Website of the President of Russia: President: Transcripts

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

2026-06-15T17:35:46+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.

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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.

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Meeting with Government Members

2026-06-11T10:27:29+04:00

Vladimir Putin held a videoconference with members of the government.

The discussion focused on measures to boost investment activity. At the start of the meeting, Education Minister Sergei Kravtsov reported on the opening of new and refurbished children’s recreation facilities in the regions. Several other current issues were also discussed.

Held via videoconference, the meeting included the unveiling of new youth recreational facilities: an educational technology centre at the Orlyonok National Children’s Centre, Krasnodar; a new building at the Prometheus recreation centre, Lipetsk Region; and a new building at the Aurora private recreation centre, Anapa.

Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov presented the keynote report on measures to revive investment. President of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs Alexander Shokhin, Head of the Delovaya Rossiya National Public Organisation Alexei Repik and Minister of Finance Anton Siluanov shared their comments on the topic.

* * *

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Colleagues, good afternoon.

Today our agenda includes several important issues that affect millions of citizens.

First and foremost, we are looking at ways to strengthen the wellbeing of families with children. Let me stress: we are not only fully meeting all previously undertaken social commitments, but we are also introducing new support measures.

For example, for working parents raising two or more children and have a low per-capita income, the income tax will be reduced to 6 percent. I believe this is an entirely fair decision. It is fully in line with the logic and spirit of our entire demographic and social policy.

From June 1 this year, these citizens can apply to the Social Fund for a refund of most of the income tax they paid in the previous year. Both parents will be eligible for the corresponding family payment, provided each is in formal employment.

To date, around 1.5 million people have applied for a personal income tax refund for last year. Payments have already begun, and the money is being credited to parents’ bank cards.

I would like to ask Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova to explain, during our meeting today, how this work is being organised. It is important that families can receive this extra state support quickly and easily. Now, in the summer, such funds can be a valuable resource for planning children’s leisure activities.

Organising recreation and summer holiday programmes for children will also be a topic of today’s discussion. That includes the opening of several new facilities – children’s camps in the Krasnodar Territory and the Lipetsk Region.

Education Minister Sergei Kravtsov and his colleagues will give a detailed report on the summer recreation campaign.

In this regard, I should note that we consistently and systematically develop children’s recreation infrastructure across the country. Since 2022, this work has also been carried out within the framework of a dedicated federal project of upgrading existing children's camps and building new facilities.

This summer, more than 5.75 million children will be able to spend their holidays in children’s recreation and health centres. Our goal is to increase, year by year, the number of children who have the opportunity to spend their summer in camps and health resorts, enjoying full rest, recovery, and meaningful activities. Allow me to share a few figures. Since 2023, 136 children’s recreation facilities have been renovated and 336 new facilities have been built with budgetary support. These projects include dormitories, sports grounds and gyms, spaces for educational and creative activities, health units, and dining facilities. As a result of this work, 160,000 new places for recreation, learning, and meaningful leisure activities have been created.

The large-scale modernisation of this infrastructure will continue. In addition to the comprehensive renewal of the existing network, plans envisage the creation of more than 200,000 additional places for children’s recreation and health improvement by 2030.

We must create conditions not only for government investment in the development and upgrade of children’s camps and health centres, but also for businesses, enterprises, and companies to invest in these socially significant and nationally important projects. Such examples are becoming increasingly common.

Improving children’s health and wellbeing remains one of our national priorities. We remain firmly committed to this objective despite all external challenges. These challenges are temporary, but children and young people represent the future of Russia and the continuation of our nation.

At the same time, we must unfortunately acknowledge that our adversaries continue to resort to terrorist methods, including the attack on the student dormitory of the pedagogic college in Starobelsk.

I would once again draw the attention of the heads of the special services and all law enforcement agencies to the need to strengthen both counter-terrorism and overall security across the entire educational and social systems and infrastructure. I ask you to carry out the relevant work without delay. During the summer holidays, we must ensure reliable protection of children’s centres, camps, and health resorts. This must be done with the utmost sense of responsibility.

Every year, every summer, we turn our attention to these issues – namely, the issue of ensuring children’s safety. This is a multifaceted endeavour, and I ask you to pay particular attention to all aspects of this work.

Let me add that – and I regret having to draw attention to this as well – the sponsors of the Kiev regime, the European ruling elites, have likewise devised measures that, in all likelihood, never occurred to anyone before: they are imposing sanctions against organisations where our children spend the summer and regain their strength. This is utter nonsense and sheer absurdity. Yet this is precisely what is being done. One can only guess what effect they expect to achieve. Do they intend to restrict the work of children’s centres? I do not understand what they are trying to achieve, but it is happening nonetheless, and those figures in Europe who are engaging in this are, I believe, bringing disgrace upon themselves. From the standpoint of common sense and ordinary people – in Russia, in Europe, and across the world – this is a manifestation of sheer feeble-mindedness, an attempt to perpetrate yet another petty act of spite. It is astonishing that people should sink to such absurdity.

Meanwhile, children from all constituent entities of the Federation and from foreign countries come to our children’s centres with great pleasure – and quite a number of children visit us from abroad – spending their time there in an interesting and vibrant manner, which is of great benefit to their development.

If European figures – preoccupied with gender issues and the protection of various kinds of sexual minorities – are irritated by the sight of happy children who are passionate about what they do and love Russia, then it means that you and I are doing everything correctly and justly, and we are promoting the right values. We will continue to act in this manner.

I would ask the Minister of Education, Sergei Kravtsov, to take the floor and report on the new facilities

<…>

Vladimir Putin: I would like to make the following point in this regard.

Of course, we were aware, just as we have been saying all along – and I think I raised this point at the economic forum in St Petersburg – it was quite apparent that by taking measures to ease and curb inflation, we proceeded from an understanding that this would affect economic growth rates and investment.

But one of our colleagues was right to note that we must prevent this pause in investment from bringing the entire economy to a halt. We had this understanding from the outset and this is what we meant. That said, I believe it would be fair to say that investment has not been paused. In fact, investment has continued. To an extent, I believe we could describe this as investment restraint, which, in itself, is quite understandable, since this is attributable to macroeconomic factors and the measures taken by the economic and financial agencies, including regarding the exchange rate of the national currency and the key interest rate.

Overall, the situation is under control – that much is quite obvious. And the measures we have taken are yielding the expected results. In fact, the inflation rate has declined. Where are we at this point? It is slightly over five percent. Therefore, I believe that we can expect a lower key interest rate and to be able to achieve other key indicators.

Mr Siluanov talked about the budget. When the interest rate changes, this will have a direct bearing on the exchange rate. We are not skewing any parameters or indicators, and I think that specialists, including investors, must appreciate this fact.

But apart from macroeconomic policy matters and efforts to ensure overall macroeconomic stability there is, of course, the fact that when major investment projects come to an end, including in the Far East, by the way, this affects the overall investment landscape. It goes without saying that we must launch a new investment cycle taking into consideration present-day reality, as well as the proposals we have just heard from the business community. I think that this much is obvious.

Many proposals definitely deserve more than just taking them into consideration or carefully studying them. I think that they must be carried out. They may have to be fine-tuned, but from a more general perspective it would be advisable to follow the steps and move towards implementing the policy as it has been outlined.

I ask Maxim Oreshkin to work on all these matters as we prepare the next meeting on economic matters, and report to the Prime Minister, so that we bring about solutions that could and should be implemented, including as part of the relevant instructions, which must be drafted in a timely manner.

I would like to thank all of you for working together today in this format. Thank you. As I said, I suggest that we start preparing the next meeting on economic matters.

Thank you very much. All the best.

Meeting with Minister of Science and Higher Education Valery Falkov

2026-06-09T17:32:06+04:00

The discussion focused on the development of research infrastructure, particularly mega-science facilities. Special attention was devoted to the implementation of the Siberian Ring Photon Source (SKIF) project in Koltsovo, a science town near Novosibirsk.

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Falkov, good afternoon.

You want to begin with SKIF, right?

Minister of Science and Higher Education Valery Falkov: Yes, Mr President.

The level of scientific development in any country rests on three key pillars. First and foremost are the people engaged in scientific work; second are the ideas they bring to life; and third – which is an important factor at the current stage of scientific and technological development – is research infrastructure.

Today, I would like to focus on the development of research infrastructure, including mega-science facilities.

Vladimir Putin: We discussed this back in 2018, right?

Valery Falkov: Yes, as you noted at the time, such infrastructure is becoming an increasingly important foundation for the implementation of large-scale research projects. It also serves as a magnet for talented young people and researchers from around the world.

I would like to begin with SKIF. As you know, it is a unique scientific initiative that you supported during a meeting with my colleagues on Russian Science Day, February 8, 2018. Allow me to say a few words about it. SKIF is a truly unique project for a number of reasons.

First, SKIF ranks among the best facilities of its kind globally. I will elaborate on this in a moment.

Second, only a few countries are capable of building infrastructure of this scale and complexity. The challenge is not merely financial, although the investment required is substantial. More importantly, it demands a strong scientific foundation, established research schools, and close cooperation between scientific institutions and industrial enterprises.

What I would like to emphasise in particular is that this is the first time in the post-Soviet period that Russia has designed and built a scientific facility of such scale and uniqueness. SKIF is the result of an enormous joint effort, above all by the scientific community and the teams responsible for its design and construction. Today, I would especially like to acknowledge the contributions of the Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics (whose director you met in 2018), the Boreskov Institute of Catalysis, and, of course, the Kurchatov Institute, which serves as the lead scientific organisation for the country’s extensive synchrotron and neutron research programme. The scientific programme for SKIF, developed jointly by these institutes, was reviewed and approved in cooperation with our colleagues from the Russian Academy of Sciences.

Mr President, I have a few words to say about the main development phases. In 2018, you supported the idea. Next, as expected, your Executive Order was issued in 2019. In 2020, a special programme for synchrotron and neutron research was adopted with corresponding funding allocated. This made it possible for us, in early 2020, to start the design work, and in 2022 to launch the construction.

Just a few words about the construction. What is SKIF (Siberian Circular Photon Source)? It consists of 34 buildings and structures with a total area of nearly 87,000 square metres, and 30 hectares have been fully developed.

Here is what I would like to note specifically.

Vladimir Putin: The planned activities were completed in three months back then.

Valery Falkov: Yes. And the programme was quickly adopted, and the site was selected quickly as well.

By the way, synchrotron operation is based on the phase stability principle first discovered by Soviet physicist Vladimir Veksler back in 1944, and only a year and a half later it was confirmed and independently discovered by American researcher [Edwin] MacMillan. So, in a sense, we have built what we once created and invented.

The most important part of the facility is the experimental station. We were supposed to build six of them, but we have built seven with an option to build 30, which we will use to conduct the necessary experiments.

What makes SKIF unique? It belongs to generation 4+ which is the latest generation. Its main characteristic is an extremely small radiation beam diameter of 72 units. To be precise, in physicists’ terms, picometres per radian. I have visited and studied similar facilities. They were built earlier and have less advanced specifications. I recently visited Sirius in Brazil, where they have a synchrotron built in 2020; its beam diameter is 250 picometres, which is significantly weaker. In this sense, we have created a technological advantage, which, of course, attracts many of our colleagues from other countries.

Vladimir Putin: So, in this sense, ours is top-of-the-line, correct?

Valery Falkov: Yes, if we consider the so-called 3 GeV class, ours is the latest and the most advanced one. This is certainly a major achievement.

Vladimir Putin: France, Switzerland, Britain, and Italy are behind us, correct?

Valery Falkov: Yes. I would like to say a few words about the construction timeframe. We tried to speed things up despite the overall difficulties. You can see the construction timelines. We even managed to be slightly ahead compared to our colleagues working on similar projects.

Vladimir Putin: Roughly the same.

Valery Falkov: Roughly the same, yes.

What I would like to highlight is that the experimental stations I have mentioned were designed and built entirely in Russia. I would like to specifically mention the contributions of four major scientific teams: Tomsk Polytechnic University, the Institute of High-Current Electronics in Tomsk, the Lavrentyev Institute of Hydrodynamics in Novosibirsk’s Akademgorodok (academic town), and the Design and Technology Institute of Scientific Instrument Engineering. Together, they signed more than 1,500 contracts and successfully delivered these stations.

We regularly discuss the development of advanced engineering schools. As I reported separately, we actively engage young people through student design bureaus. Four such bureaus participated directly in the design work for this project.

From a construction standpoint, it should also be mentioned that since there are unique experiment parameters, it sets extremely complex requirements to structural elements of the building base. In order to prevent even the tiniest deviation, even just a millimetre, a special foundation system had to be created. It includes several soil stabilisation layers, the use of specially prepared soils and foundations. Without these engineering solutions it would be impossible to create the world’s best parameters for running experiments at this facility.

A few words about the scientific equipment manufacturing. The majority of equipment was manufactured by the Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics.

This situation is familiar in many other sectors as well, Mr President. I would also like to note that, during the construction process, contractors from the United Kingdom, Japan, Germany, Switzerland, and several other countries repudiated their contracts. As a result, we were forced to look for alternative solutions.

Experience has shown that the best solution was to learn to develop things like that ourselves. We independently produced around 30 critical pieces of equipment. This has enabled us to acquire unique competencies, develop new technologies and expertise, and, of course, reach an entirely new level of scientific and industrial cooperation.

Let me highlight that, in 2023, specialists at the Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics developed a klystron – a critically important component of a synchrotron radiation source that converts a direct electron beam into an alternating one.

Previously, there had been plans to procure this equipment from Japan. At the time, only three countries in the world were capable of producing high-power klystrons. Today, Russia has joined that group. Moreover, the work carried out as part of the project enabled us to master the production of a wide range of equipment, including power supplies for electromagnets, pumps for ultra-high-vacuum systems, specialised vacuum equipment, and much more. We also succeeded in manufacturing a specialised power cable at a plant in Podolsk, something that had neither been planned nor produced domestically before.

In conclusion, I would like to emphasise that an enormous amount of work has been done and that the project is now in its final stage. A special compliance commission was established. I would like to thank our colleagues from the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, and the Kurchatov Institute for their contribution. The commission consisted of 13 highly respected experts, most of them academicians, who conducted a review of the equipment, verifying both its performance and compliance with the specified parameters. As for the synchrotron itself, we plan to begin the first experimental work this autumn.

Vladimir Putin: When exactly in the autumn?

Valery Falkov: We are confident that the first scientific experiment, related to the development of a new polyethylene material, will take place in September or in October, at the latest. While installations of this kind are, first and foremost, indispensable for fundamental research, their significance for industry is difficult to overstate.

A great deal of work is already being carried out with businesses, including pharmaceutical and petrochemical companies. We need to further refine the programme that is already in place and ensure that it delivers the maximum possible benefit to Russian industry and the economy.

Vladimir Putin: Its applications span a very broad range of fields, right? Microelectronics, structural biology, pharmaceuticals, materials science, diagnostics, aircraft manufacturing, medicine, chemical reactions, and thermonuclear fusion.

Valery Falkov: Yes.

As I mentioned, the first seven experimental stations are ready. During the second phase of the project, however, we plan to expand their number to 30. We are also considering the possibility of developing dedicated stations tailored to the specific needs of particular industries or even major companies.

Vladimir Putin: Thank you.

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Meeting with CEO of United Shipbuilding Corporation Andrei Puchkov

2026-06-08T16:30:38+04:00

Vladimir Putin had a working meeting with CEO of the United Shipbuilding Corporation Andrei Puchkov.

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: The United Shipbuilding Corporation is truly a comprehensive organisation, encompassing not only shipyards and ship repair facilities, but also research centres, design bureaus, and enterprises engaged in instrumentation and component manufacturing. It is the flagship organisation of our shipbuilding industry.

In 2023 and 2024, the Government provided substantial support to the corporation, totalling more than 80 billion rubles. VTB Bank has also been actively involved in this work. I know there are many tasks, challenging tasks, but progress is being made, and these tasks are being addressed. I would like to hear your assessment. Please, go ahead.

CEO of the United Shipbuilding Corporation Andrei Puchkov: Mr President, nearly three years ago, you set us the task of advancing the development of the United Shipbuilding Corporation. We have achieved certain results. For the second consecutive year, we have maintained positive operating profit. The year 2025 was particularly significant because, for the first time in many years, the USC recorded a positive consolidated financial result, including across its shipyards and production facilities. Our revenue has shown steady growth, increasing by 30 percent over the past three years and reaching 525 billion rubles in 2025.

In terms of production, we delivered approximately 110 ships and vessels during this period. The year 2025 was also a record year, with around 50 vessels delivered.

We continue to fulfil state defence orders on schedule. Last year, four submarines and the Navy’s first combat icebreaker, Ivan Papanin, were delivered. We are also preparing a number of significant deliveries under state defence contracts in 2026.

In the civilian sector, I would like to highlight the largest series of nuclear-powered icebreakers in history. Last year, we delivered the Yakutia; this year, we are completing the Chukotka, and then there is the Leningrad, and the Stalingrad, both launched by you and currently under construction.

In addition, we are building cargo and passenger vessels, as well as fishing ships, including vessel types that, until recently, were not produced domestically.

A few words about our plans. You once noted that shipbuilding requires planning horizons extending at least to the middle of this century. Accordingly, we are laying the foundation today for decades of future development. We are actively upgrading our shipyards. This year, construction works will begin on our flagship project, the modernisation of Severnaya Verf. The shipyard will undergo an almost total renovation and acquire fundamentally new production capabilities. We are also advancing a major project in the Far East. At the same time, we are actively pursuing import substitution in marine equipment and components and continuing the digital transformation of the industry.

Vladimir Putin: We must do everything necessary to ensure that works on the two icebreakers you mentioned, the Leningrad and the Stalingrad, would not be put on hold. And, of course, we must continue implementing our plans for the Lider project.

Andrei Puchkov: Certainly, Mr President.

<…>

Meeting of the Council for State Policy on Promoting the Russian language and Languages of the Peoples of Russia

2026-06-03T13:29:33+04:00

Ahead of Pushkin Day in Russia – also celebrated as Russian Language Day – Vladimir Putin held a meeting of the Council for State Policy on Promoting the Russian language and Languages of the Peoples of Russia, via video conference.

Yelena Yampolskaya delivered the main report covering the progress of efforts to implement the President’s instructions and the Council’s main areas of focus.

Proposals were also submitted for discussion regarding further support of the Russian language and the languages of the peoples of Russia, including editorial and educational public projects.

* * *

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon, colleagues.

As per tradition, we hold this council’s meetings ahead of Pushkin Day in Russia, or Russian Language Day. First of all, congratulations on the upcoming holiday. Thank you for your activism and especially for developing the fundamentals of the state language policy of the Russian Federation.

For the first time, our country has a strategic plan that determines the priorities and main areas of focus with regards to the preservation, development and support of the Russian language as well as the languages of other peoples living in Russia.

The action plan for the implementation of these fundamental principles has been approved. I would like to ask the Government to ensure its funding and execution.

I also believe it important to grant the report on the state language policy the status of a state report. It is a significant project that should be delivered annually.

Colleagues, next autumn, on September 8, our wonderful poet Rasul Gamzatov’s birthday, we will mark the Day of the Languages of the Peoples of Russia for the first time. It is symbolic that this initiative is being launched during the Year of the Unity of the Peoples of Russia.

It is equally important to start the publishing project called The Library of Russian Peoples’ Literature Masterpieces this year. This library will include Russian translations of the best works by ethnic authors and will make them available to a broader readership.

This book series is included in the instructions on supporting the Russian language and the languages of the Russian peoples that I issued on February 3, 2026. I would like to highlight some more instructions as well.

First, work will soon begin on developing an academic module for higher education institutions titled “Russian as a State Language.” This module will cover, among other things, the constitutional status of the Russian language and issues related to Russia’s language policy. It would be prudent if, in the future, this subject became part of the core curriculum in higher education.

Second, it is observed that many of our higher education institutions lack a separate faculty of Russian language and Literature. Russian philology, German philology, and English philology are all, on an equal basis, components of a single faculty of philology. This is clearly inconsistent with the perception of the Russian language as one of the core values of modern Russia.

I am aware that last year, an independent faculty of Russian language and literature was established at the Vladimir Vernadsky Crimean Federal University. I hope that other federal universities will follow the example of our colleagues in Crimea, particularly those that train future language and literature teachers.

Third, it is necessary to improve the quality of training for primary school teachers. The number of hours allocated to the study of the Russian language and literature, as well as teaching methodologies, should certainly be increased.

These subjects directly affect the development of the general and speech culture of future primary school teachers and their aesthetic sensibilities, which ultimately affects the upbringing and education of children. Indeed, the level of proficiency in the Russian language, articulate speech, and the ability to read and comprehend texts significantly contributes to a student’s high academic performance in all other subjects. It is no coincidence that the task of improving the system of teaching the Russian language and literature in educational institutions has been designated as a priority of state language policy.

One of the solutions to this task is the preparation of unified state textbooks on the Russian language and literature for the secondary education system. I ask that you report today on the progress of this work.

Allow me to remind you that all test and examination materials must be aligned with the content of these textbooks. This will ensure that only the material that has been studied – what the students covered in class – is tested.

One further proposal. The summer holidays have begun. In recent years, an increasing number of children’s recreational camps have been organising themed sessions: geographical, historical, and cultural. I have no doubt that sessions dedicated to the Russian language and national literature will also attract considerable interest among children, adolescents, their parents, and teachers. I ask the Ministry of Education and the Federal Agency for Youth to participate in implementing this idea, starting with federal children’s camps.

In conclusion, I would note that many of the instructions issued following previous meetings of the Council have been implemented, and many are in progress. I hope that new proposals will be put forward today, including those aimed at supporting people with disabilities, for example, those with hearing or speech impairments who use Russian Sign Language. There are nearly 200,000 speakers of this language in our country. It is crucial to ensure an appropriate quality and quantity of teachers and interpreters in this field.

Let us begin our work.

<…>

Vladimir Putin: Let me say a few words in conclusion of our meeting.

First, regarding the proposals made here today, such as Children’s Book Day, which Ms Yampolskaya and her colleagues put forward. We will certainly support it; it is a good and worthwhile idea. I remember a colleague mentioning the presentation of 1943 books and other materials during one such event. This is certainly very good. You know, it is extremely important for us, especially for our young people and children, to sense the atmosphere of that period, which can best be achieved through literature of that period, so that they understand how their peers lived.

Just recently, on May 9, Alexander Lukashenko, who visited our country for the celebrations, brought along bread baked according to recipes used during the war in Stalingrad, Leningrad and other regions of the former Soviet Union. It was interesting to taste bread made during the siege of Leningrad, made in Stalingrad, Moscow and other cities.

But literary, creative and cultural nourishment is no less important. It is of paramount importance and must certainly include modern books for children.

As for the revival of the Pushkin Society, this should certainly be done. Thank you for drawing our attention to this issue. This should be done, and we must do it in the best possible manner. Likewise, we should support the idea proposed by [Director of the State Pushkin Museum] Yevgeny Bogatyrev regarding the 2027 events [the 180^th anniversary of Alexander Pushkin’s death and 135 years since the establishment of the first Pushkin Society]. We certainly should and will provide assistance to this year’s events related to Pushkin.

The only thing I would like to ask all our colleagues and Council members is that these events focus on Pushkin as a phenomenon and a genius. We all know, of course, that Pushkin’s genius and works form the basis of the modern Russian language. But it would be good if we could show how the origins of his genius developed and what are the fundamental elements of Russian literature.

We all remember his verses – sorry if I get it wrong, but I think it sounds like this: “Old Derzhavin noticed us – and, descending to his grave, blessed us.” This means that there were other literary phenomena before Pushkin upon whom his works were built. It would be reasonable to use this not only to once again talk about the importance of Pushkin and his works, even though this is certainly important, but also to highlight everything connected with this, including the future development of the Russian language and literature.

We must certainly do everything possible to support the Russian sign language. I fully agree: hundreds of thousands of our fellow citizens use it, and we must ensure that they feel like full members of our society.

The proposal to publish the Library of Masterpieces of the Peoples of Russia series is an excellent one. I mentioned this in my conversation with the Acting Head of Daghestan. I believe we devote far too little attention to the languages of the peoples of the Russian Federation. The communities themselves do not always pay enough attention to them, and the federal government and the expert community certainly should do more to support and promote them. I therefore believe that this is an extremely important area of work and it will undoubtedly receive support.

As for working with children during the summer, that is a separate area altogether. I would like to ask our colleagues, particularly those in the Government, to give it the closest possible attention and to take into account the recommendations of our Council.

Before concluding, I would like to make one more point.

When it comes to our native language, we often take it for granted. Even when we overlook certain things or fail to pay attention to them, we assume everything will somehow take care of itself. Take advertising in the Latin alphabet, which is widespread. There is less of it in Moscow than elsewhere, but even here we see plenty of examples, many of them entirely unnecessary.

Of course, there are brands and trademarks that cannot simply change their names, nor should they be expected to. However, even where companies use internationally recognised brands that they must retain, it is still possible to think about how to present them in a way that is more appropriate and accessible for people in Russia, on Russian territory.

Incidentally, speaking of cooperation in this area, you have probably noticed the initiative put forward by President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. He proposed creating an international association for the Russian language. It is an excellent initiative. I would ask you to support it at the expert level as well. The structure has already been formally established, but it is important to fill it with meaningful, substantive and engaging content at the expert level. That would be very useful.

Sometimes we assume that certain things will simply fall into place on their own, even if we forget about them. We think they will somehow develop naturally. I believe that is a misconception – and a dangerous one. Nothing develops by itself. Nothing takes shape or gets done on its own.

What is needed is thoughtful, focused work by specialists of public organisations, the media, and the state. Everyone must work together.

I would now like to address the members of our Council directly. It is the expert community, the specialists who have devoted their lives to the Russian language, to its study, preservation and promotion, who should define the key ideas, priorities and direction of this work. The state can only support these efforts. Indeed, it has a duty to do so but experts and specialists, above all those represented on this Council, are the ones who should determine the substance of this work.

Therefore, I would like to ask Ms Yampolskaya to continue coordinating the Council’s activities. It is also essential to draft all legislative instruments to ensure that the recommendations put forward by Council members are not forgotten but are instead reflected in corresponding regulations, instructions and other official decisions. Where necessary, let us organise this work in such a way that these recommendations are incorporated into the corresponding regulatory framework of the Russian Federation Government and are properly followed through. Everything we have discussed today should remain on the agenda of our joint efforts – those of the Government, the Presidential Executive Office, and the Presidential Council, whose members and I have spent the last two hours discussing what I believe are extremely important issues.

There are always many pressing day-to-day problems. My colleagues in the Government, including the ministers who spoke today, will of course continue their work and organise policy implementation. But I would like to reiterate one point: even the most senior and capable officials are busy with their day-to-day work. Defining a broader vision and principal directions for supporting the Russian language, everything connected with it, and for supporting the languages of the peoples of the Russian Federation, is a task that rightly belongs to the expert community.

Therefore, I urge you to continue this work and to contact the Presidential Executive Office whenever necessary, without hesitation, as well as Ms Yampolskaya. And I ask Ms Yampolskaya, as I have already said, to prepare the necessary regulatory framework to ensure the continuation of our joint work in line with the agreements reached during today's meeting.

Thank you all very much.

All the best.

Meeting on support measures for the victims and progress in the investigation into the terrorist attack in Starobelsk

2026-06-02T20:56:53+04:00

The President held a meeting on support measures for the victims and progress in the investigation into the terrorist attack in Starobelsk.

The meeting was attended by Prosecutor General of the Russian Federation Alexander Gutsan, Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova, Chairman of the Investigative Committee Alexander Bastrykin, Head of the Lugansk People’s Republic Leonid Pasechnik, and Head of the Starobelsk Municipal District of the Lugansk People’s Republic Vladimir Chernev.

* * *

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon, colleagues.

I would like to discuss with you – and this is why I convened this meeting – matters of assistance and support for the relatives of those who died and the people who were impacted by the bloody crime committed by the Ukrainian junta in the city of Starobelsk, Lugansk Region, on May 22.

I would like to hear about how the families are being supported. As is known, 21 students of Starobelsk College were killed and 42 others injured as a result of this crime.

Please report on compensation payments, treatment and rehabilitation of the injured. I am aware that psychologists are working there as well.

I would like to discuss these matters comprehensively, and have the governor and the head of the municipality let me know whether the Government, other agencies, and the republic itself need to take additional steps in order to help and support the victims.

Please, as we always do in such circumstances or during natural disasters, do your best to help every individual and every family affected by this tragedy.

Once again, I would like to express my deepest condolences to the families that have suffered such an irreparable loss, who have lost their children and grandchildren, the most precious asset a family or a person can have. To reiterate, everything possible must be done to support these people.

I am aware that the students of Starobelsk College have been transferred to distance learning. All of them must complete the academic year as planned and complete their assessments. Graduates must obtain their diplomas.

It was no coincidence that I also invited the Prosecutor General and the Chairman of the Investigative Committee. Please provide your assessments of the incident and report on the progress of efforts to identify the perpetrators. All those responsible must be held accountable, and punishment will be inevitable.

Let’s get to work.

(The participants of the meeting reported on the circumstances of the artillery strike carried out by the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the academic buildings of the Starobelsk Department of Lugansk State University, the Starobelsk Vocational College, and the Starobelsk Teacher Training College, as well as on the student dormitory; on the rescue operation; on the efforts of regional social services and the disaster medicine service; on the condition of the injured; on the provision of social assistance; and on the investigation into this criminal terrorist act.

Chairman of the Investigative Committee Alexander Bastrykin, in particular, reported that since 2014, when investigations into the Kiev regime’s crimes began, the Investigative Committee has opened 9,954 criminal cases and brought 2,412 individuals to criminal responsibility. As a result of the Ukrainian aggression, 30,677 civilians have been affected, of whom 7,723 died. Since 2014, Ukrainian armed formations have attacked 2,116 educational institutions, including kindergartens, schools, and colleges. During the investigations, the types of UAVs most frequently used by the Armed Forces of Ukraine have been identified. In particular, documented cases include the use of Lord (Switzerland), Sticker (Australia), and other reconnaissance UAVs of foreign manufacture. Components from NATO countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, the Czech Republic, Turkiye, and the Baltic states were recovered at the sites of crashes or explosions.

Regarding the May 22, 2026 events, Alexander Bastrykin reported that the investigation has established that Ukrainian servicemen used at least seven UAVs equipped with explosive devices as they carried out targeted mass precision strikes. The deliberate nature of the Ukrainian forces’ actions transpired from the use of Starlink antennas installed on the UAVs for target guidance via satellites. At the time of the attack, 85 students aged between 15 and 22 were inside the five-storey dormitory building. As a result of the explosions and subsequent fires, partial collapse of the floor slabs occurred in the dormitory from the fifth to the second floor. In total, 70 young people were affected: 21 were killed, and 49 students, including 19 minors, sustained injuries of varying severity. The academic buildings were also partially destroyed.

The Head of the Investigative Committee also reported on a recent similar incident. On May 31, 2026, Ukrainian servicemen carried out an attack using a fixed-wing UAV equipped with explosive elements on a residential area in the city of Genichesk, Kherson Region. As a result, the facades of four blocks of flats were damaged, a six-year-old child was killed, and 11 civilians were injured.)

Vladimir Putin: It appears that the Kiev leadership has deliberately committed these grave crimes against children and adolescents in the teacher training college in Starobelsk and now they decided to open a new chapter in a string of their crimes in Genichesk and impart a new dimension to the conflict. Well, this is their choice.

We will further discuss this in closed session. Thank you.

<…>

Meeting with Head of Circle of Kindness Foundation Archpriest Alexander Tkachenko

2026-06-02T14:00:23+04:00

Vladimir Putin met with Archpriest Alexander Tkachenko, chairman of the board of the Circle of Kindness Foundation that supports children with severe illnesses.

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Is this file to demonstrate your performance in 2025?

Head of the Circle of Kindness Foundation Archpriest Alexander Tkachenko: Yes. Today, on International Children’s Day, I wanted to let you know that the foundation is contributing to ensuring a child’s right to life and health. Since the foundation’s inception, more than 30,000 children have received help.

The graduation school bells rang just a few days ago, and 1,500 children from among the children who graduated from grades 9-11receive medicines provided by the foundation. They write letters to the foundation, as do their parents. This book contains more than 300 letters that parents sent to us last year. If I may, I will read two of them, very moving ones.

Vladimir Putin: Please do.

Alexander Tkachenko: This one is from Natalya Afanasyevna from the Moscow Region, mother of Ilya, “Thanks to the medicine provided by the Circle of Kindness Foundation, everything is fine. My son finished school with good grades, no C’s in his certificate of graduation. He is now studying at a technical college, plans to work and be useful to his country, and to be happy.”

Darya, 18, entered the Russian University of Biotechnology last year. She studies to be a doctor and wants to become a geneticist. Despite being diagnosed with a serious illness, her condition has stabilised thanks to the medication, and she is studying without problems. She writes, “With my condition, I used to be wheelchair-bound, but now I can walk like everyone else; 20,000 steps a day is not a problem. For me, this is a significant breakthrough, the result of effective therapy.”

A remarkable journalist Sofiko Shevardnadze recently made a four-part documentary about the achievements of the children overseen by the foundation. The film was presented at the Moscow International Film Festival. On behalf of the filmmakers, I would like to present you with this poster for the film.

Vladimir Putin: Thank you.

Alexander Tkachenko: I have more results of the Circle of Kindness Foundation’s work to share.

The list of medicines that the foundation procures continues to expand. Last year, the foundation’s expert council approved 13 more medicines for treating 17 diseases for which no therapy was previously available.

We also analyse clinical practice, which has enabled doctors to expand the indications for prescribing an additional 51 medicines, allowing pathogenetic therapy to be initiated for a further 2,200 children. Currently, the lists comprise 133 medicines, five of which are gene therapies – that is, those capable of halting the development of a severe disease or curing it completely. Treatment has also begun for dystrophic forms of epidermolysis bullosa, including the so-called “butterfly children,” and Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

I would also like to note that the new opportunity to treat children with hereditary illnesses in our country has paved the way for the development of centres for orphan diseases. Recently, ten orphan disease centres and 15 centres for genetic dermatoses have opened across the country, with a further five scheduled to open by the end of the year.

Medical genetic counselling services operate in 69 regions, including ten interregional centres that help detect illnesses at an early stage. This is part of the ongoing effort to develop neonatal screening. You previously issued an instruction on developing neonatal screening, as it is of paramount importance to detect diseases at the earliest possible stage and commence treatment. In accordance with your instruction, two additional diseases have been added to neonatal screening this year, bringing the total to 38. We anticipate that next year there will be another disease added, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, bringing the total to 39 diseases. Even now, the Russian Federation occupies a leading position in the early detection and treatment of orphan diseases.

The foundation pays considerable attention to…

Vladimir Putin: I am aware of this, and research is being conducted in these areas.

Alexander Tkachenko: Indeed, and research.

Over the past year, 178 scientific publications have been produced on the medicines supplied by the foundation alone. This serves as a substantial stimulus for the development of domestic science.

You also issued an instruction during our previous meeting regarding the establishment of a research structure within the foundation that would analyse the results of the use of medicinal products. The Ministry of Healthcare has prepared the relevant documents, and this structure has now been established.

The foundation acts as the commissioning party for the production of domestic medical devices. In particular, Samara State Medical University manufactures expandable prostheses to meet our requirements.

It is also important to note that 100 percent import substitution has recently been achieved for test systems, reagents for neonatal screening, and equipment for molecular diagnostics. This constitutes a highly significant element in the development of domestic industry.

As for the matters that are not directly connected to the purchase of medicines, I would like to mention an important achievement. It was extremely important for us to maintain contact with parents so that we can learn first-hand about the progress of treatment. It is especially important for parents, when they learn about the diagnosis, to be informed about the treatment status, the provision of medicines, and for how long the supplies will last. We joined forces with the Ministry of Digital Development to coordinate communication via the Public Services portal. The feedback feature can be used to quickly submit requests and receive replies via a protected channel. We have installed this system. Therefore, we are using modern technologies to address social issues.

Vladimir Putin: Is this effective?

Alexander Tkachenko: Yes, it is, and parents are grateful for having access to all the necessary information about the provision of medicines, the remaining stock and the next planned purchase.

Vladimir Putin: Good. I would like to thank all employees of the foundation for their noble work in the interests of our children. Thank you.

Alexander Tkachenko: Thank you very much.

I would like to share another piece of news with you. It is a good example of how compassion and mutual assistance bring people together.

I told you last time that His Holiness Patriarch Kirill supported the work of the foundation and blessed us, offering special prayers for the parents, children and doctors in all churches of the Russian Orthodox Church on October 1. That initiative of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill has been supported by all traditional religions.

The Commission on Traditional Spiritual and Moral Values at the Presidential Council for Coordination with Religious Organisations held a meeting where representatives of all our religious associations proposed declaring October 1 Compassion Day and uniting their efforts to help children. This is a remarkable example of the unifying force of love for people and a proactive desire to help them.

Vladimir Putin: This is true. Thank you very much.

<…>

Meeting with Presidential Commissioner for Children’s Rights Maria Lvova-Belova

2026-06-02T13:58:02+04:00

On International Children’s Day, Vladimir Putin held a working meeting with Presidential Commissioner for Children’s Rights Maria Lvova-Belova in the Kremlin.

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Ms Lvova-Belova, good afternoon.

Presidential Commissioner for Children’s Rights Maria Lvova-Belova: Mr President, congratulations on Children’s Day.

Vladimir Putin: And to you.

Maria Lvova-Belova: It has been an important, challenging and interesting year.

I want to share some good news with you. This year, decision-makers have realised that children whose parents are alive should not live in children’s homes, nor should they become social orphans. The figures confirm this. Mr President, our statistics for 2025 are remarkable. We have been working for five years, as per your instruction, and it appears that the cumulative effect led to excellent results in 2025.

In 2025, some 22,000 social orphans were reported, which is almost 17 percent lower than in 2024. The number of children whose parents have restricted parental rights is16,400, which is 25.5 percent lower than the previous year.

Mr President, we have also collected our own statistics to understand the actual number of children living in children’s homes and shelters. In just under two years, thanks to family support measures, we have managed to reduce this number by 18.3 percent, from 60,000 to 49,000. The current number stands at 49,000.

At the same time, we have worked with governors and regional officials to consistently repurpose these children’s homes and shelters into family support centres, with the aim of keeping families can stay together.

It is very important to note that we have reduced the number of institutional places by 19 percent and reallocated resources to help families. This measure prevents children’s homes from unnecessarily admitting children to fill spare beds.

Mr President, I will give you one example. In Severodvinsk, the director of a local children’s shelter was inspired by these reforms. He analysed the number of required beds and cut down the number of children to just one group, while redistributing the resources to a centre for adolescents, a crisis centre for mothers with children, and a mobile family support crew. This approach enabled twice as many families and children to receive help without any additional resources.

On your instructions, Mr President, coordination at the federal level is being carried out by the interdepartmental working group on assistance to families with children. The group brings together all the key agencies involved in this area, and together we are developing the core policy documents.

As one example, a roadmap has recently been sent to the regions. It has been signed by the three relevant ministers – the Minister of Education, the Minister of Labour and Social Protection and the Minister of Health – as well as by me in my capacity as Presidential Commissioner. The document sets out a clear, coordinated plan outlining the targets, objectives and measures that each region is expected to implement. As a result, regional authorities now have a practical framework to guide their work.

To ensure continuous support for the regions throughout this process, we have been operating in a situation centre format, monitoring the implementation of reforms and key performance indicators around the clock. We have also reviewed complex cases where regions were uncertain how to respond, and took part in court proceedings where necessary.

All of this has helped us achieve the results we are seeing today. If, for example, we notice an increase in the number of people being deprived of parental rights in a particular region, a rise in the number of children abandoned at maternity hospitals, or a growing number of foster families returning children to residential care, we step in at the federal level.

We have prepared a new ranking for you, Mr President, assessing the performance of Russia's regions in addressing social orphanhood. As expected, regions of the North Caucasus are once again well represented among the top ten, but other regions are also performing strongly, including Sevastopol, the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area, the Krasnodar Territory and the Republic of Kalmykia.

In addition to the top ten, however, I would like to single out a number of breakthrough regions that have significantly improved their performance and moved up the rankings over the past year. These include the Nizhny Novgorod Region…

Vladimir Putin: This is a ranking that reflects a reduction in the number of children in these institutions, correct?

Maria Lvova-Belova: Yes, it reflects a reduction in the number of children in residential care institutions and in social orphanhood overall. It also assesses how assistance is provided to families and how many children remain in institutional care. It is important for us to avoid large residential institutions, where it is often difficult to provide comprehensive support not only to the child, but also to the family.

Vladimir Putin: So which regions would you describe as the breakthrough performers?

Maria Lvova-Belova: They are the Nizhny Novgorod Region, the Tambov Region, the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Area, the Irkutsk, Chelyabinsk and Sverdlovsk regions, the Republic of Buryatia, and the Tver and Tula regions. Our colleagues there have done an enormous amount of work, and we are very grateful to them for it.

Let me briefly explain how these changes are being achieved in the regions. First, a single official is appointed to take overall responsibility for the issue – for example, a deputy governor responsible for social policy who oversees all aspects of the work. Regions are also introducing comprehensive support programmes for parents struggling with addiction, as we know this is one of the leading causes of social orphanhood. In addition, efforts are being made to help parents have their parental rights restored where appropriate.

An inter-agency board has been established to determine whether it is justified to place children in an institution. There are regional, municipal boards and even boards at the institutional level. Their responsibility is to determine what can be done to help a family so that a child does not end up in a children’s home and can return to the family. It is important that the board looks beyond standard measures and takes an individual approach.

Here is an example, Mr President: I visited a region to sit on an inter-agency board, which I do regularly to observe how it works. The case in question involved a mother and a father who are alcoholics. They love their children and visit them in a shelter all the time but they refuse treatment. The board started to investigate why. It turned out that treatment required six months in a rehabilitation centre and they were afraid of losing their relationship with the children. Also, they had a big household that nobody else could take care of.

To deal with the first problem, we sent them to another region, the Tyumen Region, where there is a substance abuse rehabilitation centre with shared living. Children and parents can stay together. The municipal officials provided volunteers who could help this family with their household during their treatment. Eight months later, the family returned home and they are doing well now.

Mr President, it has been a remarkable year: a historically high number of parents have been reinstated in their parental rights, with 2,844 children back home.

Mr President, during our last meeting, you pointed out that after a child has returned home, the family must receive further support and must not be left alone. We have dedicated this year to analysing, along with regional commissioners, all reintegration cases and the assistance these families receive at the regional level. We have even drafted respective regulations.

We took proactive measures. We did not want to wait for families to come to us. In every region, regional commissioners and child protection services invited parents deprived of parental rights or analysed cases of families deprived of parental rights. Mr President, surprisingly, the situation in many families has significantly changed for the better. Life is complicated. Everything changes constantly. Mothers admitted that they felt the stigma. I spoke to one mother who said, “You see, I have been living with a feeling that I am a bad mother and that nobody will ever believe me. I was cut off like a pariah.” We can overturn this stereotype.

Mr President, I know that you always say that children are more precious than money but I want to point out the economic aspect. By reinstating this number of parents in their rights, the budgets at different levels have freed up 20 billion rubles. This money will be redistributed to help families. As a result, this ongoing reform that turns the state towards families – even families that are seriously challenged, this reform is redistributing and rebuilding everything inside.

Vladimir Putin: Earlier today, we presented state awards to parents of large families. Did you notice that one of the recipients recalled something his mother once told him: “May there be more of us”? That is a wonderful sentiment. But the state’s task is to build a support system that enables families with many children – and indeed families of all sizes – to be happy and secure. The federal and regional support measures we provide must be targeted and effective.

I see that you have included figures here showing the amount of funding being allocated and the results being achieved. How would you assess the effectiveness of these support measures?

Maria Lvova-Belova: Mr President, there is no doubt that state support measures are highly effective. However, what I see in my work is that people’s problems often cannot be solved by state measures alone, whether at the regional or federal level.

Let me give you an example from real life. A man lost his wife during childbirth and was left alone with a newborn baby and an older child. He placed the baby in a children’s home because, as he explained, he had no one to help him. “Either I stay at home with the child, or I earn a living to support my family,” he said. His plan was for the baby to remain in care for about eighteen months and then bring the child home.

We arranged additional funding for a nanny – 30,000 rubles per month. As a result, the child was able to stay with the father. The child has now reached an age at which he can attend nursery. But this type of assistance is not covered by existing regional support programmes.

That is precisely why, Mr President, the Children’s Protection Fund is being established under your executive order, and why you have asked me to lead it. The Children’s Protection Fund is intended to serve as a kind of family reserve fund. Regional branches are now being opened, and they will have resources available to provide targeted assistance beyond existing federal and regional support measures: helping families rent accommodation, pay for medical treatment, carry out minor repairs, fix a stove, and address other urgent needs that are vital to a family’s wellbeing and stability. Once these immediate challenges are resolved, families are often able to manage independently. This is one aspect of the problem.

At the same time, the expertise we have developed in supporting and assisting families will form the basis of a nationwide Family Support Service, which will operate under the Fund and help regional authorities improve their work in this area.

Finally, Mr President, with the agreement of ten governors, we will begin directly overseeing a number of children’s institutions. Together, we will transform them into model facilities that focus not on residential care, but on supporting families and helping children remain in a family environment. We intend to use these institutions as examples of best practice and gradually extend this approach across the country.

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