Website of the President of Russia: President: Transcripts

Meeting with Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko

2026-07-28T20:02:36+04:00

The Speaker of the upper house of parliament reported on the Federation Council performance during the spring session. The priorities included demography, support for the current and former personnel involved in the special military operation as well as their families, and modernisation of children’s leisure and health infrastructure.

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon, Ms Matviyenko.

I can see from the documents that you have approved over 300 federal laws during this session.

Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko: Yes, Mr President, over seven months. The session was rather intense and dynamic but we worked as usual and fulfilled all the plans concerning the national development goals you had approved, as well as other instructions of yours, including those issues at St Petersburg International Economic Forum.

It is important to note that, out of over 300 laws, more than one-third are social laws focused on social support. As prescribed, the senators drafted and submitted another 130 bills. Mr President, all these bills are responses to requests from regional officials and the public. Some of them have already passed.

Looking purely at statistics, the senators are currently among the three leading categories for the number of legislative initiatives submitted. This shows significant recent growth.

A crucial topic I wanted to report to you about, Mr President, is demography, which has been our priority. You labelled it as a strategic priority for everybody, which is true. I want to confirm, objectively and based on facts, that the measures adopted at your instruction are already bringing results. There are reasons to believe – and I always speak honestly – that the attitude to family, children and family values in society is certainly changing for the better.

Last year, the birth rate increased in 18 regions, and the number of large families is growing as well. Over the past year, which is especially pleasing, the number of student families has doubled, and half of them already have children. This is a result of the support measures proposed by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education and measures according to which higher schools have created conditions for student families with children.

You know, universities have entered a kind of competition for the greatest number of families with children. We have held the 2nd National Festival of Student Families at Moscow State University with support from MSU Rector Viktor Sadovnichy. Words cannot describe this atmosphere; you have to feel it for yourself. As you have said, these festivals have set a trend for families and children.

In addition, last year, the number of social orphans has decreased by 17 percent. Speaking about the atmosphere, which has improved, the number of children whose parents have either been deprived of or restricted in their parental rights has decreased by 25 percent. The number of children in orphanages has decreased, too.

It is also encouraging that the number of abortions has been falling consistently in the past two years. It has decreased by nearly 12 percent over the last two years. The best result has been reported in the Vologda Region, where the number of abortions has fallen by 45 percent. This is also the result of measures taken by the regional authorities. So much for the facts.

I will not dwell on this any longer. I regularly report the demographic situation to you. I know that it has your personal attention. In late May, we held a meting of the Presidential Council on Demography. You know, we had a very interesting and creative discussion, and many new proposals have been advanced. The Council members took an active part in its work. We have prepared and forwarded to you a set of proposals based on the results of that meeting. We are waiting for your instructions following that meeting.

Mr President, do you know what we are really pleased about? It is that everyone has joined in our demographic efforts. Everyone, including the regions, the regional and municipal authorities, ministries and government agencies have prepared sectoral programmes.

Our businesses have also joined in, surprisingly actively. We unofficially call it “the demographic millionaire club.” About 200 enterprises have adopted a “golden corporate standard,” paying out 1 million rubles to their employees for the birth of every child. These corporate standards also include kindergartens, lots of other benefits, and flexible working hours for women. Moreover, they are not being pushed, they are doing it of their own accord because they are aware of the importance of this policy, including for the future of their enterprises. Public institutions, the People’s Front and NGOs have also joined in this drive. I believe that we must keep up this topic in the spotlight so that everyone becomes aware of its importance.

Obviously, support for the current participants and veterans of the special military operation as well as their families is among our traditional priorities.

Mr President, I would like to thank you for the Executive Order to ensure equal support for participants in the special military operation and their families in all Russian regions. It was an awaited decision. Over this session alone, we approved some 50 bills that serve the goals of the special military operation. Since 2022, we have considered and passed over 400 bills, including over 160 bills on social support measures for our heroes. They concern assistance with education, employment, and so on.

You know, it may seem that after so many laws passed, one could stop. They may now be more specific but it doesn’t make them less significant because even small unaccounted issues – usually raised by special military operation participants with whom we maintain continuous dialogue – are worth clarifying and adjusting so that every hero in every place is guaranteed their social rights.

Another topic that you supported at the time is the modernisation of children’s recreation and health infrastructure which the Federation Council has been handling substantively. Over the four years since the launch of this programme, with the small support funding allocated to the regions from the federal budget, 336 new accommodation facilities have been built in 70 regions. Furthermore, major renovation of the infrastructure has been conducted, including catering facilities, medical stations and other amenities, which provides annual health improvement opportunities to over 200,000 children. Primarily this applies to the children of special military operation veterans, as well as the children of doctors, teachers, and children from large families. We will continue. In view of your instruction, the Government responded with two billion per year while the rest is provided by the regions. Most importantly, we are restoring the base that was lost earlier.

During the session, we held several traditional days of the Russian regions. We launched open dialogues with ministers. It is a practice when senators meet for an open and engaged dialogue during government hours.

The Council for the Integration of Reunified Regions, established under the Federation Council, has been operating actively. Federal laws are all well and good, but you have set the goal of bringing infrastructure and services in all reunified regions up to national standards by 2030. In practice, however, gaps emerge – some things are overlooked in legislation, others in regulatory acts, and some issues simply arise in the course of implementation. To address this, we are holding Council meetings with the leaders of Donbass and Novorossiya to discuss what needs to be put into practice on the ground. Given the cross-departmental nature of this work, Government members are also involved. The governors of all the newly reunified regions have found the Council extremely useful. In some cases, legislation needs to be refined; in others, deadlines need to be extended. The Council is developing practical approaches to these challenges, and we are putting them into effect.

As you are aware, the Federation Council is not only a legislative body but also a representative one, and we have been introducing new formats and expanding our work across a range of areas. For example, we recently held a broad dialogue with cultural figures, artists, and regional theatre directors. They raised a number of pressing issues, all of which we are addressing. We do not simply hold meetings for the sake of it – we follow through and bring matters to a conclusion.

One thing that did not surprise me, but rather confirmed my expectations, was the overwhelmingly positive and patriotic spirit we encountered. This is reflected across all our work. We even came across a situation where theatre companies approached us wanting to take concerts and performances to our special military operation personnel, but they did not know who to contact or how to arrange it. We worked with the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Defence to establish a “one-stop-shop,” so as not to hold back this grassroots impulse, but rather create the conditions for them to go.

The Forum of Regions of Russia and Belarus in Minsk was a great success and highly productive, with a significant number of agreements signed. I would like to thank you and President Lukashenko for your warm greetings. Our regions have become close partners in the broadest sense of the word. We have numerous joint projects and shared products, as you know well.

The forum also provided the setting for the Train of Memory event, now in its fifth year. High school students from across the CIS – including Ukraine, Moldova, and all the former Soviet republics, and this year also from the Allied Powers – spent 15 days travelling through Russia and Belarus, visiting sites of military and labour glory.

I can tell you, they return as changed individuals – almost as though they have been inoculated against any form of neo-Nazism. And, most importantly, they come back with a true sense of historical truth. You can read a book or watch a film, but when you see it all with your own eyes, that emotional impact is everything. It is a highly successful project. Thanks are due to Oleg Belozerov and Russian Railways for their active support – for them, too, as they say, it is a project close to the heart.

In the Year of National Unity, we have already convened the Second Forum of Women of the North. Mr President, I assure you, it is women who constitute the backbone in this endeavour – so active, so creative, so enterprising. All indigenous small-numbered peoples were represented. You issued an Executive Order establishing a new holiday – the Day of Indigenous Small-Numbered Peoples – which we celebrated for the first time this year. Following the First Forum, upon the initiative of the Federation Council, we adopted a comprehensive series of laws of great significance for the indigenous small-numbered peoples.

For instance, the professional standard ‘Livestock Breeder’ now encompasses a new profession – ‘Worker of Nomadic Housing’. This decision has conferred official recognition upon the arduous labour of nomadic women and has ensured that they are accorded pension rights on an equal footing with other workers of the Far North. This law was received with great approval by our citizens who lead a nomadic lifestyle. Another long-awaited legislative act – which they themselves raised – is the adoption of the Law on Nomadic Education, among several other measures. It is also heartening to note that several women delivered addresses at the Forum, and a discernible trend has emerged of professionals, doctors, and teachers relocating to the regions of the Far East, to the ‘North’. This trend, without doubt, warrants our active support.

Let me now turn to one of the key instructions you issued – the support for and preservation of folk arts and crafts. As you are well aware, this is the very code of our culture, our traditions, and so forth. The Federation Council, as the chamber of regions, has assumed stewardship of this matter. I wish to express my gratitude to the Ministry of Industry and Trade and, in particular, to Minister Anton Alikhanov for his robust personal support. Above all, comprehensive measures – not merely ad hoc steps – have been devised and implemented to support folk arts and crafts.

Furthermore, by your Executive Order, the Day of Folk Arts and Crafts has been established. This year, on our joint initiative, the Government instituted a national award for masters and enterprises of folk arts and crafts. This year, we presented this award for the first time. For artists and craftsmen, it was indeed a significant event. This represents both legal regulation and financial support. Each year, the Government increases this financial support – this year, it amounts to over 1 billion rubles, which is a meaningful contribution for the masters. There has also been a positive response: as a result of last year, the sector recorded a nine percent growth. Of course, this is by no means the limit. I am confident that these results will continue to grow with each successive year.

We have now reached an agreement with the Government to launch a personnel development programme for the folk arts and crafts sector, with the goal of attracting as many young people as possible, enabling master craftspeople to pass on their skills to the next generation, and ensuring that our traditional crafts not only survive but continue to flourish. Businesses have also stepped in, making investments in recognition of the importance and potential of this sector.

Mr President, as the chamber representing the regions, we continue, jointly with the Ministry of Finance and in close coordination with governors and heads of regional legislatures, to monitor the state of regional budgets.

I would like to thank you for the decision you made to postpone the repayment of budget loans until 2030. It provided the regions with timely and much-needed support. The situation remains under the Ministry of Finance’s control. It is challenging, but there is no cause for alarm, and work is proceeding in a normal, business-like manner.

Our international cooperation has been developing very actively – in fact, it has intensified. This year alone, we have held 77 meetings with our parliamentary counterparts from abroad in various formats. And these contacts extend well beyond the CIS countries, although it is important to note that the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly continues to work very effectively.

Our Interparliamentary Commission with China was highly successful, and the Chairman of the National People’s Congress came to Russia.

We have also maintained active contacts with South Africa, Indonesia, Mozambique, and many other countries. Most recently, the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces of South Africa visited us, and that meeting also proved very productive.

Overall, Mr President, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the attention you devote to the work of the Federation Council – the chamber of the regions – and to the regions as a whole, as well as for the support you consistently provide for the constructive initiatives we try to put forward.

Thank you very much.

Vladimir Putin: Ms Matviyenko, I would like to thank you, all the senators, and the Federation Council as a whole for your active work. The significance of your contribution lies not just in the fact that you approved more than 300 bills, including two constitutional laws, but also in the active role senators play in the legislative process. As you have just noted, they put forward legislative initiatives and draw attention to the fundamental issues that lie at the heart of the country’s life and the key challenges it faces.

Of course, demographics and support for our service personnel on the battlefield, and for their families, are of paramount importance. This is a crucial task for all branches of government. I keep speaking about it, and I expect the Federation Council to play its full part as the upper house representing the interests of the regions while many of our units are formed directly in the military districts, that is, from across the Russian Federation, as well as all government authorities must support our soldiers and their families, and I know they are doing a great deal. Nevertheless, this remains a vast undertaking involving a huge number of people. We must do everything in our power to ensure, first and foremost, that our soldiers have everything they need and that their families feel full support of the state. Just like with any large-scale effort, issues can arise, and people may sometimes encounter instances of perceived injustice. We must respond without delay, working closely with the Defenders of the Fatherland Foundation, and pay attention to every detail – being aware that there cannot be small matters in this area.

Turning to the other topics you have raised – they are, of course, utterly important. This includes support for industry, for specific production sectors, and the social issues you mentioned – I will not repeat them – and, naturally, the international dimension. Russia has never isolated itself from anyone and has no intention of doing so. Our engagement with friendly countries and their relevant government bodies remains extremely important.

Finally, on September 20, elections will be held for a number of regional government bodies across the Russian Federation. This will, in turn, have implications for the composition of the Federation Council, which includes representatives from both regional legislatures and executive bodies. I believe this is a very significant process, as our Federation Council is being renewed. I expect that experienced individuals will join the Council, all focused on a shared goal – the development of Russia, providing assistance to our citizens where it is most needed, and achieving our national development objectives.

Thank you very much for this work.

Valentina Matviyenko: Mr President, if I may add a word on the electoral process itself – our political system is structured in such a way that 20 to 30 percent of senators are replaced on the nationwide voting day, and that is a very positive development. It brings in fresh blood, new people with new perspectives, directly from the regions. We are monitoring this process very carefully to ensure that the regional representatives are worthy of the trust placed in them.

Vladimir Putin: I hope so. I am confident of that.

Valentina Matviyenko: Thank you.

<…>

Reports by fleet commanders on the security landscape and current missions

2026-07-26T20:45:25+04:00

On Navy Day, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief heard reports presented by the commanders of Russia’s Pacific, Northern, Baltic and Black Sea fleets, as well as the Caspian Flotilla, covering the security landscape and their current missions.

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Comrades.

First of all, I would like to extend my greetings to you and the entire personnel of the Russian Navy on Navy Day. Even though it is a professional holiday, it is still known and celebrated by our entire nation in a very vibrant and solemn way, showing great respect for sailors, veterans, and the rich and heroic history of Russia’s naval forces.

This immense public recognition is the result of many centuries of hard work, without exaggeration. The Fatherland’s loyal sons conquered the seas under their national flag, defended our frontiers, crushed enemies, and contributed tremendously to the development of science, industrial production, and cultural links between peoples and continents.

Today, we do not just commemorate the remarkable geographical discoveries, key battles and victories of our famed naval commanders; we also assess the current state of affairs in the navy and its prospects, as it is one of the crucial components for ensuring Russia’s security and maintaining global parity through the development of the naval component of our nuclear triad.

The Navy, including the Marine Corps, plays a crucial role in achieving the goals of the special military operation, while ship-borne weapons systems deliver smashing strikes on the enemy with high-precision weapons; the marines keep moving forward, fighting courageously, masterfully and fearlessly. Our entire country supports them and awaits their return home with victory. I want to extend my warmest greetings to the fighters and commanders currently operating in combat positions. Thank you, comrades, for your faithful service to the Motherland.

Now, I would like to hear reports from the commanders of the Pacific, Northern, Baltic and Black Sea fleets, as well as the Caspian Flotilla, on the current security landscape and missions.

The first to report is Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy Alexander Moiseyev.

Please.

Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy Alexander Moiseyev: Comrade Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation!

According to the Navy construction and development plan, 20 ships, vessels and boats have been accepted into service in 2026. These include the Polyarny, a Project 12700 minesweeper for the Northern Fleet, and the Burya, a Project 22800 small missile ship for the Baltic Fleet. I should note that the latter was prepared in record time and has now been integrated into the defence system for key economic facilities in the Leningrad Region. Factory repairs to the strategic cruiser Karelia have also been completed. By the end of the year, we plan to accept a further 21 units into the Navy, including the first nuclear-powered submarine cruiser armed with the Zircon hypersonic system – the Perm, a Yasen-M‑class submarine. We also aim to complete the repair and modernisation of the nuclear cruiser Admiral Nakhimov and the attack submarine Leopard.

<…>

Meeting with Governor of the Omsk Region Vitaly Khotsenko

2026-07-26T18:26:14+04:00

At the end of the working trip to the Omsk Region, the President held a working meeting with Governor Vitaly Khotsenko. The President and the Governor discussed the region’s socioeconomic development.

Vitaly Khotsenko reported that the region’s GRP had grown by 1.3 percent in 2025. Agricultural production has grown by around six percent; however, there is a slight decrease of 1.5 percent in industrial production due to changes in certain sectors of petrochemistry and oil processing. Measures are being taken to reach last year’s indicators before the end of the year. As regards large projects, despite economic challenges, a graphite electrode plant is currently under construction, with the project worth 100 billion rubles. The construction of an oversised tyre plant (60 billion rubles) has been launched by the Ural Mining and Metallurgical Company (UGMK) and its Chinese partners. A ring road around Omsk – an extension of the Rossiya motorway – is under construction. The Omsk-Fyodorovka Airport project has entered the practical implementation stage. Retail turnover has grown by ten percent. The scope of paid services is also on the rise.

As regards support for special military operation veterans, the Governor noted that the region currently offers 44 types of support measures. Humanitarian convoys are sent to the zone of the special military operation and the border regions. More than 4,000 tonnes have been delivered since the launch of the operation. A new military veteran hospital has been built while the old hospital has been renovated. The first veteran rehabilitation centre in the Trans-Urals has opened to provide prosthetics services. A new surgical department of a large local surgical centre is about to open. The department will be the most advanced facility of its kind in Russia. A multi-purpose centre for adaptive sports is in development. The President noted the importance of employment opportunities for frontline veterans. Vitaly Khotsenko replied that local enterprises have allocated employment quotas for veterans.

Vitaly Khotsenko thanked the President for the Executive Order on the 400th anniversary of the Omsk Irtysh Land’s exploration by Russia and presented President Putin with souvenirs: coins discovered by archaeologists that date back to the reign of Tsar Michael I of Russia, who signed the tsar's decree in 1628, as well as pottery items.

Governor Khotsenko raised what he described as a sensitive issue: the unfinished metro system. Constructed between 2001 and 2015, it is currently 35 percent complete, with significant federal and regional funds already invested. A metro bridge is in place, with only the track-laying remaining; one station has been built, and five tunnels have been excavated. The governor proposed integrating this infrastructure into the existing tram network to create a metro-tram system. He requested support to have the project included in the federal register of unfinished construction projects and to commence design work, as well as to have it added to the programme planned by the organising committee for marking the 400th anniversary of the development of the Russian Irtysh region.

Waste management reform was another key topic. All four large landfills dating from the mid-20th century have been reclaimed, but no new facilities have yet been created – only temporary sites are currently in use. Two concession agreements have been signed, and a further facility, worth an estimated 13 billion rubles, still needs to be built. The governor sought support for including this work in the action plan for the 400th anniversary celebrations of the Omsk Irtysh region as well.

In response to a question from Vladimir Putin on emissions, Vitaly Khotsenko reported a significant improvement. Omsk had participated in the Clean Air project, and much had been achieved by local companies during this period. For example, an oil refinery has built the “Biosphere” – a major water treatment facility that purifies process water within a closed-loop system for reuse. Over 5,000 households have switched from solid fuel to gas, and a substantial number of gas-powered buses have been purchased.

The governor also raised the issue of greenhouse complexes covering 120 hectares, owned by two large holdings. All support measures have already been approved for a 20-hectare facility operated by the Rost company, which is due to open this year. For the remaining 100 hectares, decisions on land and electricity supply have been finalised, and the President earlier instructed the Government to provide subsidised loans. One final hurdle remains: the region is gas-deficient. Mr Khotsenko asked the President to instruct the Government and Gazprom to explore the possibility of securing the necessary gas limits for the region.

Another matter concerned treasury loans for infrastructure development. The region is seeking funding to develop infrastructure for the Avangard special economic zone, including gas, electricity and road connections. The President pledged his support.

When the President noted that issues relating to defrauded equity holders in construction projects had not yet been fully resolved, Mr Khotsenko confirmed that work is ongoing. During his three and a half years at the helm of the region, the number of problematic projects has fallen from over 30 to eight, with specific roadmaps now in place for each unfinished building.

Mr Putin emphasised that there is no room for complacency until all those affected are satisfied with the outcomes.

22nd Russia-Kazakhstan Interregional Cooperation Forum

2026-07-26T19:41:51+04:00

Vladimir Putin and Kassym-Jomart Tokayev took part in the plenary session of the 22^nd Russia-Kazakhstan Interregional Cooperation Forum, Forming a Global Logistics Ecosystem: New Horizons for Russia-Kazakhstan Cooperation.

The Forum is being held in Omsk on July 24–25. Its participants include deputy prime ministers, heads of ministries and departments, heads of constituent entities of the Russian Federation and regions of the Republic of Kazakhstan, representatives of the parliaments, business and expert communities of both countries.

* * *

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr President, colleagues, friends,

Allow me to warmly welcome you all once again in Omsk, Russia.

This is the 22^nd Russia-Kazakhstan Interregional Cooperation Forum. And, as I have just said at our bilateral working meeting, the first such forum of regional representatives from our countries took place right here, in Omsk, in 2003. Since then, such fora have become a good tradition and are being held regularly.

I was just recalling one thing: we know that President Tokayev was delighted to visit Omsk also because, in the winter of 1945, his father, Kemel Tokayev, was treated in a military hospital in this city, after being seriously wounded at the front.

This is what I wanted to say in the beginning, and, if I may, I will make my small introduction right now and then give the floor to the President of Kazakhstan.

This time the forum has brought together over 650 representatives of Russia and Kazakhstan, including heads of Russian constituent entities and Kazakhstan regions, deputy prime ministers, heads of ministries, members of parliament, entrepreneurs, experts – in short, all those who are deeply involved in the practical development of bilateral relations in the economic, political and social spheres.

I would like to highlight that during the talks we just had with the President of Kazakhstan, we highly appreciated the active involvement of the regions in advancing the full scope of the Russia-Kazakhstan partnership. It is largely thanks to the coordinated efforts of regional authorities and businesses that trade is picking up and mutual investment flows are increasing.

Thus, in 2025 our mutual trade reached almost US$29 billion, and the amount of Russian investments in Kazakhstan’s economy exceeded US$30 billion.

Major joint projects in energy, engineering, automotive and chemical industries are being implemented as part of a large-scale bilateral programme of interregional cooperation through to 2028.

We see how delegation exchanges between the leadership and legislators of the regions are expanding with every year. There are diverse endeavours in science and education, culture, and sports. Contacts between the two countries’ civic associations, social movements and youth are being strengthened.

The interregional partnership relied on an extensive contractual and legal framework. A number of new agreements, memoranda and commercial contracts are being signed by the regions in Omsk these days.

This year’s Forum of Regions is dedicated to an extremely relevant topic: the interaction of Russia and Kazakhstan in the formation of a global transport and logistics ecosystem. The potential for collaboration here is truly boundless because our countries are located at the crossroads of the main trade routes in Eurasia.

The shortest and most cost-effective transport, cargo, and passenger routes run through Russia and Kazakhstan. This creates natural prerequisites for aligning and integrating our national transport systems for cooperation in upgrading and modernising logistics infrastructure, digitalisation, and in simplifying customs procedures to ensure favourable conditions for international transit.

Our countries are already doing a lot in these areas, including together with our partners in the Eurasian Economic Union. Moreover, Russia and Kazakhstan are at the forefront of their respective integration efforts. A common market for transport and logistics services is emerging in the EAEU, a phased liberalisation of the mutual transportation regime is underway, tariffs are being unified, and e-document management is developing.

Looking at the truly successful Eurasian projects, I would like to single out the introduction of electronic CRMs, as well as the use of navigation seals that speed up border control procedures.

A promising initiative for the creation of the Eurasian Digital Transport Corridor is in the making. We are talking about using AI technologies to build optimal transport chains and enable paperless cargo traffic monitoring.

Russia and Kazakhstan are actively cooperating in the development of the international North-South Transport Corridor. Its eastern branch links Russian ports on the Black Sea, the Baltic Sea, and the Arctic, as well as regions in central Russia, including Siberia, with Turkmenistan and Iran via Kazakhstan. Freight traffic along this corridor continues to grow steadily. Over the first five months of this year alone, shipments increased by 10 percent.

A key priority for our countries is expanding the capacity of transit and customs infrastructure along our shared land border, which is the longest in the world, stretching nearly 7,500 kilometres. Obviously, border regions are extensively involved in this effort.

Russia and Kazakhstan have established a stable and efficient rail connection. Last year’s total volume of bilateral rail freight increased by four percent, reaching nearly 95 million tonnes. From January through May of this year, it grew by a further 5.7 percent.

The large Selyatina railway freight terminal in the Moscow Region, built with Kazakhstan’s participation, serves not only Russia–Kazakhstan freight traffic but also cargo destined for third countries, including China.

Furthermore, we continue to expand and modernise the network of cross-border motorways. In May, the first driverless freight route was launched between Moscow and Astana, with similar services planned for other international routes in the future.

Shipping activity also remains strong on the Caspian Sea and along the rivers connecting Russia and Kazakhstan, including the Irtysh, a shared waterway that holds both economic and environmental importance for the two countries.

Work is currently underway to develop a master plan for the joint management of the Irtysh River. It aims to strike a balanced approach between increasing freight transportation, developing water resources, and preserving the river’s ecosystem. In parallel, Russia and Kazakhstan are implementing joint environmental programmes to restore the biosphere and prevent pollution throughout the Irtysh basin.

Regular direct air connections between the two countries have also been established. Flight frequencies continue to increase, while the network of destinations is steadily expanding. The next addition will be direct flights from Orenburg to Almaty following the recent completion of a new international terminal in Orenburg in June.

In conclusion, I would like to emphasise the main point: Russia and Kazakhstan boast tremendous potential for further expanding mutually beneficial cooperation in transport and logistics – the very focus of our forum today – as well as across all other sectors of the economy and social life.

I am confident that by continuing to work together in a spirit of harmony and partnership, the regions of Russia and Kazakhstan will make an even greater contribution to enhancing and advancing the comprehensive strategic partnership and alliance between our two countries for the benefit of our nations.

I wish all of us success and new achievements.

Thank you very much.

President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev: Mr President,

Forum participants,

First of all, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, for inviting me to visit Russia and for the warm hospitality. I am glad to meet you and to have the opportunity to take part in the 22^nd Russia-Kazakhstan Interregional Cooperation Forum. It is symbolic that our meeting is taking place in Omsk – a city with a rich history, a city of labour valour, which epitomises the close cultural ties between our peoples.

Availing myself of this opportunity, I want to express my appreciation to you, Mr President, to the Omsk Administration, the Region’s Government and deputies of the legislative assembly for carefully preserving the memory of all the Great Patriotic War veterans, including my father, who was treated here after a heavy wound sustained in Poland where he fought in the ranks of the 2^nd Belorussian Front.

For many years, the Omsk Region has been making a weighty contribution to the development of Kazakhstan-Russia relations, strengthening our border cooperation, expanding trade and humanitarian contacts. Being a major industrial, transport and logistics hub, modern Omsk plays an important role in ensuring a stable growth of the Russian economy and high dynamics of inter-regional ties between our countries. So, it is not by chance that this beautiful city hosts our forum for the third time. As you have just noted, the first forum took place in Omsk in 2003, and then another forum was held here in 2019.

Practical interaction between the regions adds substance to the bilateral agenda and gives a strong impetus to the progressive development of the Kazakhstan-Russia cooperation. I should note that relations between our countries have reached an unprecedented level. This is the result of considerable efforts on the part of the heads of state and government, local and regional authorities, and, of course, the parliaments of both countries.

My state visit to Russia last November and the state visit by President of Russia Vladimir Putin to Kazakhstan in May this year have become historical in this respect. The declaration signed following these visits on taking bilateral relations to a new level of strategic partnership and alliance as well as the joint statement on the seven pillars of friendship and good-neighbourliness, have laid a solid foundation for constructive cooperation in the interests of our countries’ progress for decades to come. It is safe to say that relations between Kazakhstan and Russia are developing successfully across all main areas.

Russia remains one of Kazakhstan’s major trading partners. Bilateral trade approached $28 billion last year, and due to our joint efforts, this figure continues to grow steadily. During this year’s first five months, mutual trade increased by nearly 10 percent compared with the same period last year.

Russia is also one of Kazakhstan’s leading investment partners. Over the past two decades, Russian investment in Kazakhstan’s economy has exceeded $30 billion. This positive trend continues: in the first quarter of this year, the inflow of Russian investment increased by 45 percent, reaching $773 million over the five-month period. As a result of many years of mutually beneficial cooperation, more than 20,000 enterprises with Russian participation are successfully operating across various sectors of Kazakhstan’s economy. At the same time, the position of Kazakhstani businesses in Russia keeps enhancing, with Kazakhstan’s cumulative investment in the Russian economy now exceeding $9 billion.

Industrial cooperation occupies a special place in our economic partnership. Together, our countries have developed a portfolio of 177 major joint projects with a combined investment value exceeding $52 billion. Of these, 122 projects have already been completed, creating more than 30,000 jobs.

I would particularly note the launch of joint ventures producing polypropylene, automobile tires, truck components, railway products, grain harvesters, and tractors.

Several flagship initiatives are currently underway, including a mineral fertiliser production project implemented in cooperation with a leading Russian company, as well as the construction of a mining and processing complex and a gold recovery plant. The construction of Kazakhstan’s first nuclear power plant, with the participation of an international consortium led by Rosatom, stands as a clear demonstration of the strategic nature of cooperation between our two countries.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to you, Mr President, and to your government for your constructive cooperation and support for this critically important project for Kazakhstan.

Space exploration has traditionally been another priority area of our cooperation. The maiden launch of the Soyuz-5 launch vehicle in April of this year once again demonstrated that through combining our scientific, engineering, and industrial capabilities, Kazakhstan and Russia are able to carry out ambitious projects across a wide range of fields. There is a well-known Kazakh proverb: “Birlik bar jerde, tirlik bar.” This proverb can be translated using a Russian saying, “Where there is harmony, there is prosperity.”

I am confident that through our enduring friendship, good-neighbourly relations, mutual trust and support, and careful consideration of each other’s legitimate interests, we will achieve further successes on the path toward progress and prosperity of our fraternal peoples.

Mr President,

Friends,

In the current international environment, the theme of this forum is of exceptional importance. Kazakhstan and Russia, which share the longest continuous land border in the world, have been destined by the Almighty Himself, as it were, to play a leading role in shaping the transport and logistics architecture of the Eurasian continent. One could say that this is a key factor in ensuring the global competitiveness of our countries amid today’s highly complex geopolitical landscape. Through our joint efforts, we are addressing all challenges in this area, steadily developing infrastructure and boosting our transit potential. Last year, rail freight traffic between our countries increased by 3.5 percent, reaching 92 million tonnes. Transit traffic through Kazakhstan is also expanding rapidly. Over the past five years alone, container traffic through Kazakhstan along the China–Russia–China route has increased eightfold. A major milestone was the shipment of the one-millionth container along the Russia–Kazakhstan–China route. Obviously, this is far from the limit of our capabilities.

Road transport is also demonstrating strong growth, reaching nearly 8.5 million tonnes in 2025. By the end of this year’s first quarter, road freight volumes more than doubled compared to the same period last year, reaching 4.3 million tonnes.

I am confident that this impressive growth will continue due to our comprehensive joint efforts in this area, including the completion of the modernisation of road border crossings next year. As you know, colleagues, there are 30 road border crossing points operating along the Kazakhstan-Russia border. Twenty-nine of them are to be reconstructed and modernised, while the remaining crossing, Zhaisan, is scheduled to be equipped with advanced inspection and screening technology. We will work closely together on this matter.

We are also paying substantial attention to the development of the International North-South Transport Corridor, which recorded increased traffic last year. By the end of 2025, cargo volumes had reached 3.5 million tonnes, representing a 12 percent increase compared to 2024. During this year’s first five months, cargo transportation amounted to 1.2 million tonnes, which, to be fair, indicates that the pace of growth has slowed. Therefore, I believe we need to work on this issue together.

Another important route is the Western Europe–Western China transit corridor, with the reconstruction of the Aktobe–Ulgaisyn motorway to double its capacity. The project covers a total of 262 kilometres and has a total estimated cost of 523 billion tenge (approximately $1 billion). Of this amount, 230 billion tenge has been secured through two loan agreements with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). These agreements entered into force on June 24, 2026. The project is scheduled for implementation between 2026 and 2029.

Overall, Kazakhstan has set ambitious goals for the comprehensive modernisation of its road infrastructure, the development of aviation hubs, and the expansion of port facilities on the Caspian Sea. In order to ensure seamless transit, enhance transparency in transportation, and reduce transportation costs, we are placing particular emphasis on the full digitalisation of the transport sector, the creation of comprehensive digital twins, and the widespread adoption of artificial intelligence. I believe we should work together in this highly promising area, combining our efforts, particularly since Russia has already established a strong foundation in the spheres of digitalisation and AI. Mr President, we discussed these issues during your state visit in late May, and I am confident that we will reach tangible agreements.

Last year, Kazakhstan launched the Smart Cargo system, which provides businesses with all the necessary services through a single-window platform while ensuring the transparency and traceability of cargo movements.

In March, we launched a pilot project entitled the Digital Transport Passport, which aims to eliminate unnecessary red tape and reduce checkpoint processing times from the 15–30 minutes now to just one or two minutes. Building on our existing digital platforms, we propose launching a pilot digital transport corridor between Kazakhstan and Russia along one of the busiest cross-border routes. I am confident that the effective digital integration of our countries’ transport and logistics systems, along with the extensive use of advanced technologies, will increase bilateral trade, boost transit flows, and further strengthen our economic ties.

Another significant milestone was the first trial run of autonomous freight vehicles between our two countries, which took place in May during the Russian President’s state visit to Kazakhstan. This successful pilot project clearly demonstrated that Kazakhstan-Russia cooperation in the transport sector is advancing to a new technological level. Strengthening transport and logistics connectivity between our countries is of particular importance for the border regions, where it creates new opportunities for growth by fostering closer links in industry and business, science and education, culture, and tourism.

In this regard, we propose developing a joint programme to improve air connectivity between our border regions, tentatively entitled 500 Plus. The initiative envisages the phased launch of direct flights between Astana and Russian cities with populations of more than 500,000 located near the Kazakhstani border. Its implementation will create favourable conditions for increasing bilateral tourist flows.

Furthermore, I believe there is considerable potential for developing joint cross-border tourism routes. To this end, it is important to strengthen cooperation between the tourism sectors of our two countries. I would also like to note that Russia currently ranks first in the number of tourists visiting Kazakhstan for leisure and sightseeing. China ranks second, India third, and Turkiye fourth.

We have all the prerequisites for the dynamic development of tourism: a favourable geographical location, diverse natural landscapes, and a rich and unique historical and cultural heritage. Most importantly, Russian visitors to Kazakhstan encounter neither language barriers nor mental blocks. We are united by a shared culture and, of course, a shared history.

The development of cross-border tourism is about more than just economic benefits; it is an investment in strengthening mutual trust and fostering a common space of good-neighbourliness. These are a testament to the strength of our bilateral ties and a powerful driver of our joint development.

Dear Russian friends,

The strength of Kazakhstan-Russia relations lies in the trusting dialogue between our leaders, which is reinforced by active cooperation among our regions, business communities, scientific and cultural institutions, and, most importantly, the friendship between millions of our people. Our multifaceted cooperation is distinguished by a rare combination of continuity and dynamism. While honouring our shared past, we are steadily opening new horizons for our common future. Kazakhstan remains firmly committed to developing a constructive strategic partnership with the great nation of Russia.

As you have seen today, I have brought a highly representative delegation to Omsk, including the heads of central government agencies, the leaders of all Kazakhstan’s border regions, and representatives of the business community. This reflects our serious commitment to substantive engagement and to reaching concrete agreements across the key areas of bilateral cooperation.

I am confident that the results of this forum will begin a new bright chapter in the history of Kazakhstan-Russia strategic partnership and allied relations and will, undoubtedly, contribute to the prosperity of our countries and the wellbeing of our fraternal peoples.

In conclusion, I wish all participants productive discussions, fruitful cooperation, and every success.

Thank you for your attention.

To be continued.

Meeting on economic issues

2026-07-22T16:11:27+04:00

The President held a meeting on economic issues to discuss the current situation in the country’s economy, bank lending and support measures for Russian regions.

The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, Deputy Prime Ministers Alexander Novak and Marat Khusnullin, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Maxim Oreshkin, Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov, Minister of Finance Anton Siluanov, and Central Bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina.

* * *

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon, colleagues.

Today we will talk about economic matters. I would like to begin our meeting by saying that the situation in the national economy and its key sectors remains stable, despite external attempts to destabilise the situation in the fuel and energy complex and several other sectors.

At the same time, I would like to emphasise that the difficulties created for us on the fuel market are certainly temporary and cannot affect the overall economic dynamics. It can be described as follows: according to the Economic Development Ministry, the national GDP grew, even if modestly by 0.3 percent, in May, and its growth for the first five months amounted to 0.2 percent.

One of the main factors here is certainly domestic demand from both the government, business and citizens.

It should be said in this context that the bank lending rate is growing.

Is this correct, Ms Nabiullina?

Central Bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina: Yes, this is correct.

Vladimir Putin: I am referring to mortgage loans and lending to enterprises, organisations and the real economy sector. The volume of this loan portfolio is growing, and the money mass is growing accordingly. As of July 1, it has increased by about 13 percent year on year. This dynamic promises continued stable growth in domestic demand.

The public finance system remains stable as well. In June, the federal budget was executed with a surplus. How much was it? It amounted to 196 billion rubles.

A major factor in this sphere was the growth of budget revenues. It is notable that both oil and gas revenues and non-resource revenues increased. These non-resource revenues increased by more than 25 percent in the second quarter year on year.

As for the consolidated budgets of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation, they were executed with a deficit in the first six months of the year, similar to the first half of last year.

In this connection, we should provide additional support to the regions and their budgets, so as to guarantee the implementation of our obligations at the level of regions and municipalities, as well as to continue the implementation of local development programmes.

At the initiative of the United Russia party, an important decision was adopted in June to extend the repayment deadline for the regions’ budget loan debt from the current year, 2026, to 2030. As a result, the regions will have access to more than 100 billion rubles in additional funds this year alone.

I also understand that our colleagues from United Russia have put forward another proposal concerning budget loans that the regions are scheduled to repay over the next three years, from 2027 to 2029. It has been proposed that the repayment deadlines for these loans also be extended beyond 2030.

I know that State Duma deputies from United Russia have been working on this initiative together with the Finance Ministry. I therefore ask the Government to prepare the necessary draft regulations so that, together with the State Duma deputies, most likely those of the new convocation, we could adopt these amendments during the upcoming autumn session.

Mr Siluanov, is this feasible?

Anton Siluanov: We will do it.

Vladimir Putin: In essence, the key objective is to provide Russia’s constituent entities with additional resources, which they can use both to address current priorities as well as to stimulate long-term economic growth and support technological development and business activity.

I would like to stress once again that our economic policy must be focused on long-term objectives. The measures we implement should be designed with these goals in mind at the federal, regional and local levels alike.

As I have said before, our key priority today is to launch a new investment cycle and accelerate structural transformation in the Russian economy. We will discuss a number of new measures in this regard today. We have already touched on some of these issues. Just before this meeting, Mikhail Mishustin and I reviewed several additional matters together.

We will then continue this discussion at the meeting of the Council on Strategic Development and National Projects in August. I hope, and indeed am confident, that we will reach concrete agreements.

Let us begin. Mr Novak, you have the floor.

<…>

Meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin

2026-07-16T20:22:19+04:00

The Deputy Prime Minister briefed the President on the construction sector’s key performance indicators. In particular, he discussed the volume of newly commissioned blocks of flats, urban improvement projects, and road construction.

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Khusnullin, your portfolio is impressive and includes roads, housing construction, and infrastructure. Where shall we begin?

Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin: Mr President, first of all, I would like to note that this year marks the 70^th anniversary of the Russian construction sector. Construction Worker’s Day was officially established in 1956. The first celebration took place at the Luzhniki Sports Palace to showcase the country’s achievements in construction.

However, the construction sector has made tremendous strides over the past 25 to 26 years. Today, our country boasts hundreds, if not thousands, of landmark projects. These include the facilities built for the Olympic Games and the FIFA World Cup, the Crimean Bridge, expressways, major industrial enterprises, and large-scale residential housing developments. Our cities have changed out of recognition. You travel extensively and you had the opportunity to see just how profound these changes have been in terms of quality.

Vladimir Putin: Yes, that is certainly true.

Marat Khusnullin: Thanks to these comprehensive measures and your support, the construction industry has effectively become the driver of economic growth. Despite all the attempts by our detractors and other unfriendly forces to stand in our way, the sector has grown by 34 percent.

Today, together with related industries, construction accounts for over 20 percent of GDP. Over the past five years, its contribution has increased by 1.9 percent. In terms of tax revenue, the sector now accounts for 16.7 percent of total tax receipts. This is shown in the presentation with its share having increased by 2.9 percent. Employment in the sector and related industries now stands at 17.7 percent.

Vladimir Putin: Seventeen-point-seven percent of everyone employed in the economy?

Marat Khusnullin: Yes, 17.7 percent of total employment. That is an enormous number.

Previously, we looked only at the construction per se. But the construction business has a strong multiplier effect: every ruble invested generates 1.68 rubles in economic activity. Therefore, together with the Federal Taxation Service and the Finance Ministry, we calculated the sector’s full contribution, including all related industries. That is how we arrived at this high figure. Naturally, it has a significant impact on all key economic indicators.

We also examined the regional picture. As you can see on the next slide, the map shows the sector’s contribution across individual regions.

Vladimir Putin: Seventeen-point-seven percent amounts to roughly how many people? About 13 million?

Marat Khusnullin: Yes, 13 million people. If you look at this slide, you can clearly see the extent to which each region depends on the construction sector. At present, 16 out of 85 regions derive more than 20 percent of their regional budget revenue from construction-related activity, while 65 out of 85 regions derive more than 10 percent. Only a handful of regions have a share of 10 percent or less. If you look closely, you will also see that the reunited territories are rapidly gaining momentum, with extensive construction activity taking place there as well.

I would also like to highlight, of course, that the principal matter we are supporting is housing. This is the Infrastructure for Life national project. We are maintaining an unprecedented volume of housing construction, exceeding 100 million square metres. Even the Soviet Union could not boast of building such volumes, including during the reconstruction period. We have maintained this pace for several years in a row.

This year has seen a slight decline; however, it is not feasible to constantly maintain a pace of 110 million square metres. There is a slight reduction, yet I wish to say that the volume of housing supply remains higher than last year. With regard to multi-apartment housing, we are currently maintaining last year’s levels. There is a slight decline in individual housing construction, but we have devised a number of measures to support this sector, which have already been reported to you. I am confident that we will likewise mitigate this issue.

Naturally, housing is being constructed thanks to unprecedented mortgage support. The fact that you, notwithstanding all the circumstances, have kept mortgage lending – primarily family mortgages – means we observe that people are taking them out and paying six percent, as they always have, irrespective of any changes. We are fully meeting all our commitments for every type of mortgage.

Vladimir Putin: This is the most reliable instrument, is it not?

Marat Khusnullin: Yes.

Vladimir Putin: The share of overdue payments, I believe, is about one percent, no more, is that correct?

Marat Khusnullin: Indeed, it is even slightly less than one percent. Compared to other instruments, it is the most reliable, and people repay it consistently.

As for road construction, we are faring quite well. Despite the late spring this year, which caused us to lose roughly a month in terms of deadlines in various regions, we have entirely recovered the lost momentum. That is to say, everything is proceeding according to plan, both in terms of repairs and new construction. This year, we very much hope to open the motorway to Tyumen by the end of the year. The construction of bypass roads around Tyumen, Omsk and Novosibirsk continues.

Vladimir Putin: When approximately will you reach Tyumen?

Marat Khusnullin: In December. We are currently on schedule and have every opportunity to achieve this.

Furthermore, this year we are working on two landmark routes: we are widening the motorway to Belarus and expanding the M3 Ukraine motorway to six lanes. This year, we will also launch the Yuzhno-Lytkarinskaya road in the Moscow Region, utilising extrabudgetary funds. That is to say, we are actively supporting extrabudgetary financing, and this area is progressing well. Accordingly, there are no doubts whatsoever regarding road construction.

Mr President, we are continuing our work on core communities. Pursuant to your instruction, 2,160 core communities have been included in the plans; we have recently reviewed the progress – all plans to enhance the quality of their urban environment by 30 percent by 2030 are currently being implemented.

We see that the 16 indicators we use to assess progress – respective agreements have been signed with each region, each governor monitors the situation, and we hold weekly operational meetings – to date, all indicators are being met, including those concerning the level of urban improvement.

With regard to urban improvement, you have remarked on numerous occasions that the number of people involved in this endeavour increases every year. The public is highly receptive to these initiatives. When you travel across the country, you can see that the parks, squares and embankments that emerge are comfortable and well-designed. Embankments in particular are highly popular, and governors are constantly requesting your support for new embankment improvement projects. This work is also proceeding actively.

Vladimir Putin: Public spaces.

Marat Khusnullin: Yes, Mr President, public spaces.

At the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, you drew attention to the investment and construction cycle; we have been working on this systematically, year after year, in accordance with your instruction. I can report that this year, the average construction period for multi‑apartment housing is three years and three months, or 1,255 days. By the end of the year, we aim to bring this figure down to 1,200 days. When we commenced this work in 2020, it was 1,650 days.

In addition, we continue to reduce unnecessary paperwork and documentation by moving to digital information systems. This year, we have 550 procedures, whereas when we began, we had 1,250. This year, we aim to reduce this number to a maximum of 500 procedures. Thus, we are systematically addressing this matter as well. We hope to fulfil your instructions, which remain under your personal oversight, by the end of the year.

Overall, I would like to note that the work is well organised; despite all the difficulties, we are fulfilling all baseline plans. We are confident that this year, – thanks to you, too – we will fulfil all our plans and duly celebrate Construction Worker’s Day.

Vladimir Putin: Very good. I congratulate all construction workers on their professional holiday.

Another question. If we look at the total volume of residential real estate acquisitions – both through mortgage financing and 100 percent upfront cash payments – how much do citizens invest annually? About 15 to 16 trillion?

Marat Khusnullin: The public invests 16 trillion rubles in housing annually, making citizens the largest investors. Naturally, when we support them through mortgages, people invest more. A whole series of decisions has been taken … However, the most important thing, Mr President, is that we did not halt any projects. That was a difficult decision.

At present, we can see, for instance, that the mortgage market is rising; we observe that as the interest rate decreases, people begin to purchase property. Therefore, we are doing everything possible to maintain construction volumes.

And the most important thing, we must ensure that people receive all their homes and apartments for which they have paid.

Vladimir Putin: On time.

Marat Khusnullin: Yes, on time.

Vladimir Putin: Of the required quality.

Marat Khusnullin: Yes, Mr President.

<…>

Meeting with Norilsk Nickel CEO Vladimir Potanin

2026-07-15T19:53:14+04:00

The discussion focused on the projects being implemented by the metals and mining company, in particular, in the IT and import substitution, environment, and development of new materials. Separately, the Norilsk Nickel CEO briefed the President on social support measures for the company’s staff.

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Potanin, you are working in many spheres, but how is the parent company doing?

Norilsk Nickel CEO Vladimir Potanin: Norilsk Nickel is our top priority today, of course. The company has been working in difficult conditions for a long time, at least for the past five years, but we have acquired many useful skills over that period. We have learned how to enter new markets and build a new payment architecture and logistics chains. We have replaced almost all foreign-made software with domestic alternatives and no longer depend on our former Western partners.

Vladimir Putin: Which Russian company developed software for you?

Vladimir Potanin: As you know, the Metallurgy Industrial Competence Centre (ICC) is operating in the sphere of import substitution to connect us with software developers, and we have paid our own money to substitute many software programmes. They are also available to our industry colleagues, just as the products of other competence centres are available to us.

Vladimir Putin: In other words, you have done this not only for your company but also for your colleagues, right?

Vladimir Potanin: Yes, we have done this not only for ourselves but also for our colleagues. They were also involved in this project because they need these products, too. As I have said, we also use the products created for our colleagues; it is a healthy exchange that benefits all sides.

You know that we do this while maintaining high social standards and meeting our environmental commitments. Over 10,000 families have recently improved their living conditions in the Norilsk Industrial District alone.

As for ecology, last year, we exceeded our commitments under the Clean Air project by approximately 50 percent, and this year we will exceed them twofold.

Vladimir Putin: In all the 12 cities?

Vladimir Potanin: Yes, and we have made a very substantial contribution to this programme. Norilsk Nickel accounts for over one third of it, and we intend to continue doing this.

We are now working to eliminate our remaining dependence on technologies from countries with which cooperation has become increasingly difficult. Our teams have all but performed a feat in completing this sulphur programme, which is now yielding such impressive results. We therefore intend to complete the remaining stages of the programme using exclusively Russian technologies, or, where necessary, in cooperation with partners from friendly jurisdictions.

Our performance in 2025 and this year shows that we have almost completely adapted to the challenging conditions in which we operate. This is reflected, among other things, in record ore production: this year we expect to mine more than 17 million tonnes of ore in the Norilsk Industrial District. We have also managed to reverse the decline in labour productivity and return to productivity growth. We intend to make further gains in productivity one of our key priorities.

Vladimir Putin: I know you are achieving this by using the most advanced technologies.

Vladimir Potanin: Absolutely. The scope for raising labour productivity through traditional methods is largely exhausted, which is why we are relying on automation and have even begun introducing robotics into mining processes. All of this is being implemented with the help of artificial intelligence.

Vladimir Putin: Yes, I have been briefed on that.

Vladimir Potanin: Indeed. We attach great importance to the adoption of artificial intelligence. Last year alone, the economic effect of introducing these technologies amounted to around 10 billion rubles. By 2030, we expect that figure to increase to 30 billion rubles.

These are not merely aspirations or unfounded plans. We already have concrete projects underway with our partners, including our Belarusian partners at BELAZ. In addition to the long-established supply and servicing of mining equipment for Norilsk, we have now begun…

Vladimir Putin: From Belarus?

Vladimir Potanin: We import conventional equipment from Belarus, while maintenance and repair works are carried out locally at Russian facilities.

But we have now also embarked on a programme for the development of mining machinery, specifically next-generation units capable of operating underground in an autonomous, unmanned mode. The results of the initial testing of such technologies are encouraging. Should these developments prove successful, we intend to share these advancements with our colleagues. Indeed, in essence, we are now only a few steps away from deploying such units underground and realising a fully unmanned mine.

Vladimir Putin: Excellent. How is the current situation on global markets shaping up?

Vladimir Potanin: Mr President, the market environment is indeed challenging. On the one hand, demand for our metals remains stable; on the other, the refusal of numerous countries to purchase our goods has made logistics and sales challenging.

How are we addressing this challenge? Not solely through the conventional and traditional means of cooperating with partners and seeking new markets, but also through the utilisation of new technologies. In particular, here we are being assisted by artificial intelligence technologies. Drawing upon the rich Russian and Soviet tradition in materials science, we have commenced research into the properties of palladium. We started with palladium, with creating a dedicated palladium laboratory.

Examining its properties and crystal lattice enables us to create materials with new areas of application – not merely for traditional uses, such as catalytic converters for motor vehicles, but, through the acquisition of novel material properties, to open up new technology markets. We have already achieved initial successes in this regard.

Vladimir Putin: This should be in demand in our country as well.

Vladimir Potanin: Mr President, we are keeping a very close eye on the domestic market. Sales of most of our metals are rising here at home. We are also looking into introducing new materials within the country – but that goes hand in hand with automation and the adoption of modern technologies in the sectors where they are most needed.

I should say that we absolutely have to focus on this – and we will – because we can clearly see how countries with high levels of automation are reaping the benefits of artificial intelligence, new materials and other innovations.

Vladimir Putin: How many people do you employ at the moment?

Vladimir Potanin: Around 85,000 across the group.

Vladimir Putin: And what is the average salary?

Vladimir Potanin: It is 217,000 roubles, which is quite high – roughly double the national average, for example.

But then, conditions up North are different. So it would not be much of an achievement just to pay well if we did not back it up with a substantial benefits package. Our staff get free travel to and from their holidays, for instance. We run extensive health insurance programmes, with very good voluntary health cover for our employees.

By the way, I mentioned those who had their housing conditions improved – but that does not include the people who benefited from the relocation programme you initiated back in 2010, when you visited Norilsk (co‑financed by Norilsk Nickel, with government money as well). That is another 10,000 families who moved, as Norilsk residents say, to the ‘mainland,’ to a more comfortable environment.

On top of that, one of the biggest milestones was getting the internet to Norilsk ten years ago. It does not bear thinking about what would have happened if we had been penny‑pinching back then and had not laid that fibre‑optic cable. It was quite a feat, actually – a thousand kilometres across the tundra, through very difficult terrain. But it all works, thank goodness.

Vladimir Putin: Good. Thank you.

Meeting with President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Sergei Katyrin

2026-07-09T19:46:39+04:00

Sergei Katyrin informed the President about the work of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, including in the spheres of legislation, commercial courts of arbitration, international cooperation, certification, support for family businesses and anti-corruption measures.

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Katyrin, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry system brings together 130 regional chambers across Russia, correct?

President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Sergei Katyrin: Yes, that is correct.

Vladimir Putin: That represents around 57,000 organisations?

Sergei Katyrin: Absolutely.

Vladimir Putin: That is a very large organisation.

Sergei Katyrin: Mr President, you previously expressed the wish at our congress that we continue developing the chamber system and ensure that we are as close as possible to entrepreneurs. Taking this guidance into account, as well as the provisions of the law on chambers of commerce and industry – which also assigns us the function of providing services – we have worked to implement these objectives.

We have established branches in a number of municipalities across Russia’s regions, and today we operate in 350 locations throughout the country.

The system currently includes federal and regional unions and associations: around 270 at the federal level and approximately 800 at the regional level. This is a substantial expert community that enables us to involve businesses as experts in regulatory impact assessments when drafting regulations, bills, etc.

Today, the entire system is working to support the special military operation. All our colleagues are involved in providing assistance to people from their regions who are participating on the ground. They help organise convoys sent from Russia’s regions and work directly with local communities to address requests for specific equipment, uniforms and other supplies.

Another important area is support for children. The Yevgeny Primakov Foundation for Assistance to Children was established by Yevgeny Primakov himself. We gave it his name after his passing. The foundation focuses entirely on helping children, children’s institutions and orphanages. The main figures are shown on the slide. Over the past year – and perhaps for a longer period – our efforts have been focused primarily on providing assistance to the Kursk, Belgorod and Bryansk regions.

Of course, it is not only the foundation that provides this support. Funds were collected from companies, individual entrepreneurs, and even employees of chambers of commerce and industry – colleagues who contributed personally so that we could organise this assistance. The support covered a wide range of needs, from furniture and equipment for children’s homes to assistance for individual children requiring complex surgeries and other medical care.

We will continue this work.

Regarding our legislative work, as I mentioned earlier, we bring together not only businesses but also industry unions and professional associations. This enables us to provide expert opinions based on the practical experience of companies operating across virtually every sector of the economy. We review around 1,200 draft laws and regulations per year, assessing whether they create a favourable business environment, support business activity, or contain provisions that could have adverse effects.

We also support the development of approximately 100 bills annually as they move through the State Duma, participating at every stage, from the initial concept to final adoption. Each year, we submit around 30 packages of amendments and independently develop 15 to 20 bills, which we then work on with members of parliament to secure their passage. Naturally, our primary objective is to advance the interests of the business community.

There is also another matter: the instruction you gave us, and I would like to report on its implementation. You may recall that, at the meeting of the State Council, we discussed international arbitration and the way courts in London and Stockholm have been handling cases involving Russian businesses – or rather, the way they have been ruling against them.

Vladimir Putin: They issue unlawful decisions.

Sergei Katyrin: Yes, they are politically motivated.

Today, we have 27 regional branches operating across the Russian Federation. Our International Commercial Arbitration Court was established in 1932, while the Maritime Arbitration Commission dates back even further, having been founded in 1930. We continue to develop both institutions. We have already opened branches in St Petersburg, Vladivostok, and Novorossiysk.

As the Northern Sea Route continues to develop, we expect that, when the need arises, we will also establish a branch in Murmansk specifically to serve disputes related to shipping along the Northern Sea Route.

The Maritime Arbitration Commission handles a relatively modest caseload. It has about 40 arbitrators, including representatives from seven foreign countries, I believe.

The International Commercial Arbitration Court has more than 200 arbitrators, of whom roughly 60 are foreign nationals. We maintain active cooperation with countries such as China and India, exchanging lists of arbitrators and expanding our international partnerships.

I would also like to draw your attention to the number of cases we work with. Last year, we handled a total of 923 arbitration cases, including 337 international arbitration cases. I would like to emphasise something that is a particular source of pride for our arbitrators: 10 percent of those international cases involved disputes between foreign parties that chose our arbitration court to resolve their disagreements, rather than cases originating in Russia.

In terms of caseload, we are now the largest national arbitration institution in Europe. At the supranational level, only the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) handles more cases, but it operates on a global scale. Naturally, its caseload is larger.

As for the arbitration institutions in Stockholm and London, we now handle twice as many cases. Even combined, their caseload is almost half of ours.

I cannot comment on the value of the disputes – perhaps oligarchs from around the world still try to take their largest cases there. However, what is encouraging is that more than 350 cases have already been heard by the regional branches we have established across the regions of the Russian Federation. We are making steady progress in this area.

I would also like to mention our international cooperation. We have established business councils with 76 countries. With the exception of European countries, all of these councils remain active. In particular, our cooperation with countries of the Global South has intensified. Our representative offices also continue to operate successfully. We maintain a presence in more than 40 countries through both permanent and honorary representatives. Our honorary representatives work on essentially the same basis as full-time representatives: they maintain their own offices and cover their own operating expenses. We simply authorise them to represent the interests of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. We, therefore, support their activities and seek to make the fullest possible use of this network.

We are actively engaged in all major business councils and associations, including those of the EAEU, CIS, SCO, BRICS, and the Asia-Pacific region. We also organise a wide range of business forums and, as a rule, chair the business councils within these integration frameworks.

Another important area of our work involves functions delegated to us by the Government, such as the issuance of certificates of origin. Across our entire system, we issue around half a million certificates each year. We carry out work under Government Resolution No. 719, verifying that products qualify as Russian-made before they are entered into the State Information System of Industrial Products. This is one of the key indicators of our activity.

At present, we issue eight different types of certificates, reflecting Russia’s various free trade agreements, each of which requires its own certificate. We also train our experts, who undergo retraining and recertification every three years.

Perhaps the most demanding aspect of our work is implementing Resolution No. 719, because every company wants to qualify for government procurement, making competition intense. We continue to perform this work, and so far, we have received no major complaints. In 2025, we have already issued around 10,000 – even more than 10,000 – certificates under Resolution No. 719, confirming Russian origin. Demand continues to grow because, in addition to Federal Law No. 44, procurements conducted by state-owned companies under Federal Law No. 223 also require suppliers to demonstrate that certain products are of Russian origin.

Another project we have been developing for several years is the promotion of family entrepreneurship in Russia. I reported to you when we first launched the project, and it has since grown significantly. Today, 24 regions of the Russian Federation have adopted legislation supporting family businesses. We have not yet reached agreement with the Ministry of Economic Development on the adoption of a respective federal law, but I believe we will eventually succeed.

Vladimir Putin (looking at the presentation): More than 800 children from family-owned businesses have completed training in the fundamentals of entrepreneurship.

Sergei Katyrin: As part of the family business initiative, we run a programme called Business Hope. We work closely with children throughout the year: they complete a range of assignments developed by our experts, and we have a dedicated department that oversees the programme. The children genuinely enjoy taking part, and, importantly, their parents are eager to involve them. It is not just the children’s enthusiasm –parental support is essential, too. Without it, this kind of work would be much more difficult.

At our production facilities, we often look for mentors, including for those returning from the special military operation. Having someone nearby to provide guidance, not only in business but also in life, is extremely important. But in the case of family businesses, that mentor is already there, within the family, the parent who guides you through life, who offers support and passes on experience.

As for our exhibition, trade fair, and congress activities, the main performance indicators are reflected in the presentation. Nearly our entire system is involved in organising these events.

Vladimir Putin: I see.

How does the Chamber contribute to combating corruption?

Sergei Katyrin: There is a nationwide survey called the Business Barometer of Corruption that we conduct every year. In fact, it is one of the initiatives we carry out pursuant to your instruction. Around 40,000 respondents take part in this survey annually. We then distribute the findings to all relevant authorities, to the State Duma deputies, senators of the Federation Council, government ministers, and to your Executive Office. In my view, this is a very serious and highly important survey because it provides a clear picture of the sectors and areas where businesses see the greatest risks and opportunities for corruption.

The top areas of concern change over time. Years ago, it was tax inspections, but that is no longer the case. In fact, respondents now never mention the Federal Tax Service in this respect. The way it operates today is impeccable, so there is no complains. At one point, solid municipal waste management was another major concern, but that issue was also addressed relatively quickly. The survey gives public authorities an opportunity to see the situation through the eyes of the business community: to identify where corrupt practices are most prevalent and where businesses face the greatest difficulties.

We have been conducting this project for many years, and we intend to continue doing so.

<…>

Meeting with Government members

2026-07-09T18:20:01+04:00

The President held a videoconference with Government members, which focused on the operation of the fuel and transport complex in the current situation. Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak and Minister of Transport Andrei Nikitin delivered reports.

At the beginning, the meeting also addressed the current agenda. Minister of Education Sergei Kravtsov reported on the results of the Unified State Exam and the admissions campaign to secondary vocational schools. Deputy Prime Minister and Chief of the Government Staff Dmitry Grigorenko spoke about the new digital services available on the Gosuslugi (public services) website.

* * *

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Colleagues, good afternoon.

Todayб we will address two issues, or perhaps one issue in two dimensions, covering two key sectors of the economy: how Russia’s fuel and transport sectors are operating under current conditions and how they are developing.

However, before we turn to that, as is customary, I would like to address a couple of current matters.

First, I have a question for Mr Kravtsov regarding the results of the Unified State Exam (USE) and the ongoing enrollment campaigns at secondary vocational education institutions.

(Education Minister Sergei Kravtsov reported that this year 750,000 people sat the National Final School Exam (EGE). The average EGE score is growing, especially in the natural sciences. Almost 50 percent of students have scored 70 points or more. The number of students who scored 100 points is growing as well. An outstanding result has been reported this year: for the first time since the EGE was introduced 25 years ago, a schoolgirl from Moscow, Yelena Malkova, scored 500 points in the five subjects she chose for the exam – Russian, advanced mathematics, chemistry, physics and information science. The Minister noted an important trend: an increasing number of students are choosing natural sciences. This year, 24 percent more students chose physics than last year, 10 percent more chose mathematics, and 7.5 percent more chose biology.

As for secondary vocational colleges, 880,000 state-funded places are available this year, with over half of them in technical professions. Overall, more than 1.4 million students will enrol at colleges this year. More young people are choosing programming, mechanical engineering, medicine and construction. The new curriculum includes artificial intelligence skills. According to the Minister, the level of employment for college graduates has increased from 58 percent to 80 percent over the past five years.

Deputy Prime Minister – Chief of the Government Staff Dmitry Grigorenko spoke about the digitalisation of public services. He stated that Russia is one of the world’s leaders in this sphere. The Public Services portal is one of the main digital services. As of now, over 120 million people, or over 95 percent of the population aged over 14, are registered and have a personal account on that portal. Over 14 million people visit it every day, and more than 80 percent of them access it via mobile devices.

The Deputy Prime Minister reported that a new service, Digital Profiler of a Foreign Citizen, became available on the Public Services portal on June 30. Since then, nearly 5 million people have registered for it. The service is a unified database of information about migrants provided by 16 agencies. The profile includes personal data, information about immovable property and vehicles, education, medical insurance, employment, etc. This has simplified many procedures for foreigners, such as registration, the processing of applications for work permits or temporary residence, employment authorisation, etc. At the same time, the government has comprehensive and regularly updated migration information.

Replying to a question from the President, Dmitry Grigorenko reported on technological and legislative fraud prevention measures. The Government has established an interdepartmental task force, which includes representatives of law enforcement agencies. It analyses the statistics and offers protection measures. According to official statistics from the Interior Ministry, the number of fraudulent actions against citizens has decreased by one third over the first six months of 2026.)

Vladimir Putin: Let’s move to the main issues on our agenda. Please, Mr Novak.

Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak: Thank you.

Mr President,

Colleagues,

Continued attacks on our civilian infrastructure, including civilian fuel and energy facilities, have resulted in damage to several refineries. This has led to a temporary decline in the production of petroleum and diesel fuel.

Mr President, the Government, acting on your instructions, has taken the following measures to stabilise the domestic market.

First, production at operating plants has been maximised, all available fuel reserves have been sent to the market, the duration of current maintenance and repair operations has been cut, planned repairs have been postponed, a total ban on the export of petroleum and aviation fuel has been adopted, and the capabilities of medium-sized and small refineries have been put to use.

I would like to note that the situation remains complicated despite these measures, which have partially stabilised the market. In particular, forced cuts in fuel production caused changes in the routes of fuel delivery to end users. The demand for motor fuel has increased by about one third. This is a considerable amount; it is one third larger than in the same period last year.

Taken together, this has increased pressure on filling stations, increased the number of vehicles per pump, and consequently, refuelling time.

It is obvious that this situation at filling stations is a cause of concern for the people. The Government is taking additional measures to deal with this problem and stabilise the situation. Today, we have adopted a ban on the export of diesel fuel, which will help us increase deliveries to the domestic market. In July, we will also import petroleum products and increase production by turning out lower environmental class petroleum products. We have extended the zero duty for imported petroleum products and additives for another year. We have also coordinated with Russian Railways the possibility of rail ticket discounts to create economic conditions for imported fuel.

To increase fuel supplies to the domestic market, amendments to the Tax Code were promptly adopted. Mr President, I would like to thank you for supporting and signing the relevant law.

The mandatory share of motor gasoline sold through commodity exchanges was also reduced from 15 percent to 10 percent. In addition, we refined the exchange trading mechanism to eliminate intermediaries, ensuring that fuel is supplied directly to end consumers. We also introduced limits on price increases during exchange trading, a measure that will further help stabilise prices.

I would also like to note that Russia’s major oil companies have begun prioritising the direct supply of fuel to consumers through their own retail filling station networks, as well as to regions where independent fuel retailers account for the majority of sales.

This is largely because, of the approximately 29,000 petrol stations operating in Russia, just over 9,000 are owned by vertically integrated oil companies such as Rosneft, Gazprom Neft, Lukoil, Tatneft, and Surgutneftegaz. The remainder are operated by independent retailers, which have traditionally purchased most of their fuel through commodity exchanges or intermediaries. They are now transitioning to direct supply agreements with oil companies and regional operators, as has recently been implemented in the Irkutsk Region and the Trans-Baikal Territory.

Mr President, we are also paying particular attention to ensuring stable fuel supplies to the Kaliningrad Region, the Republic of Crimea, Sevastopol, and the border regions, as I have previously reported to you. In addition, we have prioritised seasonal fuel deliveries for agricultural producers, are overseeing fuel shipments to the northern regions, and continue to monitor fuel prices in cooperation with the Federal Antimonopoly Service.

We continue to work closely with the Energy Ministry through a dedicated operational headquarters involving regional authorities, producers, and consumers. Regional task forces have also been established to coordinate fuel distribution and prioritise supplies to specific categories of consumers, particularly providers of essential services.

To help balance domestic demand and prevent speculation, a number of regions have introduced temporary restrictions on the sale of petroleum products.

Together with the Ministry of Transport, we are also paying particular attention to ensuring a stable supply of petroleum products to the country’s transport sector.

Mr President, I will continue to keep you promptly informed of the situation and any additional measures that may be required.

Thank you.

Vladimir Putin: Thank you very much.

Mr Nikitin, please.

Transport Minister Andrei Nikitin: Mr President,

The transport sector has been working smoothly in this difficult situation, ensuring the delivery of cargo and passengers.

The key hubs – airports, railway terminals, ports, municipal transport and motorways – are operating normally.

We are doing everything possible to deliver fuel to the Crimean Peninsula, working in close coordination with Sergei Aksyonov and Mikhail Razvozhayev.

Allow me to report on specific areas.

Aviation. The situation in civil aviation is manageable despite a decrease in the usual amount of fuel. The demand for transportation remains stable. Over the first five months of 2026, the passenger load factor has been around 90 percent. Passenger turnover exceeded last year’s figures and amounted to 106.57 billion passenger kilometres. Overall, Russian airlines transported 39.54 million passengers from January to May. Airports served 77.82 million passengers, including nearly 20 million on international flights. This is 6 percent more than in the same period last year.

We have registered an increase in transportation by subsidised regional flights. Over the first five months of 2026, 2.2 million passengers used subsidised flights.

The Far East and the Republic of Altai have reported good figures. The flight network to and from Abkhazia has been expanded. Thirteen Russian cities now offer flights to Sukhum, including new destinations from Yekaterinburg, Mineralnye Vody and Ufa. These flights are operated by five airlines.

As per your instructions, we introduced a 50 percent discount for children aged up to 12 years in 2025. Our air carriers have sold over 2.1 million such tickets in the first six months of this year, and over 6.1 million since the launch of that programme.

Long-distance and commuter trains provide reliable passenger services. About 62 million tickets have been available for the summer tourism season, which is roughly the same as last year.

The main tourist destinations – the Black Sea coast of the Krasnodar Territory and Mineralnye Vody – are served by 150 pairs of trains. In June, they transported 115.2 million passengers, or 4 percent more than last year. In the first half of 2026, 625 million people used trains for transportation, which is also more than last year.

We have temporarily adjusted transportation to Crimea for security reasons. Seven pairs of trains currently travel to the peninsula along eight routes. We are working to improve passenger comfort in light of increased load on the rail terminal in Kerch.

The situation in the water transport sector remains stable. Cargo transshipment through seaports exceeded last year’s level by five percent over the first five months of the year, reaching more than 360 million tonnes. River passenger traffic is also on the rise, with 2.7 million passengers transported – an 11 percent increase year-on-year. Particularly strong growth has been recorded on sightseeing and leisure routes, 63.5 percent. The River Mainlines project is contributing to this trend: eight high-speed routes operated in 2025, and this year the network is expanding to 27.

Public bus services are operating on schedule. Despite enemy attacks, there have been no widespread disruptions. We continue to modernise public transport fleets in the regions. Passenger flows on public transport during the first five months of this year have remained broadly in line with last year’s figures.

We are also seeing growth in domestic tourism. In June, travel to the cities of the Golden Ring increased by 14 percent, to resorts in the North Caucasus by 22 percent, and to resorts in the Krasnodar Territory by 36 percent.

We are expanding the unified ticket system, which connects trains, planes and buses with convenient transfers. Together with the heads of 21 regions, we have already launched 64 such routes. This allows passengers to travel more easily to destinations including the resorts of the North Caucasus, Sheregesh, Abkhazia, the Baltic coast, Suzdal, and Altai. More than 2.9 million people have already used the service.

Road construction continues at a steady pace. Major projects are underway, including the Yekaterinburg–Tyumen motorway, the Saratov bypass with a bridge across the Volga River, transport infrastructure in Kaliningrad, and the bridge across the Tumannaya River. Altogether, 27,000 kilometres of roads are under construction this year.

Special attention is being paid to access roads serving socially significant facilities. We are maintaining the capacity of the motorway network despite ongoing construction work and increased tourist traffic. From April through September, large families receive toll discounts on federal toll roads. All 314 border checkpoints are operating normally. To facilitate deliveries of fuel and lubricants, vehicles transporting petroleum products are being processed through checkpoints via a dedicated green corridor. Last week, traffic resumed at the Pogranichny road checkpoint, a major gateway for the Russian Far East, whose capacity has been increased by 50 percent, reaching 500 trucks per day.

Mr President,

Russia’s transport system is successfully handling peak demand and remains resilient. We will continue to fulfil all assigned tasks in full.

That concludes my report.

Vladimir Putin: Thank you.

(The President then gave the floor to the heads of several regions attending the meeting. Comments on the main issue were provided by Governor of the Trans-Baikal Territory Alexander Osipov, Governor of the Federal City of Sevastopol Mikhail Razvozhayev, Governor of the Irkutsk Region Igor Kobzev, and Head of the Republic of Crimea Sergei Aksyonov. In particular, proposals were voiced on optimising fuel supplies, attracting small and medium-sized businesses to this task, and pricing policy, including addressing the problem of rising fuel prices and potential price subsidies.)

Vladimir Putin: Of course, it is necessary to meet the relevant requirements of government agencies, law enforcement and security structures. This is obvious. However, a decision on price subsidies should be taken without delay so that our citizens do not feel excessive pressure.

(Addressing Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak) Mr Novak, please discuss this issue with the Finance Ministry. I will provide support if you need it, although I think the Finance Ministry is fully aware of the situation, which will not last long. This obvious issue is also connected with efforts to disrupt the holiday season for our people in the south, including Crimea. However, steps must be taken immediately to support local residents and those who come there on holiday. Decisions must be taken as soon as possible. Please review the matter with your colleagues in the region and act on it.

There is no doubt that the opponent is trying to damage our economy, but it is even more important that it wants to foster public unease. We know that it is an impossible mission. The capacity margin of the Russian energy system is very large, one of the largest in the world. We simply must organise its proper operation together with the vertically integrated companies, coordinating issues fast so that they do not keep their products within their distribution grids and their refuelling stations but also provide them to independent fuel stations.

We should also take the proposals of Mr Kobzev into consideration, helping small and medium-sized companies contribute to the production of petroleum products without delay, and creating conditions for our normal operation.

According to the Agriculture Ministry, there is no problem with fuel supplies to farms, which have enough now. I hope that will be the case in the future too.

I ask you to take decisions more quickly. I also ask Mr Novak and Transport Minister Andrei Nikitin to promptly report to me and to the Prime Minister, of course.

That will be all for today. I wish you all successful, well-coordinated, and results-driven teamwork.

Meeting with Director General of the Russian Export Centre Veronika Nikishina

2026-07-07T18:29:27+04:00

The President held a working meeting with Director General of the Russian Export Centre (REC, VEB.RF Group). Veronika Nikishina reported on the increase of Russia's non-commodity non-energy exports, the establishment of regional export support centres, and the development of stable partnerships with friendly nations.

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Ms Nikishina, we are aware of all the subjective and objective difficulties facing our exporters. Nevertheless, the volume of non-resource non-energy exports increased by 9 percent in 2025 compared to 2024, thanks to support from the Export Centre, the entire group of the Export Centre. Overall, it reached 1.7 trillion rubles.

Director General of the Russian Export Centre Veronika Nikishina: Yes, 1.7 trillion rubles.

Vladimir Putin: This is a considerable amount.

Overall, how do you assess the work?

Veronika Nikishina: Mr President, it has been said recently at some platforms that we do not need export because it allegedly moves the commodities we need at home to foreign markets, excessively strengthening the ruble. We think this view is fundamentally wrong.

First, no country can be successful on the international stage without maintaining a strong position in the sphere of non-resource export. We can see that a tough competition is unfolding for economic influence and leadership, and non-resource export is an instrument of international cooperation and a means of creating stable partnerships and alliances.

Second, export – both resource and non-resource – amid slowing economic growth is also a means of stabilising the situation and resuming economic growth, because this implies additional markets that bring revenues and tax deductions, prevent lay-offs and help preserve jobs and even create new ones.

Incidentally, our geopolitical opponents, who have been imposing sanctions against Russian exports since 2022, trying to push us from foreign markets as much as possible and hence weaken us economically, are also aware of that.

But we have fundamentally achieved our key goal, which is to quickly shift our focus towards the friendly markets. We have maintained our export volumes and reached a stage of sustainable growth, as you have absolutely correctly noted. Last year, our non-resource exports increased by 11 percent, mechanical engineering exports by 28 percent, and the share of friendly countries in our structure has reached 86 percent.

Our current priority is to attain national development goals which you have set for the Government, that is, to increase exports by two-thirds by 2030 compared to 2023.

Vladimir Putin (Looking at the presentation.): I see that the development of stable partnerships with friendly countries is proceeding apace.

Veronika Nikishina: Yes, we believe we have completed the process of switching to foreign markets. We have restored the pre-sanction export volumes and have started to increase exports by forming stable partnerships and alliances with friendly countries, because our non-resource export constitutes the basis of our partnerships, including technological ones. We are also a reliable supplier of food and commodities that form value chains. We sincerely believe that the trend outlined at the third stage is not only realistic but that we are also perfectly on schedule.

How do we at the Russian Export Centre address the challenge you have set for the Government?

First, we provide targeted financial and non-financial support to specific exporters. We have around 150 support instruments at our disposal, ranging from helping companies find buyers to providing loans and insuring exporter non-payment risks. As you have already noted, last year the exports supported through our instruments reached 1.7 trillion rubles, representing a nine percent increase over the previous year. These exports reached 160 countries, up from 137 the year before. Tax revenues to the budget generated by these exports, together with contributions from the Russian Export Centre group, totalled 750 billion rubles last year. In addition to supporting existing exporters, another systemic task that we see for ourselves is identifying companies with export potential, helping them become exporters, and thereby expanding what we call new exports.

The second area of our work is promoting Russian products on foreign markets. More than half of exporters attribute their success abroad to strong demand for their products. This is precisely the objective of our “Made in Russia” programme: a comprehensive set of initiatives aimed at building a strong demand for Russian-made goods.

First, we establish a permanent presence for Russian products on foreign markets by promoting them through wholesale distribution channels, concluding export agreements with distributors, and developing a network of “Made in Russia” retail stores offering Russian products. This retail network is most extensively developed in China.

Second, we promote Russian products through e-commerce channels, including with the support of local bloggers. We have launched 50 online stores of Russian products under the “Made in Russia” umbrella brand on 21 major international e-commerce platforms.

Vladimir Putin: Is this primarily through our own e-commerce platforms?

Veronika Nikishina: We do use our own online platforms as well, but in many markets consumers primarily shop through their established local e-commerce marketplaces. In order to promote Russian products effectively, we therefore place them on the virtual shelves of those international platforms. This allows local consumers to purchase Russian goods in online stores they are already used to and gradually develop the habit of choosing Russian products.

International trade fairs and business missions are also highly effective tools for generating demand for our products and building long-term commercial partnerships. We organise national stands and pavilions for Russian exporters at major international exhibitions and arrange business meetings for them.

Last year, we organised 32 major exhibition events in 18 countries for around 1,000 Russian exporters. This year, we are maintaining the same pace, having already held 12 such events. These initiatives speed up the establishment of business ties and the conclusion of export contracts for our companies.

Another relatively new instrument under the programme, which we came up with just a few years ago, is the “Made in Russia” festivals and fairs held on foreign markets. In addition to their economic benefit and their role in facilitating export contracts, these events help foster a positive perception of Russian products among international consumers while also promoting a favourable image of Russia through its culture, sports, and tourism.

The third area of our work includes stepping up cooperation with the regions and ensuring systematic complementarity of regional and federal support measures, so that we can achieve our national goals as a team.

The State Council has a key role to play in this regard. The State Council Presidium meeting, which was for the first time devoted to non-resource exports, gave a very strong boost to this work. Last year, 84 regions aligned their regional export strategies with federal strategic planning documents, such as the Foreign Economic Activity Strategy.

We are working with the regions on the basis of a standardised set of tools, known as the Regional Export Standard, which we updated last year based on the best practices of leading regions such as Moscow, St Petersburg, Tatarstan, Bashkortostan, the Amur Region, the Khabarovsk Territory, and the Moscow Region. Many regions are pro-actively becoming mentors for their counterparts in other regions.

We consider that preserving in the regions infrastructure to support exports by small and medium-sized enterprises is one of last year’s significant results following the State Council meeting. It had been at risk of being shut down, but export support centres are now operating in 85 regions, 67 of which receive federal co-financing.

Vladimir Putin: The regional authorities should also have an interest in this, shouldn’t they?

Veronika Nikishina: Yes, but there was a period of uncertainty regarding this matter. I should say, however, that the situation has now reached a completely stable understanding that this infrastructure is a very important addition…

Vladimir Putin: What does this infrastructure include?

Veronika Nikishina: It includes regional export support centres that have their own set of various tools needed by small and medium-sized enterprises. For example, they help companies develop websites, which is extremely important, particularly websites in foreign languages, without which, for instance, a foreign buyer would not even be able to understand…

Vladimir Putin: They would not understand what is being offered.

Veronika Nikishina: That’s right. They help organise various business missions and provide subsidies. Many regions have their own regional programmes to support exporters. The regions exchange these best practices with each other, for example through regional export cashback programmes and so on. As a result, this synergy of cooperation between the regions is producing an excellent effect. Last year, the number of regions making the greatest contribution to non-resource exports increased by four

I would like to emphasise that many governors personally and consistently work to promote the export potential of their regions. I would like to sincerely thank the governors and the teams in all the regions. We have developed a very creative and highly informal form of cooperation, because everyone truly understands how important it is for the regional economy, for businesses, and ultimately for the national economy to support non-resource exports. The strong impetus provided by the State Council for this kind of teamwork has indeed produced excellent results.

In particular, we use digitalisation to ensure that exporters have access to federal and regional support measures. Last year, 16 regions – 14 as part of the planned programme and two, namely the Omsk and Smolensk regions, on their own initiative – digitised their regional support measures and integrated them into the One-Stop-Shop digital platform which cut at least in half the time the exporters require to get support measures.

Human resources for foreign economic activity. This issue was also raised at the State Council meeting. Following your instructions, a consortium was established last year to create an environment to train specialists in foreign trade according to unified standards. Thirty-four universities from 20 regions launched the programmes last year.

The fourth area of our work includes creating and maintaining exporters’ motivation to engage in exports. “Made in Russia” begins in Russia. This is our own proactive mission. We use clear and simple language to tell the people in our country about our hero exporters. We believe it is truly important for the public to understand the impact the exports have on their city, their district, and the country as a whole and to take pride in this and to remain aware of the range of products we have to offer.

For example, we have teamed up with the federal TV channel Rossiya 24 and for three years now have been producing a series of films featuring 300 hero exporters representing major, medium-sized, and small businesses. We highlight their achievements and performance results.

This year, we launched a project with Channel One called “Our Everything. Made in Russia.” We have the Exporter of the Year award, and we have agreed with Channel One that this year’s federal stage finals will be broadcast on Channel One.

Mr President, it is truly important for exporters to understand, especially in the current environment, that their extremely challenging export activities are needed not only by their employees, that they also remain within the scope of the state’s priorities whereas we, as the Russian Export Centre Group of Companies, will continue to support our exporters and help them reach new heights, which will contribute to the economic prosperity of our country.

Vladimir Putin: That is how it will be. This is one of our priorities.

Is the online store chain growing in our country?

Veronika Nikishina: Yes, we currently have 50 stores on foreign marketplaces, and we are also widely cooperating with Russian e-commerce platforms. We have a project with Wildberries to promote an online product shelf featuring Made in Russia goods for export markets.

This year, we conducted a pilot project with Uzbekistan, where in addition to foods, the project included cosmetics (although mainly goods intended for retail sale). We are promoting and expanding our exports in conjunction with our marketplaces. We have big plans to promote products in the markets of other countries together with Wildberries and Ozon. Thus, we are promoting both Russian products and Russian e-commerce platforms. Indeed, we are fully experiencing the benefits of digital platforms and all the effects they create for exporters.

Vladimir Putin: Very good. Thank you.

Veronika Nikishina: Thank you.

<…>

Visit to the Joint Force auxiliary command post

2026-07-09T12:59:24+04:00

The Supreme Commander-in-Chief visited an auxiliary command post of the Joint Force, where he chaired a meeting with the General Staff leadership and the commanders of the groups of forces.

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon, comrades.

Today we are holding a regular working meeting to assess the current situation in the special military operation zone, as well as to review and evaluate the latest combat results.

The Chief of the General Staff provides reports on the situation on a nearly daily basis. In this regard, I would like to note that the formations and military units of the Joint Force are carrying out their assigned tasks in accordance with the plans of the General Staff of the Armed Forces.

The liberation of the Lugansk People’s Republic has recently been completed in full. Meanwhile, operations to eliminate formations of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Donetsk People’s Republic, as well as in the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions, are underway. The establishment of a security zone in the border areas of the Kharkov, Sumy, and Dnepropetrovsk regions of Ukraine is also progressing according to plan.

Enemy forces are attempting to maintain their positions, but under the pressure of our troops they are sustaining heavy losses and are being forced to withdraw.

Since the beginning of this year, Russian forces have liberated 133 settlements and established control over more than 3,000 square kilometres of our territory in Donbass and Novorossiya.

Today’s discussion will focus on developments in the areas of responsibility of the North and South groups of forces. We will also review the results of combat missions carried out by other formations and military units.

In addition, during a restricted attendance meeting, as previously agreed with the Chief of the General Staff, we will examine the tasks assigned to the Joint Force for the summer period and discuss the most pressing issues related to supporting ongoing offensive operations.

But first, before we proceed to the commanders’ reports, I ask the Chief of the General Staff, in accordance with established procedure, to provide an overview of the general situation in the special military operation zone.

Please begin, Mr Gerasimov.

Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces and First Deputy Minister of Defence Valery Gerasimov: Comrade Supreme Commander-in-Chief,

The troops of the Joint Force continue carrying out their mission during the special military operation to liberate the Donetsk People’s Republic and the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions.

In June, 29 settlements and a total of 636 square kilometres of territory were liberated.

Unable to achieve results on the battlefield, the Kiev regime is making attempts to persuade its Western sponsors that it has regained the initiative and made significant advances. To achieve this goal, the Kiev regime is conducting an information campaign highlighting the alleged successes of AFU formations while concealing territories liberated by Russian troops by describing them in neutral terms as “moved into the grey zone.”

At the same time, units and formations of the Joint Force continue advancing in every operational direction. The fastest rates of advance have been recorded in the areas of responsibility of the North and East groups of forces.

The North group of forces, advancing simultaneously along several axes, continues expanding the security zone in Ukraine’s Sumy and Kharkov regions bordering the Russian Federation. Progress is being made toward Sumy and in the vicinity of the village of Bely Kolodez in the Kharkov Region. In June, eight settlements came under Russian control.

The West group of forces continues advancing along a broad front within its area of responsibility in the Kharkov Region and the northern part of the Donetsk People’s Republic.

In the Kupyansk direction, the enemy continues efforts to retake previously lost positions. To support this objective, it has redeployed 11 additional battalions to the area, including units from two marine brigades. These forces have repeatedly attempted to break into Kupyansk and push our units back across the eastern bank of the Oskol River, but without success. Ukrainian forces have suffered substantial losses: since May 10, some 2,500 Ukrainian servicemen, including more than 550 marines, as well as 772 pieces of weapons and military equipment have been destroyed in this sector.

Operations to eliminate enemy formations on the eastern bank of the Oskol River south of Borovaya are continuing. Four settlements – Sheykovka, Novy Mir, Cherneshchina, and Druzhelyubovka – have come under our control. Street-to-street fighting is ongoing in Podliman. The liberation of Krasny Liman, a key administrative centre and major railway hub, is approaching completion. Its capture is of significant logistical and operational importance for the continued offensive in this direction.

The South group of forces continues offensive operations aimed at liberating the Donetsk People’s Republic. Units of the group liberated the town of Konstantinovka, one of the enemy’s principal defensive strongholds within the Slavyansk–Kramatorsk–Konstantinovka fortified area.

In addition, in June, elements of the 3rd Army, advancing toward Slavyansk and Kramatorsk, took control of four more settlements.

Heavy fighting continues in the Centre group of forces’ area of responsibility. Its formations and units are advancing north of Krasnoarmeysk, with the front line now approximately 8.5 kilometres from the city’s outskirts.

Kutuzovka, Vasilyevka, and Novy Donbass were liberated in June. Forward units of the Centre group entered Dobropolye and Annovka. Fighting continues in Belitskoye, Shevchenko, Sergeyevka, and Krasnoyarskoye. Meanwhile, part of the group continues operations to establish a security zone in the Dnepropetrovsk Region, while combat is underway to capture Novopavlovka.

Troops of the East group of forces continue to maintain the initiative across their offense sector and are advancing in the Zaporozhye and Dnepropetrovsk regions.

On the northern right flank of the group’s area of responsibility, formations and units of the 29th Army repelled attempts by Ukrainian assault units to penetrate Russian defensive positions. After thwarting the enemy’s effort to halt our offensive in this sector, the group resumed its advance in the southern part of the Dnepropetrovsk Region, expanding the security zone. In June, Bogodarovka and Novoskelevatoye were captured in this direction, and on July 2, Alexandrovka was liberated. Fighting continues in the large settlement of Velikomikhailovka.

Along the group’s main axis of advance, troops of the East group continue to push westward on a broad front in eastern Zaporozhye Region. Approximately 115 square kilometres of territory came under Russian control in June. The settlements of Komsomolskoye, Novoselovka, Lesnoye, Rovnoye, and Kopani were liberated. Fighting continues in the village of Lyubitskoye.

Units of the Dnepr group of forces are conducting offensive operations in the Zaporozhye direction. The command of the Ukrainian Armed Forces sought nothing less than to halt Russia’s advance by regaining control of territory around the villages of Primorskoye and Stepnogorsk. For this purpose, some of Ukraine’s best-trained and most motivated special operations forces of the main intelligence directorate, together with foreign mercenaries, were dispatched. All enemy attacks were repelled.

Assault units of the Dnepr group of forces continue to increase the pace of their offensive. Advance groups have now pushed forward to within nine kilometres from the southern outskirts of Zaporozhye, engaging Ukrainian positions within the city limits. Fighting is also ongoing in Orekhovo and Preobrazhenka.

In addition, in accordance with the General Staff’s operational plan, Russian forces have continued to carry out large-scale and coordinated strikes against Ukraine’s military-industrial complex and the energy infrastructure supporting it. In June, five large-scale strike operations were conducted, targeting 55 facilities across Ukraine, including 34 military-industrial enterprises involved in producing Flamingo cruise missiles, long- and medium-range unmanned aerial vehicles, robotic systems, and electronic warfare equipment; as well as 10 airfields used to base Ukrainian combat aircraft; and five fuel and energy infrastructure facilities.

During the night of July 1–2, the Russian Armed Forces carried out another large-scale strike using long-range precision-guided weapons and attack drones against military-industrial facilities in Kiev. The strike damaged five key Ukrainian aviation and electronics enterprises manufacturing long-range UAVs, cruise missiles, and related components.

In addition to this, the strike damaged a logistics centre; four fuel and energy facilities; and infrastructure at five military airfields. As a result, the strike has substantially reduced Ukraine’s industrial capacity to manufacture long-range weapons, including cruise and ballistic missiles, which has also increased the Kiev regime’s dependence on Western supplies of components, explosives, and fuel.

Comrade Supreme Commander-in-Chief,

The formations and military units of the Joint Force will continue carrying out their assigned missions to liberate Donbass and Novorossiya in accordance with the approved operational plan.

The report is over.

Vladimir Putin: Good, thank you very much.

Let us continue. I would like to note the positive momentum in the actions of our troops, as well as the increasing pace of the advance by units and formations of the Russian Armed Forces along the entire front line. I can see this on a daily basis, both in your reports and in those submitted by other commanders.

In recent months, the security zone along our border with Ukraine has also expanded considerably. Troops of the East and Dnepr groups of forces are advancing successfully in the Zaporozhye Region, the liberation of the Donetsk People’s Republic is continuing, and, as you have reported, the South and Centre groups of forces are continuing their westward advance while inflicting defeats on the enemy.

In June, Ukrainian Armed Forces units were forced out of six settlements, including the city of Konstantinovka, which has been brought back under Russian control.

I would like to emphasise that the capture of Konstantinovka represents only the first, but a highly significant, step toward defeating the Ukrainian Armed Forces units currently holding what you referred to as the Slavyansk–Kramatorsk–Konstantinovka fortified area. There, the enemy has built a deep, layered system of defensive fortifications, effectively turning the cities of Slavyansk, Kramatorsk, Druzhkovka, and Konstantinovka into a single defensive stronghold. With Konstantinovka now under our control, I believe it is no longer appropriate to refer to the Slavyansk–Kramatorsk– Konstantinovka line. Instead, it should simply be called the Slavyansk–Kramatorsk line, while also taking into account Druzhkovka – a smaller, though likewise fortified, settlement.

(Commander of the South group of forces Lieutenant General Sergei Medvedev, Commander of the 4^th Motor Rifle Brigade Major General Anton Grunis, and Commander of the 6^th Motor Rifle Division Colonel Alexander Kartavkin reported on the liberation progress in the Donetsk People’s Republic, the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions, and, in particular, the liberation of Konstantinovka. Commander of the North group of forces Yevgeny Nikiforov reported on the progress in expanding the security zone in Sumy and Kharkov regions, as well as in ensuring security in the border areas of the Bryansk, Kursk and Belgorod regions.)

Vladimir Putin: Thank you very much.

Here’s what I would like to emphasise. The more strikes the enemy attempts against our civilian infrastructure – and, of course, our foremost priority is to do everything necessary to protect these facilities and the civilian population – the more such attempts they make, the larger the security zone we will be compelled to establish in the adjacent territory. Especially since this area, like the other territories we have discussed today, is historically Russian land.

We will wrap up this part now and proceed to discussing a number of separate issues. But first, I would like to stress the following.

The Russian Armed Forces continue to firmly maintain the strategic initiative in the special military operation zone, and the liberation of Konstantinovka is of major strategic significance.

As you know, the city is a key transportation hub and a major industrial centre in Donbass. It has around 20,500 homes, while Sumy – the regional capital – has just over 30,000, making them comparable in size. The capture of Konstantinovka by the South group of forces opens a direct route for further advances toward Kramatorsk and Slavyansk, as well as other fortified areas in Donbass. It is undoubtedly a key step toward the liberation of the entire Donetsk People’s Republic.

As for the establishment of the security zone, I would like to reiterate that it is also an important component of achieving our overall objectives. The formations and units of the North group of forces are successfully carrying out this mission and continue to push enemy forces farther away from Russia’s border.

A decisive role in these achievements undoubtedly belongs to our soldiers and officers, who, in the course of combat operations, continue to demonstrate the finest qualities of the Russian warrior – selfless devotion and love for the Motherland, military camaraderie, and brotherhood in arms.

Please convey my sincere gratitude to all personnel for the courage and heroism they display every day. And, as I have already said, I ask that all those who have most distinguished themselves be presented for state awards.

Now a few words about the enemy’s information and propaganda operation with the results the Kiev regime allegedly obtained on the battlefield. I would like to note that both the Kiev regime and the purported European so-called peace makers, whose genuine objective is not peace but continuing the war with Russia to the last Ukrainian, reaffirm our assumption regarding their true intentions by their statements and practical actions.

I want to stress that the June 7, 2026, joint statement by some of the EU leaders welcomed the innovative, as they put it, use of pilotless technologies by the Kiev regime.

I have already spoken publicly about it. I asked a purely rhetorical question whether they meant strikes at our civilian facilities, transport with civilians and children and students dorms? Does this mean encouragement to further such strikes?

In this respect I should say that massive group strikes must continue at Ukraine’s military industrial complex infrastructure and the facilities ensuring its operation, because those ideas are in the air and being pursued, therefore we must respond correspondingly. Please offer your relevant proposals.

Valery Gerasimov: Yes, Sir.

Vladimir Putin: We must also continue analysing the involvement of each instigator of the continuation of the war in Ukraine, the analysis of the involvement of each of them in real combat actions. We need this analysis for taking responsible decisions in the future. We will need it anyway.

Now, as for the enemy’s alleged success on the battlefield, then we should, first of all, keep in mind that for supporting their legends and lies, and false statements, the enemy can take certain actions of a sabotage and terrorist nature, launch raids, albeit involving small task forces but with great propaganda fanfare, in order to confirm their arguments about imaginary achievements. We have to be prepared for such possible raids.

And, second, the audacious claims made by the ringleaders of the Kiev regime about successes which, as we know, do not actually exist, are generally to our advantage, since these play-actors—and they are incapable of doing anything else, as they have never been taught to — undoubtedly discombobulate both themselves and their sponsors by their actions and statements. I reiterate: it works for our benefit. Meanwhile, commanders of the Russian Armed Forces groups should act rhythmically, rationally and consistently, overcome hardships which naturally emerge in such conditions, do everything necessary and possible to secure unconditional fulfilment of their tasks in strict compliance with the objective of the special military operation worked out by the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces.

<…>

Meeting with VTB Bank CEO Andrei Kostin

2026-07-03T16:22:54+04:00

Vladimir Putin had a working meeting with President and Chairman of VTB Bank Management Board Andrei Kostin.

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon. Mr Kostin, the bank’s performance looks positive across all the main indicators. What would you like to highlight?

VTB CEO Andrei Kostin: Yes, Mr President, the performance looks positive. This year, we expect our profit to increase. Last year, it amounted to just over 500 billion rubles, and this year we are targeting more than 600 billion.

One area we are particularly proud of is that the bank remains focused on financing major industrial projects. These projects are moving forward, and there are quite a number of them.

I will begin with the largest one. We are the lead lender for the development of the Baimsky copper deposit in Chukotka. The project is estimated at 1.3 trillion rubles.

Vladimir Putin: Are we implementing this together with our Kazakhstani friends?

Andrei Kostin: Yes. An important point is that once the project reaches full capacity, Chukotka will no longer be a subsidised region but will become self-sufficient.

There are also other major projects. Construction of the Chernogorsk Mining and Processing Plant in Norilsk is nearing completion. There are also projects such as the Moscow–St Petersburg High-Speed Railway, as well as Gazprom’s Amur Gas Processing Plant, among others. So, despite the relatively high interest rates, these projects are continuing to move ahead and develop.

Of course, if we succeed in countering inflation and lowering the key interest rate, that will further accelerate these projects and make their implementation easier.

Overall, therefore, our outlook is positive. We continue to work actively with small and medium-sized businesses. We can see that, despite relatively modest growth rates, our economy remains stable and, overall, continues to develop.

Vladimir Putin: Good. Let us discuss this in more detail.

<…>

Meeting with Kaliningrad Region Governor Alexei Besprozvannykh

2026-07-02T17:25:44+04:00

Ahead of the 80^th anniversary of the founding of the Kaliningrad Region, the President held a working meeting with the region’s Governor, Alexei Besprozvannykh.

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Besprozvannykh, we had a meeting just recently and discussed matters dealing with the socioeconomic development of the Kaliningrad Region at a Security Council meeting. Today’s meeting is taking place as we are preparing to celebrate the Kaliningrad Region’s 80^th anniversary. I would like to congratulate you and all residents of the region on this anniversary.

Let me note that by demonstrating hard work, talent, and dedication to serving their home region and our vast Russia, the people of the Kaliningrad Region have achieved serious and tangible results in promoting socioeconomic development in all its aspects. This includes science, manufacturing, education, and agriculture.

I would like to wish you and all residents of the region prosperity and further success. Of course, we will do everything we can to implement all the development plans for the Kaliningrad Region, including the ones discussed and agreed upon during the latest Security Council meeting.

Governor of the Kaliningrad Region Alexei Besprozvannykh: Mr President, thank you very much. I will make sure to convey your congratulations to the people of the Kaliningrad Region.

You have our deepest gratitude for the support the Kaliningrad Region has been receiving from you and the Government. Thank you for finding the time to have this meeting ahead of our main holiday which will take place on July 4 in our region. It is thanks to the victory forged by our grandfathers and great grandfathers, and the work of people who moved to this region and veterans who made the first steps in developing it, as well as today’s generation, of course, that the Kaliningrad Region is currently one of the most vibrant regions, and the numbers are there to prove this.

In keeping with my March report, we can see the positive trend continue. The region is also attractive for investors, both domestic and foreign. The region’s first budget was drafted in 1946, exactly 80 years ago. It provided for 88.5 million rubles in budget revenue and budget subsidies of 56 million while the total spending was 69 million. At the time, it was noted that the region underperformed in terms of its expenditure despite the fact that there were available budget funds for that. They did not have enough time to use these funds.

I would like to point out that the situation has radically changed. Today, the Kaliningrad Region has a consolidated budget exceeding 180 billion rubles, and we can see that all these funds are engaged. At the same time, federal budget subsidies have been declining. We aim to have this indicator at around 1.8 billion rubles by the end of 2026. In 2027, we plan it around 700 million rubles and strive to become an unsubsidised region by 2028.

We have made great strides in reducing public debt in recent years. This has been facilitated by a programme for socioeconomic development of the Kaliningrad Region that we’ve been actively implementing since 2014. The region has already invested 415 billion rubles in this programme to carry out 220 projects, including major ones under your supervision. This is a very important programme as it provides a clear and systemic blueprint for promoting regional development across all sectors.

For this reason, I would like to ask you to support the extension of this programme until 2036 so that we can work with the Government on preparing its key projects and initiatives.

Vladimir Putin: This does sound reasonable. I suggest that we dive into the details of this matter.

Alexei Besprozvannykh: Very well. Thank you.

<…>

Meeting with Human Rights Commissioner Yana Lantratova

2026-06-29T18:32:41+04:00

The President had a working meeting with Human Rights Commissioner Yana Lantratova.

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: You have recently assumed your duties as Human Rights Commissioner of Russia. I see that you have already fully immersed yourself in the work. What are your first impressions?

Human Rights Commissioner Yana Lantratova: Mr President, first of all, I would like to thank you for the great trust you have placed in me. For me, this is, of course, an advance of confidence, and I will do everything in my power to justify it.

Naturally, I still have much to learn, but some work has already been accomplished. In fact, my entire life and professional career have been devoted to human rights protection. I won't say much, but I'll mention a few figures.

In St Petersburg, I encountered a case of injustice when fraudsters attempted to deprive orphans of their apartments. We managed to stop them and return 37 apartments to the children.

Next, my team and I established the Union of Volunteers of Russia, a nationwide youth volunteer organisation. When the events of 2014 began, Dr Lisa – Yelizaveta Glinka – and I organised the evacuation of children from the conflict zone. We succeeded in evacuating 2,700 mothers and children, as well as 128 sick and wounded children, to Russia, where they received assistance, medical treatment, and rehabilitation.

Supporting participants in the special military operation has always been – and will remain – my absolute priority. I have travelled to Donbass, to our historical liberated territories numerous times. Last year, when I was still serving as a State Duma deputy, I visited 46 regions of the country, travelling to remote towns and villages to meet with people. Many of those who came to see me were family members of participants in the special military operation. At times, I would spend up to eight hours speaking with them, and it was through these direct conversations that the legislative process began. Based on this work, I submitted 102 legislative initiatives related to the special military operation, many of which have since become federal laws.

Since assuming the office of Human Rights Commissioner on May 14, our office has received 14,752 appeals, 52 percent of which concern issues related to the special military operation. Behind every one of these figures lies more than just statistics, but a real human story.

The most important issue I would like to highlight is the exchange of prisoners of war. As shown on the next slide, when I took up this position, I was able to establish communication with my Ukrainian counterpart, Dmitry Lubinets, and we reached an agreement on the key issues. In addition to prisoner exchanges, which over the past month alone have enabled 550 of our servicemen to return home, the most significant achievement of our humanitarian efforts has been the reunification of civilian families. This was achieved through close cooperation with the Defence Ministry, the relevant security agencies, the Federal Penitentiary Service and our colleagues in the Republic of Belarus. As the next slide shows, we were also able to persuade the Ukrainian side to return all residents of the Kursk Region who had been unlawfully held in Ukraine. They are all back home now. One of them, a young man whose birthday coincided with his return, told me: “This is my second birthday.”

I also cannot fail to mention the tragedy in Starobelsk. What happened there can only be described as a war crime. I travelled to the site immediately after the incident. I would like to thank the Foreign Ministry and the Defence Ministry for arranging a visit by 50 journalists from countries around the world. Together we went through every room of that college. I had been there several times before and had taken part in a patriotic event with those children just six months earlier. The journalists saw no military base there. What they saw were bloodstained blankets, personal photos and children’s toys. We spoke with the children. Afterwards, I met with the parents of those who had been killed, visited the injured children in hospital, and upon returning to Moscow, I also visited them there, thanks to the Ministry of Health. I remain in regular contact with them.

I also wrote to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Human Rights Council and the OSCE. The High Commissioner has replied to my letter.

We continue, of course, to provide humanitarian assistance on a regular basis.

As for our international activities, we have succeeded in establishing strong international contacts. I travelled to Bishkek for a meeting of ombudsmen from the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation member states, where I held six bilateral meetings, primarily with colleagues from the CIS countries. Upon my return, we also signed a cooperation agreement with Lebanon.

On June 17, I chaired a major nationwide meeting of our Coordinating Council, attended by representatives from all 89 Russian regions. We have an exceptionally strong team of regional human rights commissioners, who are closest to the everyday concerns of our citizens. Chairperson of the Central Election Commission Ella Pamfilova also took part in the meeting and expressed her strong support. We signed a memorandum of cooperation and agreed to work together to protect citizens’ voting rights, with particular attention to people with limited mobility, including home voting and voting in remote areas.

Overall, I intend to place particular emphasis in my next annual report on the work being done in the regions, to present the full scope of our human rights protection system. There is much more I could say, Mr President, but these are the main points.

Vladimir Putin: Good. Thank you very much.

<…>

Meeting on fuel supply to the domestic market

2026-06-28T21:41:59+04:00

Vladimir Putin held a meeting in the Kremlin on supplying fuel to Russian regions.

Measures to ensure uninterrupted fuel supply to car owners, businesses, enterprises, and socially significant organisations were discussed at the meeting.

The meeting was attended by First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, Minister of Defence Andrei Belousov, Minister of Industry and Trade Anton Alikhanov, Minister of Transport Andrei Nikitin, Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov, Minister of Finance Anton Siluanov, Minister of Energy Sergei Tsivilev, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, LUKOIL shareholder Vagit Alekperov, Surgutneftegaz CEO Vladimir Bogdanov, Gazprom Neft Chairman of the Management Board and CEO Alexander Dyukov, Gazprom Chairman of the Management Board Alexei Miller, Rosneft Chairman of the Management Board and Executive Secretary of the Presidential Commission on the Development Strategy for the Fuel and Energy Sector and Environmental Safety Igor Sechin, and Transneft Chairman of the Management Board and President Nikolai Tokarev.

* * *

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon, colleagues.

A few days ago, we thoroughly discussed the situation on the domestic market of petroleum products at a meeting with members of the Government. I would like to reiterate myself that we need to minimise the consequences of terrorist attacks on our civilian facilities and infrastructure.

Today, with the meeting held in an extended format and the heads of our leading energy companies taking part, I propose to consider additional steps to ensure uninterrupted and stable fuel supply to car owners, businesses, enterprises, and socially significant organisations, as well as to discuss the progress made in implementing past decisions in this area.

We are in constant touch with some of our colleagues, but I have asked everyone to come and share their thoughts on how to build this work together.

The largest oil refineries are employing their full capacities. We have also tapped into the potential offered by SMEs. Additionally, current maintenance has been shortened while scheduled maintenance has been postponed. It is estimated that the production of primary fuels will exceed the June levels as early as July.

I should note in particular that, considering the circumstances, major companies, including private ones, are proving themselves as reliable partners of the state. Emerging non-conventional tasks are being solved accurately, promptly, professionally and in the interests of our country and citizens.

I should add that earlier accumulated fuels have been supplied to the domestic market. Despite the fact that we are using reserves now, Russia’s petrol reserves are currently almost equal to the volume recorded in the same period of 2025. By all means, we must proceed reasonably and carefully.

According to the data provided by the Energy Ministry, the petrol reserves currently stand at 1.7 million tonnes, which is practically equal to the level recorded in the same period last year. There is but a slight decrease, only 4 percent.

Furthermore, in the interests of domestic consumers, we have imposed a temporary ban on exports of petrol and kerosene-based aviation fuel. We are considering a full ban on exports of diesel fuels. I know that during our discussion, the issue of potential oversupply may be raised. This is why we are here today – to prevent any unnecessary steps. We shouldn’t create any additional problems for ourselves. We will talk about this.

At the same time, you are well aware that problems for car owners and businesses persist: unfortunately, there are still queues at petrol stations, and some highly demanded fuel brands may be hard to find. Of course, we are aware of the difficulties agricultural producers and farms face in summer. We need to do our best to ensure that the seasonal fuel supply schedules are strictly met for agricultural enterprises, as harvests depend on these supplies.

Overall, to stabilise the fuel market, systemic steps must be taken that are consistent with the scale of current challenges. These steps include increasing supply and maintaining economically justified fuel prices.

The Government has established a 24/7 situations centre to monitor the developments. In cooperation with oil companies, additional proposals have been put forward to ensure domestic supplies. Let’s discuss all these issues in detail.

I’m giving the floor to Mr Novak.

<…>

Meeting with permanent members of the Security Council

2026-06-25T15:20:02+04:00

Vladimir Putin held a briefing session, via videoconference, with permanent members of the Security Council.

Taking part in the meeting were Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev, Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Anton Vaino, Presidential Aide Nikolai Patrushev, Defence Minister Andrei Belousov, Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Director of the Federal Security Service Alexander Bortnikov, and Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service Sergei Naryshkin.

* * *

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Colleagues, good afternoon.

There are two items on the agenda today. The first pertains to the safeguarding of internal security and stability. The second concerns our relations – the development of our relations with our immediate neighbours.

I propose that we begin with the domestic agenda. We have two speakers: Director of the Federal Security Service Alexander Bortnikov and Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev.

Please proceed.

<…>

Meeting on the development of the domestic aviation industry

2026-06-24T20:26:38+04:00

The President held a meeting on the development of the domestic aviation industry at the Gromov Flight Research Institute.

The meeting was attended by First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Savelyev, Deputy Prime Minister – Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District Yury Trutnev, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Maxim Oreshkin, Minister of Industry and Trade Anton Alikhanov, Minister of Transport Andrei Nikitin, Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov, Central Bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina, Head of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov, Head of the Federal Air Transport Agency Dmitry Yadrov, Chairman of the Management Board and CEO of Aeroflot – Russian Airlines Sergei Alexandrovsky, Scientific Director of the National Research Centre Zhukovsky Institute Boris Alyoshin, CEO of United Aircraft Corporation Vadim Badekha, President and Chairman of the Management Board of Sberbank German Gref, CEO of the National Research Centre Zhukovsky Institute Andrei Dutov, S7 Group shareholder Vladislav Filyov, Rostec CEO Sergei Chemezov, and Chairman of the State Development Corporation VEB.RF Igor Shuvalov.

* * *

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Colleagues, good afternoon.

Today’s agenda covers civil aviation development. We will discuss the air transport sector and the aircraft manufacturing.

I would like to emphasise once again that, for Russia, the aviation industry is, as we all understand, of particular importance. The state of this sector directly affects transport connectivity of the regions across our vast country, and the speed and convenience of travel.

What is crucial is the ability to independently produce the full range of military and civilian aircraft. This is a key indicator of the country’s technological, scientific and industrial sovereignty. Indeed, just a few countries possess such unique competencies, and Russia is one of them.

My colleagues have just made the point that even highly developed nations – those with long-standing traditions and impressive aircraft manufacturing records – continue to benefit from broad international collaboration. For a variety of reasons, chiefly sanctions pressure, the landscape here has shifted. Russia was compelled to pursue a policy of full import substitution, and has demonstrably risen to that challenge. Moreover, looking at the technology that has just been showcased, it is clear that in several areas we have not only matched the best global benchmarks, but in certain components have even surpassed Western standards. What is particularly striking and deeply encouraging, as I am told by test pilots currently flying these aircraft, is that many of these designs are being led by remarkably young engineering and design teams, with an average age of 32 to 35. That is a very heartening sign, and it bodes well for the continued vitality and strengthening of our engineering and design schools.

Furthermore, Russia is one of only four countries worldwide capable of maintaining the full production cycle for aircraft engines – a significant indicator of our capability in its own right. That said, I would add that we must now accelerate the pace and scale of delivery. That much is self-evident. Nevertheless, the fact that we have reached this point is already a considerable achievement. And, as one of the senior aviators and test pilots I spoke with earlier put it – and I have heard this refrain since 2014 in agriculture, and now increasingly in aircraft manufacturing – how good it would be, he said, if the sanctions were not lifted soon. His reasoning was that they have created a market for domestically produced goods, which in turn has allowed us to rebuild – or rather, to revive and reinforce – our engineering schools. The existence of that market provides the essential platform for further development.

In that context, it is clearly vital that we build on our existing competencies and continue to strengthen our technological sovereignty in this sector. Let me also recall that Russian carriers and manufacturers were among the first to feel the effects of the sanctions I referenced earlier, as well as the broader attempts by a number of unfriendly governments to isolate Russia economically. In particular, they faced breaches of supply and maintenance obligations for aircraft, together with restrictions on international flight operations.

I vividly remember when the MS-21 ran into issues with its wing. Unfortunately, that pushed the entire programme back by almost two years. However, Rosatom, a Russian company, managed to overcome this challenge. Notably, it backfired on those who imposed the restrictions, primarily airlines, and to some extent manufacturers. After all, we used to purchase this equipment from them in large quantities.

We discussed his issue back in 2022 and adopted a number of urgent measures, such as instructions to support our airlines, ensure their stable and regular operations, and guarantee the affordability and accessibility of air transport for passengers. Overall, those tasks were fulfilled.

At the same time, given the circumstances, we need to consider further steps to improve civil aviation.

Today, demand for air travel on domestic and international routes from passengers and economic agents is on the rise. The demand is soaring. The state, airlines, and the aviation industry must create proper conditions for increasing passenger traffic and improving safety and comfort of flights. Cargo transport should not be overlooked either.

Working to achieve our national development goals, we agreed to significantly increase the population’s air mobility. However, there is risk that the targets for passenger air traffic volumes set by the Government may not be achieved. I would like the Ministry of Transport to report today on the updated forecasts for passenger traffic, as well as to outline additional measures to be taken to fully meet the demand for air travel.

Of course, the key and most important condition for achieving this goal is to increase the supply of modern domestically produced aircraft, which I mentioned at the beginning of this meeting. There is no doubt that, through the joint efforts of the state, aircraft manufacturers, and airlines, we will do everything necessary to ensure that Russian carriers operate mainly domestically produced aircraft.

To this end, based on the actual demand for air transport, we need to determine the projected requirements for the aircraft fleet of Russian airlines. Please report these parameters to me today. In fact, we are talking about a massive long-term order that should keep aircraft manufacturing plants, their suppliers, and contractors fully occupied, and about a significant increase in the production of domestic aircraft and the development of new aircraft line-ups. Importantly, the order system must be structured with the coordinating role of the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and the airlines.

Of course, Russian manufacturers are facing a very challenging task. Domestic aircraft must compete – and not merely compete, but compete successfully – with foreign aircraft in terms of quality, reliability, and technical performance.

We certainly possess such potential and have a number of promising aircraft models. These include the medium-range Yakovlev MC-21, now equipped with its own domestic engine, the new Sukhoi Superjet for short-haul routes, and, of course, the Ilyushin Il-114–300 designed for regional flights. As you may recall, we initially developed the Superjet together with our partners from Italy and France. They withdrew from the project, and we replaced all the foreign components. Moreover, pilots are now telling me that we have not simply reproduced what was previously done together with our partners – we have improved it and enhanced its performance characteristics. This is very encouraging. As I mentioned, we have just inspected these aircraft, and their quality is very high and highly respectable.

Significant investments have already been made in the development of these and other models. These investments must now be translated into concrete results, enabling manufacturers to operate steadily, continue improving the technical characteristics of their aircraft, and ensure their price competitiveness.

One of the key issues here is how cooperation is organised in such areas as engines, components, and materials. We will discuss these matters today as well.

I know that the government has prepared a financial model for the upcoming work, including the activities of airlines, leasing companies, financial institutions, and aircraft manufacturers. Let us examine these issues in detail.

In conclusion, I would like to draw the attention of the leaders of aircraft manufacturing enterprises, as well as their suppliers and related companies, to the following: we have provided support to the aviation industry, and we will continue to support it in the future. However, personal responsibility and high standards with regard to results, deadlines, and quality will always remain essential requirements for the management.

Let us get down to work. Please, begin, Mr Alikhanov.

<…>

Meeting with Government members

2026-06-24T12:46:35+04:00

The President held a videoconference meeting with Government members.

The meeting focused on the launch of a mentoring programme for medical school graduates. Several current issues were also addressed at the beginning of the meeting.

* * *

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon, colleagues,

Today, our agenda includes a number of important economic and social issues including the development of the human resources potential of the domestic healthcare system.

Last Sunday, we celebrated Medical Worker Day. I would like to once again congratulate doctors, paramedics, ambulance crews, and junior medical personnel on their professional holiday. Special words of gratitude also go to the professors and instructors of medical universities and colleges, as well as to all practicing specialists working in clinics, hospitals, and federal medical centres who share their knowledge and experience and help train the younger generation. This continuity is undoubtedly essential for improving the quality of medical care in the country.

The noble and creative tradition of senior peers supporting young medical professionals originated in the pre-revolutionary period, matured and grew stronger during the Soviet era, and in recent years we have done much to ensure that mentoring in healthcare has become an important tool for training specialists.

At the end of last year, the relevant provisions were enshrined in a dedicated law. Its implementation will, in fact, begin in just a few days, when approximately 220,000 medical school graduates receive their diplomas. After completing their initial accreditation, young specialists will embark on their professional careers under the guidance of skilled mentors.

I would like to emphasise that this is not a system of mandatory job assignments, like it was during the Soviet era. Graduates are free to choose a medical institution to start their career. The key requirement is that the institution is included in the programme of state guarantee of free medical care.

I would like to highlight the following.

We must not allow the mentoring programme to become a mere formality or to place an excessive burden on healthcare workers, including through an unjustified increase in bureaucratic requirements. An approach like this would invalidate the very purpose of the decisions that have been adopted.

In this connection, I would like to ask the State Council Commission on Long and Active Life, the Russian Popular Front, and the National Medical Chamber to organise monitoring of the programme’s implementation at the local level. We need to maintain close contact with young specialists and their mentors, get their feedback and analyse their comments and suggestions.

(After that, several participants delivered their reports on current issues.

Transport Minister Andrei Nikitin pointed out that the transport sector was preparing for a major transformation, which will determine its development in the coming decades. On September 1, 2026, commercial invoices will switch to a digital format within the State Information System of Electronic Transport Documents. The system has been functioning in test mode for the past four years and now includes 14,000 companies in 83 regions.

Alexei Tsydenov, Head of the Republic of Buryatia and Chairman of the State Council Commission on an Effective Transport System, shared his comments and additional points on that issue.

The President emphasised that the time was certainly right for transitioning to the new system, which is more transparent, keeps all transactions legal and will help do the same in the national economy.

Speaking at the President’s request, Minister of Science and Higher Education Valery Falkov reported on the enrolment process at universities and the implementation of a pilot project for transitioning to a new higher education model that will replace the bachelor’s and master’s system. The idea is, in part, to enhance the accessibility of higher education. The minister noted that 620,481 state-funded places have been approved for higher education institutions this year. The majority of these are for engineering professions – 42.5 percent of the total, as well as teaching, healthcare and agricultural professionals. The minister added that they focused on benefits for participants in the special military operation and their families. The priority admission conditions for these groups of population include a special quota of 53,500 places, or 1,300 places more than last year. Valery Falkov also reported that a special preparatory department has opened this year at the Bauman Moscow State Technical University, the leading engineering school in the country, to help discharged veterans of the special military operation prepare for enrolling at engineering and technology universities. The training subjects include mathematics, physics, the Russian language, practical engineering skills and career guidance aimed at helping applicants choose their future professions.

Minister of Labour and Social Protection Anton Kotyakov reported on the employment of graduates and interaction with employers. He noted that youth unemployment has more than halved since the launch of the long-term youth employment assistance programme, from 17 percent in 2020 to 7.5 percent in 2026. At the same time, the employment level and wages of university graduates were growing. The programme of individual career coaching launched a year ago helps graduates find their place in the employment market. Over 83,000 places have been allocated this year for employer-sponsored education, the majority of them in healthcare, engineering and teaching. Over 90 percent of employers pay additional scholarships to their students.

Healthcare Minister Mikhail Murashko delivered a report on the main subject of the meeting, The Launch of a Mentorship Programme for the Graduates of Medical Schools.

The participants in the subsequent discussion included Acting Governor of the Tver Region Vitaly Korolev, Governor of the Arkhangelsk Region Alexander Tsybulsky, Governor of the Chelyabinsk Region Alexei Teksler, Governor of the Ivanovo Region and Chairman of the State Council Commission on Long and Active Life Stanislav Voskresensky, and heads and graduates of medical schools from these regions.)

Vladimir Putin: I would like to go back to the questions I had for Marat Khusnullin and Alexander Novak at the beginning of this meeting by asking Mr Khusnullin to start by saying a few words on the topic we raised at the beginning of our meeting.

Mr Khusnullin, go ahead, please.

Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin: Mr President,

The system-wide infrastructure development effort on the Crimean Peninsula has made tourism one of the drivers of economic development. To illustrate this point, let me say that in 2025, despite all attempts by the adversary to make life harder for us, we had over 7.4 million tourists, up from 6.3 million in 2024. Tourists travelling by car account for 75 percent of this total, while the remaining 25 percent arrived by train.

In the current environment, there has been a decline in the number of tourists on the peninsula. The Government has worked with the regions to offer state support measures to companies working in the tourism sector to ensure that workers do not leave the industry, while also providing for reimbursing prepaid bookings, including for children’s camps and recreational programmes.

We discussed all these matters and reported to the Prime Minister. In keeping with your instructions, a document to this effect will be issued in the coming days.

We are also taking additional measures together with the Defence Ministry to enhance the protection of all transport communications with the Crimean Peninsula.

As for the agricultural sector, the effort to prepare for the harvest season is underway. This is quite a challenging task, but I think – Mr Novak will elaborate on this point in his remarks – and we hope to have quite a good crop yield this year. It is now a matter of harvesting it.

We are also continuing our efforts to prepare for the autumn and winter season. Utilities services will benefit from additional support, if they need it.

We are keeping a close eye on housing and hotel builders. The real estate sector and the construction industry continue to attract investment.

We are currently working in close, real-time coordination with the governors on measures to minimise all delays and downtime.

I think that we will be responsive when taking centralised decisions on promoting steady socioeconomic development and carrying out the corresponding programmes in Crimea and Sevastopol.

This ends my report.

Vladimir Putin: Thank you.

Mr Novak, go ahead, please.

Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak: Mr President, colleagues,

Regarding the current situation on the fuel market, it is challenging but manageable. Mr President, the Government is acting under your instructions to take the necessary measures to ensure an uninterrupted supply of fuel to consumers.

We have coordinated a set of measures to provide additional fuel supplies, especially during the summer season and with due regard for increased demand for petroleum products. This allows us to address arising logistics problems in some regions and at fuelling stations.

As per your instructions, we are paying special attention to Crimea, Sevastopol and border regions. We are working together with Mr Khusnullin, his working group, the Transport Ministry, the Defence Ministry and other agencies.

We are also focused on the Far East and Kaliningrad. We hold meetings on current issues with the participation of oil companies and federal authorities almost every day.

What has been accomplished to date? First, we have adopted a total ban on the export of petroleum and aviation turbine fuel. We are also considering a total ban on the export of diesel fuel. All oil refineries have maximised their production capacity, shortened repair and maintenance times, and postponed scheduled repair and maintenance works. The Energy Ministry is closely monitoring these schedules and optimising timelines.

We are working with Russian Railways and the regions on a daily basis to address logistical issues and the delivery of fuel to fuelling stations.

The Federal Anti-Monopoly Service is monitoring prices at fuelling stations in real time, taking measures to streamline their operations as and when necessary.

I would like to emphasise that our vertically integrated oil companies currently bear the main burden of supplying the domestic fuel market. They have increased production and deliveries to the regions as much as possible, including in the regions where they have few or no branded fuelling stations.

Small and medium-sized oil refineries have been fully engaged in the production of motor fuel.

We are using previously unused reserves and stimulating additional supplies to the domestic fuel market. In particular, the Government has drafted relevant amendments to the tax legislation, which will be discussed and adopted within the next few days.

The Government is paying special attention to the agricultural complex and the supply of fuel to agricultural producers and farms. This is a priority for us. Seasonal fuel supply patterns have been approved and are being complied with. Prices are being monitored. The Energy Ministry and the Ministry of Agriculture are promptly addressing arising problems together with oil companies. In other words, we are using all the necessary tools without delay, continuing to monitor the situation and taking the requisite measures to ensure a stable fuel supply across the Russian regions.

This concludes my report.

Vladimir Putin: Very well.

The Defence Ministry, alongside other law enforcement and military agencies, must play a pivotal role in minimising the threats they are trying to create for us – I mean the attempts by the Kiev regime to create new threats. However, the Government of the Russian Federation and the heads of the regions must also play their part. This is a challenging task, that much is obvious, but there is nothing impossible about it. In this context, focusing on the spheres within your respective areas of responsibility is instrumental. Everyone working within your area of responsibility must demonstrate diligence and responsiveness.

What did I want to say in this regard? Everything the Kiev regime does, as I have just mentioned, is designed to achieve the single objective of creating favourable conditions for itself in base of negotiations or, to be more exact, of resuming peace talks, which were cut short at Ukraine’s initiative. They want to be in a position of strength once this happens.

What does it mean to be in a position of strength for them? This can only be a matter of creating an illusion of a position of strength. In fact, on the ground there is a completely different reality.

As we know, our military units – I will elaborate on this point later – are advancing their positions every day. Second, all these terrorist attacks, including those targeting civilian infrastructure, for example the bus carrying Belarusian children in the Belgorod Region, or the student dormitory in Starobelsk – these attacks do not change anything and cannot affect what is taking place on the front along the line of contact. As I have already said, Russian troops are advancing, liberating one community after another, one territory at a time.

Moreover, I think that these attacks, especially the strikes targeting children, definitely serve as an incentive for our fighters on the battlefield to deliver on the mission they received from their country. After all, they see and understand whom we have to deal with.

There is no other way of describing this regime other than a Nazi regime, to say the least. It is hard to imagine, since we have not seen anything like that since World War II. Of course, this is especially true for strikes against children.

Nevertheless, as we have said many times, Russia is ready to engage in peace talks with Ukraine, and is ready to proceed based on the Istanbul agreements. Let me remind you that the Ukrainian delegation initialled these agreements. This means that everything was fine with these terms for them. I do not see any reason not to stick to these agreements as far as Russia is concerned. This is a matter of relying on a foundation created by the agreements that were reached during the talks in Istanbul, and the modalities as discussed in Anchorage, as well as, most importantly, the reality on the ground, and also the principles I had set forth a couple of years ago during my remarks at the Foreign Ministry.

That said, our actions will be defined by what we have. We will keep steadily advancing along all tracks to ensure that our people are safe, while also working on economic matters at the federal level and within the regions of the Russian Federation with a focus on stabilising the economy, government finance and strengthening the Armed Forces.

Thank you very much to all of you.

Mr Novak, we will have a separate conversation with you.

All the best to you.

Meeting with Minister of Transport Andrei Nikitin

2026-07-26T21:23:44+04:00

Vladimir Putin had a working meeting with Minister of Transport Andrei Nikitin.

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Nikitin, you oversee a very large and complex sector, and there are many issues to discuss. Let us begin with the high-speed mainline project. How is the work progressing?

Minister of Transport Andrei Nikitin: Mr Putin, thank you for this very important question. At present, work is underway across all sectors of the project.

The train itself is under construction. Today, we have already completed the welding of almost the first five carriages of the high-speed train. For the first time in the world, welding has been carried out on a 980-millimetre section. At speeds of 400 kilometres per hour, we are dealing with an entirely different level of physics, which means completely different requirements in terms of safety, tolerances, and engineering standards. This work is proceeding fully on schedule in Verkhnyaya Pyshma.

Importantly, 150 companies are participating in the industrial cooperation chain for the train. The two key elements in the interaction between the train and the wheel–rail system are the wheelsets and the traction drive. Both have been developed and manufactured in Russia. They are currently undergoing successful testing and are being prepared for certification. In other words, the most critical engineering challenges facing the developers are being successfully addressed.

Construction of engineering structures is actively progressing along the entire route. Perhaps the largest of these is the eight-kilometre bridge across the Shosha River. Work there is proceeding at full speed, with the bridge supports already under construction.

One of the more sensitive aspects of the project involves crossings over existing infrastructure: railways, motorways, gas pipelines, and power transmission lines. Work in these areas is also advancing steadily. For example, construction at the crossing over the M-11 Neva Motorway is already in an active phase.

A unique project involving reinforced-concrete beams weighing 700 tonnes is also underway. Production has begun at a dedicated facility, one of ten such plants planned for the project. These beams will form the foundation of the entire structure. The first two have already been cast and are undergoing testing, while the third one is currently being poured. By the time the supports are completed, these beams will be ready for installation.

Where the line passes over unstable ground without elevated structures, pile foundations are essential. As you know, the soils in the Moscow, Tver, and Novgorod regions are particularly challenging, with numerous wetlands. Consequently, the pile fields have largely already been driven, and this work is being carried out efficiently.

Given the high operating speeds, we are also constructing viaducts and overpasses to minimise gradients and ensure the smoothest possible alignment, with as few curves and deviations as possible.

Vladimir Putin: Who is responsible for monitoring quality?

Andrei Nikitin: First, quality control is carried out by the concessionaires acting on behalf of the customer. They have engaged a specialised company for this purpose. Rostekhnadzor is also conducting oversight on site. And of course, Russian Railways, as the general contractor, is closely involved. Accordingly, all work is subject to exceptionally rigorous supervision.

I would also like to express my gratitude to our colleagues from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. We have established an advanced engineering school – the High-Speed Rail Academy – which is helping us train the required specialists.

Mr Putin, the task you have set is extremely important. This is a landmark engineering and technological project, and we cannot allow the momentum to be lost. Following your instructions, we have also examined potential future directions for the development of the high-speed rail network. We assessed these options based on reductions in travel time, projected passenger traffic, investment requirements, and, most importantly, their contribution to gross domestic product. That is, which routes are most effective.

Among the proposed routes within Russia, the most effective is the Moscow–Nizhny Novgorod section with further extension to Kazan. It offers the greatest economic impact and overall benefit. The second most promising project is the international Moscow–Minsk route, followed by the other proposed corridors.

Therefore, with your permission, we would like to begin preliminary work on these projects. I will submit the corresponding proposal.

Vladimir Putin: Of course.

Andrei Nikitin: It would be desirable for us to make a decision on these projects by 2028–2029, finalise the financial model, and move on to implementation.

Vladimir Putin: As for the Moscow–Minsk project, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko and I have discussed it repeatedly. The President of Belarus supports the initiative, so there should be no administrative difficulties.

Andrei Nikitin: Mr Putin, with your approval, we would like to involve the Eurasian Development Bank from the outset and develop the project jointly as an international undertaking. We will work on this together with Oleg Belozerov under the supervision of Vitaly Savelyev.

Vladimir Putin: Good.

Andrei Nikitin: Let me also say a few words about inland waterway and maritime transport. Mr President, you issued a corresponding instruction in this area, and today river transport is developing steadily. At the same time, several projects are of key importance for the economy. These include the Bagayevsky and Gorodetsky hydraulic engineering complexes, whose construction is progressing in line with your instructions. We recently inaugurated the first phase of the Bagayevsky project together.

Of course, attention must also be paid to Siberia and the Far East, particularly to everything related to the northern delivery. From a commercial standpoint, these routes may not generate large cargo volumes, but we have a responsibility to ensure the delivery of food, fuel, and other essential goods to people in these regions.

Vladimir Putin: It is a vast distance – more than 12,000 kilometres.

Andrei Nikitin: When I looked into the issue, I found that since the 1990s, 93 ports have been closed, while only 95 remain in operation. In other words, nearly half of the ports have been closed. Responsibility for these facilities was transferred to the regions. As a result, in places where ports occupied central locations, developers emerged, and so on. One of the key challenges for expanding river cargo transportation today is the availability of port infrastructure, transshipment facilities, and rail connections.

We have already begun addressing these issues together with the regions. Three new ports have been built, and we intend to continue this work.

Vladimir Putin: Where have they been built?

Andrei Nikitin: In Tatarstan and Yakutia. These regions have the most proactive governors and sufficient cargo volumes.

Passenger transport is demonstrating remarkable growth. On your instructions and under the leadership of Vitaly Savelyev, the River Routes project was launched and continues to expand rapidly. Passenger traffic has been growing steadily year after year, reflecting strong public interest in this form of tourism.

While river passenger services are still largely associated with tourism, they are increasingly serving broader transportation needs. Moscow, for example, has launched a full-fledged river transport system and has even established its own shipyard. We are actively assisting these efforts.

Nor is this trend limited to Moscow. Meteor-class vessels are being built in Nizhny Novgorod, and a shipyard is operating in the Leningrad Region. As a result, the passenger river transport sector is currently developing even faster than freight transport.

Vladimir Putin: What is the average age of the passenger fleet today?

Andrei Nikitin: Taking into account the vessels currently in operation and undergoing modernisation, the average age is 38 years. However, this figure is expected to change soon. Moscow alone plans to introduce more than 40 new vessels, which will significantly rejuvenate the fleet. New cruise ships are also under construction.

Vladimir Putin: I assume the cruise fleet is even older?

Andrei Nikitin: Yes, although brand-new cruise vessels are now being built as well. Efforts in this area are underway. Passenger expectations are rising, tourists are becoming more demanding, and shipowners are investing heavily in the modernisation of their fleets.

Vladimir Putin: Good.

Andrei Nikitin: There are two other priorities I would like to highlight for the Ministry of Transport. The first is the monitoring of dredging operations. It is essential that dredging be carried out where it is genuinely needed. To achieve this, we plan to use unmanned and autonomous technologies to assess river conditions, identify priority areas, and establish targets. We intend to begin this work this year.

As for the second priority: I asked my colleagues a simple question: how do we currently know what cargo is being transported along our waterways? It turns out that at many locks, this information is still recorded manually in large logbooks based on what captains report. Clearly, it is impossible to accurately assess the economic performance of river transport using such methods. For this reason, we are moving toward the introduction of an electronic waybill system on rivers as well. A pilot project will be conducted this year, followed by full implementation next year. This will provide us with reliable data of the sector’s economic performance.

Vladimir Putin: As I understand it, this will also help determine the optimal distribution of cargo among different types of transport.

Andrei Nikitin: Absolutely. We will also see how government investment can be allocated most effectively.

In this regard, I would like to request your support for the preparation of a comprehensive concept for the future development of water transport. We believe this concept should be built around several key principles: first, investment decisions should be guided by actual cargo and passenger flows. Second, there must be a clear division of responsibilities between the federal and regional authorities, allowing regions to take the lead, while ensuring federal support and oversight in important areas. Third, attention must be given to operational reliability, safety, and the fulfilment of critical national tasks, including the northern supply.

We plan to begin this work this year and submit the resulting proposals to the State Council in 2027.

Vladimir Putin: Very well.

<…>

Meeting on development of reunited constituent entities of the Russian Federation

2026-06-14T11:09:30+04:00

The President held a videoconference meeting on socioeconomic development of the reunited constituent entities of the Russian Federation: the Donetsk and Lugansk people’s republics and the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions.

Taking part in the meeting were Prosecutor General Alexander Gutsan, First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Sergei Kirienko, deputy prime ministers Tatyana Golikova and Marat Khusnullin, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Maxim Oreshkin, Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev, Minister for Civil Defence, Emergencies and Natural Disaster Relief Alexander Kurenkov, Minister of Agriculture Oksana Lut, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov, Minister of Energy Sergei Tsivilev, Director of the Federal Security Service Alexander Bortnikov, Head of the Donetsk People’s Republic Denis Pushilin, Head of the Lugansk People’s Republic Leonid Pasechnik, Governor of the Zaporozhye Region Yevgeny Balitsky, Governor of the Kherson Region Vladimir Saldo, and Deputy Defence Minister Alexander Sanchik.

* * *

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon, colleagues,

Our agenda includes issues of socioeconomic development of Donbass and Novorossiya. Let me remind you that just over three years ago, in April 2023, a corresponding comprehensive programme was endorsed, and large-scale tasks were set to ensure close integration of our historical territories into a single legal, economic, educational, cultural, and information space of the country.

Today, we will assess the results attained, and most importantly, we will once again jointly analyse which areas call for additional efforts, where closer coordination is required, taking into account the current situation and operational information from the regional heads. We will look into where resources should be concentrated as a priority, and where, as I have already mentioned, additional support from the federal authorities is required.

I would like to point out once again that under the plans, the Donetsk and Lugansk people’s republics, and the Kherson and the Zaporozhye regions should achieve Russian nationwide standards in all key indicators, in terms of quality of life by 2030. To this end, the programme provides for about 300 different activities, including the development of social, housing, transport, and utilities infrastructure, implementation of projects to launch new industrial and agricultural enterprises, and creation of additional modern jobs.

Importantly, all federal agencies, 26 state-owned companies and 82 constituent entities of the [Russian] Federation have engaged in this massive work and taken patronage over specific areas and settlements of the reunited regions. In fact, entire Russia, hundreds of work teams, volunteer movements, and public organisations have lent a hand to Donbass and Novorossiya; they united to help unlock the enormous potential of these lands and create conditions for creative and stable life.

I am sincerely grateful to all those involved in these tremendous efforts. I know that we have to work in a very stressful, difficult, and sometimes dangerous combat situation – near the line of contact, under conditions of unmanned attacks and shelling.

Our troops are holding a strategic advantage, confidently moving forward, and no shelling or drone strikes are going to change this situation now. There are advances in all directions. The enemy cannot contain this onslaught and is turning to openly terrorist methods – striking civilian targets and communications as well as passenger transport.

I would like to thank all residents of Donbass and Novorossiya for their courage and steadfastness, and, of course, doctors, teachers, public utilities workers, drivers, employees of many departments, and specialists who conscientiously perform their professional tasks and achieve meaningful results.

I can inform you that in total, more than 25,000 different facilities have been restored or rebuilt, including schools, hospitals and clinics, sports grounds, energy and utilities infrastructure. About one million square meters of housing have been commissioned, almost 260 industrial enterprises have been launched, and about 19 million tonnes of grain have been harvested. Through a wide range of tools and mechanisms, assistance has been provided to businesses, small and medium-sized enterprises.

Next. Over 8,000 kilometres of motorways have been repaired and paved, including sections of the Azov Ring motorway, a modern road connecting our Azov regions designed to improve transport accessibility of these territories, open up new opportunities for investment, logistics, and trade.

In this regard, I would like to mention the recently approved Azov Region Development Strategy. It covers our historical regions of Donbass and Novorossiya and should help expand transport and tourism infrastructure, bring land into agricultural production, take the fishery complex to a new level, and eliminate accumulated environmental damage. Eventually, the resource and recreational potential of the Azov Sea region should substantially increase.

I would like to take this opportunity to ask my colleagues in the Government, jointly with the Agency for Strategic Initiatives, local leaders, and business representatives, to focus special efforts on implementing this strategy.

We essentially need to actively introduce cutting-edge scientific and technological solutions and create conditions for attracting investment in technological development projects in this region. This is the foundation for a long-term, sustainable growth. As a result, the Azov Sea region’s development strategy and the programme for the socioeconomic development of Donbass and Novorossiya will effectively complement each other and provide a comprehensive approach to the recovery of our historical regions.

I would like to reiterate: we need not just to recreate or repair everything that was destroyed or damaged but to lay a foundation for a drastic transformation of the economy and industry in Donbass and Novorossiya, to ensure that all spheres of life in these regions get a powerful boost to development for people to see real changes for the better. This is our key national task, and it must be rigorously carried out.

There is a lot of work ahead, and the programme for the socioeconomic development of Donbass and Novorossiya is designed for the period of up to 2030, as you are well aware. A significant part of the programme has yet to be implemented.

This is what we are going to discuss in detail today. Let us get to work. The floor goes to Mr Khusnullin, please.

Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin: Mr President,

The social development programme for the reunited regions, approved on your instructions, is being implemented in full. You have declared this year the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia, and the development of Donbass and Novorossiya has become an example of how the entire country has united to achieve the common goal.

It is important that the programme is comprehensive and covers all areas of our lives and interests of all our citizens.

The most vital task that directly affects the future of these regions, and with due account of their potential – of the entire country, is the development of the regions’ economies.

As you have already noted, industrial enterprises are restoring their operations, and an increasing number of products from these regions are integrated into our common Russian economic system. Agriculture is developing, and agricultural land is being brought into cultivation.

The free economic zone contributes to the inflow of investments and the growth of business activity. The number of participants in the free economic zone has already exceeded 500, whereas the volume of announced investments in the territory amounts to 383 billion rubles. We see that investors are showing great interest. Regional teams should prioritise provision of comfortable investment conditions, project support, and response to investors’ problems and issues in the reunited regions. The latter have a tremendous potential in industry, agriculture, tourism, and construction, and our task is to actively develop it. This is a priority task for the near future.

Mr President, the banking sector is actively developing, and investments through the banking sector are intensively growing. Last year we saw a significant and serious growth with a loan portfolio of 275 billion already, while the growth since the beginning of this year alone, in five months, has been 30 percent. This is a huge work, which, of course, must be continued and increased many times over.

Of course, preferential mortgages and industrial loans, support for agricultural producers and all types of financial services are of great help here. In addition, a military risk insurance programme for housing construction was launched jointly with the Ministry of Finance.

Jointly with the Federal Service for State Registration, Cadastre and Cartography and the Roskadastr public non-profit company, large-scale work has been organised to take a total inventory and registration of all real estate property; some six million facilities have already been registered – it is an enormous figure. This is very important for people to be able to register their housing and land plots, develop the economy, attract investors, receive loans, and increase tax revenues.

As for tax receipts, we have collected 435 billion rubles in 2025. It is 22 percent more than in 2024. Mr President, we review the figures every month together with the Federal Taxation Service, and we can see that the growth rate this year will be between 10 and 20 percent in different sectors. In other words, our economy is developing and taxes are collected. We can see that the new regions are growing and creating additional demand for the output of our enterprises throughout the country, which is fostering its development.

Since 2025, all four regions have been fully involved in the implementation of the Infrastructure for Life national project. Under this project, 98 key settlements were identified and comprehensive plans for their development have been drafted and approved. These are core development milestones. At the same time, I would like to say that all other territories continue to develop as well. As recently as last week, we held meetings in every region with the heads of these regions and their teams. We are implementing all plans for the development of major settlements.

Our key priority was to rebuild housing and infrastructure, which the people need for comfortable life. Overall, we have rebuilt 7,700 apartment buildings, or about 24 million square metres.

For the first time in the post-Soviet period, we are implementing a programme of major repairs and replacement of old lifts in Donbass and Novorossiya. We are also inspecting dilapidated housing and have launched a programme to relocate people from such housing.

Another priority is the development of investment housing construction. Our ambitious task is to reach the national average in housing construction by 2030. We are addressing this issue comprehensively. In particular, we have prepared 26 master plans and another 75 such plans will be ready by 2030, including for the coastal area in the context of the potential development of tourism and housing construction, as well as the overall development strategy of the Azov Region.

We are taking measures to increase our construction potential. Towards this end, we have created a database of land plots that can be used for housing construction.

While working to rebuild housing, we are also implementing a programme to rebuild and modernise the public utilities sector. It should be said that this sector was in bad shape, as it had not been renovated since the Soviet era. We have approached this task systematically, repairing and modernising networks and installing new systems.

Of course, we pay special attention to the acute problem of stable water supply. Mr President, you focused on this issue on numerous occasions, and we have taken a package of measures to maintain the requisite volume of water supply. We have switched to a daily water supply in Mariupol. That is why we can continue to reduce water losses by changing pipes, and we have good results to report.

Road infrastructure is a vital element of territorial development. To improve these regions’ connectivity, we have approved detailed road development plans until 2030, which include every settlement and every road in it. We have signed these documents with all city heads and the Federal Road Agency (Rosavtodor) and published them.

I can assure you that both federal and municipal roads there have been brought to standard. The next task is to upgrade roads inside the localities, which is why we have increased additional funding to expand the road network in settlements. We also need to expand the municipal road network, which is currently below standard.

We are actively developing the public transit system. I would like to say that we have fulfilled your instructions to increase the share of public transport in the new regions that complies with the national standard to 85 percent. Over the past two years, we have sent many buses there. There is a problem with drivers, but the last time we visited that territory we saw that nearly all buses are running on their routes. This is very important for the people.

I would like to highlight the modernisation of social infrastructure, which is a matter of special significance for us. Overall, we have rebuilt 263 healthcare facilities, 1,700 educational establishments, including universities, schools and kindergartens, and 500 culture, sports and social services facilities. We worked together with the single customer in the construction sector, the heads of the regions, and our colleagues at the ministries of science and higher education, healthcare, education, culture, labour and social protection, as well as sport to formulate sector-specific programmes for the reconstruction of social facilities until 2030. In all, we plan to rebuild 2,300 facilities. We have the necessary funding and plans, and we are working to implement them.

Mr President, I would like to thank you for the attention you are giving to the development of the reunited regions. We would not have achieved these results without your constant support. I would also like to thank the Presidential Executive Office, the heads of the reunited regions and their teams, all participants in this project, namely, federal agencies, the sponsor regions, and state companies. We are also grateful to the State Duma and the Federation Council for the huge volume of their legislative work – they have adopted over 200 legal acts.

I would also like to extend a special thank you to our colleagues in the law enforcement – the FSB, the Prosecutor General’s Office, the Defence Ministry, the Emergencies Ministry, the Interior Ministry, and the National Guard, who ensure security and compliance with law and order.

The tasks ahead are ambitious and complicated, but we know how to address them. We have developed a systemic approach to the development of the new regions. I am sure that we will achieve all the goals you have set to us.

Thank you for the attention.

Vladimir Putin: Thank you, Mr Khusnullin.

Please, Ms Golikova, on the development of the social sphere.

Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova: Thank you.

Mr President, colleagues, good afternoon.

As Mr Khusnullin has already noted, today our historical regions are fully included in the implementation of key strategic and priority activities, as well as national projects – Family, Long and Active Life, Personnel – and in our state programmes.

Today, a network of government agencies has been fully established: these include authorities of the Federal Agency for Labour and Employment (Rostrud), medical and social assessment offices, employment centres, social protection centres, departments of the Social Fund, the Federal Compulsory Medical Insurance Fund, and the Federal Service for Surveillance in Healthcare. In other words, we have moved from the stage of adaptation to the stage of sustainable functioning and development.

I will briefly report on individual areas of work.

In terms of the social block, today all social protection, labour, and pension guarantees are available to citizens. Currently, federal support measures cover 2.4 million residents of the historical regions. There is a gradual transition to federal pensions going on. Today, more than 1.5 million people have been awarded pensions since 2023, 93 percent of them are pensions meeting federal standards.

From July 1, 2025, according to your instructions, work in Ukraine is included in the pensionable service. And today, pensions have already been recalculated for 27,000 citizens.

Almost 140,000 maternity capital certificates have been issued, with 50 percent practically used. The preferred form of using maternity capital is monthly payments to children under three years of age.

The unified [child] benefit currently covers 36,000 families with 56,000 children, as well as 1,300 pregnant women. And we have preserved the simplified conditions for accepting documents.

We are also implementing a social contract programme. Today, 39 percent of families with children use social contracts in historical regions. And this year, on your instructions, participants in the special military operation receive a social contract regardless of their needs. This work has been launched by the regions.

The support measures that we are implementing are gradually yielding results. Over the past three years, we have seen that the birth rate is increasing albeit slowly. The Donetsk People's Republic is the leader here: the growth amounted to 14 percent over three years.

A few words about the citizens who need our support, perhaps more than healthy citizens. We are talking mainly about the elderly and citizens with disabilities. Today, 104,000 such citizens receive our care in 138 social care institutions, and 1,937 citizens receive long-term care.

We set up and opened 42 coordination centres and 37 nursing schools. The process of disability assessment and categorisation and granting of combat veteran status has been simplified. Interdepartmental commissions which operate in the region have confirmed more than 53 thousand statuses. In three years, we have increased the provision of technical means of rehabilitation almost three-fold. Today, the regions receive support for equipment for comprehensive rehabilitation and habilitation of people with disabilities as per uniform standards. The Lugansk People's Republic is currently receiving funds for the reconstruction of a comprehensive rehabilitation centre.

As far as healthcare is concerned, over the past three years, a three-tier system of medical care has been created both in the regions and throughout the Russian Federation. Now the historical regions are fully integrated into the compulsory health insurance system. And, as Mr Khusnullin has already noted, we are implementing all investment programmes, both for the restoration and construction of medical facilities.

I would also like to note that over the past period of time we have established 11 regional vascular centres and primary departments, and the availability of high-tech medical care has almost tripled. While in 2023, high-tech medical care was provided to 4,300 patients, last year this figure reached 12,000. And we continue to increase these digits.

Five cancer centres have been equipped, and more than 580 equipment units have been supplied. And I should also note that a linear accelerator for radiation therapy has been launched for the first time in Zaporozhye on the basis of the Melitopol cancer dispensary; 98 patients have already been treated. This year, we will continue the construction of 43 medical modules, 22 major repairs, and we will continue to supply medical equipment and vehicles.

Additionally, pursuant to your instructions, we have been actively developing occupational health examinations and preventive medical checkups from the very beginning. Every year, more than 1.9 million adults and more than 530,000 children undergo these check-ups in four regions.

Special attention is paid to participants in the special military operation. Last year, 14,500 soldiers and four thousand veterans underwent occupational health examinations and medical checkups; 12,000 participants were put under observation.

I would also like to note, Mr President, that the development of infrastructure, such as cancer centres or cardiovascular departments at various levels, helps us transfer there all types of care that are developing in other regions of the Russian Federation.

Thanks to this approach, we managed, among other things, to render medical care to patients with cardiovascular diseases, saving the lives of 5,000 citizens in the historical regions because help came quickly.

I would like to particularly praise the work of the emergency medical service. Today, there are 297 crews and 2,300 employees. They are given special attention, because they are exposed to constant danger. And on your instructions, last year, we provided them with armoured ambulances. Last year, it amounted to 33 vehicles and we continue this year with another 31 ambulances.

Medical staffing is also on our agenda. This is a complex challenge, and we have not yet achieved the benchmarks or solved the tasks that we set for ourselves together with the historical regions. Around 46,000 doctors are currently working in the new regions. The Donetsk People’s Republic is closest to achieving the national average. But we continue to work in all areas, including developing higher and secondary medical education in the regions.

On your instructions, we provide social payments to certain categories of medical workers: from 20,000 rubles for ambulance drivers to 100,000 for doctors who deliver medical care to participants in the special military operation. Last year, 16,500 people received these payments for a total of 4 billion rubles. The necessary resources have been allocated, and we continue to make payments in 2026.

We managed to engage 270 medical professionals as part of the County Doctor and the County Paramedic programmes. We make payments in the amount of 2 million rubles to doctors and 1 million rubles to nursing staff. This work is underway, it will be continued this year, and we plan to attract 190 specialists in 2026.

And a few words about culture. In three years, more than 470 cultural facilities have been upgraded and equipped, including libraries, cinemas, and museums, and 140 more will receive support this year. More than a million books have been purchased, and we plan to purchase 300,000 in 2026. We are equipping children’s art schools, of which 257 are ready, and cultural centres – there will be 84 more this year. It is important that we organise sightseeing and study trips for children across the Russian Federation, and 29,000 students have already been on such trips, 8,000 children are expected to go on such trips this year. We continue to open new museums. I must say that cultural facilities are actually in great demand in all four regions.

Mr President, we will continue our work without slowing down, and we will work actively together with our colleagues from historical regions.

Thank you.

Vladimir Putin: Thank you very much.

Colleagues, I want to thank you for what you have done. A lot has been done, and it’s very good, but there are many more unresolved issues. And now I suggest discussing exactly this.

<…>