WEBVTT

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Members of the Federation Council, State Duma deputies,

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citizens of Russia,

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Today’s Address is primarily devoted to matters of domestic social 

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and economic development.

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I would like to focus on the objectives set forth in the May 2018 

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Executive Order and detailed in the national projects.

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Their content and the targets they set are a reflection of the demands 

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and expectations of Russia’s citizens.

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People are at the core of the national projects,

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which are designed to bring about a new quality of life 

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for all generations. This can only be achieved 

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by generating momentum in Russia’s development.

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These are long-term objectives that we have set for ourselves.

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However, work to achieve these strategic goals has to begin today.

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Time is always in short supply,

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as I have already said on numerous occasions,

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and you all know this all too well.

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There is simply no time for getting up to speed or making 

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any adjustments. All in all, I believe that we have already completed 

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the stage of articulating objectives and outlining tools 

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for achieving our goals.

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Departing from the targets that were outlined would be unacceptable.

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It is true that these are challenging objectives.

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That being said, lowering the requirements for specific targets 

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or watering them down is not an option.

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As I have already said, these are formidable challenges that require us 

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to undertake major efforts.

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However, they are in step with the scale and pace of global change.

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It is our duty to keep pushing ahead and gaining momentum.

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If someone prefers to work in the business as usual mode,

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without challenges, avoiding initiative or responsibility,

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they had better leave immediately.

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I already hear that some things are “impossible,” “too difficult,

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” “the standards are too high,” and “it will not work.

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” With such an attitude, you had better stay away.

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Besides, you cannot fool the people.

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They are acutely aware of hypocrisy,

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lack of respect or any injustice.

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They have little interest in red tape and bureaucratic routine.

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It is important for people to see what is really being done 

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and the impact it has on their lives and the lives of their families.

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And not sometime in the future,

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but now. We must not repeat the mistakes of the past decades and wait 

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for communism to arrive.

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We have to change the situation for the better now.

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Therefore, the work of the executive branch at all levels should be 

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coordinated, meaningful and energetic.

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The Government of Russia must set the tone.

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At the same time, I would like to emphasise and repeat: our development 

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projects are not federal and even less so agency-based.

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They are national. Their results must be visible in each region 

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of the Federation, in every municipality.

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It is here, on the ground, that the majority of specific 

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tasks is implemented.

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Allow me to underscore: thanks to years of common work and the results 

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achieved, we can now direct and concentrate enormous financial 

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resources – at least enormous for our country –

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on development goals. These resources have not come as a rainfall.

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We have not borrowed them.

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These funds have been earned by millions of our citizens –

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by the entire country.

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They need to be applied to increase the wealth of Russia 

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and the wellbeing of Russian families.

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Very soon, this year people should feel real changes for the better.

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It is on the basis of their opinion and assessments at the beginning 

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of next year that we will evaluate the first results of our 

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work on the national projects.

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And we will draw the appropriate conclusions about the work quality 

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and performance at all levels of executive power.

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Colleagues,

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Let me now share some specifics on our objectives.

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I will begin with the key objective of preserving our nation,

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which means providing all-around support to families.

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Family, childbirth, procreation and respect for the elderly have always 

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served as a powerful moral framework for Russia and its 

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multi-ethnic people. We have been doing everything in our power 

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to strengthen family values and are committed to doing so 

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in the future. In fact, our future is at stake.

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This is a task shared by the state, civil society,

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religious organisations, political parties and the media.

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Russia has entered an extremely challenging period in terms 

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of demographics. As you know, the birth rate is declining.

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As I have already said, this is caused by purely objective reasons,

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which have to do with the immense human losses and birth dearth 

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experienced by our country in the 20th century,

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during the Great Patriotic War and the dramatic years following 

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the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

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This does not mean, however, that we must accept this 

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situation or come to terms with it. Definitely, not.

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We succeeded in overcoming the negative demographic trends in the early 

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2000s, when our country faced extreme challenges.

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This seemed to be an impossible challenge at the time.

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Nevertheless, we succeeded, and I strongly believe that we can do it 

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again by returning to natural population growth by late 

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2023 – early 2024.

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Today, I wanted to talk about a new package of measures that has 

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already been prepared to support families.

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First, it is important that having children and bringing them up do not 

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put families at the risk of poverty or undermine their wellbeing.

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As you know, we have already provided for the payment of subsidies 

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for the first two children until they reach 18 months.

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Benefits for the first child are paid from the federal budget,

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and families can use the maternity capital subsidy for obtaining 

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benefits for their second child.

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The size of the subsidy depends on the regional subsistence 

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level for a child. It may vary from 8,000 rubles in Belgorod Region,

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for example, to 22,000 rubles in Chukotka Autonomous Area,

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with the national average of over 11,

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000 rubles a month per child.

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Currently these allocations are reserved to families whose income does 

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not exceed the subsistence wage multiplied by 1.5 per person.

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It is time that we make the next step.

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Starting January 1, 2020, I propose raising the bar to two subsistence 

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wages per family member.

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This is what people have requested and these requests come directly 

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into the Executive Office.

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This measure will increase the number of families entitled 

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to additional benefits by almost 50 percent.

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Some 70 percent of families with one or two children will be able 

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to benefit from help from the Government.

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Second. At present, carers looking after children with disabilities 

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and people disabled since childhood receive an allowance 

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of only 5,500 rubles.

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I suggest increasing this to 10,000 rubles,

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starting July 1. Of course, I understand that it is still a small 

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amount. However, it will be an additional measure of support 

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for families with a child who needs special care.

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Third. The income of Russian families must, of course,

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increase. This is a serious task that requires a comprehensive 

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solution. I will speak about this in greater detail later.

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But we need direct measures.

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First of all, the tax burden on families needs to be relieved.

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The approach should be very simple: the more children there 

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are, the lower the tax.

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I propose increasing federal tax relief on real estate 

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for families with many children.

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I also propose lifting taxes on 5 square metres in a flat and 7 square 

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metres in a house per each child.

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What does this mean? If, for example, right now,

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20 square metres in a flat are not subject to tax,

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the new measure will mean that for a family with three children,

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an extra 15 square metres will not be subject to tax.

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Regarding plots of land that belong to families with many children,

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I propose that 600 square metres should be exempt from tax,

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and this means most plots of land will be free from taxation.

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Let me remind you that this benefit is already available to pensioners 

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and people of pre-retirement age.

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Of course, in many Russian regions there are local tax benefits on land 

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and property for large families.

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However, the benefit being imposed at the federal level guarantees that 

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it will be available everywhere in the country.

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I want to ask regional officials to propose additional tax measures 

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to support families with children.

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Fourth, the Government and the Central Bank need to consistently 

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maintain the policy to lower mortgage rates to 9 percent,

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and then to 8 percent or below,

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as stipulated in the May 2018 Executive Order.

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At the same time, special measures of support should be provided 

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for families with children, of course.

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As a reminder, last year, a preferential mortgage programme was 

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launched for families that have had their second or subsequent child.

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The rate for them is 6 percent.

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Anything higher is subsidised by the state.

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However, only 4,500 families have used the benefit.

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The question is why. It means that people are somehow dissatisfied with 

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the proposed conditions. But it is also clear why.

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A family making a decision to buy housing certainly makes plans 

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for a long or at least medium term,

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a lasting investment.

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But with this programme, they take out a loan,

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start paying the instalments, and the grace period ends.

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The interest is actually subsidised only for the first 3 or 5 years.

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I propose extending the benefit for the entire term 

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of the mortgage loan.

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Yes, of course, it will require additional funding,

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and the cost will be rather high: 7.6 billion rubles in 2019,

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21.7 billion rubles in 2020, and 30.6 billion rubles in 2021.

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But the programme is estimated to reach as many as 600,

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000 families. We certainly need to find the money.

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We know where to get it.

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We have it, and we just need to use it in the areas that 

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are of major importance to us.

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And one more direct action solution.

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Considering the sustainability and stability of the macroeconomic 

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situation in the country and the growth of the state’s revenues,

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I consider it possible to introduce another measure of support 

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for families having a third and subsequent children.

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I suggest paying 450,000 rubles directly from the federal budget 

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to cover this sum from their mortgage.

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Importantly, I propose backdating this payment starting January 1,

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2019, recalculating it and allocating relevant sums in this 

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year’s budget.

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Let us see what we have.

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If we add this sum to the maternity capital,

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which can also be used for mortgage payments,

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we will get over 900,000 rubles.

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In many regions, this is a substantial part of the cost of a flat.

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I would like to draw the attention of the Government 

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and the State Duma to this issue.

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If need be, the budget will have to be adjusted accordingly.

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An additional 26.2 billion rubles will be required for this in 2019.

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The relevant figures for 2020 and 2021 are 28.6 billion rubles and 30.

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1 billion rubles, respectively.

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These are huge funds but they should be allocated and used in what 

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I have already described as a very important area.

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It is necessary to give families an opportunity not only to buy 

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ready-made housing but also to build their own housing on their land.

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I would like to ask the Government to draft in cooperation with 

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the Central Bank convenient and, most importantly,

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affordable financial instruments for supporting private housing 

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construction because it is not covered by mortgage loans today.

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And, last but not least, the tax on land must be fair.

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Obviously, the cadastral or market value of a land plot can change but 

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tax rates must not go up and down unpredictably like roller 

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coaster rides. We have already limited to 10 percent the annual growth 

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of the tax rates for residential property.

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I suggest establishing the same limit for land plots.

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Moving on, today, when construction companies build social facilities 

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and transfer them to the state or municipalities,

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they have to pay profit tax and VAT.

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We need to relieve construction companies of this burden 

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(including our innovations in the construction sector)

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. This will serve as an impetus for the comprehensive development 

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of cities and townships, ensuring that families have everything they 

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need near their homes: clinics,

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schools and sports facilities.

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By doing this, we will enable parents to work, study,

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live happily and enjoy parenthood.

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00:14:11.355 --> 00:14:15.407
We have come close to guaranteeing universal access to kindergartens,

230
00:14:15.407 --> 00:14:20.527
but by the end of 2021, we will have to resolve the problem with 

231
00:14:20.527 --> 00:14:25.905
nurseries by enabling them to accept 270,000 more children,

232
00:14:25.905 --> 00:14:30.038
including in the private sector, with 90,

233
00:14:30.038 --> 00:14:33.792
000 places to be created as early as this year.

234
00:14:33.792 --> 00:14:40.069
The federal and regional budgets should allocate 147 billion rubles 

235
00:14:40.069 --> 00:14:43.408
for this purpose, over a three-year period.

236
00:14:43.408 --> 00:14:46.982
Let me add that enrolling in a nursery group, kindergarten,

237
00:14:46.982 --> 00:14:50.645
getting subsidies, benefits or the tax deductions that I have already 

238
00:14:50.645 --> 00:14:54.083
mentioned and, I hope, that we will come up with, together with you,

239
00:14:54.083 --> 00:14:58.561
all this should happen without any additional applications,

240
00:14:58.561 --> 00:15:01.673
excessive paperwork or having to visit various social services.

241
00:15:01.673 --> 00:15:09.068
By the end of 2020, all the key government services must be provided 

242
00:15:09.068 --> 00:15:12.718
in a proactive format where a person will only need to send 

243
00:15:12.718 --> 00:15:14.427
in a request for a service that he or she needs,

244
00:15:14.427 --> 00:15:17.620
and the system will take care of all the rest independently 

245
00:15:17.620 --> 00:15:19.505
and automatically.

246
00:15:19.505 --> 00:15:22.960
I would like to emphasise that the package of measures to support 

247
00:15:22.960 --> 00:15:26.083
families proposed today is not an exhaustive list of initiatives.

248
00:15:26.083 --> 00:15:28.176
It sets the priorities.

249
00:15:28.176 --> 00:15:32.662
Considering the challenges posed by the state of Russia’s demographics,

250
00:15:32.662 --> 00:15:36.675
we will continue to channel more and more resources into this area.

251
00:15:36.675 --> 00:15:39.693
I ask all of you, colleagues, including both the Government 

252
00:15:39.693 --> 00:15:44.674
and the Federal Assembly, to think about it and suggest solutions.

253
00:15:49.574 --> 00:15:52.345
Colleagues, solving our demographic problems,

254
00:15:52.345 --> 00:15:55.662
increasing life expectancy and reducing mortality rates are directly 

255
00:15:55.662 --> 00:15:58.724
related to eradicating poverty.

256
00:15:58.724 --> 00:16:00.814
Allow me to remind you that in 2000,

257
00:16:00.814 --> 00:16:05.393
there were more than 40 million people living below the poverty line.

258
00:16:05.393 --> 00:16:09.697
Now there are about 19 million, but this is still too many,

259
00:16:09.697 --> 00:16:14.903
too many. However, there was a time when their number dropped to 15 

260
00:16:14.903 --> 00:16:17.155
million, and now it has grown a little again.

261
00:16:17.155 --> 00:16:22.716
We must certainly focus our attention on this — on combating poverty.

262
00:16:22.716 --> 00:16:28.142
Furthermore, there are even more people facing serious financial 

263
00:16:28.142 --> 00:16:30.872
problems than those officially living below the poverty line.

264
00:16:30.872 --> 00:16:33.148
They are forced to cut spending on such essentials 

265
00:16:33.148 --> 00:16:36.240
as clothes, medicines and even food.

266
00:16:36.240 --> 00:16:42.441
Those most often faced with poverty are large or single parent 

267
00:16:42.441 --> 00:16:44.623
families, families with members with disabilities,

268
00:16:44.623 --> 00:16:50.658
as well as single pensioners and people who cannot find a good job,

269
00:16:50.658 --> 00:16:55.663
a well-paid job because there are no openings or they lack 

270
00:16:55.663 --> 00:16:57.168
qualifications.

271
00:16:57.168 --> 00:17:00.105
There are many reasons for poverty, not only in our country,

272
00:17:00.105 --> 00:17:05.799
but also in the world, but it always literally crushes a person,

273
00:17:05.799 --> 00:17:07.774
dimming their life prospects.

274
00:17:07.774 --> 00:17:12.882
The state must help people, help them out of difficult life situations.

275
00:17:12.882 --> 00:17:16.044
The experience of some of our regions shows that it is possible to work 

276
00:17:16.044 --> 00:17:18.211
effectively for this.

277
00:17:18.211 --> 00:17:22.785
I will name these regions: Kaluga, Ulyanovsk, Tomsk, Vologda,

278
00:17:22.785 --> 00:17:25.827
and Nizhny Novgorod Regions, and a number of other regions of Russia.

279
00:17:25.827 --> 00:17:32.956
Their experience shows that so-called social contracts can 

280
00:17:32.956 --> 00:17:36.668
be a working mechanism of such support.

281
00:17:36.688 --> 00:17:40.455
How does it work and what is this all about? The state helps people 

282
00:17:40.455 --> 00:17:43.213
find jobs and improve their skills.

283
00:17:43.213 --> 00:17:45.669
The state provides financial resources to families to run a household 

284
00:17:45.669 --> 00:17:48.394
farm or to start a small business, and by the way,

285
00:17:48.394 --> 00:17:53.418
these are substantial resources of tens of thousands of rubles.

286
00:17:53.418 --> 00:17:58.003
Let me emphasise that support programmes will be tailored to meet 

287
00:17:58.003 --> 00:18:00.624
the needs of every specific applicant.

288
00:18:00.624 --> 00:18:06.414
The allocation of these resources creates some obligations 

289
00:18:06.414 --> 00:18:09.198
for the recipients: they have to go through training,

290
00:18:09.198 --> 00:18:13.374
find a job in the given field and provide a steady income 

291
00:18:13.374 --> 00:18:15.285
for their family and children.

292
00:18:15.285 --> 00:18:17.606
Mechanisms of this kind are in place around the world 

293
00:18:17.606 --> 00:18:19.122
and are very effective.

294
00:18:19.122 --> 00:18:26.392
Social contracts can change the lives of those who really want to do it.

295
00:18:26.392 --> 00:18:31.220
It is estimated that more than 9 million people will be able to benefit 

296
00:18:31.220 --> 00:18:33.794
from these support measures over a five-year period.

297
00:18:33.794 --> 00:18:39.037
I instruct the Government to assist the regions that are proactive 

298
00:18:39.037 --> 00:18:43.416
in introducing social contracts and work with them 

299
00:18:43.416 --> 00:18:45.687
on co-financing mechanisms.

300
00:18:45.687 --> 00:18:49.527
Moving on, there are currently many people and families taking out 

301
00:18:49.527 --> 00:18:52.015
loans for various purposes, including consumer loans.

302
00:18:52.015 --> 00:18:54.833
Of course, borrowers have to be aware of their obligations and refrain 

303
00:18:54.833 --> 00:18:56.863
from assuming an excessive burden.

304
00:18:56.863 --> 00:19:01.093
That being said, anything can happen: people can lose their 

305
00:19:01.093 --> 00:19:04.435
job or become ill. In this case,

306
00:19:04.435 --> 00:19:06.678
the last thing is to force people into a corner,

307
00:19:06.678 --> 00:19:09.473
and it is also pointless in economic terms.

308
00:19:09.473 --> 00:19:13.622
Additional legal guarantees are needed to protect people.

309
00:19:13.622 --> 00:19:16.626
I propose introducing mortgage payment holidays,

310
00:19:16.626 --> 00:19:18.626
as we have recently discussed in Kazan,

311
00:19:18.626 --> 00:19:23.769
to enable people who lose their income to suspend mortgage payments.

312
00:19:23.769 --> 00:19:25.652
They must get a chance to keep their home,

313
00:19:25.652 --> 00:19:27.292
if it is the only property they own,

314
00:19:27.292 --> 00:19:30.047
and postpone loan payments.

315
00:19:35.607 --> 00:19:39.665
This is not an easy task, and we have to understand how this can be 

316
00:19:39.665 --> 00:19:42.343
done so as not to harm financial institutions while 

317
00:19:42.343 --> 00:19:45.541
supporting the people. This can be done, however.

318
00:19:45.541 --> 00:19:48.854
I also ask the Bank of Russia and law enforcement agencies to put 

319
00:19:48.854 --> 00:19:52.283
things right without delay in the microlending segment and protect 

320
00:19:52.283 --> 00:19:59.465
people from fraud or extortion by dishonest lenders.

321
00:19:59.465 --> 00:20:02.764
Let me emphasise that as we seek to overcome poverty and develop 

322
00:20:02.764 --> 00:20:07.998
the social security net, we need to reach every family in need 

323
00:20:07.998 --> 00:20:09.550
and understand the problems it faces.

324
00:20:09.550 --> 00:20:14.675
It should not be possible to refuse assistance simply because the life 

325
00:20:14.675 --> 00:20:19.333
circumstances a person is facing are slightly inconsistent 

326
00:20:19.333 --> 00:20:21.726
with the criteria set by a programme.

327
00:20:21.726 --> 00:20:23.726
And, of course, it is necessary to be scrupulous 

328
00:20:23.726 --> 00:20:26.523
and attentive to every detail.

329
00:20:26.523 --> 00:20:32.148
By way of example, and this is not a very good example for our work,

330
00:20:32.148 --> 00:20:37.008
I would like to say the following: pensions were adjusted for inflation 

331
00:20:37.008 --> 00:20:39.914
under the pension reform this year.

332
00:20:39.914 --> 00:20:43.599
But if a pensioner’s income exceeded the subsistence rate,

333
00:20:43.599 --> 00:20:47.345
the social payments were no longer made at the same level.

334
00:20:47.345 --> 00:20:50.106
They were either cancelled altogether or reduced.

335
00:20:50.106 --> 00:20:53.310
As a result, the pensions were not increased at all,

336
00:20:53.310 --> 00:20:56.678
or the increases were much less than a pensioner expected.

337
00:20:56.678 --> 00:21:00.526
So many people feel cheated with good reason.

338
00:21:00.526 --> 00:21:04.188
Probably, many people in this hall understand what this is all about.

339
00:21:08.008 --> 00:21:10.564
We made payments from the regional or federal budget 

340
00:21:10.564 --> 00:21:14.004
to achieve the subsistence level.

341
00:21:16.724 --> 00:21:21.454
We made adjustments for inflation and the cost of living 

342
00:21:21.454 --> 00:21:23.789
either matched or exceeded it.

343
00:21:23.789 --> 00:21:27.189
So these payments were discontinued and that was it.

344
00:21:27.189 --> 00:21:30.866
It was necessary to take into account all the nuances but this was left 

345
00:21:30.866 --> 00:21:34.358
undone, and of course, this should not be allowed to happen.

346
00:21:34.358 --> 00:21:37.179
This injustice, and it is certainly an injustice,

347
00:21:37.179 --> 00:21:39.143
should be sorted immediately.

348
00:21:39.143 --> 00:21:45.845
Starting this year, adjustments of pensions and monthly payments should 

349
00:21:45.845 --> 00:21:50.236
by all means be above the subsistence rate of pensioners 

350
00:21:50.236 --> 00:21:52.367
that is established every year.

351
00:21:56.747 --> 00:22:02.772
In other words, the state should first bring pensions 

352
00:22:02.772 --> 00:22:06.986
to the subsistence level and only after that make adjustments 

353
00:22:06.986 --> 00:22:09.861
in pensions and monthly payments.

354
00:22:09.861 --> 00:22:14.522
Payments for the first months of this year must be recalculated 

355
00:22:19.702 --> 00:22:22.875
and people should be paid the money due to them that they 

356
00:22:22.875 --> 00:22:24.781
have not received.

357
00:22:24.781 --> 00:22:29.873
I would like to emphasise that all those who work in the social sphere 

358
00:22:29.873 --> 00:22:35.557
or join the government or municipal services in order to help people 

359
00:22:35.557 --> 00:22:38.661
resolve their urgent problems, must meet the highest 

360
00:22:38.661 --> 00:22:42.798
professional standards. I believe by and large this is the case.

361
00:22:42.798 --> 00:22:44.553
Of course, this is a very complicated job.

362
00:22:44.553 --> 00:22:47.160
We all understand that working with people every day,

363
00:22:47.160 --> 00:22:51.333
from morning until night, is indeed difficult.

364
00:22:51.333 --> 00:22:56.138
But if you have this job you should realise that it is no less 

365
00:22:56.138 --> 00:22:59.144
important to understand people, to know what they feel, empathise,

366
00:22:59.144 --> 00:23:03.980
share their worries and concerns and never permit yourself arrogant 

367
00:23:03.980 --> 00:23:06.079
attitudes or a lack of respect for people,

368
00:23:06.079 --> 00:23:10.635
either in word or deed. I would like you to always remember this.

369
00:23:16.315 --> 00:23:17.525
Colleagues,

370
00:23:17.525 --> 00:23:20.606
The next important subject is healthcare.

371
00:23:20.606 --> 00:23:25.363
I know that, on the one hand, its current state seems to be improving,

372
00:23:25.363 --> 00:23:29.868
and medical treatment is becoming more accessible.

373
00:23:29.868 --> 00:23:33.529
Nevertheless, many people are not satisfied.

374
00:23:33.529 --> 00:23:35.877
It is easy to understand the reasons for this.

375
00:23:35.877 --> 00:23:40.469
As a rule, people judge the healthcare system by its primary component,

376
00:23:40.469 --> 00:23:44.567
that is, outpatient clinics and paramedic stations.

377
00:23:44.567 --> 00:23:47.991
People voice complaints with regard to their work.

378
00:23:47.991 --> 00:23:51.226
Quite often, they have to wait many days to see a specialist,

379
00:23:51.226 --> 00:23:54.536
and it is impossible to quickly undergo the required tests 

380
00:23:54.536 --> 00:23:58.723
free of charge. People in remote communities are even having trouble 

381
00:23:58.723 --> 00:24:02.388
getting appointments with medical personnel.

382
00:24:02.388 --> 00:24:06.934
Yes, the number of paramedic stations and mobile medical units 

383
00:24:06.934 --> 00:24:10.935
continues to increase, but people in areas where there are no such 

384
00:24:10.935 --> 00:24:14.285
facilities care nothing about the overall statistics.

385
00:24:14.285 --> 00:24:17.961
I want to emphasise that medical treatment should become accessible 

386
00:24:17.961 --> 00:24:21.594
for everyone by the end of 2020 in all populated areas across Russia 

387
00:24:21.594 --> 00:24:24.254
without exception and for all citizens,

388
00:24:24.254 --> 00:24:26.335
regardless of their place of residence.

389
00:24:30.815 --> 00:24:33.258
For your information, an additional 1,

390
00:24:33.258 --> 00:24:38.411
590 outpatient clinics and paramedic stations are to be built 

391
00:24:38.411 --> 00:24:44.221
or renovated in 2019–2020, and I hope that this will be accomplished.

392
00:24:44.221 --> 00:24:47.550
Today, a number of regions are implementing the Thrifty 

393
00:24:47.550 --> 00:24:49.408
Outpatient Clinic project.

394
00:24:49.408 --> 00:24:53.259
As a result, the waiting time to get an appointment and see a doctor is 

395
00:24:53.259 --> 00:24:56.114
reduced three or four times over,

396
00:24:56.114 --> 00:24:59.072
on the average. I have visited such outpatient clinics,

397
00:24:59.072 --> 00:25:00.727
and they are operating very well.

398
00:25:00.727 --> 00:25:04.532
Much better conditions are created for people with disabilities 

399
00:25:04.532 --> 00:25:06.007
and for parents with children.

400
00:25:06.007 --> 00:25:08.847
Unfortunately, there are very few such outpatient clinics so far;

401
00:25:08.847 --> 00:25:12.590
they are rather an exception than the rule all across the nation.

402
00:25:12.590 --> 00:25:15.869
Considering the best regional practices , and, I repeat,

403
00:25:15.869 --> 00:25:19.703
there are such practices, I hereby instruct the Government to approve 

404
00:25:19.703 --> 00:25:22.988
the high standards of thrifty outpatient clinics by the end of the year 

405
00:25:22.988 --> 00:25:24.952
and their certification regulations.

406
00:25:24.952 --> 00:25:28.540
Next year, you have to team up with the regions to introduce mechanisms 

407
00:25:28.540 --> 00:25:31.407
incentivising managers and medical personnel to improve 

408
00:25:31.407 --> 00:25:33.612
the quality of their work.

409
00:25:33.612 --> 00:25:39.297
First of all, we have to completely convert all paediatric outpatient 

410
00:25:39.297 --> 00:25:42.073
clinics to new standards already in 2021.

411
00:25:42.073 --> 00:25:47.301
Please note that the sign “Thrifty Outpatient Clinic” is not what 

412
00:25:47.301 --> 00:25:50.632
counts. Most importantly, people should at long last perceive 

413
00:25:50.632 --> 00:25:53.433
the state’s respectful and truly considerate attitude 

414
00:25:53.433 --> 00:25:55.229
towards their health.

415
00:25:55.229 --> 00:26:00.308
Improving IT penetration in healthcare will make it more accessible.

416
00:26:00.308 --> 00:26:04.789
Online links between medical institutions, pharmacies,

417
00:26:04.789 --> 00:26:10.052
doctors and patients must be streamlined over the next three years.

418
00:26:10.092 --> 00:26:14.161
Let me add that social security medical assessment boards must be 

419
00:26:14.161 --> 00:26:19.779
finally included into this digital network in order to free elderly 

420
00:26:19.799 --> 00:26:22.354
people, people with disabilities and families with children from 

421
00:26:22.354 --> 00:26:23.408
waiting lists and the need to produce various certificates 

422
00:26:23.408 --> 00:26:24.914
that are often useless.

423
00:26:29.974 --> 00:26:35.943
Primary care is understaffed.

424
00:26:35.943 --> 00:26:39.274
To address this matter, comprehensive efforts to develop medical 

425
00:26:39.274 --> 00:26:42.677
education should be accompanied by initiatives that produce 

426
00:26:42.677 --> 00:26:45.192
immediate results. In this connection,

427
00:26:45.192 --> 00:26:50.965
I propose removing age restrictions for the Country Doctor programme so 

428
00:26:50.965 --> 00:26:56.474
that professionals over the age of 50 can also receive a one-time 

429
00:26:56.474 --> 00:27:06.723
payment when moving to a rural area or a small city: 1,000,

430
00:27:06.723 --> 00:27:10.957
000 rubles for doctors and 500,000 rubles for paramedics.

431
00:27:15.797 --> 00:27:23.478
The most complex surgery is currently performed not only at federal,

432
00:27:23.478 --> 00:27:26.410
but also at regional clinics and centres using the most 

433
00:27:26.410 --> 00:27:28.021
advanced equipment. At the same time,

434
00:27:28.021 --> 00:27:30.811
patient recovery is also critical.

435
00:27:30.811 --> 00:27:33.204
We have never had a system of this kind,

436
00:27:33.204 --> 00:27:38.166
but we have to start with something. A lot has to be done in this area.

437
00:27:38.166 --> 00:27:44.255
Let us begin by creating at least two world-class recovery facilities 

438
00:27:44.255 --> 00:27:46.574
for children, just as we did with perinatal centres,

439
00:27:46.574 --> 00:27:48.712
and proceed from there.

440
00:27:48.712 --> 00:27:54.401
In my last year’s Address, I proposed a programme for fighting cancer.

441
00:27:54.401 --> 00:27:58.808
At least 1 trillion roubles will be allocated to this 

442
00:27:58.808 --> 00:28:01.337
effect over the next six years.

443
00:28:05.637 --> 00:28:09.917
This is about providing timely, effective and accessible treatment,

444
00:28:09.917 --> 00:28:15.247
using advanced technologies that are effective in most cases and enable 

445
00:28:15.247 --> 00:28:18.944
people to overcome this dangerous disease.

446
00:28:18.944 --> 00:28:24.824
Today, the leukaemia recovery rate for children exceeds 80 percent,

447
00:28:24.824 --> 00:28:26.643
and for certain types of cancer,

448
00:28:26.643 --> 00:28:29.105
more than 90 percent of patients recover.

449
00:28:29.105 --> 00:28:31.580
Not that long ago, in the mid-1990s,

450
00:28:31.580 --> 00:28:36.259
this disease was almost untreatable and only 10–

451
00:28:36.259 --> 00:28:39.141
20 percent of children could be saved.

452
00:28:39.141 --> 00:28:42.585
Russia lacked both the technology and capabilities at the time.

453
00:28:42.585 --> 00:28:46.026
In many cases, the only option was to turn to foreign 

454
00:28:46.026 --> 00:28:49.184
clinics. Those who could afford it did so.

455
00:28:49.184 --> 00:28:52.030
We were aware of how tragic this situation was,

456
00:28:52.030 --> 00:28:55.013
which prompted us to focus on improving cancer treatment for children,

457
00:28:55.013 --> 00:28:57.505
developing oncohaematology, using the capabilities offered by our 

458
00:28:57.505 --> 00:29:00.148
research institutions, the healthcare system,

459
00:29:00.148 --> 00:29:03.268
and worked proactively with our foreign partners 

460
00:29:03.268 --> 00:29:06.322
(some doctors simply moved from Germany to Moscow,

461
00:29:06.322 --> 00:29:10.024
and spent a lot of time here, and probably still do)

462
00:29:10.024 --> 00:29:12.258
, which yielded results.

463
00:29:12.258 --> 00:29:18.573
We will continue working to overhaul the system of cancer care.

464
00:29:18.573 --> 00:29:22.141
Early detection is of crucial importance.

465
00:29:22.141 --> 00:29:26.596
In fact, we have revived the system of health screening 

466
00:29:26.596 --> 00:29:32.844
and regular medical check-ups. These have to include cancer screening.

467
00:29:32.844 --> 00:29:36.205
It has to be made obligatory.

468
00:29:36.205 --> 00:29:40.374
People must have the opportunity to make appointments remotely,

469
00:29:40.374 --> 00:29:43.501
to choose a suitable time for visiting an outpatient clinic,

470
00:29:43.501 --> 00:29:46.496
including in the evening or at the weekend,

471
00:29:46.496 --> 00:29:48.415
so that the check-up can be carried out without any 

472
00:29:48.415 --> 00:29:50.014
additional formalities.

473
00:29:50.014 --> 00:29:54.643
Next, over the next few years we must create a number of new areas 

474
00:29:54.643 --> 00:29:57.826
combining healthcare with social services.

475
00:29:57.826 --> 00:30:01.890
Thus, we must overhaul the system of assistance for people who need 

476
00:30:01.890 --> 00:30:05.837
long-term help at medical facilities or at home,

477
00:30:05.837 --> 00:30:10.795
adjust this system to the needs of specific families and individuals,

478
00:30:10.795 --> 00:30:15.647
support people with their everyday needs by assigning district nurses 

479
00:30:15.647 --> 00:30:19.520
or carers, or training relatives in medical or other necessary skills.

480
00:30:19.520 --> 00:30:23.421
The application of these recipient-oriented principles of assistance 

481
00:30:23.421 --> 00:30:27.583
began last year in Volgograd, Kostroma, Novgorod, Pskov,

482
00:30:27.583 --> 00:30:29.657
Ryazan and Tula regions.

483
00:30:29.657 --> 00:30:31.756
We must introduce them throughout the country within 

484
00:30:31.756 --> 00:30:33.400
a timeframe of four years.

485
00:30:33.400 --> 00:30:40.897
Palliative care is a matter of not only medical but also of social,

486
00:30:40.897 --> 00:30:43.286
public and moral concern.

487
00:30:43.286 --> 00:30:45.988
According to the available information, some 800,

488
00:30:45.988 --> 00:30:48.234
000 people need this assistance,

489
00:30:48.234 --> 00:30:50.695
and volunteers have told me that the figure is around one million.

490
00:30:50.695 --> 00:30:53.169
As you know, in January I visited a children’s hospice in St 

491
00:30:53.169 --> 00:30:55.432
Petersburg, where we discussed this matter.

492
00:30:55.432 --> 00:30:59.675
I know that yesterday the State Duma adopted in the second reading 

493
00:30:59.675 --> 00:31:02.344
amendments to the legislation on palliative care.

494
00:31:02.344 --> 00:31:07.755
I would like work on this law to be completed as soon as possible.

495
00:31:07.755 --> 00:31:13.174
We will then monitor its application so we can promptly make 

496
00:31:13.174 --> 00:31:16.624
amendments, taking into account the opinions of volunteers,

497
00:31:16.624 --> 00:31:19.794
whom I have mentioned, doctors, carers,

498
00:31:19.794 --> 00:31:24.429
members of the public and religious associations and benefactors,

499
00:31:24.449 --> 00:31:29.212
that is, everyone who have long been providing heartfelt 

500
00:31:29.212 --> 00:31:30.317
palliative care.

501
00:31:31.517 --> 00:31:36.620
Colleagues, people have increasingly high demands 

502
00:31:36.620 --> 00:31:39.034
on environmental safety issues.

503
00:31:39.034 --> 00:31:43.229
Perhaps, the most painful topic is municipal waste.

504
00:31:43.229 --> 00:31:47.602
If you remember, it came up for the first time during one 

505
00:31:47.602 --> 00:31:52.036
of my Direct Lines. Yes, we have probably neglected the waste disposal 

506
00:31:52.036 --> 00:31:56.047
problems for maybe a hundred years,

507
00:31:56.047 --> 00:31:58.672
which means we have never paid attention to them.

508
00:31:58.672 --> 00:32:03.355
Many landfills are overfilled because waste has been 

509
00:32:03.355 --> 00:32:05.509
accumulating there for decades.

510
00:32:05.509 --> 00:32:08.007
The landfills have turned into real mountains of garbage 

511
00:32:08.007 --> 00:32:09.530
near residential areas.

512
00:32:09.530 --> 00:32:16.749
By the way, I am also interested to know how you issued permits 

513
00:32:16.749 --> 00:32:18.632
for the construction of residential neighbourhoods next 

514
00:32:18.632 --> 00:32:20.659
to these dumps and landfills.

515
00:32:20.659 --> 00:32:24.488
Didn’t you think of that? You should have.

516
00:32:24.488 --> 00:32:27.538
I urge the representatives of the authorities at all levels: pretending 

517
00:32:27.538 --> 00:32:29.901
that nothing is happening, turning away,

518
00:32:29.901 --> 00:32:33.744
brushing aside people’s needs is absolutely unacceptable.

519
00:32:33.744 --> 00:32:36.420
These issues are difficult, of course,

520
00:32:36.420 --> 00:32:39.500
but difficult issues must also be addressed.

521
00:32:45.080 --> 00:32:49.379
This year, the regions began adopting a new system of solid 

522
00:32:49.379 --> 00:32:50.757
municipal waste management.

523
00:32:50.757 --> 00:32:54.254
However, if the only change is a rise in rubbish clearance prices –

524
00:32:54.254 --> 00:32:56.783
well, this is not real work; it is a sham.

525
00:32:56.783 --> 00:33:01.018
People need to see what they are paying for and what real 

526
00:33:01.018 --> 00:33:02.807
changes are happening.

527
00:33:02.807 --> 00:33:04.693
It is necessary to restore order in this area,

528
00:33:04.693 --> 00:33:09.136
to get rid of shady businesses that do not bear any responsibility 

529
00:33:09.136 --> 00:33:13.479
and only get super-profits dumping trash at random sites.

530
00:33:13.479 --> 00:33:18.399
We need to build a civilised and safe system of waste 

531
00:33:18.399 --> 00:33:19.977
treatment, recycling and disposal.

532
00:33:19.977 --> 00:33:25.097
Surprisingly, a year ago I personally had to interfere on some matters.

533
00:33:25.097 --> 00:33:30.002
I had to talk to the Interior Ministry and the Prosecutor’s 

534
00:33:30.002 --> 00:33:31.738
Office several times.

535
00:33:31.738 --> 00:33:34.984
You know, surprisingly, I would like to say it again,

536
00:33:34.984 --> 00:33:39.990
almost nothing moved forward until I gave an order to station a guard 

537
00:33:39.990 --> 00:33:41.087
there and not to let anyone in.

538
00:33:41.087 --> 00:33:43.288
This is the only way it works, because these shady companies,

539
00:33:43.288 --> 00:33:51.190
the so-called fly-by-nights, they just make quick profits 

540
00:33:51.190 --> 00:33:53.543
and shut down their so-called business.

541
00:33:53.543 --> 00:33:57.868
I ask the Russian Popular Front to ensure effective public control 

542
00:33:57.868 --> 00:34:02.075
here, including reliance on public environmental inspectors.

543
00:34:02.075 --> 00:34:06.494
Their signals regarding any violations must be considered 

544
00:34:06.494 --> 00:34:09.323
by the authorities, who must adopt specific measures.

545
00:34:09.323 --> 00:34:13.640
In the next two years, 30 large problem landfills within city 

546
00:34:13.640 --> 00:34:16.941
boundaries must be closed and rehabilitated,

547
00:34:16.941 --> 00:34:18.919
and in six years, all the rest.

548
00:34:18.919 --> 00:34:21.620
At the same time, it is necessary to increase the share of waste 

549
00:34:21.620 --> 00:34:25.582
treatment from today's 8–9 percent to 60,

550
00:34:25.582 --> 00:34:29.617
so as not to accumulate new millions of tonnes of trash.

551
00:34:29.617 --> 00:34:35.090
It is necessary to introduce stricter environmental requirements when 

552
00:34:35.090 --> 00:34:37.826
it comes to utility services and energy and transport enterprises.

553
00:34:37.846 --> 00:34:41.942
In part, I am urging businesses to play a more active role in natural 

554
00:34:41.942 --> 00:34:44.823
gas motor fuel projects, and invest in the formation of a network 

555
00:34:44.823 --> 00:34:49.487
of fuelling stations and fuel systems using liquefied natural gas.

556
00:34:49.487 --> 00:34:53.843
We have enough of it, more than any other country.

557
00:34:53.863 --> 00:34:59.566
Indeed, this is a complicated and costly project but it should be 

558
00:34:59.566 --> 00:35:01.683
carried out because it will produce results not only 

559
00:35:01.683 --> 00:35:03.504
for businesses but for the people as well.

560
00:35:03.524 --> 00:35:06.708
A positive effect from the industry’s transfer to the best affordable 

561
00:35:06.708 --> 00:35:11.535
technologies and strict environmental standards should be felt 

562
00:35:11.535 --> 00:35:14.301
by residents of major industrial centres of the country,

563
00:35:14.301 --> 00:35:20.689
primarily the 12 cities I mentioned in the 2018 Address.

564
00:35:20.689 --> 00:35:24.111
These places should be finally removed from the zone 

565
00:35:24.131 --> 00:35:26.297
of real environmental disaster.

566
00:35:26.297 --> 00:35:27.435
Over a period of the next six years,

567
00:35:27.435 --> 00:35:30.368
the amount of polluting emissions in the air should be 

568
00:35:30.368 --> 00:35:33.061
reduced there by no less than 20 percent.

569
00:35:33.061 --> 00:35:36.864
To prevent anyone from the temptation of dodging the implementation 

570
00:35:36.864 --> 00:35:40.939
of this job, it is necessary to strictly monitor industrial and other 

571
00:35:40.939 --> 00:35:42.388
companies responsible for this,

572
00:35:42.388 --> 00:35:46.766
to map out the specific steps they should take to minimise 

573
00:35:46.766 --> 00:35:50.740
environmental damage, and to register all this in a law 

574
00:35:50.760 --> 00:35:55.836
on emission quotas. I know all too well what this is all about.

575
00:35:55.836 --> 00:35:59.750
I know that fairly influential lobbyists are trying to impede this 

576
00:35:59.750 --> 00:36:01.447
draft law as much as they can.

577
00:36:01.447 --> 00:36:04.620
I know their arguments very well too: the need to preserve jobs 

578
00:36:04.620 --> 00:36:06.001
and a complicated economic situation.

579
00:36:06.001 --> 00:36:10.639
But this cannot go on endlessly in this manner. It must not.

580
00:36:15.359 --> 00:36:20.369
Let me recall that in making such decisions we should be guided 

581
00:36:20.369 --> 00:36:23.844
by the interests of the people of Russia rather than corporate 

582
00:36:23.844 --> 00:36:25.950
interests or interests of some individuals.

583
00:36:25.950 --> 00:36:30.070
Colleagues, please pass this law during the spring session.

584
00:36:33.370 --> 00:36:36.124
Finding solutions for environmental problems is the job of our 

585
00:36:36.124 --> 00:36:39.937
researchers and people in industry. Each of us is responsible for this.

586
00:36:39.937 --> 00:36:41.546
I am urging young people, among others,

587
00:36:41.546 --> 00:36:43.591
to take a more active part in this work.

588
00:36:43.591 --> 00:36:47.107
We must hand over to the future generations an environmentally safe 

589
00:36:47.107 --> 00:36:49.589
country and preserve Russia’s natural potential as well 

590
00:36:49.589 --> 00:36:51.515
as its specially protected areas.

591
00:36:51.515 --> 00:36:56.331
This year new national parks will open in the republics of Daghestan,

592
00:36:56.331 --> 00:37:01.430
Komi and Sakha (Yakutia), Altai Territory and Chelyabinsk Region.

593
00:37:01.430 --> 00:37:03.997
However, I would like to draw your attention to the fact that many 

594
00:37:03.997 --> 00:37:08.255
specially protected areas do not yet have precise borders 

595
00:37:08.255 --> 00:37:11.392
and their regulations are not observed.

596
00:37:11.392 --> 00:37:12.442
I have instructed the Ministry of Natural Resources 

597
00:37:12.442 --> 00:37:14.758
to conduct a detailed audit.

598
00:37:14.758 --> 00:37:19.136
All sanctuaries must be registered in the cadastre.

599
00:37:19.136 --> 00:37:22.666
It is also necessary to adopt a law according to which only 

600
00:37:22.666 --> 00:37:26.539
environmental tourism can take place in nature reserves,

601
00:37:26.539 --> 00:37:28.344
without any withdrawal of territories,

602
00:37:28.344 --> 00:37:31.981
wood cutting or major construction work.

603
00:37:31.981 --> 00:37:33.824
Naturally, it is necessary to take into account the interests 

604
00:37:33.844 --> 00:37:37.066
of the locals but these issues should be resolved in a package.

605
00:37:37.066 --> 00:37:42.320
Colleagues, the number of students from small towns and remote areas 

606
00:37:42.320 --> 00:37:47.700
studying at the best Moscow and regional universities is increasing.

607
00:37:47.700 --> 00:37:54.564
According to international assessments, our elementary,

608
00:37:54.564 --> 00:37:57.494
middle and high school students demonstrate good results 

609
00:37:57.494 --> 00:38:00.452
in the humanities and hard sciences.

610
00:38:00.452 --> 00:38:04.778
We can see it ourselves, based on the results of contests and various 

611
00:38:04.778 --> 00:38:05.812
student competitions.

612
00:38:05.812 --> 00:38:09.051
All this is an indicator of qualitative changes in our school education.

613
00:38:09.051 --> 00:38:11.012
However, despite all these achievements,

614
00:38:11.012 --> 00:38:15.361
we must not overlook the obvious problems in this crucial area.

615
00:38:15.361 --> 00:38:19.226
The share of schools with modern study conditions has increased from 12 

616
00:38:19.226 --> 00:38:23.785
percent in 2000 (only 12 percent)

617
00:38:23.785 --> 00:38:27.036
to 85 percent in 2018.

618
00:38:27.036 --> 00:38:32.147
But even today, some 200,000 children still go to schools where there 

619
00:38:32.147 --> 00:38:36.903
is no proper heating, water supply and sewage system.

620
00:38:36.903 --> 00:38:39.328
Yes, it is less than 1.

621
00:38:39.328 --> 00:38:40.627
5 percent of all schoolchildren,

622
00:38:40.627 --> 00:38:45.108
but when their parents see these conditions,

623
00:38:45.108 --> 00:38:53.391
any words about justice and equal opportunities only irritate them.

624
00:38:53.391 --> 00:38:55.314
I want to draw the attention of the heads of the regions where poorly 

625
00:38:55.314 --> 00:38:56.389
equipped schools still exist.

626
00:38:56.389 --> 00:38:59.654
This problem can be completely resolved within two years. We can do it.

627
00:38:59.654 --> 00:39:02.163
I know that the Government is thinking about it and making 

628
00:39:02.163 --> 00:39:05.459
certain decisions. I am asking you to support the regions 

629
00:39:05.459 --> 00:39:07.614
that lack their own resources.

630
00:39:13.094 --> 00:39:17.424
When in 2006 we started providing internet connections to schools,

631
00:39:17.424 --> 00:39:20.064
the technology was completely different.

632
00:39:20.064 --> 00:39:23.900
You know, it seemed like a real breakthrough.

633
00:39:23.900 --> 00:39:27.736
And it was indeed a breakthrough at the time.

634
00:39:27.736 --> 00:39:30.611
Right now, this technology seems ancient,

635
00:39:30.611 --> 00:39:33.886
and we have new tasks to resolve.

636
00:39:33.886 --> 00:39:39.565
By the end of 2021, all Russian schools must have a high-speed internet 

637
00:39:39.565 --> 00:39:41.919
connection rather than just a connection.

638
00:39:41.919 --> 00:39:45.744
Let me remind you that in 2006,

639
00:39:45.744 --> 00:39:48.452
when schools were being hooked up to the internet,

640
00:39:48.452 --> 00:39:51.517
the recommended speed was 128 kbps.

641
00:39:51.517 --> 00:39:54.816
Now we need 50 Mbps or 100 Mbps,

642
00:39:54.816 --> 00:40:00.619
which is at least 400 times higher.

643
00:40:00.619 --> 00:40:05.036
This will help our kids to gain access to lessons and lectures 

644
00:40:05.036 --> 00:40:08.385
by prominent teachers, to contests and Olympiads;

645
00:40:08.385 --> 00:40:12.366
it will allow them to significantly expand their capabilities and get 

646
00:40:12.366 --> 00:40:15.241
involved in online projects with their fellow students from 

647
00:40:15.241 --> 00:40:18.800
other regions and countries.

648
00:40:18.800 --> 00:40:21.321
The content of educational programmes must also change.

649
00:40:21.321 --> 00:40:24.829
The national standards and programmes must reflect the priorities 

650
00:40:24.829 --> 00:40:26.909
of the country’s science and technology development,

651
00:40:26.909 --> 00:40:31.781
while the federal lists of recommended textbooks must 

652
00:40:31.781 --> 00:40:34.167
include the best of the best books.

653
00:40:34.167 --> 00:40:37.129
Of course, human resources are the most important issue.

654
00:40:37.129 --> 00:40:41.398
I have already spoken today about expanding the Country Doctor 

655
00:40:41.398 --> 00:40:46.883
programme. I propose starting a similar programme for education,

656
00:40:46.883 --> 00:41:00.357
the Country Teacher. Teachers who decide to move to smaller towns 

657
00:41:00.357 --> 00:41:05.791
and villages will receive a one-time payment of one million rubles.

658
00:41:05.791 --> 00:41:08.567
We must work consistently to strengthen the common 

659
00:41:08.567 --> 00:41:11.917
environment of education and culture.

660
00:41:11.917 --> 00:41:16.432
The culture and education centres in Kaliningrad, Kemerovo,

661
00:41:16.432 --> 00:41:19.807
Vladivostok and Sevastopol will open no later than in 2023.

662
00:41:19.807 --> 00:41:24.384
Our leading museums and theatres will be represented there,

663
00:41:24.384 --> 00:41:30.298
and branches of art schools will start working there already next year.

664
00:41:30.298 --> 00:41:34.369
The demand for a rich cultural environment is very high,

665
00:41:34.369 --> 00:41:39.965
primarily in the regions, where a great number of talented 

666
00:41:39.965 --> 00:41:42.134
and committed people are working.

667
00:41:42.134 --> 00:41:47.016
I propose greatly expanding assistance to local cultural initiatives,

668
00:41:47.016 --> 00:41:49.504
that is, projects dealing with local history,

669
00:41:49.504 --> 00:41:55.363
crafts and the preservation of the historical heritage of our peoples.

670
00:41:55.363 --> 00:41:58.082
For example, additional allocations can be made towards this from 

671
00:41:58.082 --> 00:42:00.414
the Presidential Grants Fund.

672
00:42:00.414 --> 00:42:05.466
In addition, we will allocate over 17 billion rubles within the Culture 

673
00:42:05.466 --> 00:42:10.029
national project for the construction and renovation of rural culture 

674
00:42:10.049 --> 00:42:20.850
clubs and over 6 billion rubles for supporting culture 

675
00:42:20.850 --> 00:42:24.281
centres in Russia’s small towns.

676
00:42:24.281 --> 00:42:29.036
I would like to remind you that medical and educational institutions 

677
00:42:29.036 --> 00:42:35.176
are exempt from profit tax, but only until January 1,

678
00:42:35.176 --> 00:42:42.027
2020. I propose making this incentive of unlimited duration and also 

679
00:42:42.027 --> 00:42:45.452
extending it to the regional and municipal museums,

680
00:42:45.452 --> 00:42:47.448
theatres and libraries.

681
00:42:52.928 --> 00:42:58.259
By the way, this will allow them to save some 4 billion rubles,

682
00:42:58.259 --> 00:43:02.381
which they will invest in development or will use to raise salaries.

683
00:43:02.381 --> 00:43:06.315
And lastly, this measure will encourage private investment 

684
00:43:06.315 --> 00:43:09.393
in local cultural establishments.

685
00:43:09.393 --> 00:43:17.046
Colleagues, I would like the heads of regions to ensure that salaries 

686
00:43:17.046 --> 00:43:21.744
in education, healthcare, culture and other public sectors are kept 

687
00:43:21.744 --> 00:43:26.403
on a par with the average wage in the given region’s economy.

688
00:43:26.403 --> 00:43:28.387
Colleagues, this is very important.

689
00:43:28.387 --> 00:43:32.356
I keep talking about this at all my meetings.

690
00:43:32.356 --> 00:43:34.157
We must not lower this standard.

691
00:43:34.157 --> 00:43:38.302
At the same time, the average wage in the economy must grow.

692
00:43:38.302 --> 00:43:42.895
Over 40 million people who work in the public and defence sectors 

693
00:43:42.895 --> 00:43:47.474
and are non-working pensioners receive fixed payments.

694
00:43:47.474 --> 00:43:50.266
These payments must grow together with the inflation at the least.

695
00:43:50.266 --> 00:43:53.047
I ask the Government to take this into account.

696
00:43:53.047 --> 00:43:56.332
More than 70 million people work in manufacturing,

697
00:43:56.332 --> 00:44:01.119
agriculture or the services or are small business owners.

698
00:44:01.119 --> 00:44:06.251
The state of Russia’s economy has a direct bearing on their income,

699
00:44:06.251 --> 00:44:08.376
wellbeing and confidence in the future.

700
00:44:08.376 --> 00:44:12.749
The primary tool for achieving steady wage increases is to promote 

701
00:44:12.749 --> 00:44:18.055
quality employment and free enterprise, qualified,

702
00:44:18.055 --> 00:44:22.196
well-paid jobs in all regions, including both traditional 

703
00:44:22.196 --> 00:44:29.517
and new sectors. High economic growth rates are essential.

704
00:44:29.517 --> 00:44:33.007
This is the only way to overcome poverty and ensure steady 

705
00:44:33.007 --> 00:44:37.110
and perceptible increases in income. This is the key to success.

706
00:44:37.110 --> 00:44:42.631
As soon as in 2021, Russia’s economic growth rate must exceed 3 percent 

707
00:44:42.631 --> 00:44:45.041
and stay above the global average afterwards.

708
00:44:45.041 --> 00:44:47.086
This objective should not be discarded.

709
00:44:47.086 --> 00:44:49.820
The Government and the Central Bank are once again tasked with 

710
00:44:49.820 --> 00:44:52.616
complying with the target inflation rate.

711
00:44:52.616 --> 00:44:56.281
I have already said this, and we knew that this would happen when we 

712
00:44:56.281 --> 00:45:03.480
put aside financial resources for the national projects.

713
00:45:03.480 --> 00:45:08.709
This was an expected outcome, and now we need to make sure that 

714
00:45:08.709 --> 00:45:14.434
the situation gets back to normal. We can do this.

715
00:45:14.434 --> 00:45:17.419
As I said, the Government and the Central Bank must ensure that 

716
00:45:17.419 --> 00:45:21.725
the inflation targets are met and create a favourable macroeconomic 

717
00:45:21.725 --> 00:45:23.688
environment for facilitating growth in general.

718
00:45:23.688 --> 00:45:27.499
We have a strong financial safety cushion.

719
00:45:27.499 --> 00:45:31.840
I have something positive to share with you.

720
00:45:31.840 --> 00:45:35.556
For the first time ever, our reserves fully cover not only 

721
00:45:35.556 --> 00:45:39.032
the sovereign debt, which is quite small,

722
00:45:39.032 --> 00:45:42.019
but also private borrowings.

723
00:45:42.019 --> 00:45:48.359
These funds are at work, and investment of the National Welfare Fund 

724
00:45:48.359 --> 00:45:53.401
generates budget revenue.

725
00:45:53.401 --> 00:45:56.146
Therefore, I would like to address those of our colleagues who 

726
00:45:56.146 --> 00:45:57.885
constantly criticise the Government,

727
00:45:57.885 --> 00:46:00.254
its financial and economic ministries and ask where the money went 

728
00:46:00.254 --> 00:46:01.877
and where we invested it.

729
00:46:01.877 --> 00:46:06.953
We set a target to reach a certain level,

730
00:46:06.953 --> 00:46:10.320
after which we can use these funds,

731
00:46:10.320 --> 00:46:12.872
although cautiously so as not to cause any macroeconomic disturbances.

732
00:46:12.872 --> 00:46:14.472
We are about to reach this level,

733
00:46:14.472 --> 00:46:16.325
and are beginning to do it.

734
00:46:16.325 --> 00:46:19.733
The proceeds from these investments go to the federal budget.

735
00:46:19.733 --> 00:46:23.635
In 2018, proceeds from investing the National Welfare Fund 

736
00:46:23.635 --> 00:46:29.141
in the amount of 70.5 billion rubles were added to the budget.

737
00:46:29.141 --> 00:46:33.617
To achieve high growth rates, it is also necessary to resolve systemic 

738
00:46:33.617 --> 00:46:37.677
problems in the economy. I will highlight four priorities here.

739
00:46:37.677 --> 00:46:43.228
The first one is faster growth in labour productivity,

740
00:46:43.228 --> 00:46:48.070
primarily based on new technologies and digitalisation;

741
00:46:48.070 --> 00:46:51.269
the development of competitive industries and, as a result,

742
00:46:51.269 --> 00:46:57.360
an increase in non-primary exports by more than 50 percent in six years.

743
00:46:57.360 --> 00:47:01.843
The second one is to improve the business climate and the quality 

744
00:47:01.843 --> 00:47:04.477
of national jurisdiction, so that no one moves their operations 

745
00:47:04.477 --> 00:47:06.274
to other jurisdictions, to ensure that everything is 

746
00:47:06.274 --> 00:47:08.239
reliable and runs like clockwork.

747
00:47:08.239 --> 00:47:12.698
Growth in investment should increase by 6–

748
00:47:12.698 --> 00:47:17.337
7 percent in 2020. Achieving this level will be one of the key criteria 

749
00:47:17.337 --> 00:47:20.202
for evaluating the Government’s work.

750
00:47:20.202 --> 00:47:23.921
The third priority is removing infrastructural constraints for economic 

751
00:47:23.921 --> 00:47:27.333
development and for unlocking the potential of our regions.

752
00:47:27.333 --> 00:47:30.516
And the fourth thing is training modern personnel, of course,

753
00:47:30.516 --> 00:47:33.871
and creating powerful scientific and technological foundations.

754
00:47:33.871 --> 00:47:39.378
Now I would like to expand on our specific tasks in these fields.

755
00:47:39.378 --> 00:47:46.319
A colossal guaranteed demand for industrial and high-tech products is 

756
00:47:46.319 --> 00:47:49.291
being formed in Russia, I can say this without any exaggeration.

757
00:47:49.291 --> 00:47:52.558
So the words I would like to use –

758
00:47:52.558 --> 00:47:55.708
we are faced with historical opportunities for a qualitative growth 

759
00:47:55.708 --> 00:47:59.102
of Russian business, mechanical engineering and machine-tool making,

760
00:47:59.102 --> 00:48:03.780
microelectronics, IT-industry, and other industries.

761
00:48:03.780 --> 00:48:06.856
The national projects alone include – just think of it –

762
00:48:06.856 --> 00:48:09.650
6 trillion rubles worth of procurement plans for medical 

763
00:48:09.650 --> 00:48:15.411
and construction equipment, instruments, telecommunications systems,

764
00:48:15.411 --> 00:48:19.826
and systems for housing and public utilities.

765
00:48:19.826 --> 00:48:23.569
And these resources should work here in Russia.

766
00:48:23.569 --> 00:48:25.972
So I am urging the Government, the regions,

767
00:48:25.972 --> 00:48:29.801
the representatives of state-owned companies I see here in this room –

768
00:48:29.801 --> 00:48:31.803
you certainly want to buy all the most modern equipment 

769
00:48:31.803 --> 00:48:32.781
and as inexpensively as possible.

770
00:48:32.781 --> 00:48:36.560
Naturally, everyone wants to be and should be competitive,

771
00:48:36.560 --> 00:48:39.384
but wherever possible, you need to rely on our producers,

772
00:48:39.384 --> 00:48:42.472
on domestic ones. We must find them,

773
00:48:42.472 --> 00:48:46.053
and even work together with them.

774
00:48:46.053 --> 00:48:49.987
Of course, there must be a competitive environment,

775
00:48:49.987 --> 00:48:53.942
but we already have the tools to support Russian manufacturers.

776
00:48:53.942 --> 00:48:56.917
We must not forget about these tools, and use them.

777
00:48:56.917 --> 00:49:00.417
I would like to emphasise that access to state contracts must be equal 

778
00:49:00.417 --> 00:49:02.999
(at least for our own, for national companies)

779
00:49:02.999 --> 00:49:06.261
, and the orders should go to those who prove their sustainability with 

780
00:49:06.261 --> 00:49:09.570
hard work and results, with willingness to change,

781
00:49:09.570 --> 00:49:13.045
to introduce advanced technology and increase labour productivity,

782
00:49:13.045 --> 00:49:15.883
and offer the best competitive products.

783
00:49:15.883 --> 00:49:19.013
As concerns the defence industry,

784
00:49:19.013 --> 00:49:22.801
we must use our current capacities for diversification,

785
00:49:22.801 --> 00:49:25.397
to expand civil production.

786
00:49:25.397 --> 00:49:26.804
Colleagues understand what I am talking about here.

787
00:49:26.804 --> 00:49:29.003
There are certain targets for each year.

788
00:49:29.003 --> 00:49:31.855
And they must be achieved, no matter what.

789
00:49:31.855 --> 00:49:35.232
And of course, now is the time for more daring initiatives,

790
00:49:35.232 --> 00:49:37.095
for creating businesses and production companies,

791
00:49:37.095 --> 00:49:39.680
for promoting new products and services.

792
00:49:39.680 --> 00:49:44.506
This wave of technological development allows companies to grow and win 

793
00:49:44.506 --> 00:49:45.955
markets very quickly.

794
00:49:45.955 --> 00:49:49.014
There are already examples of successful companies,

795
00:49:49.014 --> 00:49:50.484
innovative companies.

796
00:49:50.484 --> 00:49:55.100
We need many more of them, including in such fields as artificial 

797
00:49:55.100 --> 00:50:00.383
intelligence, Big Data, the Internet of Things and robotics.

798
00:50:00.383 --> 00:50:03.651
I am instructing the Government to create the most comfortable 

799
00:50:03.651 --> 00:50:07.275
conditions for private investment in technological startups 

800
00:50:07.275 --> 00:50:12.194
and to involve development institutions in their support.

801
00:50:12.194 --> 00:50:15.981
I am asking members of parliament to promptly pass the laws that are 

802
00:50:15.981 --> 00:50:19.428
most crucial for creating the legal framework of the new digital 

803
00:50:19.428 --> 00:50:24.490
economy, laws that will allow to close civil deals and raise funds 

804
00:50:24.490 --> 00:50:30.276
using digital technology, to develop e-commerce and services.

805
00:50:30.276 --> 00:50:32.885
The entire Russian legislation must be geared up to reflect 

806
00:50:32.885 --> 00:50:34.961
the new technological reality.

807
00:50:34.961 --> 00:50:44.338
These laws must not restrict the development of innovative 

808
00:50:44.338 --> 00:50:46.705
and promising industries but push this development forward.

809
00:50:46.705 --> 00:50:49.157
The most crucial indicator of a business’s efficiency 

810
00:50:49.157 --> 00:50:52.716
and competitiveness lies in expanding export and entering 

811
00:50:52.716 --> 00:50:55.860
external markets. The success of our agricultural industry is,

812
00:50:55.860 --> 00:50:59.113
of course, a good example of such development.

813
00:50:59.113 --> 00:51:03.450
Our agricultural export increased by 19.

814
00:51:03.450 --> 00:51:09.782
4 percent in 2018 reaching $25.8 billion.

815
00:51:09.782 --> 00:51:14.154
In 2024, we must reach $45 billion.

816
00:51:14.154 --> 00:51:18.115
Incidentally, we are not only one of the largest wheat exporters 

817
00:51:18.115 --> 00:51:22.881
(last year we exported 44 million tonnes)

818
00:51:22.881 --> 00:51:27.657
. We have at least one more significant achievement.

819
00:51:27.657 --> 00:51:30.847
Thanks to the developments of Russian researchers we are no longer 

820
00:51:30.847 --> 00:51:33.094
dependent on other countries for wheat seeds.

821
00:51:33.094 --> 00:51:37.006
Experts will confirm how critically important this is.

822
00:51:37.006 --> 00:51:40.783
Russia must have the entire range of its own advanced agricultural 

823
00:51:40.783 --> 00:51:43.921
technology, which must be available not only to large but 

824
00:51:43.921 --> 00:51:48.935
also to small farms. This is literally a matter of national security 

825
00:51:48.935 --> 00:51:53.728
and successful competition in the growing food markets.

826
00:51:53.728 --> 00:51:58.010
Improving the quality of life for those who work in rural areas is 

827
00:51:58.010 --> 00:52:02.990
a key long-term factor of the agricultural industry’s steady growth.

828
00:52:02.990 --> 00:52:05.582
I would like to point out to the Government that as soon as this year,

829
00:52:05.582 --> 00:52:08.469
they must approve a new development programme for rural territories 

830
00:52:08.469 --> 00:52:12.516
that must be enforced as of January 1, 2020.

831
00:52:18.156 --> 00:52:23.205
One more thing. I think everybody will agree that our massive natural 

832
00:52:23.205 --> 00:52:25.746
resources constitute our natural advantage.

833
00:52:25.746 --> 00:52:30.697
They need to be used for increasing the production of organic produce.

834
00:52:30.697 --> 00:52:36.709
I am instructing the Government to create a protected brand for clean 

835
00:52:36.709 --> 00:52:42.028
products, a brand that will guarantee safety of the technology used 

836
00:52:42.028 --> 00:52:48.979
and win the reputation of high quality both on the domestic 

837
00:52:48.979 --> 00:52:52.215
and foreign markets. Trust me, it will be extremely popular abroad.

838
00:52:52.215 --> 00:52:54.620
There is hardly anything clean left there.

839
00:52:57.740 --> 00:53:02.817
Colleagues, to achieve the ambitious goals facing the country,

840
00:53:02.817 --> 00:53:06.381
we must rid the system of everything that restricts freedom 

841
00:53:06.381 --> 00:53:08.420
of enterprise and business initiative.

842
00:53:08.420 --> 00:53:15.570
Honest businesses should not face the risk of criminal 

843
00:53:15.570 --> 00:53:18.700
or administrative prosecution.

844
00:53:18.700 --> 00:53:22.318
I have already noted this matter in one of my Addresses,

845
00:53:22.318 --> 00:53:24.014
and I have cited the relevant figures.

846
00:53:24.014 --> 00:53:27.376
Unfortunately, the situation has not improved much.

847
00:53:27.376 --> 00:53:30.260
Today, almost half of all cases 

848
00:53:30.260 --> 00:53:35.715
(45 percent) opened against entrepreneurs do not get to trial.

849
00:53:35.715 --> 00:53:38.983
What does this mean? This means that they were opened in a slipshod 

850
00:53:38.983 --> 00:53:41.226
manner or under some unclear pretext.

851
00:53:41.226 --> 00:53:45.180
And what does this mean in practice? As a result,

852
00:53:45.180 --> 00:53:52.114
130 jobs are lost on average every time a business closes down 

853
00:53:52.114 --> 00:53:55.065
as result of an investigation.

854
00:53:55.065 --> 00:53:57.011
Let us think about this figure;

855
00:53:57.011 --> 00:53:59.550
this is becoming a major economic problem.

856
00:53:59.550 --> 00:54:02.526
The business community points to a number of legislative 

857
00:54:02.526 --> 00:54:04.343
and law enforcement problems.

858
00:54:04.343 --> 00:54:08.432
I agree that we need to closely analyse the criteria under which all 

859
00:54:08.432 --> 00:54:13.516
employees of a company can be considered to be part of a group that is 

860
00:54:13.516 --> 00:54:19.964
guilty of collusion just through the fact of working for that company.

861
00:54:19.964 --> 00:54:22.495
To be honest, this is complete nonsense, but,

862
00:54:22.495 --> 00:54:23.844
unfortunately, it happens time and again.

863
00:54:23.844 --> 00:54:27.561
And this leads to a stricter detention during the investigation 

864
00:54:27.561 --> 00:54:30.498
and a more substantial penalty later on.

865
00:54:30.498 --> 00:54:35.310
Additionally, we need to strictly limit the grounds for extending 

866
00:54:35.310 --> 00:54:38.987
the term of detention during the investigation of so-called 

867
00:54:38.987 --> 00:54:40.550
economic criminal cases.

868
00:54:40.550 --> 00:54:43.570
Today, this sometimes happens without any grounds,

869
00:54:43.570 --> 00:54:47.155
simply because the investigators had no time to conduct the required 

870
00:54:47.155 --> 00:54:49.840
expert checks or as a result of delays in the investigation.

871
00:54:49.840 --> 00:54:51.777
We have discussed this matter with the Prosecutor General 

872
00:54:51.777 --> 00:54:54.391
and the President of the Supreme Court.

873
00:54:54.391 --> 00:54:59.241
This is what happens: a person is kept behind bars,

874
00:54:59.241 --> 00:55:03.859
and he has not been summoned for questioning for several months.

875
00:55:03.859 --> 00:55:05.774
The prosecutor wants to know why he had not been questioned,

876
00:55:05.774 --> 00:55:07.272
and they tell him that the investigator was on holiday.

877
00:55:07.272 --> 00:55:09.971
Of course, investigators, especially those at the Interior Ministry,

878
00:55:09.971 --> 00:55:12.000
handle a tidal wave of criminal cases,

879
00:55:12.000 --> 00:55:13.566
and we need to do something about that,

880
00:55:13.566 --> 00:55:16.515
we need to take a closer look at this matter.

881
00:55:16.515 --> 00:55:19.871
Perhaps we should set aside additional resources 

882
00:55:19.871 --> 00:55:21.494
and increase the number of investigators.

883
00:55:21.494 --> 00:55:25.486
Nevertheless, how can this be explained? A person is kept behind bars 

884
00:55:25.486 --> 00:55:27.629
while the investigator has left on holiday and has not 

885
00:55:27.629 --> 00:55:28.982
questioned him for several months.

886
00:55:28.982 --> 00:55:31.831
This should not happen, we need to sort this out.

887
00:55:31.831 --> 00:55:35.615
I ask the Supreme Court and the Prosecutor General’s Office to analyse 

888
00:55:35.615 --> 00:55:39.336
all these problems once again and to submit their proposals.

889
00:55:43.836 --> 00:55:47.418
I suggest that our business associations and the Agency for Strategic 

890
00:55:47.418 --> 00:55:53.274
Initiatives create a special digital platform –

891
00:55:53.274 --> 00:55:55.579
in fact, they themselves have advanced this initiative –

892
00:55:55.579 --> 00:56:01.504
which entrepreneurs will use to make public any instances of pressure 

893
00:56:01.504 --> 00:56:04.713
on business and to demand a formal court hearing.

894
00:56:04.713 --> 00:56:09.945
I urge the heads of law enforcement agencies not to be wary of this.

895
00:56:09.945 --> 00:56:12.766
This initiative will serve as an additional support,

896
00:56:12.766 --> 00:56:17.771
so that senior officials at these agencies will promptly receive 

897
00:56:17.791 --> 00:56:22.728
the objective information they need to make decisions,

898
00:56:22.728 --> 00:56:25.282
at least at the departmental level.

899
00:56:25.282 --> 00:56:28.422
I ask the Government and the business community to discuss 

900
00:56:28.422 --> 00:56:32.837
the technological solutions and the legal framework for implementing 

901
00:56:32.837 --> 00:56:34.907
this initiative, and the law enforcement agencies –

902
00:56:34.907 --> 00:56:36.298
the Interior Ministry, the Federal Security Service,

903
00:56:36.298 --> 00:56:38.818
the Prosecutor General’s Office and the Investigative Committee –

904
00:56:38.858 --> 00:56:42.554
to coordinate regulations for working with the entrepreneurs’ 

905
00:56:42.554 --> 00:56:45.350
complaints, including deadlines.

906
00:56:45.350 --> 00:56:49.320
This platform must start working, at least in pilot mode,

907
00:56:49.320 --> 00:56:52.101
by the end of the year.

908
00:56:52.101 --> 00:56:58.593
Next, the Government has proposed overhauling the regulatory framework.

909
00:56:58.593 --> 00:57:02.299
This is good, and we must give all-round support to this.

910
00:57:02.299 --> 00:57:04.725
However, I believe that this is not enough.

911
00:57:04.725 --> 00:57:07.908
We must take even more radical steps.

912
00:57:07.908 --> 00:57:15.246
Indeed, let us draw the line and suspend all the existing regulatory 

913
00:57:15.246 --> 00:57:21.863
laws and departmental regional orders,

914
00:57:21.863 --> 00:57:29.805
letters and instructions as of January 1,

915
00:57:29.805 --> 00:57:31.609
2021. In the two years until then,

916
00:57:31.609 --> 00:57:36.320
we must update the regulatory laws together with the business 

917
00:57:36.320 --> 00:57:40.757
community, retaining only those documents that satisfy 

918
00:57:40.757 --> 00:57:43.953
current requirements and shelving the rest.

919
00:57:51.573 --> 00:57:57.770
When we discussed this issue, many of our colleagues said honestly that 

920
00:57:57.770 --> 00:58:03.494
they were terrified. Yes, this is scary,

921
00:58:03.514 --> 00:58:08.741
but the problem does exist. It will not be an easy job.

922
00:58:08.741 --> 00:58:14.878
The files are really thick in some areas and departments.

923
00:58:14.878 --> 00:58:19.167
They have been piling up for decades since the Soviet era,

924
00:58:19.167 --> 00:58:21.479
or even “as far back as Ochakov and the Crimean war.

925
00:58:21.479 --> 00:58:22.287
” [The quote is from Alexander Griboyedov’s Woe from Wit written 

926
00:58:22.287 --> 00:58:24.712
in 1824.] I am not referring to the year 2014,

927
00:58:24.712 --> 00:58:27.352
of course. (Laughter) Some of these documents go back to the time 

928
00:58:27.352 --> 00:58:31.834
of Alexander Griboyedov or even before him.

929
00:58:31.834 --> 00:58:37.646
So much has been written and regulated.

930
00:58:37.646 --> 00:58:41.835
But frankly, I doubt that even the personnel of these agencies know 

931
00:58:41.835 --> 00:58:43.281
everything that is written in these documents.

932
00:58:43.281 --> 00:58:46.258
Hence, we must complete their analysis within two years.

933
00:58:46.258 --> 00:58:47.358
There is nothing to fear.

934
00:58:47.358 --> 00:58:51.038
We must roll up our sleeves and do it,

935
00:58:51.038 --> 00:58:56.105
keeping or updating only the documents we really need 

936
00:58:56.125 --> 00:58:57.668
to properly organise our activities.

937
00:58:57.668 --> 00:59:02.601
Colleagues, infrastructure upgrades need to be accelerated using 

938
00:59:02.601 --> 00:59:03.952
state-of-the-art technology.

939
00:59:03.952 --> 00:59:07.772
This is essential for enhancing a country's connectivity,

940
00:59:07.772 --> 00:59:13.465
and especially for Russia, the world’s largest country with 

941
00:59:13.465 --> 00:59:19.135
its vast territory. This is essential for strengthening statehood,

942
00:59:19.155 --> 00:59:23.405
unleashing the country’s potential and driving national economic growth.

943
00:59:23.405 --> 00:59:28.545
This year, the railway section of the Crimean Bridge will be launched,

944
00:59:28.545 --> 00:59:31.175
and will become a powerful impetus.

945
00:59:35.375 --> 00:59:36.766
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all 

946
00:59:36.766 --> 00:59:38.127
the construction and railway workers.

947
00:59:38.127 --> 00:59:42.506
We saw that a bypass railway was built near Krasnodar alongside 

948
00:59:42.506 --> 00:59:48.917
an approach railway to this junction from the Caucasus coast.

949
00:59:48.917 --> 00:59:53.483
As I have said, trains will begin using the Crimean Bridge in 2019,

950
00:59:53.483 --> 00:59:57.857
creating a powerful development driver for Crimea and Sevastopol.

951
00:59:57.857 --> 01:00:02.871
In addition to this, the expressway linking Moscow and St Petersburg is 

952
01:00:02.871 --> 01:00:08.070
expected to be completed, creating new business opportunities and jobs 

953
01:00:08.070 --> 01:00:12.645
for people living in Novgorod, Tver, Leningrad and Moscow regions.

954
01:00:12.645 --> 01:00:20.519
More than 60 airports will benefit from upgrades over the next six 

955
01:00:20.519 --> 01:00:25.006
years, including international airports in Khabarovsk,

956
01:00:25.006 --> 01:00:28.175
Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk and Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.

957
01:00:28.175 --> 01:00:34.239
In 2025, the throughput capacity of the Baikal-Amur Mainline 

958
01:00:34.239 --> 01:00:36.812
and Trans-Siberian Railway will grow 1.

959
01:00:36.812 --> 01:00:38.251
5 times, reaching 210 million tonnes,

960
01:00:38.251 --> 01:00:41.337
which is very important for the development of Siberia 

961
01:00:41.337 --> 01:00:43.348
and Russia’s Far East.

962
01:00:43.348 --> 01:00:47.274
Let me reiterate that key indicators related to social and economic 

963
01:00:47.274 --> 01:00:51.573
development and quality of life in all Russia’s Far Eastern regions are 

964
01:00:51.593 --> 01:00:53.552
expected to exceed the national average.

965
01:00:53.552 --> 01:00:58.668
This is a national cause, and a major priority of our efforts 

966
01:00:58.668 --> 01:01:02.102
to promote Eastern Siberia and the Far East as strategic territories.

967
01:01:02.102 --> 01:01:05.597
All agencies have to constantly keep this in mind.

968
01:01:05.597 --> 01:01:08.442
In September, we will have a meeting in Vladivostok to discuss what 

969
01:01:08.442 --> 01:01:12.004
each of the federal agencies has done and intends 

970
01:01:12.004 --> 01:01:13.822
to undertake for the Far East.

971
01:01:13.822 --> 01:01:19.557
All the plans for building and upgrading roads, railways, sea ports,

972
01:01:19.577 --> 01:01:25.030
air service and communications must prioritise regional development,

973
01:01:25.030 --> 01:01:28.993
including promoting these regions as travel destinations.

974
01:01:28.993 --> 01:01:31.636
There is enormous interest in Russia, our culture,

975
01:01:31.636 --> 01:01:35.312
nature and historical monuments.

976
01:01:35.312 --> 01:01:38.541
Taking into consideration the success of the World Cup,

977
01:01:38.541 --> 01:01:42.148
I propose making greater use of e-visas and thinking more broadly about 

978
01:01:42.148 --> 01:01:47.243
how to streamline visa processing for tourists coming to Russia.

979
01:01:47.243 --> 01:01:51.770
Next. This year we must adopt a master plan for developing 

980
01:01:51.770 --> 01:01:54.326
the infrastructure of a digital economy,

981
01:01:54.326 --> 01:01:58.129
including telecommunications networks,

982
01:01:58.129 --> 01:02:00.819
as well as data storage and processing capacities.

983
01:02:00.819 --> 01:02:03.650
Here we need to look ahead as well.

984
01:02:03.650 --> 01:02:07.869
The task for the next few years is to provide universal access 

985
01:02:07.889 --> 01:02:14.242
to high-speed internet and start using 5G communications networks.

986
01:02:14.242 --> 01:02:18.254
To achieve a revolution in communications,

987
01:02:18.254 --> 01:02:21.890
navigation and systems for remote sensing of the Earth,

988
01:02:21.890 --> 01:02:26.868
we must dramatically increase the capabilities of our satellite group.

989
01:02:26.868 --> 01:02:30.151
Russia has unique technology for this,

990
01:02:30.151 --> 01:02:33.138
but such tasks require a fundamental upgrade of the entire 

991
01:02:33.138 --> 01:02:38.645
space industry. I am instructing Roscosmos and the Moscow Government 

992
01:02:38.645 --> 01:02:41.047
to establish a National Space Centre.

993
01:02:41.047 --> 01:02:44.052
My colleagues came to me and told me about it.

994
01:02:44.052 --> 01:02:47.147
This is a good project is designed to unite relevant organisations,

995
01:02:47.147 --> 01:02:54.387
design bureaus and prototype production facilities,

996
01:02:54.387 --> 01:02:58.424
and to support scientific research and the training of personnel.

997
01:02:58.424 --> 01:03:02.808
We are seeing that global competition is increasingly shifting 

998
01:03:02.808 --> 01:03:05.578
to science, technology and education.

999
01:03:05.578 --> 01:03:10.105
Just recently, it seemed inconceivable that Russia could make not just 

1000
01:03:10.105 --> 01:03:14.501
a breakthrough but also a high-tech breakthrough in defence.

1001
01:03:14.501 --> 01:03:16.543
This was difficult, complex work.

1002
01:03:16.543 --> 01:03:20.991
Much had to be restored or started from scratch It was necessary 

1003
01:03:20.991 --> 01:03:24.915
to break new ground and find bold,

1004
01:03:24.915 --> 01:03:27.901
unique solutions. Nevertheless,

1005
01:03:27.901 --> 01:03:33.197
this was done. It was done by our engineers, workers and scientists,

1006
01:03:33.197 --> 01:03:37.790
including very young people that grew up with these projects.

1007
01:03:37.790 --> 01:03:41.364
Let me repeat that I know all the details of this large-scale effort 

1008
01:03:41.364 --> 01:03:44.639
and I am completely justified in saying, for instance,

1009
01:03:44.639 --> 01:03:49.317
that the development of the Avangard strategic hypersonic glide vehicle 

1010
01:03:49.317 --> 01:03:53.557
is tantamount to the launching of the world's first artificial 

1011
01:03:53.557 --> 01:03:57.109
satellite. And not just in terms of enhancing the country’s defence 

1012
01:03:57.109 --> 01:04:00.281
capability and security, although this is the primary goal,

1013
01:04:00.281 --> 01:04:03.631
but in influencing the consolidation of our scientific potential 

1014
01:04:03.631 --> 01:04:07.373
and the development of unique technological assets.

1015
01:04:07.373 --> 01:04:10.808
At one time, the nuclear defence project gave the country nuclear 

1016
01:04:10.808 --> 01:04:15.977
power. The construction of a missile shield that started with 

1017
01:04:15.977 --> 01:04:19.766
the launch of the world's first artificial satellite allowed 

1018
01:04:19.766 --> 01:04:21.741
the country to begin peaceful space exploration.

1019
01:04:21.741 --> 01:04:23.443
Today, we need to use the personnel, knowledge,

1020
01:04:23.443 --> 01:04:28.158
competences and materials we have acquired from developing the next 

1021
01:04:28.158 --> 01:04:32.209
generation of weapons to produce the same kind of results 

1022
01:04:32.209 --> 01:04:34.171
for civilian applications.

1023
01:04:34.171 --> 01:04:37.577
We have yet to implement new ambitious scientific 

1024
01:04:37.577 --> 01:04:39.274
and technological programmes.

1025
01:04:39.274 --> 01:04:42.745
An Executive Order on genetic research has already been signed,

1026
01:04:42.745 --> 01:04:46.528
and I propose launching a similar large-scale programme at the national 

1027
01:04:46.528 --> 01:04:49.968
level on artificial intelligence.

1028
01:04:49.968 --> 01:04:51.925
In the middle of the next decade,

1029
01:04:51.925 --> 01:04:56.980
we should be among the leaders in these science and technology areas,

1030
01:04:56.980 --> 01:05:00.430
which, of course, will determine the future of the world 

1031
01:05:00.430 --> 01:05:02.301
and the future of Russia.

1032
01:05:02.301 --> 01:05:06.525
To implement such projects, we need to accelerate the development 

1033
01:05:06.525 --> 01:05:08.800
of an advanced scientific infrastructure.

1034
01:05:08.800 --> 01:05:12.667
Incidentally, the reactor PIK, a mega-science class research unit was 

1035
01:05:12.667 --> 01:05:15.451
recently launched in Leningrad Region.

1036
01:05:15.451 --> 01:05:19.848
Over the next 20 years, it will be one of the world’s most powerful 

1037
01:05:19.848 --> 01:05:23.708
sources for neutron research, enabling scientists to conduct unique 

1038
01:05:23.708 --> 01:05:28.733
research in physics, biology, and chemistry, and to develop new drugs,

1039
01:05:28.733 --> 01:05:31.806
diagnostic tools, and new materials.

1040
01:05:31.806 --> 01:05:37.974
For the first time in decades, Russian shipyards will break ground 

1041
01:05:37.974 --> 01:05:44.236
for several modern research vessels capable of working in all strategic 

1042
01:05:44.236 --> 01:05:48.512
areas, including the Arctic seas and the Antarctic,

1043
01:05:48.512 --> 01:05:53.116
exploring the shelf and the natural resources of the World Ocean.

1044
01:05:53.116 --> 01:05:55.217
To promote powerful technological development,

1045
01:05:55.217 --> 01:05:59.415
we need to build a modern research and development model.

1046
01:05:59.415 --> 01:06:03.951
This is why we are setting up research and education centres 

1047
01:06:03.951 --> 01:06:08.726
in the regions that will integrate all levels of education with 

1048
01:06:08.726 --> 01:06:12.372
the potential of research facilities and business.

1049
01:06:12.372 --> 01:06:16.388
Within three years, centres like this should be established in 15 

1050
01:06:16.388 --> 01:06:18.508
regions in the Russian Federation,

1051
01:06:18.508 --> 01:06:21.474
the first five this year.

1052
01:06:21.474 --> 01:06:26.033
Three of them – in Tyumen and Belgorod Regions and Perm Territory –

1053
01:06:26.033 --> 01:06:30.424
are close to completion and are to open this year.

1054
01:06:30.424 --> 01:06:34.228
We need specialists capable of working at advanced production 

1055
01:06:34.228 --> 01:06:38.171
facilities, developing and applying breakthrough technology solutions.

1056
01:06:38.171 --> 01:06:42.801
Therefore, we need to ensure a broad introduction of updated curricula 

1057
01:06:42.801 --> 01:06:45.627
at all levels of professional education,

1058
01:06:45.627 --> 01:06:49.507
to organise personnel training for the industries that are 

1059
01:06:49.507 --> 01:06:51.781
still being formed.

1060
01:06:51.781 --> 01:06:57.961
At the end of August, Russia will host the WorldSkills world 

1061
01:06:57.961 --> 01:07:01.361
championships – so let us wish our team success.

1062
01:07:06.261 --> 01:07:10.301
Their success is significant for increasing the prestige 

1063
01:07:10.301 --> 01:07:12.920
of the skilled labor occupation.

1064
01:07:12.920 --> 01:07:15.188
Relying on the WorldSkills movement experience,

1065
01:07:15.188 --> 01:07:19.387
we will accelerate the modernisation of secondary vocational education,

1066
01:07:19.387 --> 01:07:22.658
which includes installing modern equipment at more than 2,

1067
01:07:22.658 --> 01:07:27.717
000 shops in colleges and technical schools by 2022.

1068
01:07:27.717 --> 01:07:32.986
Passion for a future career and creativity is formed at a young age.

1069
01:07:32.986 --> 01:07:37.756
In the next three years, thanks to the development of children’s 

1070
01:07:37.756 --> 01:07:40.829
technology parks, quantoriums and education centres for computer 

1071
01:07:40.849 --> 01:07:43.836
skills, natural sciences and the humanities,

1072
01:07:43.836 --> 01:07:48.061
around one million new spots in extracurricular education 

1073
01:07:48.061 --> 01:07:56.728
programmes will be created. All children must have access.

1074
01:07:56.728 --> 01:07:59.599
The Sirius educational centre in Sochi is becoming a true 

1075
01:07:59.599 --> 01:08:02.894
constellation. The plan was for centres supporting gifted children,

1076
01:08:02.894 --> 01:08:08.901
based on its model, to open in all regions by 2024.

1077
01:08:08.901 --> 01:08:12.080
But our colleagues said they can finish this work early,

1078
01:08:12.080 --> 01:08:16.984
within two years. Such proactive efforts deserve praise.

1079
01:08:16.984 --> 01:08:22.923
I think every national project has reserves for increasing the pace.

1080
01:08:29.283 --> 01:08:32.812
I expect that our companies and the business community will get 

1081
01:08:32.812 --> 01:08:37.804
involved in such projects as Ticket to the Future that provides school 

1082
01:08:37.804 --> 01:08:42.619
pupils in their sixth year and above with the opportunity to discover 

1083
01:08:42.619 --> 01:08:44.687
their career interests and intern at actual companies,

1084
01:08:44.687 --> 01:08:47.152
research centres and other places.

1085
01:08:47.152 --> 01:08:49.254
I want to speak directly to our young people.

1086
01:08:49.254 --> 01:08:53.514
Your talents, energy and creative abilities are among Russia’s 

1087
01:08:53.514 --> 01:08:58.436
strongest competitive advantages. We understand and greatly value this.

1088
01:08:58.436 --> 01:09:01.882
We have created an entire system of projects and personal growth 

1089
01:09:01.882 --> 01:09:03.599
competitions in which every young person,

1090
01:09:03.599 --> 01:09:07.981
from school to university age, can show what they are made of.

1091
01:09:07.981 --> 01:09:13.045
These include ProeKTOriYA, My First Business, I Am A Professional,

1092
01:09:13.045 --> 01:09:15.848
Russian Leaders and many others.

1093
01:09:15.848 --> 01:09:22.692
I want to stress that all this is being created for young people 

1094
01:09:22.692 --> 01:09:24.770
to take advantage of these opportunities.

1095
01:09:24.770 --> 01:09:28.652
I urge you to take a chance and use them, be bold,

1096
01:09:28.652 --> 01:09:31.775
realise your dreams and plans, do something of value 

1097
01:09:31.775 --> 01:09:35.100
for yourself, your family and your country.

1098
01:09:41.460 --> 01:09:46.281
Colleagues, Russia has been and always will be a sovereign 

1099
01:09:46.281 --> 01:09:50.287
and independent state. This is a given.

1100
01:09:50.287 --> 01:09:53.445
It will either be that, or will simply cease to exist.

1101
01:09:53.445 --> 01:10:02.335
We must clearly understand this.

1102
01:10:02.335 --> 01:10:06.655
Without sovereignty, Russia cannot be a state.

1103
01:10:06.655 --> 01:10:09.859
Some countries can do this, but not Russia.

1104
01:10:14.859 --> 01:10:18.872
Building relations with Russia means working together to find solutions 

1105
01:10:18.872 --> 01:10:22.601
to the most complex matters instead of trying to impose solutions.

1106
01:10:22.601 --> 01:10:25.792
We make no secret of our foreign policy priorities.

1107
01:10:25.792 --> 01:10:30.897
These include strengthening trust, countering global threats,

1108
01:10:30.897 --> 01:10:34.835
promoting cooperation in the economy and trade, education, culture,

1109
01:10:34.835 --> 01:10:38.841
science and technology, as well as facilitating people-to-people 

1110
01:10:38.841 --> 01:10:42.062
contact. These tenets underpin our work within the UN,

1111
01:10:42.062 --> 01:10:44.877
the Commonwealth of Independent States,

1112
01:10:44.877 --> 01:10:46.915
as well as within the Group of 20,

1113
01:10:46.915 --> 01:10:49.728
BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.

1114
01:10:49.728 --> 01:10:53.534
We believe in the importance of promoting closer cooperation within 

1115
01:10:53.534 --> 01:10:55.940
the Union State of Russia and Belarus,

1116
01:10:55.940 --> 01:11:03.301
including close foreign policy and economic coordination.

1117
01:11:03.301 --> 01:11:05.364
Together with our integration partners within the Eurasian Economic 

1118
01:11:05.364 --> 01:11:11.185
Union, we will continue creating common markets and outreach efforts.

1119
01:11:11.185 --> 01:11:15.803
This includes implementing the decisions to coordinate the activities 

1120
01:11:15.803 --> 01:11:19.852
of the EAEU with China’s Belt and Road initiative 

1121
01:11:19.852 --> 01:11:23.661
on the way to a greater Eurasian partnership.

1122
01:11:23.661 --> 01:11:27.364
Russia’s equal and mutually beneficial relations with China currently 

1123
01:11:27.364 --> 01:11:31.357
serve as an important factor of stability in international affairs 

1124
01:11:31.357 --> 01:11:33.697
and in terms of Eurasian security,

1125
01:11:33.697 --> 01:11:37.220
offering a model of productive economic cooperation.

1126
01:11:37.220 --> 01:11:40.806
Russia attaches importance to realising the potential of the special 

1127
01:11:40.806 --> 01:11:44.138
privileged strategic partnership with India.

1128
01:11:44.138 --> 01:11:47.334
We will continue to promote political dialogue and economic 

1129
01:11:47.334 --> 01:11:49.644
cooperation with Japan.

1130
01:11:49.644 --> 01:11:54.950
Russia stands ready to work with Japan on finding mutually acceptable 

1131
01:11:54.950 --> 01:11:58.023
terms for signing a peace treaty.

1132
01:11:58.023 --> 01:12:00.863
We intend to promote deeper ties with the Association 

1133
01:12:00.863 --> 01:12:02.696
of Southeast Asian Nations.

1134
01:12:02.716 --> 01:12:07.632
We also hope that the European Union and the major European countries 

1135
01:12:07.632 --> 01:12:14.094
will finally take actual steps to put political and economic relations 

1136
01:12:14.094 --> 01:12:15.927
with Russia back on track.

1137
01:12:15.927 --> 01:12:20.083
People in these countries are looking forward to cooperation with 

1138
01:12:20.083 --> 01:12:22.706
Russia, which includes corporations,

1139
01:12:22.706 --> 01:12:24.436
as well as small and medium-sized enterprises,

1140
01:12:24.436 --> 01:12:27.866
and European businesses in general.

1141
01:12:27.866 --> 01:12:31.378
It goes without saying that this would serve our common interests.

1142
01:12:31.378 --> 01:12:38.803
The unilateral withdrawal of the USA from the INF Treaty is the most 

1143
01:12:38.803 --> 01:12:43.531
urgent and most discussed issue in Russian-American relations.

1144
01:12:43.531 --> 01:12:48.159
This is why I am compelled to talk about it in more detail.

1145
01:12:48.159 --> 01:12:54.528
Indeed, serious changes have taken place in the world since 

1146
01:12:54.528 --> 01:12:56.969
the Treaty was signed in 1987.

1147
01:12:56.969 --> 01:13:02.075
Many countries have developed and continue to develop these weapons,

1148
01:13:02.075 --> 01:13:05.985
but not Russia or the USA – we have limited ourselves in this respect,

1149
01:13:05.985 --> 01:13:07.584
of our own free will.

1150
01:13:07.584 --> 01:13:11.792
Understandably, this state of affairs raises questions.

1151
01:13:11.792 --> 01:13:17.034
Our American partners should have just said so honestly rather than 

1152
01:13:17.034 --> 01:13:21.545
make far-fetched accusations against Russia to justify 

1153
01:13:21.545 --> 01:13:24.446
their unilateral withdrawal from the Treaty.

1154
01:13:24.446 --> 01:13:27.555
It would have been better if they had done what they did in 2002 when 

1155
01:13:27.555 --> 01:13:31.339
they walked away from the ABM Treaty and did so openly and honestly.

1156
01:13:31.339 --> 01:13:32.884
Whether that was good or bad is another matter.

1157
01:13:32.884 --> 01:13:35.590
I think it was bad, but they did it and that is that.

1158
01:13:35.590 --> 01:13:38.813
They should have done the same thing this time,

1159
01:13:38.813 --> 01:13:42.677
too. What are they doing in reality? First, they violate everything,

1160
01:13:42.677 --> 01:13:48.185
then they look for excuses and appoint a guilty party.

1161
01:13:48.185 --> 01:13:53.473
But they are also mobilising their satellites that are cautious but 

1162
01:13:53.473 --> 01:13:56.370
still make noises in support of the USA.

1163
01:14:01.790 --> 01:14:05.421
At first, the Americans began developing and using medium-range 

1164
01:14:05.421 --> 01:14:09.048
missiles, calling them discretionary “target missiles” 

1165
01:14:09.048 --> 01:14:15.924
for missile defence. Then they began deploying Mk-41 universal launch 

1166
01:14:15.924 --> 01:14:19.149
systems that can make offensive combat use of Tomahawk 

1167
01:14:19.149 --> 01:14:21.712
medium-range cruise missiles possible.

1168
01:14:21.712 --> 01:14:26.110
I am talking about this and using my time and yours because we have 

1169
01:14:26.110 --> 01:14:30.088
to respond to the accusations that are leveled at us.

1170
01:14:30.088 --> 01:14:32.400
But having done everything I have just described,

1171
01:14:32.400 --> 01:14:38.280
the Americans openly and blatantly ignored the provisions envisaged 

1172
01:14:38.280 --> 01:14:41.257
by articles 4 and 6 of the INF Treaty.

1173
01:14:41.257 --> 01:14:45.042
According to Item 1, Article VI 

1174
01:14:45.042 --> 01:14:49.151
(I am quoting): “Each Party shall eliminate all intermediate-range 

1175
01:14:49.151 --> 01:14:53.478
missiles and the launchers of such missiles… so that… no such missiles,

1176
01:14:53.478 --> 01:14:57.200
launchers… shall be possessed by either party.

1177
01:14:57.200 --> 01:14:59.854
” Paragraph 1 of Article VI provides that 

1178
01:14:59.854 --> 01:15:04.907
(and I quote) “upon entry into force of the Treaty and thereafter,

1179
01:15:04.907 --> 01:15:11.078
neither Party may produce or flight-test any intermediate-range 

1180
01:15:11.078 --> 01:15:16.296
missile, or produce any stages or launchers of such 

1181
01:15:16.296 --> 01:15:19.767
missiles.” End of quote.

1182
01:15:19.767 --> 01:15:23.627
Using medium-range target missiles and deploying launchers in Romania 

1183
01:15:23.627 --> 01:15:28.946
and Poland that are fit for launching Tomahawk cruise missiles,

1184
01:15:28.946 --> 01:15:33.386
the US has openly violated these clauses of the Treaty.

1185
01:15:33.386 --> 01:15:35.527
They did this some time ago.

1186
01:15:35.527 --> 01:15:38.860
These launchers are already stationed in Romania and nothing happens.

1187
01:15:38.860 --> 01:15:42.761
It seems that nothing is happening. This is even strange.

1188
01:15:42.761 --> 01:15:44.269
This is not at all strange for us,

1189
01:15:44.269 --> 01:15:46.467
but people should be able to see and understand it.

1190
01:15:46.467 --> 01:15:49.588
How are we evaluating the situation in this context? I have already 

1191
01:15:49.588 --> 01:15:53.270
said this and I want to repeat: Russia does not intend –

1192
01:15:53.270 --> 01:15:55.538
this is very important, I am repeating this on purpose –

1193
01:15:55.538 --> 01:16:00.167
Russia does not intend to deploy such missiles in Europe first.

1194
01:16:00.167 --> 01:16:05.889
If they really are built and delivered to the European continent,

1195
01:16:05.889 --> 01:16:08.440
and the United States has plans for this,

1196
01:16:08.440 --> 01:16:12.000
at least we have not heard otherwise,

1197
01:16:12.000 --> 01:16:15.978
it will dramatically exacerbate the international security situation,

1198
01:16:15.978 --> 01:16:18.388
and create a serious threat to Russia,

1199
01:16:18.388 --> 01:16:25.487
because some of these missiles can reach Moscow in just 10–

1200
01:16:25.487 --> 01:16:30.208
12 minutes. This is a very serious threat to us.

1201
01:16:30.208 --> 01:16:34.025
In this case, we will be forced, I would like to emphasise this,

1202
01:16:34.025 --> 01:16:37.319
we will be forced to respond with mirror or asymmetric 

1203
01:16:37.319 --> 01:16:39.277
actions. What does this mean?

1204
01:16:39.277 --> 01:16:42.545
I am saying this directly and openly now,

1205
01:16:42.545 --> 01:16:45.286
so that no one can blame us later,

1206
01:16:45.286 --> 01:16:49.124
so that it will be clear to everyone in advance what is being said 

1207
01:16:49.124 --> 01:16:53.767
here. Russia will be forced to create and deploy weapons that can be 

1208
01:16:53.767 --> 01:17:00.795
used not only in the areas we are directly threatened from,

1209
01:17:00.795 --> 01:17:04.670
but also in areas that contain decision-making centres 

1210
01:17:04.670 --> 01:17:09.500
for the missile systems threatening us.

1211
01:17:15.340 --> 01:17:20.338
What is important in this regard? There is some new information.

1212
01:17:20.338 --> 01:17:22.132
These weapons will fully correspond to the threats directed against 

1213
01:17:22.132 --> 01:17:25.834
Russia in their technical specifications,

1214
01:17:25.834 --> 01:17:32.194
including flight times to these decision-making centres.

1215
01:17:32.194 --> 01:17:37.279
We know how to do this and will implement these plans immediately,

1216
01:17:37.279 --> 01:17:41.193
as soon as the threats to us become real.

1217
01:17:48.693 --> 01:17:50.962
I do not think we need any further,

1218
01:17:50.962 --> 01:17:54.056
irresponsible exacerbation of the current international 

1219
01:17:54.056 --> 01:17:57.108
situation. We do not want this.

1220
01:17:57.108 --> 01:18:00.868
What would I like to add? Our American colleagues have already tried 

1221
01:18:00.888 --> 01:18:04.105
to gain absolute military superiority with their global 

1222
01:18:04.105 --> 01:18:07.958
missile defence project. They need to stop deluding themselves.

1223
01:18:07.958 --> 01:18:11.424
Our response will always be efficient and effective.

1224
01:18:11.424 --> 01:18:15.227
The work on promising prototypes and weapon systems that I spoke about 

1225
01:18:15.227 --> 01:18:21.032
in my Address last year continues as scheduled and without disruptions.

1226
01:18:21.032 --> 01:18:24.107
We have launched serial production of the Avangard system,

1227
01:18:24.107 --> 01:18:26.027
which I have already mentioned today.

1228
01:18:26.027 --> 01:18:29.348
As planned, this year, the first regiment of the Strategic Missile 

1229
01:18:29.348 --> 01:18:31.452
Troops will be equipped with Avangard.

1230
01:18:31.452 --> 01:18:36.069
The Sarmat super-heavy intercontinental missile of unprecedented power 

1231
01:18:36.069 --> 01:18:38.737
is undergoing a series of tests.

1232
01:18:38.737 --> 01:18:42.878
The Peresvet laser weapon and the aviation systems equipped with 

1233
01:18:42.878 --> 01:18:46.716
Kinzhal hypersonic ballistic missiles proved their unique 

1234
01:18:46.716 --> 01:18:51.635
characteristics during test and combat alert missions while 

1235
01:18:51.635 --> 01:18:54.514
the personnel learned how to operate them.

1236
01:18:54.514 --> 01:18:58.460
Next December, all the Peresvet missiles supplied to the Armed Forces 

1237
01:18:58.460 --> 01:19:00.078
will be put on standby alert.

1238
01:19:00.118 --> 01:19:05.141
We will continue expanding the infrastructure for the MiG-31 

1239
01:19:05.141 --> 01:19:07.447
interceptors carrying Kinzhal missiles.

1240
01:19:07.447 --> 01:19:12.096
The Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile of unlimited range 

1241
01:19:12.096 --> 01:19:16.803
and the Poseidon nuclear-powered unmanned underwater vehicle 

1242
01:19:16.803 --> 01:19:19.699
of unlimited range are successfully undergoing tests.

1243
01:19:19.699 --> 01:19:24.310
In this context, I would like to make an important statement.

1244
01:19:24.310 --> 01:19:27.517
We did not announce it before, but today we can say that as soon 

1245
01:19:27.517 --> 01:19:33.892
as this spring the first nuclear-powered submarine carrying this 

1246
01:19:33.892 --> 01:19:38.212
unmanned vehicle will be launched. The work is going as planned.

1247
01:19:42.972 --> 01:19:46.716
Today I also think I can officially inform you about 

1248
01:19:46.716 --> 01:19:48.420
another promising innovation.

1249
01:19:48.420 --> 01:19:52.155
As you may remember, last time I said we had more to show but it was 

1250
01:19:52.155 --> 01:19:53.017
a little early for that.

1251
01:19:53.017 --> 01:19:56.502
So I will reveal little by little what else we have up our sleeves.

1252
01:19:56.502 --> 01:20:01.705
Another promising innovation, which is successfully being developed 

1253
01:20:01.705 --> 01:20:06.570
according to plan, is Tsirkon, a hypersonic missile that can reach 

1254
01:20:06.570 --> 01:20:11.594
speeds of approximately Mach 9 and strike a target more than 1,

1255
01:20:11.594 --> 01:20:17.945
000 km away both under water and on the ground.

1256
01:20:17.945 --> 01:20:24.372
It can be launched from water, from surface vessels and from 

1257
01:20:24.372 --> 01:20:29.107
submarines, including those that were developed and built for carrying 

1258
01:20:29.107 --> 01:20:32.048
Kalibr high-precision missiles,

1259
01:20:32.048 --> 01:20:36.287
which means it comes at no additional cost for us.

1260
01:20:36.287 --> 01:20:40.233
On a related note, I want to highlight that for the defence of Russia’s 

1261
01:20:40.233 --> 01:20:44.552
national interests, two or three years ahead of the schedule set 

1262
01:20:44.552 --> 01:20:49.489
by the state arms programme, the Russian Navy will receive seven new 

1263
01:20:49.489 --> 01:20:54.643
multipurpose submarines, and construction will begin on five surface 

1264
01:20:54.643 --> 01:20:56.933
vessels designed for the open ocean.

1265
01:20:56.933 --> 01:20:59.788
Sixteen more vessels of this class will enter service 

1266
01:20:59.788 --> 01:21:03.938
in the Russian Navy by 2027.

1267
01:21:03.938 --> 01:21:07.348
To conclude, on the unilateral withdrawal by the USA from the Treaty 

1268
01:21:07.348 --> 01:21:09.672
on the Elimination of Intermediate-Range and Shorter-Range Missiles,

1269
01:21:09.672 --> 01:21:12.312
here is what I would like to say.

1270
01:21:12.312 --> 01:21:16.485
The US policy toward Russia in recent years can hardly be 

1271
01:21:16.485 --> 01:21:23.777
called friendly. Russia’s legitimate interests are being ignored,

1272
01:21:23.777 --> 01:21:27.406
there is constant anti-Russia campaigning, and more and more sanctions,

1273
01:21:27.406 --> 01:21:29.844
which are illegal in terms of international law,

1274
01:21:29.844 --> 01:21:32.053
are imposed without any reason whatsoever.

1275
01:21:32.053 --> 01:21:36.455
Let me emphasise that we did nothing to provoke these sanctions.

1276
01:21:36.455 --> 01:21:41.899
The international security architecture that took shape over the past 

1277
01:21:41.899 --> 01:21:46.591
decades is being completely and unilaterally dismantled,

1278
01:21:46.591 --> 01:21:50.523
all while referring to Russia as almost the main threat to the USA.

1279
01:21:50.523 --> 01:21:53.317
Let me say outright that this is not true.

1280
01:21:53.317 --> 01:21:58.405
Russia wants to have sound, equal and friendly relations with the USA.

1281
01:21:58.405 --> 01:22:00.341
Russia is not threatening anyone,

1282
01:22:00.341 --> 01:22:04.365
and all we do in terms of security is simply a response,

1283
01:22:04.365 --> 01:22:07.363
which means that our actions are defensive.

1284
01:22:12.423 --> 01:22:15.409
We are not interested in confrontation and we do not want it,

1285
01:22:15.409 --> 01:22:19.257
especially with a global power like the United States of America.

1286
01:22:19.257 --> 01:22:24.284
However, it seems that our partners fail to notice the depth and pace 

1287
01:22:24.284 --> 01:22:26.777
of change around the world and where it is headed.

1288
01:22:26.777 --> 01:22:30.639
They continue with their destructive and clearly misguided policy.

1289
01:22:30.639 --> 01:22:33.953
This hardly meets the interests of the USA itself.

1290
01:22:33.953 --> 01:22:36.401
But this is not for us to decide.

1291
01:22:36.401 --> 01:22:40.034
We can see that we are dealing with proactive and talented people,

1292
01:22:40.034 --> 01:22:44.379
but within the elite, there are also many people who have excessive 

1293
01:22:44.379 --> 01:22:50.413
faith in their exceptionalism and supremacy over the rest of the world.

1294
01:22:50.413 --> 01:22:54.577
Of course, it is their right to think what they want.

1295
01:22:54.577 --> 01:22:59.466
But can they count? Probably they can.

1296
01:22:59.466 --> 01:23:07.334
So let them calculate the range and speed of our future arms systems.

1297
01:23:07.334 --> 01:23:14.167
This is all we are asking: just do the maths first and take decisions 

1298
01:23:14.167 --> 01:23:18.913
that create additional serious threats to our country afterwards.

1299
01:23:18.913 --> 01:23:23.121
It goes without saying that these decisions will prompt Russia 

1300
01:23:23.121 --> 01:23:25.917
to respond in order to ensure its security in a reliable 

1301
01:23:25.917 --> 01:23:28.200
and unconditional manner.

1302
01:23:32.640 --> 01:23:36.567
I have already said this, and I will repeat that we are ready to engage 

1303
01:23:36.567 --> 01:23:41.327
in disarmament talks, but we will not knock on a locked door anymore.

1304
01:23:41.327 --> 01:23:45.129
We will wait until our partners are ready and become aware 

1305
01:23:45.129 --> 01:23:48.055
of the need for dialogue on this matter.

1306
01:23:48.055 --> 01:23:52.027
We continue developing our Armed Forces and improving the intensity 

1307
01:23:52.027 --> 01:23:54.465
and quality of combat training, in part,

1308
01:23:54.465 --> 01:23:56.714
using the experience we gained in the anti-terrorist operation 

1309
01:23:56.714 --> 01:24:00.749
in Syria. Much experience was gained by practically all the commanders 

1310
01:24:00.749 --> 01:24:04.736
of the Ground Forces, by covert operations forces and military police,

1311
01:24:04.736 --> 01:24:11.876
warship crews, army, tactical, and strategic and military 

1312
01:24:11.876 --> 01:24:13.227
transport aviation.

1313
01:24:13.227 --> 01:24:16.855
I would like to emphasise again that we need peace 

1314
01:24:16.855 --> 01:24:18.710
for sustainable long-term development.

1315
01:24:18.710 --> 01:24:22.652
Our efforts to enhance our defence capability are for only one purpose: 

1316
01:24:22.652 --> 01:24:27.964
to ensure the security of this country and our citizens so that nobody 

1317
01:24:27.964 --> 01:24:30.608
would even consider pressuring us,

1318
01:24:30.608 --> 01:24:36.265
or launching an aggression against us.

1319
01:24:42.065 --> 01:24:45.489
Colleagues, we are facing ambitious goals.

1320
01:24:45.489 --> 01:24:48.938
We are approaching solutions in a systematic and consistent way,

1321
01:24:48.938 --> 01:24:53.275
building a model of socio-economic development that will allow us 

1322
01:24:53.275 --> 01:24:57.155
to ensure the best conditions for the self-fulfillment of our people 

1323
01:24:57.155 --> 01:25:02.603
and, hence, provide befitting answers to the challenges of a rapidly 

1324
01:25:02.603 --> 01:25:08.202
changing world, and preserve Russia as a civilisation with its own 

1325
01:25:08.202 --> 01:25:14.371
identity, rooted in centuries-long traditions and the culture of our 

1326
01:25:14.371 --> 01:25:17.096
people, our values and customs.

1327
01:25:17.096 --> 01:25:21.063
Naturally, we will only be able to achieve our goals by pooling our 

1328
01:25:21.063 --> 01:25:26.441
efforts, together in a united society, if all of us,

1329
01:25:26.441 --> 01:25:30.543
all citizens of Russia, are willing to succeed in specific endeavours.

1330
01:25:30.543 --> 01:25:35.119
Such solidarity in striving for change is always the deliberate choice 

1331
01:25:35.119 --> 01:25:36.298
of the people themselves.

1332
01:25:36.298 --> 01:25:39.490
They make this choice when they understand that national development 

1333
01:25:39.490 --> 01:25:43.844
depends on them, on the results of their labour,

1334
01:25:43.844 --> 01:25:49.218
when a desire to be needed and useful enjoys support,

1335
01:25:49.218 --> 01:25:54.495
when everyone finds a job by vocation one is happy with,

1336
01:25:54.495 --> 01:25:58.633
and most importantly, when there is justice and a vast space 

1337
01:25:58.633 --> 01:26:01.994
for freedom and equal opportunity for work, study,

1338
01:26:01.994 --> 01:26:03.883
initiative and innovation.

1339
01:26:03.883 --> 01:26:07.918
These parameters for development breakthroughs cannot be translated 

1340
01:26:07.918 --> 01:26:10.842
into figures or indicators, but it is these things –

1341
01:26:10.842 --> 01:26:13.353
a unified society, people being involved in the affairs of their 

1342
01:26:13.353 --> 01:26:16.059
country, and a common confidence in our power –

1343
01:26:16.059 --> 01:26:19.746
that play the main role in reaching success.

1344
01:26:19.746 --> 01:26:23.283
And we will achieve this success by any means necessary.

1345
01:26:23.283 --> 01:26:25.060
Thank you for your attention.