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I will say a few words to the press and answer a few 

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questions before we get down to work.

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Before we begin, I would like to say that I am very happy 

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to receive Mr Putin today.

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I would like to thank him for visiting me in Bregancon.

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We have planned a packed discussion for today.

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This is the next step after our meetings in Versailles and St 

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Petersburg, and our most recent meeting in Osaka.

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Today we are meeting in this symbolic place on the Mediterranean,

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which has always been of great importance in our bilateral relations,

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and many artists, writers, and musicians from Russia have lived in this 

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region – Nabokov, Turgenev, Stravinsky and many other cultural figures.

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They have always found inspiration here.

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Today's discussion is very important to me,

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because today we are going through a historical period.

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We will certainly talk first about the crises –

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we talked about them in Osaka –

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we will talk about Iran and discuss the possibilities 

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for de-escalation in that country.

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Over the past few weeks, we have worked hard on this and have come up 

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with numerous proposals.

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We also keep in touch with President Trump and with President Rouhani,

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to ensure that Iran always adheres to the JCPOA.

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We will also talk about Ukraine, the Ukrainian crisis,

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about the choices made by President Zelensky 

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and the position he has taken of late.

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I know that President Putin has spoken to him several times 

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in recent days. So we can talk about this, prepare for future meetings,

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and together with Mr Zelensky, Vladimir Putin and Ms Merkel,

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we will try to consider the possibility of meeting 

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in the Normandy format in a few weeks.

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We will also discuss Syria, where a lot of work has been done,

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also hand in hand, in recent months.

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For example, in St Petersburg and Istanbul,

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we have laid the foundation for several humanitarian 

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operations and developed new initiatives.

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Today we are very concerned about events in Idlib.

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People in Idlib are living under constant shelling;

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civilians and children are dying.

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I believe this is an emergency and we must do everything we can to see 

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that the ceasefire approved in Sochi holds.

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Of course, we will try to develop political,

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diplomatic and constitutional deadlines to fulfil our responsibility.

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A lot of work has been done to move all the parties towards an attempt 

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to reach stability and the restoration of Syria.

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Of course, these crises will be the main topic of our talks today,

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because in several days France will host a G7 summit where we will also 

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discuss these topics.

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This is why I would like to discuss them with Mr Putin 

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ahead of the summit.

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We have many topics for discussion, including of course,

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collective security and disarmament.

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Decisions on the INF Treaty have been made,

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and now we need to build the future of our common European security.

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I hope that we will have a detailed discussion on this.

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We will also discuss climate change.

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I know that a very important decision was made in Russia recently: 

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to ratify the Paris Agreement.

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This is a very important step from Russia.

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I mean that supporting the Paris agenda is a very important step.

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I would also like to convey my condolences on the terrible fires that 

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broke out in Siberia this summer.

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It is true that the climatic agenda is once again vital.

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I would like to say that today the world is living through a historical 

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moment; the multilateral approach is often criticised,

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and we should think about ways to rebuild this world order.

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This means we should look for new cooperation mechanisms 

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that will be useful to all of us.

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In this case, in this context, our bilateral relations as well 

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as relations between Russia and the European Union play 

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a key and determinative role.

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I am thinking about everything that has happened over the past few 

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decades, what has managed to drive us apart.

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I know that Russia is a European country in its heart of hearts.

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And we believe in a Europe that spreads from Lisbon to Vladivostok.

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Great Russian writer Dostoyevsky said 

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(quoting from memory): “Russians have a peculiarity 

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as regards other European nations.

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A Russian becomes most Russian when he is most European.

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” In other words, it is necessary for Russians to become 

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part of the European world.

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This is why I believe in this European concept.

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I believe we should rebuild and revise the architecture of trust 

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between Russia and the European Union.

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France will fully play its role in this respect.

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As you know, we are facing new and common threats,

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whether it’s in the nuclear area,

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cyber security or other areas.

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We must develop a common agenda and common methods 

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for fighting and resolving these conflicts.

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Since Russia is a European country,

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it has a full place in the European family.

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This is why France has done everything it could for Russia to return 

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to the Council of Europe.

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And since France chairs the Committee of Ministers of the Council 

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of Europe we have managed to use this opportunity to take 

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the necessary measures.

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Since such fundamental principles as freedom of speech,

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self-expression and so on are very important for the Council of Europe,

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it is necessary to implement all these freedoms on the territory 

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of Russia as well, because Russia is a European country.

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I believe Mr Putin’s presence here in Bregancon is very important.

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And I am very glad that we will spend several hours together.

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Thank you, Mr President, thank you, dear Vladimir,

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for coming to Bregancon today, for finding the time to do this.

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I am very happy to see you here. Thank you.

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I would like to thank the President of France for inviting me to this 

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marvellous place, his official residence.

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We got a bird’s eye view of this part of France from the helicopter 

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and could see how beautiful it is.

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Mr Macron was kind enough to seat our delegation in the shade while he 

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and his delegation are sitting in the sun, so I will try to be brief,

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although I have to repeat some points.

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Of course, we will give due attention and find time 

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to discuss bilateral relations.

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I would like to note on this point that,

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at the initiative of the President of France,

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we are developing civil society dialogue, the Trianon Dialogue,

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in addition to our traditional areas of cooperation.

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Speaking about trade and economic ties,

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they have been growing recently.

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Trade is growing, although, to tell the truth,

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there was a certain adjustment in the first six months of this year.

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I believe there were sound reasons for this.

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There is a positive element to it: the trade balance is levelling out.

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Let me recall that the cumulative investment of Russian companies 

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in the French economy exceeds 3 billion – this is in dollars;

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the figure for French investment in the Russian economy is $17 billion.

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In all, 500 French companies are currently active in the Russian 

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market, and I have the pleasure of meeting with French 

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businesspeople regularly.

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A regular meeting with them took place in Moscow recently,

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a few months ago.

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As for the international agenda,

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I certainly hope we will discuss international security issues.

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Mr President mentioned problems in this area,

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and they do exist. I would like to recall that it was not Russia that 

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withdrew unilaterally from the ABM Treaty.

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We did not walk away from the INF Treaty either.

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Now, extending the Treaty on Strategic Offensive Arms 

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(START III) is on the agenda.

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We have not yet seen any initiatives from our American partners 

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although our proposals are on the table.

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We are worried about the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty and the potential 

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militarisation of outer space, and here we have something to discuss.

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We would even like to discuss these items in detail to clear up 

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the position of France on these vital issues,

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including space militarisation.

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I would like to recall and repeat here in France that we assume 

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a unilateral commitment on medium- and shorter-range missiles.

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If such attack systems are deployed by the US, we will also have them,

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but we will not deploy them anywhere unless US systems like this appear.

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Regrettably, we have not yet heard any response to what we have 

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expressed many times in public.

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We get the impression that they simply do not hear us.

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That said, I think the Europeans are interested 

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in listening to us and responding appropriately.

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Finally, we are bound to talk about regional conflicts.

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Of course, we will talk about southeast Ukraine,

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about Donbass. I will tell Mr President about my recent contact with 

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the newly-elected president of Ukraine.

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There are certain things in this respect that may be discussed as well,

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that give us cautious optimism.

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We will certainly talk about Syria.

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I would like to note that before the corresponding agreements were 

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signed in Sochi, as the President said now,

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on the demilitarisation of part of the Idlib zone,

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about 50 percent of that territory was under terrorist control,

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and now that number is 90 percent.

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We are observing constant raids from there,

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and more than that we are seeing the movement of militants from that 

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region to other parts of the world and this is extremely dangerous.

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There were also numerous attempts to attack our air base in Khmeimim 

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from the Idlib zone, so we support Syrian army efforts to carry out 

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local operations to neutralise these terrorist threats.

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I would like to remind you that no one ever talked about terrorists 

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having an opportunity to concentrate in the Idlib zone and to feel 

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comfortable operating there.

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On the contrary, it was stressed that the fight against 

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terrorists would continue.

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Another important subject is Libya,

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of course. We must achieve reconciliation between the parties 

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to the conflict. I would very much like to know the attitudes 

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of the French Republic and the President of France on this subject,

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so that we could coordinate our efforts.

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We are grateful to France for its position in the Council of Europe 

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in favour of the full-scale return of the Russian delegation.

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I believe this will facilitate building normal,

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full-fledged and trusting relationships in Europe.

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I count on the support of France in building relationships with 

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the European Union in the same spirit.

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This is far from a complete list of what we are going to discuss today.

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But people-to-people cooperation is certainly on it.

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Mr Macron has just mentioned this.

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Indeed, Russia and France have close cooperative ties in this field 

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and we have many topics to discuss here.

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We have plans for next year to organise a number of events in France 

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in the context of so-called Russian Seasons.

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All in all, 270 events in practically all departments of France and all 

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large French cities. I hope it will be very interesting and positive 

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both for French audiences and Russian performers.

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This will be another step on the road to building 

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full-scale relations between our countries.

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Thank you very much.

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Thank you, Vladimir!

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I believe we will answer a few questions on each side. Welcome.

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Mr Macron, you said that during this meeting you could agree 

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on the terms for holding a summit in the Normandy format 

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with the four leaders.

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You, Mr Putin, have repeatedly said that certain prerequisites are 

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needed for this kind of summit because no one needs 

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a meeting for the sake of meeting.

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Have the right conditions been met, and what are they? Thank you.

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We will certainly be discussing this.

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There is a new factor, that is,Mr Zelensky,

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elected president of Ukraine,and his attitude from the time 

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he assumed office. It should be noted that Mr Zelensky has taken 

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several courageous steps regarding the conflict,

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which has been ongoing for five years now,

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and which has resulted in civilians living in terrible conditions.

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We should remember Russia’s regional role.

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Mr Zelensky has taken several short-term measures,

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and we will discuss these with Mr Putin and share our 

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analysis and opinions.

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I hope that in the following hours,

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days and months we will see new trends that will allow us to have 

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a useful discussion and move forward.

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There are also issues with security there.

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I expressed my condolences to Mr Zelensky over the casualties following 

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an incident in Ukraine on August 4.

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We will talk about this in a few hours.

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I absolutely agree with you that we should conduct the Normandy Four 

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summit on the condition that we can really achieve tangible results 

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00:17:43.210 --> 00:17:46.643
and not just hold a meeting for the sake of meeting.

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We will discuss all the steps we can take on each side.

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00:17:51.155 --> 00:17:57.338
Our protocol advisors’ meeting will take place in a few days to prepare 

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00:17:57.338 --> 00:18:01.035
for the next Normandy Four summit.

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As for the Normandy format, I have really believed and believe now that 

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any meeting, including a Normandy format meeting should 

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00:18:09.061 --> 00:18:11.104
bring concrete results.

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00:18:11.104 --> 00:18:15.912
In my opinion, we should concentrate on what we agreed to in the past;

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00:18:15.912 --> 00:18:18.148
we need to pursue these goals.

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00:18:18.148 --> 00:18:25.947
For example, in 2016 we made a big compromise when we actually changed 

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00:18:25.947 --> 00:18:31.854
the implementation of the law on the special status of Donbass.

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00:18:31.854 --> 00:18:37.897
At that time, former President Poroshenko insisted on changing it.

246
00:18:37.897 --> 00:18:45.054
The current president, and at that time foreign minister of the Federal 

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00:18:45.054 --> 00:18:47.650
Republic of Germany Steinmeier,

248
00:18:47.650 --> 00:18:50.788
offered a compromise proposal.

249
00:18:50.788 --> 00:18:56.636
We agreed to it; we accepted the compromise to implement the law 

250
00:18:56.636 --> 00:19:03.459
on the special status of Donbass on a temporary basis on election day 

251
00:19:03.459 --> 00:19:10.982
and on a permanent basis after the respective OSCE officials reviewed 

252
00:19:10.982 --> 00:19:12.886
and confirmed the results.

253
00:19:12.886 --> 00:19:17.180
Well, we need to do this, to somehow arrange it.

254
00:19:17.180 --> 00:19:20.718
The same concerns other issues,

255
00:19:20.718 --> 00:19:23.406
like amnesty and so on.

256
00:19:23.406 --> 00:19:28.213
There are several issues on which we need to come to an agreement.

257
00:19:28.213 --> 00:19:30.352
I believe we will discuss these,

258
00:19:30.352 --> 00:19:32.187
and we need to do it however we can.

259
00:19:32.187 --> 00:19:35.926
In my opinion, there is no alternative to the Normandy 

260
00:19:35.926 --> 00:19:39.450
format and we certainly support it.

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00:19:44.570 --> 00:19:47.204
I have a question for each of you.

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00:19:47.204 --> 00:19:52.183
Mr Putin, do you see France as a solid partner,

263
00:19:52.183 --> 00:19:59.276
more solid than during your previous five-year term? Do you think 

264
00:19:59.276 --> 00:20:03.210
rapprochement is possible with Mr Macron’s France? For example,

265
00:20:03.210 --> 00:20:08.900
membership in the G8 club, do you miss it? Would you like 

266
00:20:08.900 --> 00:20:11.316
to return to the G8?

267
00:20:11.316 --> 00:20:16.785
Mr Macron, you are getting closer with Mr Putin’s Russia,

268
00:20:16.785 --> 00:20:24.484
while Mr Putin does not share your liberal democratic aspirations,

269
00:20:24.484 --> 00:20:38.720
while the crisis in eastern Ukraine deepens and there is a real 

270
00:20:38.720 --> 00:20:40.484
humanitarian disaster in Idlib.

271
00:20:40.484 --> 00:20:44.992
So, what can France hope to gain from such behaviour?

272
00:20:44.992 --> 00:20:50.644
Regarding France’s importance to Russia,

273
00:20:50.644 --> 00:20:55.189
France has historically been one of our key partners 

274
00:20:55.189 --> 00:20:56.946
in Europe and the world.

275
00:20:56.946 --> 00:21:02.042
Together with France, we emerged victorious in the fight against Nazism 

276
00:21:02.042 --> 00:21:06.951
in World War II, and I am grateful to the President for accepting our 

277
00:21:06.951 --> 00:21:13.266
invitation to attend a ceremony marking the occasion next year on May 9.

278
00:21:13.266 --> 00:21:18.926
But, of course, our relations with France have deeper historical roots.

279
00:21:18.926 --> 00:21:23.734
France is a permanent member of the Security Council, a nuclear power,

280
00:21:23.734 --> 00:21:29.850
and plays a significant role in decision-making regarding international 

281
00:21:29.850 --> 00:21:37.608
security and, I believe, in Russia-EU relations as well.

282
00:21:37.608 --> 00:21:41.767
Of course, we understand and we are aware of EU decision-making 

283
00:21:41.767 --> 00:21:44.087
processes, but France’s support on a number of issues,

284
00:21:44.087 --> 00:21:49.145
including on the issue I mentioned earlier regarding Russia’s return 

285
00:21:49.145 --> 00:21:53.729
to the Council of Europe, played a significant,

286
00:21:53.729 --> 00:21:56.320
if not the key role. So, I believe there is no need to provide 

287
00:21:56.320 --> 00:22:02.249
additional comments or proof that we take cooperation with 

288
00:22:02.249 --> 00:22:08.473
France very seriously. I am not even talking about the economic side.

289
00:22:08.473 --> 00:22:11.412
I already mentioned, but it bears repeating,

290
00:22:11.412 --> 00:22:16.309
that 500 French companies are operating on the Russian market.

291
00:22:16.309 --> 00:22:23.130
I assure you that this supports a large number of jobs in France,

292
00:22:23.130 --> 00:22:28.769
because French businesses supply many products to the Russian market.

293
00:22:28.769 --> 00:22:32.321
We support business activity in France.

294
00:22:32.321 --> 00:22:35.649
We could do even more if there were a full and comprehensive 

295
00:22:35.649 --> 00:22:41.369
normalisation of relations between Russia and the European Union.

296
00:22:48.949 --> 00:22:52.189
So, I will reply to your question.

297
00:22:52.189 --> 00:22:57.449
First, there are specific results, we have made progress.

298
00:22:57.449 --> 00:22:59.889
This does not mean that we have no differences

299
00:22:59.889 --> 00:23:06.969
and you have reminded me of some issues that worry me very much.

300
00:23:06.969 --> 00:23:12.069
I told you I am concerned about the situation in Syria, in Idlib.

301
00:23:12.069 --> 00:23:16.809
 But what happened two years ago?

302
00:23:16.809 --> 00:23:23.069
We, France, created a forum for discussion, for a dialogue.

303
00:23:23.069 --> 00:23:29.709
I believe now we will do much more, in part, in the humanitarian area, than we did two years ago. 

304
00:23:29.709 --> 00:23:36.689
As for Ukraine, we are also resolving many complicated issues there.

305
00:23:36.689 --> 00:23:42.869
As for the economy, President Putin mentioned our current relations. 

306
00:23:42.889 --> 00:23:46.449
 I know we have several large projects in different areas

307
00:23:46.449 --> 00:23:54.029
where we continue moving forward, where France is appreciated, and deservedly so.

308
00:23:54.029 --> 00:23:56.569
So, there are many economic and political issues

309
00:23:56.569 --> 00:24:01.729
that are moving forward because we are investing in bilateral relations. 

310
00:24:01.729 --> 00:24:04.009
This does not mean that there is a resolution to every problem.

311
00:24:04.009 --> 00:24:05.869
The second point.

312
00:24:05.869 --> 00:24:10.809
I could just as well ask you what would happen if we had acted differently.

313
00:24:10.809 --> 00:24:13.949
You are asking a question about geopolitics.

314
00:24:13.949 --> 00:24:16.169
For example, we could have said to ourselves,

315
00:24:16.169 --> 00:24:18.849
“We do not agree with Russia on many issues, 

316
00:24:18.849 --> 00:24:22.849
 so we will turn our backs and look the other way.” 

317
00:24:22.849 --> 00:24:26.029
Would this be in France’s interest?

318
00:24:26.029 --> 00:24:29.049
I am convinced that the answer is “no.”

319
00:24:29.049 --> 00:24:32.209
And I am convinced that even with our differences, 

320
00:24:32.209 --> 00:24:43.489
we need to revive relations between Russia and Europe

321
00:24:43.489 --> 00:24:45.549
 because this is its destiny.

322
00:24:45.549 --> 00:24:52.289
If we had left the situation in the Council of Europe in the same condition it was several months ago,

323
00:24:52.289 --> 00:24:54.049
what would have happened? 

324
00:24:54.049 --> 00:24:56.529
Russia would simply have slammed the door on its way out.

325
00:24:56.529 --> 00:25:03.569
And those Russian citizens who might have turned to the European Court of Human Rights,

326
00:25:03.569 --> 00:25:05.969
they would have been turned away. 

327
00:25:05.969 --> 00:25:08.849
hey would have been told: You are no longer entitled to this recourse. 

328
00:25:08.849 --> 00:25:12.429
This has to do with European values, 

329
00:25:12.429 --> 00:25:15.789
the protection of these European values. 

330
00:25:15.789 --> 00:25:19.769
So anyone who says it’s not worth it,

331
00:25:19.769 --> 00:25:24.069
 that it has no positive influence, 

332
00:25:24.069 --> 00:25:36.629
 fails to see that we should push this great power, Russia, 

333
00:25:36.629 --> 00:25:40.549
in these new geopolitical conditions. 

334
00:25:40.549 --> 00:25:43.489
Otherwise our interests will not be met.

335
00:25:43.489 --> 00:25:46.884
We are two nuclear powers; we are two permanent members 

336
00:25:46.884 --> 00:25:50.243
of the Security Council. We must be able to find common ground.

337
00:25:50.243 --> 00:25:54.145
Even if we have differences on some issues,

338
00:25:54.145 --> 00:25:55.985
we still need to work together.

339
00:25:55.985 --> 00:26:00.989
Therefore, I would like to recall what Mr Putin said about 

340
00:26:00.989 --> 00:26:03.536
liberal democracy.

341
00:26:03.536 --> 00:26:07.334
Incidentally, as you know, when we talk about liberality,

342
00:26:07.334 --> 00:26:13.507
the meaning sometimes differs because there is also political 

343
00:26:13.507 --> 00:26:21.791
liberalism. This brings us back to Europe during the Renaissance.

344
00:26:21.791 --> 00:26:24.685
Maybe, I do not know national history well enough.

345
00:26:24.685 --> 00:26:34.610
Maybe, I forgot the special ties that Catherine the Great maintained 

346
00:26:34.610 --> 00:26:41.787
with our philosophers, our writers and our figures during 

347
00:26:41.787 --> 00:26:43.123
the Enlightenment.

348
00:26:43.123 --> 00:26:50.662
So, Russia has political liberalism,

349
00:26:50.662 --> 00:26:54.032
economic liberalism. As you know,

350
00:26:54.032 --> 00:26:58.183
every society is continuously changing,

351
00:26:58.183 --> 00:27:04.153
and every society has different levels of conservatism.

352
00:27:04.153 --> 00:27:08.854
Therefore, it is necessary to discuss and explain these notions.

353
00:27:08.854 --> 00:27:17.866
I think that two years are insignificant at the level of our societies.

354
00:27:17.866 --> 00:27:27.251
This is why I believe we should make new efforts today to build a new 

355
00:27:27.251 --> 00:27:30.813
architecture for European security for our countries.

356
00:27:30.813 --> 00:27:34.046
We will work on the climate agenda as well.

357
00:27:34.046 --> 00:27:38.638
All this means that our two countries are major powers.

358
00:27:38.638 --> 00:27:44.743
Powers that have very strong economic ties.

359
00:27:44.743 --> 00:27:56.140
We also have common ideals; this is why our soldiers, our servicemen,

360
00:27:56.140 --> 00:28:01.065
fought together on the same side several times in history.

361
00:28:01.065 --> 00:28:04.287
This is exactly why I believe we should continue our dialogue.

362
00:28:04.287 --> 00:28:08.537
Naturally, we will probably be unable to resolve all our 

363
00:28:08.537 --> 00:28:11.889
differences today but it has to be done.

364
00:28:11.889 --> 00:28:17.050
Russia has special relations with the Western world.

365
00:28:17.050 --> 00:28:20.829
This is part of the Russian soul.

366
00:28:20.829 --> 00:28:32.273
But strictly speaking, Europe is not the entire Western world.

367
00:28:32.273 --> 00:28:40.291
We are part of it. Europe must simply revise its concept 

368
00:28:40.291 --> 00:28:45.811
of sovereignty. It has allies and it must play its role in a world 

369
00:28:45.811 --> 00:28:57.287
where Western hegemony is continuously questioned.

370
00:28:57.287 --> 00:29:01.725
This is why dialogue between the European Union and Russia is 

371
00:29:01.725 --> 00:29:08.587
absolutely necessary for the European Union to again acquire its 

372
00:29:08.587 --> 00:29:11.188
weight, to resume its role. This will take time.

373
00:29:11.188 --> 00:29:15.491
As I said, we will not be able to resolve everything today,

374
00:29:15.491 --> 00:29:18.828
but we will work on all this both today and in the future.

375
00:29:27.248 --> 00:29:29.453
As for the G8, which you mentioned,

376
00:29:29.453 --> 00:29:34.532
it does not exist. How can I return to an organisation that does not 

377
00:29:34.532 --> 00:29:39.483
exist? It is called the G7 today.

378
00:29:39.483 --> 00:29:45.613
Regarding a possible eight-country format,

379
00:29:45.613 --> 00:29:49.936
we do not reject anything.

380
00:29:49.936 --> 00:29:54.075
It was Russia’s turn to host a G8 summit,

381
00:29:54.075 --> 00:29:56.351
but our partners did not come.

382
00:29:56.351 --> 00:30:01.648
We look forward to seeing our partners anytime,

383
00:30:01.648 --> 00:30:03.984
but within the G7 framework.

384
00:30:03.984 --> 00:30:10.449
But there are other international organisations playing a noticeable 

385
00:30:10.449 --> 00:30:12.777
and substantial role in international affairs. The G20,

386
00:30:12.777 --> 00:30:21.213
for example. They represent such major economic powerhouses 

387
00:30:21.213 --> 00:30:23.953
as the People’s Republic of China,

388
00:30:23.953 --> 00:30:28.233
India and many others.

389
00:30:28.233 --> 00:30:29.123
In all, there are 20 such countries,

390
00:30:29.123 --> 00:30:31.141
and you know them well.

391
00:30:31.141 --> 00:30:38.330
They account for almost 90 percent of the global economy.

392
00:30:38.330 --> 00:30:48.373
In this connection, such full-format venues clearly play a noticeable 

393
00:30:48.373 --> 00:30:51.154
and substantial role – that is an objective fact –

394
00:30:51.154 --> 00:30:52.653
and we are working actively there.

395
00:30:52.653 --> 00:30:56.267
We are also working actively in some regional organisations,

396
00:30:56.267 --> 00:30:59.222
including the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and BRICS,

397
00:30:59.222 --> 00:31:03.774
which includes a number of countries: Russia, India, China,

398
00:31:03.774 --> 00:31:05.231
South Africa and Brazil.

399
00:31:07.331 --> 00:31:15.247
I repeat, any contacts with our partners and in any format are useful,

400
00:31:15.247 --> 00:31:16.488
and we do not reject anything.

401
00:31:21.128 --> 00:31:27.059
By the way, I would like to say a few words on a subject Mr President 

402
00:31:27.059 --> 00:31:32.439
mentioned, namely, joint efforts to fight climate change.

403
00:31:32.439 --> 00:31:34.211
This is an important matter.

404
00:31:34.211 --> 00:31:39.724
Russia joined the initiatives of the President of France from the very 

405
00:31:39.724 --> 00:31:42.855
outset and supported the Paris Agreement on climate change.

406
00:31:42.855 --> 00:31:47.993
We assumed very serious obligations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 

407
00:31:47.993 --> 00:31:56.001
to 75 percent of the 1990 levels in the next few years and to attain 70 

408
00:31:56.001 --> 00:31:57.732
percent levels by 2030.

409
00:31:57.732 --> 00:32:02.687
These serious obligations will require a substantial reconstruction 

410
00:32:02.687 --> 00:32:04.494
of the entire Russian economy.

411
00:32:04.494 --> 00:32:07.810
We have adopted state programmes dealing with this matter,

412
00:32:07.810 --> 00:32:10.581
and we have set aside colossal resources.

413
00:32:10.581 --> 00:32:15.836
We take this matter very seriously.

414
00:32:15.836 --> 00:32:19.855
The President of France has already mentioned developments in Siberia.

415
00:32:19.855 --> 00:32:23.508
I mentioned this when we were saying goodbye in Osaka,

416
00:32:23.508 --> 00:32:28.625
but record-breaking Arctic temperature changes are 

417
00:32:28.625 --> 00:32:31.736
currently being posted. This has never happened before.

418
00:32:31.736 --> 00:32:33.930
These matters are very serious,

419
00:32:33.930 --> 00:32:35.906
and we have to coordinate our efforts here.

420
00:32:35.906 --> 00:32:40.957
All of us realise that there will be no effective results unless we 

421
00:32:40.957 --> 00:32:44.594
coordinate our efforts. We are prepared for this joint work.

422
00:32:50.074 --> 00:32:54.125
Today, Mr Macron talked about Europe stretching from Lisbon 

423
00:32:54.125 --> 00:32:57.000
to Vladivostok. But I think you will agree that relations between 

424
00:32:57.000 --> 00:33:00.207
Russia and the European Union are now at their low ebb.

425
00:33:00.207 --> 00:33:04.196
I have a question for both leaders: how do you perceive the prospects 

426
00:33:04.196 --> 00:33:08.537
for revitalising the relations between Russia and the European Union 

427
00:33:08.537 --> 00:33:10.778
after changes in the line-up of the European Commission? And to what 

428
00:33:10.778 --> 00:33:14.323
extent is France interested in Russia returning to the Parliamentary 

429
00:33:14.323 --> 00:33:17.021
Assembly of the Council of Europe and in improving 

430
00:33:17.021 --> 00:33:18.903
relations between Russia and the EU?

431
00:33:18.903 --> 00:33:20.543
On the whole, speaking of the G7,

432
00:33:20.543 --> 00:33:24.275
will you discuss the hypothetical transformation of the G7 

433
00:33:24.275 --> 00:33:26.096
into the G8 today?

434
00:33:32.176 --> 00:33:38.439
Regarding the prospects for creating a common Europe stretching from 

435
00:33:38.439 --> 00:33:42.332
Lisbon to Vladivostok, this was not our idea.

436
00:33:42.332 --> 00:33:48.305
It was General Charles De Gaulle who voiced this idea while talking 

437
00:33:48.305 --> 00:33:50.321
about Europe stretching from Lisbon to the Urals.

438
00:33:50.321 --> 00:33:53.721
But Russia extends all the way to the Pacific Ocean,

439
00:33:53.721 --> 00:33:56.567
and this entire territory is European cultural space.

440
00:33:56.567 --> 00:33:58.669
It is important that we understand this.

441
00:33:58.669 --> 00:34:03.901
And it does not matter that this seems impossible today.

442
00:34:03.901 --> 00:34:07.972
Anything that seems impossible today can become inevitable tomorrow.

443
00:34:07.972 --> 00:34:09.215
We proceed from this assumption.

444
00:34:09.215 --> 00:34:13.437
I believe that, if we think about this today, and if we set such goals,

445
00:34:13.437 --> 00:34:19.974
which are very important for Europe in the strategic long-term context 

446
00:34:19.974 --> 00:34:23.485
(if it wants to preserve itself as a centre of civilisation)

447
00:34:23.485 --> 00:34:28.466
, and also for Russia, and if we work on this together, then,

448
00:34:28.466 --> 00:34:34.764
sooner or later, we will come close to achieving this.

449
00:34:34.764 --> 00:34:36.544
It is important to choose a way in one form or another 

450
00:34:36.544 --> 00:34:43.633
(it does not matter how) and to move slowly in the right direction,

451
00:34:43.633 --> 00:34:46.104
in line with the present-day conditions.

452
00:34:46.104 --> 00:34:48.841
Speaking of the G7 and the G8, I have already said that we do not 

453
00:34:48.841 --> 00:34:50.799
perceive this as an end in itself.

454
00:34:50.799 --> 00:34:54.406
We do not reject any contacts, and that is it.

455
00:34:57.526 --> 00:35:03.814
Regarding your question, relations hinge on reality,

456
00:35:03.814 --> 00:35:10.335
despite the sanctions President Putin mentioned, because exchanges,

457
00:35:10.335 --> 00:35:13.211
nevertheless, have continued in various areas,

458
00:35:13.211 --> 00:35:17.279
and we have been able to broaden our economic and cultural ties.

459
00:35:17.279 --> 00:35:20.337
But relations between Russia and the European Union now 

460
00:35:20.337 --> 00:35:27.282
serve as an irritant. The situation in Ukraine is such an irritant.

461
00:35:27.282 --> 00:35:36.508
In effect, the resolution of this conflict is a magic wand that will 

462
00:35:36.508 --> 00:35:40.499
open the door for Russia to return to the G7 club,

463
00:35:40.499 --> 00:35:44.347
and the G7 can turn into the G8.

464
00:35:44.347 --> 00:35:47.776
I believe that efforts to find a way out of this situation meet 

465
00:35:47.776 --> 00:35:51.412
the interests of absolutely all countries.

466
00:35:51.412 --> 00:35:54.925
Now, as far as our bilateral dialogue is concerned,

467
00:35:54.925 --> 00:36:00.003
it shows that even if it is impossible to fully eliminate differences 

468
00:36:00.003 --> 00:36:03.213
of opinion, we can still build something new on this foundation.

469
00:36:03.213 --> 00:36:11.308
It is obvious that the return to the G8 format and normal relations 

470
00:36:11.308 --> 00:36:18.963
with the EU requires the settlement of the Ukrainian crisis.

471
00:36:18.963 --> 00:36:23.524
As I said before, actions of all participants are necessary here.

472
00:36:23.524 --> 00:36:31.554
We need to go beyond temporary disagreements, situations and crises,

473
00:36:31.554 --> 00:36:34.685
in order to develop a new architecture.

474
00:36:34.685 --> 00:36:35.882
This is what we are currently working on.

475
00:36:35.882 --> 00:36:38.559
So, to summarise, the issue of the G8 format depends 

476
00:36:38.559 --> 00:36:40.770
on the Ukrainian crisis.

477
00:36:40.770 --> 00:36:49.200
But, on the other hand, to make everyone working on this agenda,

478
00:36:49.200 --> 00:36:52.956
that is, the development of an architecture of security and trust,

479
00:36:52.956 --> 00:36:58.353
we should be able to deal with our disagreements and misunderstandings 

480
00:36:58.353 --> 00:37:00.318
that have accumulated in the relations between Russia 

481
00:37:00.318 --> 00:37:01.569
and the EU in the past decade.

482
00:37:01.569 --> 00:37:06.109
We need to act, and to develop new formats and new platforms.

483
00:37:06.109 --> 00:37:16.000
We do not have to share the same formats and speak the language that 

484
00:37:16.000 --> 00:37:22.055
emerged a decade ago, because the world is constantly changing,

485
00:37:22.055 --> 00:37:29.017
time goes on, and we need to revise and reorganise it all.

486
00:37:29.017 --> 00:37:34.358
This is what concerns Russia-EU relations.

487
00:37:34.358 --> 00:37:37.495
I would like these relations not just to normalise,

488
00:37:37.495 --> 00:37:39.985
but to be reviewed completely.

489
00:37:39.985 --> 00:37:41.366
Last question, please.

490
00:37:44.446 --> 00:37:47.117
My question is to both presidents.

491
00:37:47.117 --> 00:37:55.273
Many people were arrested during the recent peaceful rallies in Moscow.

492
00:37:55.273 --> 00:37:57.637
Mr President, how can you explain that?

493
00:37:57.637 --> 00:38:00.155
And, Mr Macron, what is your opinion on that?

494
00:38:00.155 --> 00:38:05.530
Also, a nuclear incident has recently happened in Siberia.

495
00:38:05.530 --> 00:38:10.804
There are rumours about high radiation levels in the air.

496
00:38:10.804 --> 00:38:19.291
So, what tests have been done and what did the experts find?

497
00:38:19.291 --> 00:38:20.257
Thank you.

498
00:38:21.937 --> 00:38:24.442
We have to get the geography straight.

499
00:38:24.442 --> 00:38:27.607
There were no incidents in Siberia.

500
00:38:27.607 --> 00:38:30.716
If you are referring to the North Sea,

501
00:38:30.716 --> 00:38:33.589
this is a whole different region of the Russian Federation.

502
00:38:33.589 --> 00:38:35.846
It is not under threat in any way,

503
00:38:35.846 --> 00:38:39.665
and background radiation levels are not elevated.

504
00:38:39.665 --> 00:38:43.548
Experts were dispatched there, including independent experts,

505
00:38:43.548 --> 00:38:45.546
who have the situation under their control.

506
00:38:45.546 --> 00:38:51.479
In any case, I receive these reports from our experts,

507
00:38:51.479 --> 00:38:53.402
including both military and civilian.

508
00:38:53.402 --> 00:38:57.284
We do not see any significant changes there.

509
00:38:57.284 --> 00:39:01.819
However, preventive measures were taken in order to avoid 

510
00:39:01.819 --> 00:39:04.364
any unexpected developments.

511
00:39:04.364 --> 00:39:04.795
This is the first thing I wanted to say in this regard.

512
00:39:04.795 --> 00:39:09.066
Second, the people who unfortunately suffered or died during 

513
00:39:09.066 --> 00:39:11.898
the incident were on a state mission of critical importance.

514
00:39:11.898 --> 00:39:19.079
They will all be awarded state decorations.

515
00:39:19.079 --> 00:39:25.462
As for the unrest in Moscow, this has to do with the electoral cycle.

516
00:39:25.462 --> 00:39:31.051
Elections to regional government bodies, including in Moscow,

517
00:39:31.051 --> 00:39:33.067
are scheduled to take place this September.

518
00:39:33.067 --> 00:39:38.214
During the preceding elections in 2014,

519
00:39:38.214 --> 00:39:41.494
111 people were barred from running in the election when election 

520
00:39:41.494 --> 00:39:44.675
commissions decided against registering them as candidates,

521
00:39:44.675 --> 00:39:48.967
which happened for various reasons and always in response 

522
00:39:48.967 --> 00:39:53.661
to violations. This year, 57 people were not registered as candidates,

523
00:39:53.661 --> 00:39:57.394
which was once again attributable to obvious violations that took place 

524
00:39:57.394 --> 00:39:59.796
in the course of the election campaign.

525
00:39:59.796 --> 00:40:05.995
There were signatures that were clearly falsified,

526
00:40:05.995 --> 00:40:08.511
according to experts from election commissions.

527
00:40:08.511 --> 00:40:14.906
The legal avenue for settling disputes of this kind is to launch court 

528
00:40:14.906 --> 00:40:18.715
proceedings, and there were precedents when candidates who were denied 

529
00:40:18.715 --> 00:40:21.156
registration by election commissions succeeded in reversing 

530
00:40:21.156 --> 00:40:24.077
this decision through court.

531
00:40:24.077 --> 00:40:25.579
There have already been precedents of this kind.

532
00:40:25.579 --> 00:40:30.795
There was a ruling regarding at least one person,

533
00:40:30.795 --> 00:40:33.724
and the court ruled that this person must be registered as a candidate.

534
00:40:33.724 --> 00:40:41.935
As for the events themselves, I can hardly tell you anything new: 

535
00:40:41.935 --> 00:40:45.774
according to applicable laws, people have the right to engage 

536
00:40:45.774 --> 00:40:50.532
in peaceful protest, and the authorities must ensure that people are 

537
00:40:50.532 --> 00:40:53.518
able to exercise this right.

538
00:40:53.518 --> 00:40:57.891
However neither the authorities nor any groups of citizens have 

539
00:40:57.891 --> 00:41:02.623
the right to violate the law and carry the situation to the point 

540
00:41:02.623 --> 00:41:05.491
of absurdity or cause scuffles with the authorities.

541
00:41:05.491 --> 00:41:12.094
This is against the law, and all who committed these violations have 

542
00:41:12.094 --> 00:41:16.593
to be held accountable under the Russian law.

543
00:41:16.593 --> 00:41:22.237
As we know, Russia is not the only country witnessing 

544
00:41:22.237 --> 00:41:23.415
developments of this kind.

545
00:41:23.415 --> 00:41:24.458
I am visiting this country right now,

546
00:41:24.458 --> 00:41:26.964
so discussing this makes me a little uneasy,

547
00:41:26.964 --> 00:41:29.532
but since you asked I will have to say it.

548
00:41:29.532 --> 00:41:33.234
We are all aware of the events related to the so-called yellow vests 

549
00:41:33.234 --> 00:41:39.422
movement during which, according to our estimates, 11 people died,

550
00:41:39.422 --> 00:41:43.253
and 2,500 were injured, including 2,

551
00:41:43.253 --> 00:41:50.256
000 police officers. We would not like anything of this kind to happen 

552
00:41:50.256 --> 00:41:56.463
in the Russian capital, and will do everything to ensure that domestic 

553
00:41:56.463 --> 00:42:01.487
politics remains within the strict confines of the law.

554
00:42:07.307 --> 00:42:13.482
Mr President is right to remind you of this situation,

555
00:42:13.482 --> 00:42:15.939
but I believe that we should nevertheless see the difference between 

556
00:42:15.939 --> 00:42:17.752
the developments in our countries.

557
00:42:17.752 --> 00:42:20.675
[All] our countries are now witnessing various rallies,

558
00:42:20.675 --> 00:42:22.632
protests and manifestations.

559
00:42:22.632 --> 00:42:29.836
But what is most important? When one signs and ratifies certain 

560
00:42:29.836 --> 00:42:33.522
agreements, one eventually has to fulfil their requirements.

561
00:42:33.522 --> 00:42:40.194
We know that Russia has ratified a number of international treaties 

562
00:42:40.194 --> 00:42:51.196
and conventions, under which it should guarantee fundamental freedoms,

563
00:42:51.196 --> 00:42:52.720
including the freedom of speech, the freedom of expression,

564
00:42:52.720 --> 00:42:56.339
the freedom of assembly, etc., to its citizens.

565
00:42:56.339 --> 00:43:04.004
Therefore many people were worried about the events in Moscow,

566
00:43:04.004 --> 00:43:11.501
including arrests and obstacles on the part of law enforcement agencies.

567
00:43:11.501 --> 00:43:18.278
Mr President said that France also witnessed protests.

568
00:43:18.278 --> 00:43:24.108
Indeed, members of the public and police officers were injured,

569
00:43:24.108 --> 00:43:25.574
and I am very concerned about this.

570
00:43:25.574 --> 00:43:32.889
But France has always honoured its Constitution and all rights 

571
00:43:32.889 --> 00:43:37.708
stipulated by the Council of Europe.

572
00:43:37.708 --> 00:43:43.256
Therefore all these people who appealed to the European Court of Human 

573
00:43:43.256 --> 00:43:47.517
Rights will, of course, be heard.

574
00:43:47.517 --> 00:43:50.144
Naturally, we need to do our best,

575
00:43:50.144 --> 00:43:56.921
so that every person would have the right to express his or her 

576
00:43:56.921 --> 00:44:01.147
opinion. But, as you know, these people who wanted to nominate their 

577
00:44:01.147 --> 00:44:07.596
candidacies during the European election campaign were able to do this 

578
00:44:07.596 --> 00:44:12.680
and to act freely without any obstacles.

579
00:44:12.680 --> 00:44:14.082
Of course, all this is possible,

580
00:44:14.082 --> 00:44:21.943
but one cannot put up with the fact that they violate public order 

581
00:44:21.943 --> 00:44:28.569
because, in that case, they violate the rights of other citizens.

582
00:44:28.569 --> 00:44:36.438
We simply cannot put up with a situation when some citizens see their 

583
00:44:36.438 --> 00:44:40.820
fundamental rights being trampled upon by law enforcement agencies.

584
00:44:40.820 --> 00:44:42.672
We cannot put up with this situation.

585
00:44:42.672 --> 00:44:46.954
Therefore we will discuss this matter together.

586
00:44:46.954 --> 00:44:51.790
People must be able to able to take part in peaceful 

587
00:44:51.790 --> 00:44:55.165
demonstrations if they observe public order.

588
00:44:55.165 --> 00:44:59.347
I would like to add a few words. This is exactly what we are doing.

589
00:44:59.347 --> 00:45:07.678
Two mass events, rallies involving the people who wanted to express 

590
00:45:07.678 --> 00:45:14.370
their protest this way were held in July and August 2019.

591
00:45:14.370 --> 00:45:19.015
These events were coordinated in advance and approved 

592
00:45:19.015 --> 00:45:22.280
by the authorities. They were peaceful and took place 

593
00:45:22.280 --> 00:45:24.544
without any excesses.

594
00:45:24.544 --> 00:45:30.479
I would like all future developments in Russia and in other countries 

595
00:45:30.479 --> 00:45:32.955
to proceed according to this scenario, that is,

596
00:45:32.955 --> 00:45:36.817
without any excesses or violations of the law.

597
00:45:41.517 --> 00:45:44.441
Thank you very much, everybody. And now let’s begin our work.