President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon, Mr Khusnullin.
Let’s talk about the results and begin with the construction sector.
Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin: Mr President, the performance in 2025 was quite good. The volume of completed real estate, both residential and non-residential, is comparable to 2024. The figures are slightly lower for housing but almost matching for non-residential construction. This means we have met our performance indicators.
Vladimir Putin: Excellent. Congratulations to all construction workers, engineers, and production managers on this outcome.
Marat Khusnullin: Thank you, Mr President.
With respect to roads, we have exceeded all our targets. Where possible, we have already started on the 2026 programme. Construction projects are already underway in the southern regions. We exceeded the targets for 2025 by approximately 20 percent, thanks to priority funding and the well-coordinated efforts of regional officials and all state customers. We succeeded. Despite the fact that it was the first year of the Infrastructure for Life national project, we managed to achieve all the targets set under this national project.
Vladimir Putin: I want to acknowledge the road construction teams as well.
Marat Khusnullin: Thank you.
The next issue you have repeatedly raised is traffic safety.
Mr President, despite the fact that traffic has increased by 11 percent and road freight has grown by 25 percent, along with higher levels of road tourism, the fatality rate has dropped by almost 25 percent in the past five years since the launch of the programme. We have fulfilled all the tasks you set.
Vladimir Putin: That is a good result.
Marat Khusnullin: At present, our objective is to achieve a further 1.5-fold reduction in mortality by 2030. This is achievable as we are consistently addressing road construction, repairs, tackling alcoholism, educating children, and improving pedestrian crossings in urban areas. We have a big commission on road traffic safety is in place, and we collaborate with all governors. Each governor is aware of their responsibilities, and step by step, we are reducing road fatalities and accidents.
Vladimir Putin: Very good. It is declining systematically, year after year.
Marat Khusnullin: Yes, steadily for five years now. You inquire about the results annually, and each year we make progress towards reduction.
Vladimir Putin: Very good. This is also thanks to the efforts of the Interior Ministry, including the road patrol service. They are performing well, too.
Marat Khusnullin: Thank you.
Regarding the reunited territories, I can report that the programme has been 99.5 percent fulfilled in terms of funding. All planned measures have been completed. Everything that you endorsed as part of the programme has been accomplished – both by federal contractors and all supervising regions.
In some specific areas, there is minor underperformance, while in others, targets have been exceeded. Overall, the programme’s objectives have been fully realised. Here, too, we are working systematically under the state programme.
Vladimir Putin: Good. However, as you reported to me, people also raised the issue of the water pipeline and water supply in the Donetsk People’s Republic during the Direct Line news conference. I ask that you not overlook this. You reported it to me yourself. As you mentioned, repairing the existing pipeline would cost roughly the same as building a new one. I will not even mention the need to secure territories previously used for water supply. But a thorough analysis is required. I request a report and proposals on this matter.
Marat Khusnullin: Yes, Mr President. We will report fully. We are consistently addressing water loss as well: two additional pipelines have been built, adding nearly 180,000 cubic metres per day. This work is being conducted in a command-and-control mode, with weekly progress reviews.
Vladimir Putin: Good.
Marat Khusnullin: We hope that with a little more time, the situation will improve.
Vladimir Putin: Good, thank you.
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