The President held a videoconference with elected heads of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation.
Attending the meeting were Head of Karachayevo-Circassia Rashid Temrezov, Head of the Republic of Mordovia Artyom Zdunov, Head of the Republic North Ossetia–Alania Sergei Menyailo, Head of the Republic of Tuva Vladislav Khovalyg, Head of the Republic of Chechnya Ramzan Kadyrov, Acting Governor of the Belgorod Region Alexander Shuvayev, Governor of the Bryansk Region Yegor Kovalchuk, Governor of the Penza Region Oleg Melnichenko, Governor of the Tver Region Vitaly Korolyov, Governor of the Ulyanovsk Region Alexei Russkikh, and Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Anton Vaino.
* * *
President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon, colleagues.
First of all, congratulations on your victory in the gubernatorial election. I wish you successful work.
I should note that the election was quite competitive. Representatives of different political parties competed for votes; yet, the winners were determined as early as in the first round, by a large margin. Needless to say, this amount of support translates into even greater responsibility. Our citizens essentially rated the results you have already accomplished and indicated their expectation for the continuation of the same course – in the country in general and in their regions, cities and towns.
It is very important that you justify this trust and work with your management teams consistently and to the best your abilities in the interests of the people, always heeding their hopes and wishes, constantly receiving feedback, including through dialogue with all the parties represented in your regional parliaments, and with public and volunteer associations. And of course, the endurance and courage of our fighters engaged in the zone of the special military operation should serve as the primary moral compass for everybody involved in public administration.
Our shared task – one requiring combined efforts from all levels of government, business and civil society – is to further strengthen the country’s sovereignty in the broadest sense of the word.
This encompasses not only defence capabilities and security but also the expansion of our own industrial, scientific and technological competencies, and the creation of conditions for steady and confident socio-economic progress – which in turn drives demographic growth and improves the quality of life for our citizens and Russian families. The mechanisms for achieving these goals are embedded in the national projects, and their successful implementation undoubtedly depends directly on the work being done on the ground, particularly at regional level.
I expect all matters relating to the national projects to remain under your daily supervision. We can achieve these goals only by working together.
In this context, effective interaction with the Government and federal authorities, close coordination between regions, and tight alignment of all regional projects and initiatives with national strategic development plans are of particular importance.
Supporting our military personnel, veterans of the special military operation and their families is of immense moral significance and serves to unite the regions and the people of the entire country. This requires particular sensitivity and attention to every detail and every individual set of circumstances. It is also crucial that those who have demonstrated their finest qualities in combat are able to find fulfilment in civilian life. Relying on such individuals has already become an integral part of personnel policy at all levels of government, aided by relevant training initiatives – specifically, the federal Time of Heroes programme and its regional counterparts.
I would note that, following the recent elections, a participant in this programme – Alexander Shuvayev – was elected Governor of the Belgorod Region. His military experience is of particular importance for this border region.
Personnel initiatives for participants and veterans of the special military operation have already proven their effectiveness and should certainly be expanded, with active support from regional authorities and heads of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation. Likewise, the mechanisms for medical rehabilitation, employment and legal support for special military operation veterans must be further improved.
It is important that these individuals find meaningful opportunities to apply their skills – whether in state or municipal administration, education, or mentorship roles.
Colleagues,
The country, and the entire governance system, faces tasks of great magnitude. I wish you every success and productive work for the benefit of the country as a whole.
Colleagues, who would like to speak or share information?
Please, go ahead.
<…>
Vladimir Putin: Of course, you all have something to say. But let me stress once again that people came to the polling stations for a reason. They headed to the polls in the hope that everything you have been saying and all the plans for developing your regions you have presented – all this will materialise. You and I will have to shoulder this immense responsibility for promoting national development and reinforcing Russia’s statehood.
I sincerely wish you every success. Let us work together.
All the best!