jogged my memory of one thing. We had been discussing the reviews on the seize of Seversk. It's possible you'll recall that the commander of one in every of the brigades was in my workplace. After the briefing, the videoconference ended, and I started speaking with him in regards to the state of affairs in his sector of the entrance, and about sure welfare points affecting the troopers. Immediately he stated to me, “You recognize, I really feel responsible.” I requested, “Why?” He stated, “I’m right here, whereas my comrade, the commander of a neighbouring brigade preventing alongside me, is there. We’re discussing fundamental provides and state decorations, however consider me, he's simply as good and worthy as I am.” I requested, “Who's he?” “He’s from Daghestan,” he stated, “a consultant of a small ethnic group there. However he's a true warrior, a Russian patriot, and an wonderful commander.” I stated, “I know. However you possibly can’t all depart the entrance. You're right here now as a result of the group commander determined so; he despatched you. Somebody has to maintain the entrance. Inform you what – let’s attempt calling him.”

I went to the telephone and, by means of navy channels, positioned this second brigade commander proper at his ahead command put up. I spoke with him briefly, then handed the telephone to the brigade commander who was in my workplace. And here's what was so outstanding. It’s a frequent manner for males to handle one another, however when it comes from actual officers, frontline fighters, it carries a particular weight. He took the telephone and stated, “Good day, brother!” In that second, it was extremely highly effective. That is the place the unity of the peoples of the Russian Federation actually manifests itself. And we'll strengthen this unity additional. We'll do every thing to foster and cement it.

Thanks for your query.

Dmitry Peskov: Let’s have yet one more query from the viewers earlier than we return to our moderators. I see a sector that has been idling – the man in a blue jacket in the first row. Please introduce your self.

Vladimir Seroukhov: Good afternoon. My title is Vladimir Seroukhov, the RBC radio and tv channel. There will probably be many adjustments in the tax sphere subsequent 12 months. It's clear that their purpose is to generate further income for the finances. What monetary impact do you count on to see? And will there be any relaxations as soon as this purpose is achieved? Thanks.

Vladimir Putin: Sure, this can be a troublesome situation. It was mentioned for a very long time throughout the Authorities and the Presidential Government Workplace. In the end, as I have identified, it was determined that the finest and most sincere and clear strategy to handle our issues, together with in the monetary sphere, is to increase the VAT charge. Is that this what you had been referring to? The purpose is easy, as I stated in my opening remarks: to steadiness the finances. Total, now we have achieved this, as I have stated, together with because of that determination.

Of course, sure points stay, and the Authorities should take them into account. We've got talked about them many occasions. When the tax burden grows, when taxes are elevated, this creates a temptation to evade taxes. Our activity has been and stays to remove the shadow financial system, to stop companies from going into the shadows and evading taxes. It is a difficult activity. We should create circumstances in which larger taxes do exist solely on paper however really translate into finances revenues.

I have taken your trace about this being everlasting. No, of course it gained’t. Our final purpose is to cut back the tax burden in the future, and the Authorities is performing with this purpose in thoughts. I pin my hopes on this as effectively.

Pavel Zarubin: This 12 months now we have obtained an exceptionally giant variety of questions from self-employed individuals and personal entrepreneurs. There are hundreds of thousands of them throughout the nation, and tax adjustments are subsequently a matter of concern for a big variety of individuals.

We've got obtained a MAX message from Denis Maksimov from Lyubertsy. Let’s attempt to join with him by video, if that is technically potential.

Mr Maksimov, are you able to hear us? Ask your query.

Vladimir Putin: Excuse me for a second. ( Writes down a query from a textual content message.) “When will authorities companies begin regulating fish costs to make them inexpensive for the individuals?”

You recognize, authorities regulation of costs in the market is a difficult and very harmful matter, as a result of merchandise are likely to disappear as quickly as we begin regulating costs and issuing plans. That's what often occurs in a market financial system.

On the different hand, regulation is important in some spheres, akin to important medicines. There's a worth ceiling past which costs should not be raised. However making use of such a measure to abnormal shopper items is extraordinarily difficult.

That stated, there's one factor you're proper about: our individuals don’t eat sufficient fish. There are established norms for fish consumption, and we're nonetheless under them.

I consider we must always discover a completely different resolution. We should enhance logistics to be sure that fish merchandise from the Far East can attain European Russia as cheaply as potential. We should enhance transport hyperlinks. We must also talk about taxation in this sector. We should create circumstances for the development of fishing vessels, and so on. There are a lot of points that ought to convey in regards to the desired outcome.

Pavel Zarubin : A video name, proper?

Vladimir Putin : Sure, please.

Pavel Zarubin : Mr Maksimov, in the event you can hear us, please go forward together with your query.

Denis Maksimov : Good afternoon, Mr President.

My title is Denis Maksimov, and I’m from Kraskovo in the Lyubertsy District. We run a small household enterprise, a bakery. For about eight years, now we have been working below the handy patent tax system. Beginning subsequent 12 months, nonetheless, we will probably be required to pay revenue tax and VAT. This implies we might want to rent a skilled accountant, which can lead to further bills for us.

We absolutely perceive that the nation is in a troublesome state of affairs at the second and that elevating taxes is essential. Nonetheless, in my view, it could be far simpler for each the state and particular person entrepreneurs if the value of patents was merely elevated – two, three, 4, or even 5 occasions – relying on turnover, for instance. As issues stand, the state of affairs is hard, and truthfully, we don’t look to the future with a lot optimism. Many companies might shut or transfer underground.

May you please advise us on how to navigate this example, given the drastic adjustments to tax laws?

Vladimir Putin : Mr Maksimov, is that your bakery in the background?

Denis Maksimov : Sure.

Vladimir Putin : Mashenka. And who's it named after, with such a beautiful title, Mashenka?

Denis Maksimov : My eldest daughter.

Vladimir Putin : You make scrumptious buns? What do you've there?

Denis Maksimov : I hope they're scrumptious.

Vladimir Putin : Mr Maksimov, concerning your query, right here’s the background. Initially, numerous measures had been launched to assist particular person entrepreneurs and small companies. Extra not too long ago, nonetheless, the Authorities has recognized issues, notably in commerce, each amongst particular person entrepreneurs and small companies. These measures and enterprise codecs have generally been used for the uncontrolled import of “gray” and “black” items. That’s the place the downside arose. However this doesn't imply that manufacturing companies ought to face difficulties. I will definitely convey this matter to the consideration of the Authorities and the related companies.

Relating to accounting, I would be aware that you don't essentially have to incur important further bills to arrange an accounting division. Many main monetary establishments now provide a vary of banking and accounting providers. You might, for instance, seek the advice of Sberbank – they need to have the ability to make it easier to organise this work with out significantly disrupting your small business or making a heavy monetary burden.

However you're completely proper on one level: manufacturing enterprise should not undergo due to the transition to a new tax system. I guarantee you that this situation will probably be dropped at the Authorities’s consideration.

In any case, I want each success to you, your [bakery] Mashenka, your daughter, and your small business with such a candy title. I sincerely want you all of the finest!

Maybe you can even ship me some of your tasty stuff?

Denis Maksimov : With pleasure.

Vladimir Putin : And I, for my half, will work with the Authorities to assist your small business and others prefer it.

Thanks very a lot.

Denis Maksimov : Thanks.

Pavel Zarubin : By the way, there was a information alert simply now saying that the Central Financial institution has revised its key rate of interest all the way down to 16 %. We're getting there.

Vladimir Putin : You recognize, the Central Financial institution, of course, is below fixed stress. The excessive rate of interest is a very controversial matter. The distinction between it and the inflation charge… By the finish of the 12 months, as I have stated, inflation will probably be below six % at 5.7˗5.8 %, or possibly 5.6 %, whereas the rate of interest stays unchanged at 16 %. Specialists anticipated a reduce of as much as one proportion level.

In response to the regulation, the Financial institution of Russia is an impartial establishment, so I attempt to not intervene with its choices and to defend it from any outdoors affect or stress. Total, the Financial institution of Russia has not solely succeeded in delivering on its mandate, however has been fairly diligent and accountable in this regard.

In late 2024 and at the starting of this 12 months, we had conversations with the Central Financial institution Governor, with senior Authorities officers and the cupboard’s financial block, saying that we needed to make a determination on concentrating on inflation and to do every thing to be sure that the Russian financial system and the macroeconomic state of affairs are sustainable and strong and that the nationwide financial system stays on a strong footing. The reality that there's this hole between the inflation charge and the key rate of interest gives the Central Financial institution’s critics an angle of assault.

What's the downside right here? In reality, there are fairly a few challenges, and one in every of them, as I have already stated, or as I will say, if I haven't talked about this till this level, is the slowing funding exercise. It decreased by 3.1 % in the first three quarters. However what issues for the Central Financial institution shouldn't be this substantial decline however the indisputable fact that lending stays fairly excessive. The variety of issued loans has not been reducing all that a lot. It did decline, however solely marginally. This compels the Financial institution of Russia to train excessive warning in order to avert any inflation spikes so that it doesn't should make any strikes in the wrong way. These back-and-forth oscillations are the worst factor you possibly can think about. The Financial institution of Russia is looking for to guarantee stability in this regard, which is essential, of course. We can't agree extra.

Is a reduce of half a proportion level sufficient? I will not share any assessments at this level, leaving it as much as consultants. We've got many outstanding specialists – allow them to draw the corresponding conclusions. There'll even be a response from the actual financial system. I may even anticipate how they may reply. That stated, now we have but to see what comes of all of it.

Yekaterina Berezovskaya : Mr President, official inflation is one factor, however the so-called perceived inflation is considerably completely different. We obtain a substantial quantity of correspondence about this. We additionally do our personal procuring and see how every thing is getting dearer. What might be stated? You typically seek advice from it as the “ballpark determine” – roughly six %. Certainly, individuals write complaining that every thing is getting dearer, and costs are rising like mad.

Pavel Zarubin : Maxim Volkov from Chapayevsk in the Samara Area: “Why has every thing grow to be so costly? Even the worth of rooster has nearly doubled. I am a father of three. I work, making 50,000 rubles, besides, I can't meet their wants or feed them correctly.”

Yekaterina Berezovskaya : Or take these numerous appeals, for instance. Right here is one from the Rostov Area – clearly written by a youngster, as it states they're below 18: “Good day! Why are the costs for meals and buns in the canteen going up, whereas my mother and father’ salaries aren’t?”

Vladimir Putin : I have already talked about that when individuals see common indicators, these common figures typically increase questions, as a result of as a rule, they don't match what a particular person encounters in each day life.

For occasion, we are saying inflation will come down. Which means costs will go down, and it will likely be at about 5.7–5.8 %. Nonetheless, meals inflation, particularly in sure classes, could also be larger – and it's larger – and this will depend on the meals basket a particular person makes use of. If that meals basket consists largely of protein merchandise like rooster, then naturally, this impacts the household finances. There may be definitely nothing good about that.

At the similar time, I would be aware that final 12 months, or the 12 months earlier than, we had been critically assessing the actions of our colleagues in the Authorities when the worth of eggs all of the sudden spiked. Now, costs should not simply falling – they've dropped by over ten %, nearly 16 %. These are additionally essential components. Nonetheless, with none doubt, we should carefully monitor the state of affairs in each phase and throughout each demographic group.

As for households with kids: the household have to be at the centre of every thing right here, and we're striving for that. I wish to emphasise that further measures to assist households with kids will come into impact from January 1 subsequent 12 months. For instance, out of the 13 % private revenue tax paid, in households with modest incomes – lower than one and a half occasions the subsistence minimal per particular person – seven %, that's, the bigger half, will probably be returned to the household. I hope this will probably be a actual strategy to assist households with kids. By the manner, if a household’s revenue, right me if I’m incorrect, is under one and a half occasions the subsistence minimal, then further assist equal to one subsistence minimal is supplied for every youngster.

I am not even mentioning different elements of assist for households with kids. Naturally, this isn't sufficient. All of us realise, of course, that this isn't sufficient. However what's to be performed? First, we will proceed to refine this method of household assist, as a result of state coverage, each at the federal and regional ranges, ought to revolve round this.

Second, we'll, of course, try to enhance wage ranges, to be sure that incomes, particularly for households with kids, don't fall. When labour incomes rise, the state should certainly not cut back these assist measures, which, sadly, is what occurs now. It is a well-known downside: a household with kids receives sure advantages and assist, then their earnings rise, and the state cuts again the advantages it had been offering. Due to this fact, when earnings rise, the household’s complete revenue, together with advantages, should not lower.

I return to this situation as soon as once more and ask the Authorities to pay the closest consideration to it. It is not sensible to do in any other case, as a result of the finances features nothing from it – it can't achieve – and we solely discourage individuals from working.

Dmitry Peskov : Let’s return to the viewers for a few extra questions. We haven’t lined that sector but. I see Tyumen. Tyumen, please go the microphone.

Kristina Smirnova : Good afternoon, everybody. Kristina Smirnova, Tyumen Time tv channel, Tyumen.

I have a query in regards to the uncommon object, 3I/ATLAS, that’s at present approaching. In response to forecasts, later as we speak, on December 19, this object – which some speculate is a spacecraft with an engine and others say is just a comet – will make its closest method to Earth. My query is: what are the intelligence providers and Roscosmos telling you? Are there any real indicators of the object’s synthetic origin? As far-fetched as it might sound, there are a lot of theories circulating. And whereas we in Tyumen – Russia’s thermal capital – are able to welcome any company, if they're company from house, we’d prefer to be ready.

Secondly, is the date of our information convention as we speak related to this forecast? That is the first time we’re holding our year-end evaluation on a Friday. Thanks.

Pavel Zarubin : Mr Putin, they’re really asking you right here to wink if you realize that aliens exist, however it’s labeled. That’s what it says. Go on, wink if you realize.

Vladimir Putin : Kristina, is that your title? I’ll let you know, however this should keep strictly between us. It’s labeled info. It’s our secret weapon, however we'll solely use it as a final resort. As a result of we are, in precept, towards the placement of weapons in house.

However in all seriousness, it's a comet. Our scientists perceive what’s occurring with it. Furthermore, this comet is of extragalactic origin, so it behaves in another way from comets inside our personal galaxy. It has a completely different composition, and as it approaches the Solar, barely completely different processes happen on its floor and inside its mud tail, which makes sure elements seem uncommon. But it surely’s fairly giant, someplace between 2 and 6 kilometres, I consider. Simply take into account this: the Moon is about 400,000 kilometres away. The object you’re asking about is lots of of hundreds of thousands of kilometres away. I don’t consider it poses any risk to us. We’ll ship it on its strategy to Jupiter. Early subsequent 12 months, it'll depart the Photo voltaic System fully.

Dmitry Peskov : Thanks. Let’s proceed.

Pavel Zarubin : So, no winking then.

Vladimir Putin : I’ll wink only for you.

Now, let’s flip to Belarus. Please.

Viktoria Senkevich : Thanks very a lot, Mr President, for this alternative. Viktoria Senkevich, Channel One Information, Belteleradiocompany.

Belarus and Russia have synchronised their insurance policies so effectively that we're additionally holding a main occasion today, the All-Belarusian Folks’s Meeting. Our President says: “Belarus and Russia have to be collectively.” You will need to have heard this. Let’s additionally construct a bridge collectively, Belarus and Russia. It's not the first time now we have performed this. We really depend on Russia’s power. Oreshnik is to be placed on fight alert in Belarus today. Thanks for bringing tactical nuclear weapons again to us. For some cause, not everyone likes our union. It's odd. Someday Lithuania closes its border, one other day Poland. Someday they're planning to construct a coaching floor, one other day they're planning to steal or, as you say, rob us of our property. Belarus has been affected by this, too. My query is, what do you concentrate on the actions of these “European swine underlings”? Thanks for the new diplomatic time period. How will Russia reply to threats at the western borders of our shared dwelling, the Union State?

Vladimir Putin: As for the time period, I blurted it out after I was speaking to a navy viewers. I didn't imply anyone particular. In reality, I by no means have interaction in advert hominem assaults. It's not one thing I ever do. I was speaking a couple of group of individuals in normal, “an indefinite variety of individuals,” as attorneys say. And a few of them could also be lengthy gone or irrelevant. It's historic historical past. But it surely is unimportant. What's essential is our relationships.

I watched the Belarusian President’s remarks at the Nationwide Meeting yesterday. I should congratulate him: it was a very emotional, memorable and substantive handle. I wish to thank him for his evaluation of Russia-Belarus relations in their present state.

As issues safety, we cope with these points each on a bilateral foundation and throughout the CSTO. You could have talked about Oreshnik. Alexander Lukashenko spoke yesterday in regards to the deployment of Russian tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus. We maintain common navy train and have created a grouping of forces. Our defence ministries preserve very shut cooperation. The safety of the Union State is in secure fingers of our navy and it will likely be assured, there is little question.

Dmitry Peskov : Since we already had Belarus, I suppose that we are able to invite our company from NBC to ask their query.

Vladimir Putin : Sure, please.

Dmitry Peskov : Cross the microphone, please.

Keir Simmons : Keir Simmons from NBC Information.

Mr President, I wish to ask you about relations with President Trump and the United States.

President Trump has a peace deal on the desk. Ukraine is providing monumental compromises, but you proceed to speak of battle.

Mr President, in the event you reject President Trump’s peace provide, will you be answerable for the deaths of Ukrainians and Russians in 2026?

Vladimir Putin : We don't consider that we bear any accountability for human casualties as a result of we weren't the ones who began this battle. It adopted a authorities coup in Ukraine – the unconstitutional authorities coup in 2014, adopted by the effort by the leaders of the Kiev regime to unleash fight operations towards their very own individuals in southeastern Ukraine.

We shunned recognising the Donetsk and Lugansk individuals’s republics as impartial states for fairly a very long time. However once we obtained misled and the different facet did not fulfil the Minsk Agreements, we had no different possibility left than to use our armed forces for placing an finish to the battle unleashed by the Kiev regime with the assist of Western nations.

President Trump has been severe about ending this battle. He stated that he was completely honest in his efforts. Furthermore, throughout the assembly with Trump in Anchorage, we coordinated and got here actually near accepting President Trump’s proposals.

Due to this fact, it could be completely incorrect and groundless to declare that we reject one thing.

Throughout preliminary conferences in Moscow, some proposals had been made to us, and we had been requested to make sure lodging. After I arrived in Anchorage, I stated that these could be troublesome choices for us, however we're nonetheless in settlement with this trade-off proposed to us.

So saying that we reject something is inappropriate and groundless. The ball is fully in the court docket of our Western “opponents,” so to converse, primarily the chiefs of the Kiev regime and, most significantly, their European sponsors. We're prepared for talks, and we're able to conclude the battle by peaceable means.

Dmitry Peskov : Let’s take a couple extra questions from the viewers. Let’s proceed.

Thanks very a lot, thanks.

Let’s go to Belgorod, please.

Anna Rudchenko : Good afternoon, Mr President.

Vladimir Putin : Good afternoon.

Anna Rudchenko : My title is Anna Rudchenko, Belgorod State Tv and Radio Firm.

First, I should say we'd be delighted if you can discover an alternative to go to us. We'll all the time welcome you.

Vladimir Putin : Thanks.

Anna Rudchenko : At present, in frontline areas like Belgorod, dependable communication is one in every of the most pressing and painful points. It’s important for assault alerts and drone warnings. It permits kids to proceed their schooling remotely. And for some, it’s a lifeline. Kids with diabetes have glucose sensors related to smartphones so mother and father can monitor their ranges. With out cellular web, that system glitches.

We urge you to instruct the Authorities to add diabetic providers to the Ministry of Digital Improvement’s ‘whitelists,’ in order that they perform with out interruption, just like the Gosuslugi portal, even when cellular entry is restricted.

And yet one more level. Because of your determination, residents of border areas are receiving federal compensation for properties misplaced to shelling by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Thanks very a lot for that.

However beforehand, additionally because of your determination, compensation was additionally supplied for the second misplaced property. That assist has now been discontinued. We ask for your assist in resolving this compensation situation.

Vladimir Putin : One second, please. May you make clear the second half once more?

Anna Rudchenko : It’s a couple of second dwelling. Some individuals misplaced each their mother and father’ home and their very own. There aren’t many such households, however they're struggling. Individuals are relocating from unsafe areas, taking up mortgages, and the state compensation isn’t sufficient. We ask for your assist in restoring compensation for the second misplaced property.

Thanks a lot.

Vladimir Putin : Let’s begin with the place you ended. I offer you my phrase, we will definitely evaluation these instances.

You recognize, related points always come up in emergency conditions – after fires, floods, accidents. Right here, the circumstances are much more extreme. In precept, such issues have been addressed in catastrophe reduction efforts earlier than. They are often resolved right here as effectively, and we'll accomplish that. That’s the first level.

Second, concerning providers: for kids’s education, for monitoring diabetic sensors, and so on. As I perceive, the situation isn’t entry to the medicine itself, however the potential to monitor whether or not it’s being taken on time. Is that right?

Anna Rudchenko : When the web is down, the sensors don’t transmit knowledge.

Vladimir Putin : Sure, sure, I perceive. With out a connection, it’s not possible for mother and father to monitor their youngster’s situation. And right here, of course, now we have to weigh this towards the essential safety restrictions, which serve to minimise the danger of air and drone strikes. As a result of if the servers for these providers are positioned overseas, then, regrettable as it's, it makes goal acquisition simpler for the enemy. That’s the actuality we face as we speak.

However there are two methods to resolve this downside: first, to migrate to home software program and {hardware} platforms, which many providers are already utilizing. And second, we are able to work with overseas producers working right here to negotiate transferring these particular providers to servers throughout the Russian Federation. In any case, work have to be performed on each fronts.