WEBVTT

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Good evening, colleagues, or is it good afternoon?

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I would like to begin by thanking our hosts,

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including the President of Brazil and all our colleagues,

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who worked hard, persistently and, I believe,

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effectively throughout the year and have held the BRICS 

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summit at a very high level.

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As you know, we have signed a final document,

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which has been coordinated with all the sides.

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I believe that it is a very substantive and well-structured document,

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which includes a number of tough statements,

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which we see as a matter of principle.

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We will carry on our efforts at the rate achieved in Brazil 

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and in the areas which Brazil itself considers to be 

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of priority significance.

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We are grateful to our hosts, and I would like 

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to congratulate them on the success of this event.

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I have a question about BRICS.

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It is believed that the role of BRICS is not clear in the context 

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of the increasing global polarisation,

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and that people think about BRICS only when its leaders 

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come together for their summits.

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On the other hand, the Western media write that BRICS is not merely 

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an economic but a geopolitical alliance.

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Do you think that BRICS can play a big part in international affairs 

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and increase its influence on international developments,

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or it is not what BRICS should do? What interesting initiatives will we 

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see during Russia’s presidency of the group?

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I do not agree that people think about BRICS only during its summits.

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As I said, our Brazilian colleagues were preparing for the summit 

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throughout the preceding year.

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They have held a great number of events and coordinated the sides’ 

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positions on the key development issues.

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You surely remember what we say about BRICS,

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that it has become a factor of stability not only in politics but also 

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in the global economy, because it stands for open markets,

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against any kind of protectionism,

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etc. You can read about this in our final document.

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I believe that BRICS is playing a stabilising role in this sense.

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As for increasing its influence,

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we are not pushing it or trying to turn the group into a closed 

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alliance. However, the role of BRICS will definitely 

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increase in the context of global changes.

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Colleagues, I invite you to take a look at the economy.

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Just look at the figures.

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This year BRICS has surpassed the G7 in terms of GDP PPP 

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by 12 percent, I believe.

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And next year we will have $50 trillion more than the G7 countries.

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Is there anyone who does not see this? It is a very real 

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and substantial factor of international affairs,

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and it will continue to grow.

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Mr President, continuing on the topic of BRICS and Russia’s presidency 

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next year, the Russian Foreign Ministry stated that Russia may actually 

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host a summit of this association in an extended format with 

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the participation of CIS countries and major regional actors.

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What do you think about the significance of such a format for top-level 

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officials and the value of this meeting here in Russia?

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As concerns its value, we can rightfully regard Russia as one 

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of the founders of this organisation.

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Everything started here, in St Petersburg,

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when we suggested having a trilateral meeting between the President 

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of Russia (yours truly at the time)

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, Prime Minister of India and the President of China.

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This is how ‘RIC’ came about.

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It was later joined by Brazil and South Africa,

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thus making it a ‘BRICS’ that was also ultimately formed in Russia.

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Therefore, we take this organisation very seriously.

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I have just expressed my opinion about it.

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As for inviting other countries,

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outreach is a common practice.

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We plan to invite both regional economic organisations –

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primarily, the EAEU (the Eurasian Economic Union) –

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and the CIS. Remember that some of the BRICS countries are also 

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involved in the EAEU; therefore,

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it will be an absolutely natural meeting of the partners in another 

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organisation, if not BRICS.

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The discussion will be open to all the parties and every issue to be 

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discussed will be of interest to everybody invited to the event.

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On top of that, we believe it is important that –

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as, I think, I already mentioned this at the meeting with our partners 

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and yesterday at the meeting with the business community –

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it was Russia that initiated adopting the BRICS Development 

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Strategy until 2025. Considering the rapidly changing situation 

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in the world, we think it is time to update this economic development 

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strategy, which will also be one of our proposals.

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Go ahead, please.

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Your agenda also includes a meeting with the President of Brazil.

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However, we could not help but notice the current Brazilian 

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leadership’s lack of interest in developing relations with Russia.

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Our political dialogue is slowing down;

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there are hardly any new projects in trade and the economy while 

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the old ones have lost momentum.

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Is it possible to change this situation,

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especially considering that Brazil is clearly seeking closer relations 

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with the United States? Do our two countries have a common 

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ground for advancing our relations?

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I do not think that there is any lack of interest in each other right 

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now, be it from Brazil towards Russia or the other way around.

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We have not picked up on it.

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Yes, as you know, there is a new leader in the country,

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a new president who has been in office for only a year.

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This job takes time to get some perspective and set your 

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priorities. This is the first point.

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Second, under BRICS, we have never committed to working 

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exclusively with each other.

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BRICS is not a self-contained closed organisation.

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Each of the countries has its full sovereignty and independently 

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determines its development priorities and partners.

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Needless to say, the United States as a global power and a power 

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located in the Americas is obviously an interesting partner 

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for Brazil. This is completely natural.

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As concerns our relations, they are developing and doing so rather 

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successfully, in my opinion.

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Russia continues to remain an attractive partner for Brazil when it 

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comes to agriculture and especially the supplies 

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of Brazilian meat to our market.

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On our part, we also offer a variety of goods,

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including fertilisers that Brazil needs for its agriculture,

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at competitive prices and of very high quality.

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There are other areas of mutual interest as well.

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Speaking about our contacts, right now we are expecting a visit 

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by the first Brazilian Minister of Citizenship, who is,

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based on Russian standards, the head of government.

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We will discuss many interesting issues,

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including Brazil’s development plans.

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If our Brazilian partners are looking,

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they will be able to find interesting partners in Russia for investing 

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in infrastructure and other promising projects.

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You had a meeting with the Chinese leader on the sidelines 

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of the summit. Could you please tell us how it went? What were the main 

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topics, and did you discuss trade wars? What does Mr Xi Jinping think 

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about the possibility of concluding a tripartite agreement with Russia 

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and the United States to ban medium and short-range missiles? 

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And in general, did you discuss arms control issues at the summit?

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I will start with the last question about Mr Xi Jinping’s attitude 

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toward concluding any agreements: that is something you 

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should ask him, naturally.

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I know his position, as we have discussed this,

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but I repeat again: the right way to go about this would be 

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to contact him directly.

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We know the position of the People's Republic of China on this matter 

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from the Chinese Foreign Ministry representative.

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They believe that at this stage,

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that country’s nuclear missile potential is far behind that of Russia 

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or the United States, the two leading nuclear powers 

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in the world in this sense.

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This is why the Chinese leadership believes time has not yet come 

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for China to take part in these negotiations.

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Now, this is what I think.

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First of all, this is true – Russia and the US are the largest nuclear 

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missile powers in the world.

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Secondly, if we include China –

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then why only China? Let us also invite France and the UK,

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as well as several other countries not actually officially recognised 

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as nuclear powers, while everyone in the world knows,

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and they don’t hide it, that they are.

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After all, it is impossible to imagine a situation where some countries 

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will reduce their potentials, while others will increase 

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them uncontrollably. This is a difficult question;

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it is not only about our Chinese friends’ stance,

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but of a broader nature.

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As for the issues that we discussed,

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it was the entire scope of our bilateral relations,

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primarily trade and economic matters.

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You know that we even slightly exceeded our previous targets,

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or rather accelerated our plans,

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reaching $100 billion in trade earlier than planned: we 

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recorded $108 billion last year.

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Our next target is $200 billion,

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and it is an absolutely realistic figure.

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We are working on this, not as some abstract number,

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but in pragmatic terms: our respective departments are now preparing 

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a joint action plan to determine how soon we can reach $200 

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billion in mutual trade.

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And of course, we have large joint projects that we are working 

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on in fields such as space exploration, nuclear energy,

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the aircraft industry and others.

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We have a good outlook in high-tech industries.

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Everything is going according to plan,

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and we are keeping it under control.

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You held talks with Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi.

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Could you tell us if you discussed supplies of Russian arms 

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and military equipment – specifically,

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the S-400 missile systems? Did Prime Minister Modi ask you to expedite 

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the supplies? And overall, what do you think of the military-technical 

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cooperation between Russia and India?

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Our military-technical cooperation with India is at a very high level 

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and I think that it is a very important aspect of our relations.

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However, our dialogue recently has been increasingly focused 

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on cooperation in civilian areas.

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There is much that needs to be done and we think that the potential 

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of this cooperation is not fully realised yet.

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Our trade with India is worth $11 billion.

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This is not enough for economies like Russia and India,

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especially since India under Mr Modi is demonstrating very 

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fast economic growth.

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They are succeeding in many areas and making very important,

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though not so simple at a first glance,

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decisions that are necessary for the economy.

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Developing rapidly, India is a very promising partner for us,

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especially because we have absolutely no issues that would 

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sour our relations. It has always been like this by tradition 

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and remains the same.

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I hope our bilateral relations will be as friendly in the future.

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As concerns the S-400 supplies,

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everything is going according to plan.

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My Indian colleague did not ask for the supplies to be 

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expedited. Everything is normal.

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India has 1.350 billion people and maybe even more.

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It is a sovereign state that values its sovereignty.

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We see that, despite any external pressure,

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India stands by its obligations –

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just like Russia. We will develop our cooperation further,

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including in the areas that are considered high-tech arms.

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Please, go ahead.

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I have a question on this region.

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Protests are currently unfolding in a number of Latin American 

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countries, sometimes resulting in actual pogroms.

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While things seem to be calming down in Peru and Ecuador,

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the situation is escalating in Chile and even more so in Bolivia.

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Unlike the Middle East, the causes of the “Latin American Spring” 

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differ from one country to another.

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In your opinion, what underpins the chaos in Latin America?

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Let me express my personal view on this matter.

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In my opinion, there are different reasons for every country.

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Of course, socioeconomic problems are always at the core,

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such as various shortcomings or problems that were not 

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resolved quickly enough.

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At the same time, as we have been pointing out all along,

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there are also elements of outside interference,

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but they always emerge whenever there are challenges 

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on the domestic front.

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Nevertheless, let me reiterate that every country is 

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particular in its own way.

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Watching all the developments in Bolivia, to take one example,

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00:15:34.322 --> 00:15:39.550
here is what I think: imagine a situation of a total power vacuum,

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00:15:39.550 --> 00:15:43.273
and all the authorities give up their mandates.

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00:15:43.273 --> 00:15:48.501
Second Deputy Speaker of the Senate… The Constitutional Court had 

238
00:15:48.501 --> 00:15:53.491
to pass a special resolution, but the opposition did not agree.

239
00:15:53.491 --> 00:15:56.264
There are virtually no authorities,

240
00:15:56.264 --> 00:15:57.927
it is a power vacuum.

241
00:15:57.927 --> 00:16:00.700
This is quite reminiscent of Libya,

242
00:16:00.700 --> 00:16:04.660
although there was no direct foreign interference,

243
00:16:04.660 --> 00:16:07.908
but the country is on the brink of chaos.

244
00:16:07.908 --> 00:16:12.265
It goes without saying that this is an alarming signal.

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00:16:12.265 --> 00:16:16.146
Things change very quickly here in Latin America.

246
00:16:16.146 --> 00:16:21.058
Let us hope that common sense and commitment to the interests 

247
00:16:21.058 --> 00:16:26.286
of the country’s population, as well as a sense of responsibility 

248
00:16:26.286 --> 00:16:31.514
for the people prevail at the end of the day over personal, group,

249
00:16:31.514 --> 00:16:36.504
political or party ambitions, bringing calm to these countries.

250
00:16:36.504 --> 00:16:41.812
By the way, it is for this reason that we firmly oppose any direct 

251
00:16:41.812 --> 00:16:45.059
interference in countries like Venezuela.

252
00:16:45.059 --> 00:16:50.129
Yes, there are problems, but Venezuelans themselves must decide 

253
00:16:50.129 --> 00:16:54.565
on the future of their country through dialogue between 

254
00:16:54.565 --> 00:16:56.545
various political groups.

255
00:16:56.545 --> 00:16:59.238
Let’s continue with Latin America.

256
00:16:59.238 --> 00:17:04.863
Did you discuss the situation in Bolivia and Venezuela with your BRICS 

257
00:17:04.863 --> 00:17:09.932
partners? Did the BRICS member countries chart a joint approach 

258
00:17:09.932 --> 00:17:15.636
to the crisis in these countries? And how does Russia plan to implement 

259
00:17:15.636 --> 00:17:21.101
its regional policy in view of the fact that it established friendly 

260
00:17:21.101 --> 00:17:25.537
and productive relations with Bolivia under Evo Morales?

261
00:17:25.537 --> 00:17:29.815
We hope that, no matter who comes to power in Bolivia,

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00:17:29.815 --> 00:17:34.805
they will remain interested in expanding relations with Russia.

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00:17:34.805 --> 00:17:40.033
In turn, we are ready to cooperate with the authorities that will 

264
00:17:40.033 --> 00:17:44.549
receive a legitimate mandate from their country’s people.

265
00:17:44.549 --> 00:17:48.509
Speaking of Venezuela, our position is well known.

266
00:17:48.509 --> 00:17:53.341
To be honest, this probably answers your question completely.

267
00:17:53.341 --> 00:17:54.688
Go ahead, please.

268
00:17:54.688 --> 00:18:00.391
The APEC summit was cancelled because of mass protests and civil unrest 

269
00:18:00.391 --> 00:18:04.590
in Chile, where you could have met with Donald Trump.

270
00:18:04.590 --> 00:18:09.263
When and where will you be able to meet with the President 

271
00:18:09.263 --> 00:18:14.333
of the United States? Also, given his positive reaction to your 

272
00:18:14.333 --> 00:18:17.581
invitation to attend the events on May 9,

273
00:18:17.581 --> 00:18:22.175
will full-format talks be possible in Moscow? Or you will 

274
00:18:22.175 --> 00:18:24.710
meet somewhere else before that?

275
00:18:24.710 --> 00:18:27.878
We are not planning any meetings so far.

276
00:18:27.878 --> 00:18:31.522
As for the May 9, 2020 celebrations in Moscow,

277
00:18:31.522 --> 00:18:36.750
if the President of the United States decides and is able to come 

278
00:18:36.750 --> 00:18:41.265
[considering the election campaign in the United States],

279
00:18:41.265 --> 00:18:46.890
I believe that a visit for the celebrations of the end of World War II 

280
00:18:46.890 --> 00:18:52.593
would become a positive and right step for the leader of a country that 

281
00:18:52.593 --> 00:18:56.633
made a substantial contribution to fighting Nazism.

282
00:18:56.633 --> 00:18:59.405
But this is not up to us to decide.

283
00:18:59.405 --> 00:19:04.396
If the President of the United States arrives, then, of course,

284
00:19:04.396 --> 00:19:08.277
I will meet with him in Moscow, and we will talk.

285
00:19:08.277 --> 00:19:13.743
Full-format talks do not depend on the grandeur of the occasion when 

286
00:19:13.743 --> 00:19:15.644
the meeting takes place.

287
00:19:15.644 --> 00:19:21.189
The success of the talks depends on sincerity and a desire to discuss 

288
00:19:21.189 --> 00:19:25.783
key matters of bilateral relations. We are ready for this.

289
00:19:25.783 --> 00:19:29.348
If the United States also proves to be ready,

290
00:19:29.348 --> 00:19:34.101
then good talks are possible in this sense and in this case.

291
00:19:34.101 --> 00:19:34.655
Please.

292
00:19:34.655 --> 00:19:38.854
Syria has not been mentioned by my colleagues so far.

293
00:19:38.854 --> 00:19:41.784
This is my question. On the one hand,

294
00:19:41.784 --> 00:19:47.171
the counter-terrorist operation carried out by Russia in the region 

295
00:19:47.171 --> 00:19:50.656
seems to have yielded some positive results.

296
00:19:50.656 --> 00:19:53.033
However, some think otherwise.

297
00:19:53.033 --> 00:19:58.340
Why do you say “seems to have yielded”? There are tangible results.

298
00:19:58.340 --> 00:20:02.776
Still, Donald Trump likes to say that it was the US who 

299
00:20:02.776 --> 00:20:08.083
defeated the jihadists there. He recently repeated this once again.

300
00:20:08.083 --> 00:20:11.648
Your Turkish colleague, Recep Tayyip Erdogan,

301
00:20:11.648 --> 00:20:17.272
made a surprise statement before departing for the United States where 

302
00:20:17.272 --> 00:20:19.728
he had talks with Donald Trump.

303
00:20:19.728 --> 00:20:23.688
He said that neither the US, nor Russia succeeded 

304
00:20:23.688 --> 00:20:25.906
in defeating the terrorists.

305
00:20:25.906 --> 00:20:29.867
It is quite possible though that he was referring 

306
00:20:29.867 --> 00:20:35.333
to the Kurdish fighters. We know Turkey’s attitude towards the Kurds.

307
00:20:35.333 --> 00:20:40.957
That being said, do you think there is any reason for Mr Erdogan to be 

308
00:20:40.957 --> 00:20:45.947
dissatisfied? In this context, I would like to ask whether all 

309
00:20:45.947 --> 00:20:51.651
the objectives we had for our counter-terrorist operation in Syria were 

310
00:20:51.651 --> 00:20:55.849
fulfilled? If not, what needs to be done there still?

311
00:20:55.849 --> 00:21:01.156
First of all, regarding the contribution made by the United States 

312
00:21:01.156 --> 00:21:03.770
to combatting terrorism in Syria,

313
00:21:03.770 --> 00:21:06.939
the US did have a role in these efforts.

314
00:21:06.939 --> 00:21:10.424
This has to be recognised and said outright.

315
00:21:10.424 --> 00:21:14.147
President Trump also made his own contribution.

316
00:21:14.147 --> 00:21:19.375
At the same time, before Russia came to Syria and became actively 

317
00:21:19.375 --> 00:21:25.000
involved there, the so-called international coalition had been failing 

318
00:21:25.000 --> 00:21:28.010
to make any headway for several years.

319
00:21:28.010 --> 00:21:32.604
However, the United States did contribute to the combined 

320
00:21:32.604 --> 00:21:38.228
counter-terrorist efforts as part of the operation carried out when Mr 

321
00:21:38.228 --> 00:21:40.050
Trump became president.

322
00:21:40.050 --> 00:21:45.674
Still, I believe that any impartial observer would understand the role 

323
00:21:45.674 --> 00:21:50.427
Russia played in terms of warfare intensity and the outcome.

324
00:21:50.427 --> 00:21:55.893
Once Russia became proactive in supporting the legitimate government 

325
00:21:55.893 --> 00:22:00.487
in Damascus, almost 90 percent of the country’s territory 

326
00:22:00.487 --> 00:22:02.547
was freed from terrorists.

327
00:22:02.547 --> 00:22:05.874
These territories were not just liberated,

328
00:22:05.874 --> 00:22:11.022
but placed under the control of the legitimate Syrian government.

329
00:22:11.022 --> 00:22:14.429
This was our objective and we fulfilled it.

330
00:22:14.429 --> 00:22:19.974
As for Russia’s interests, they lay first of all in protecting Russia 

331
00:22:19.974 --> 00:22:25.360
from being infiltrated by a large number of highly trained fighters 

332
00:22:25.360 --> 00:22:27.340
with military experience.

333
00:22:27.340 --> 00:22:32.806
In this sense, we cannot say that we have solved one hundred percent 

334
00:22:32.806 --> 00:22:35.262
of our tasks, but overall, yes,

335
00:22:35.262 --> 00:22:39.460
we have fulfilled the task we had set when launching 

336
00:22:39.460 --> 00:22:41.282
the operation in Syria.

337
00:22:41.282 --> 00:22:45.163
Now we are receiving more information from Syria,

338
00:22:45.163 --> 00:22:50.471
after Syrian border guards were stationed along the Syrian-Turkish 

339
00:22:50.471 --> 00:22:53.719
border, for example, who is in the camps.

340
00:22:53.719 --> 00:22:59.105
We know that there are hundreds of fighters from Russia and several 

341
00:22:59.105 --> 00:23:01.323
thousand from CIS countries.

342
00:23:01.323 --> 00:23:06.313
How many have been eradicated? At least that many, if not more.

343
00:23:06.313 --> 00:23:08.769
So yes, it is a common problem;

344
00:23:08.769 --> 00:23:14.314
all countries are threatened with infiltration by Syrian fighters who 

345
00:23:14.314 --> 00:23:16.849
leave Syria for other countries.

346
00:23:16.849 --> 00:23:20.097
This is also true for European countries.

347
00:23:20.097 --> 00:23:25.562
We know tragic cases when fighters with military experience received 

348
00:23:25.562 --> 00:23:28.889
in Syria attacked some European countries.

349
00:23:28.889 --> 00:23:31.583
This is also dangerous for the US.

350
00:23:31.583 --> 00:23:36.652
Everyone is in danger, and this is why we must join our efforts.

351
00:23:36.652 --> 00:23:40.534
I hope that we will work together constructively.

352
00:23:40.534 --> 00:23:46.158
By the way, we share elements of work on countering terrorism in Syria 

353
00:23:46.158 --> 00:23:50.039
with many countries, including the United States.

354
00:23:50.039 --> 00:23:54.158
However, we still have many tasks in the Idlib area,

355
00:23:54.158 --> 00:23:59.307
because a lot of fighters are located there who cross into other 

356
00:23:59.307 --> 00:24:01.446
countries, including Libya.

357
00:24:01.446 --> 00:24:06.120
We – everyone who are still working on the Syrian problem –

358
00:24:06.120 --> 00:24:11.031
still have questions regarding the east bank of the Euphrates,

359
00:24:11.031 --> 00:24:13.883
where fighters and foreign presence,

360
00:24:13.883 --> 00:24:17.526
including the US presence, can still be found.

361
00:24:17.526 --> 00:24:22.358
I have said many times that we do not consider it legitimate,

362
00:24:22.358 --> 00:24:28.062
because these military groups are not stationed there at the invitation 

363
00:24:28.062 --> 00:24:32.656
of the Syrian government or under the UN Security Council 

364
00:24:32.656 --> 00:24:34.953
resolution, so it is illegal.

365
00:24:34.953 --> 00:24:40.577
There is also the At Tanf zone with the US soldiers and a large number 

366
00:24:40.577 --> 00:24:45.647
of fighters, who in fact have taken the civilians there hostage.

367
00:24:45.647 --> 00:24:50.796
They cannot leave: people want to go but they are not allowed to,

368
00:24:50.796 --> 00:24:54.202
and people’s conditions there are horrible.

369
00:24:54.202 --> 00:24:57.925
They get away as soon as they manage to escape.

370
00:24:57.925 --> 00:24:59.985
Anything can happen there.

371
00:24:59.985 --> 00:25:03.945
So yes, in general many tasks have been fulfilled,

372
00:25:03.945 --> 00:25:09.015
but not all. I very much hope that during the political process 

373
00:25:09.015 --> 00:25:14.639
in Geneva on amending or adopting a new Syrian Constitution we will be 

374
00:25:14.639 --> 00:25:19.946
able to de-escalate, to establish relations between the government 

375
00:25:19.946 --> 00:25:22.957
and the opposition one way or another,

376
00:25:22.957 --> 00:25:28.502
and find cardinal common solutions that will de-escalate the tensions 

377
00:25:28.502 --> 00:25:33.967
in general and completely restore the territorial integrity of Syria.

378
00:25:33.967 --> 00:25:38.799
Now to President Erdogan’s position. We are in close contact.

379
00:25:38.799 --> 00:25:43.235
I know that he is concerned about certain organisations,

380
00:25:43.235 --> 00:25:47.830
but during our last telephone conversation we agreed that,

381
00:25:47.830 --> 00:25:51.236
considering our level of cooperation there,

382
00:25:51.236 --> 00:25:56.622
Turkey will promptly share its concerns with its Russian colleagues 

383
00:25:56.622 --> 00:26:02.009
about the developments in the zone that raise the most apprehension.

384
00:26:02.009 --> 00:26:05.415
And if we really find any violations there,

385
00:26:05.415 --> 00:26:08.267
we will be ready to respond quickly.

386
00:26:08.267 --> 00:26:12.386
If you would allow me, I have a question on Ukraine.

387
00:26:12.386 --> 00:26:17.851
Not so long ago, Nursultan Nazarbayev said that he was ready to help 

388
00:26:17.851 --> 00:26:21.733
arrange a meeting for you with Vladimir Zelensky.

389
00:26:21.733 --> 00:26:27.278
At the same time, we are aware that Kremlin believes that there is no 

390
00:26:27.278 --> 00:26:31.001
need to hold a meeting just for the sake of it.

391
00:26:31.001 --> 00:26:35.437
However, since there is a new administration in Ukraine,

392
00:26:35.437 --> 00:26:40.744
maybe having a meeting and talking to each other could be worth it?

393
00:26:40.744 --> 00:26:45.259
And a follow-up question on the disengagement in Donbass.

394
00:26:45.259 --> 00:26:48.982
It finally happened, not without complications,

395
00:26:48.982 --> 00:26:54.527
but it did happen. How do you expect the settlement process to unfold 

396
00:26:54.527 --> 00:26:59.914
moving forward? Could a Normandy Format meeting be held in the near 

397
00:26:59.914 --> 00:27:05.063
future, maybe before the end of the year? If we keep on dreaming,

398
00:27:05.063 --> 00:27:10.212
could it be possible for you to have a face-to-face meeting with 

399
00:27:10.212 --> 00:27:13.459
Zelensky before a Normandy Format summit?

400
00:27:13.459 --> 00:27:18.291
Let me start with the question on Mr Nazarbayev’s initiative.

401
00:27:18.291 --> 00:27:22.094
He is a respected person, and I have very close,

402
00:27:22.094 --> 00:27:26.688
friendly relations with him. He is a weathered politician.

403
00:27:26.688 --> 00:27:30.965
Incidentally, he once lived in Ukraine for many years,

404
00:27:30.965 --> 00:27:35.718
knows this country very well, and has great sympathy for it,

405
00:27:35.718 --> 00:27:40.867
never missing an opportunity to show off this attitude in public.

406
00:27:40.867 --> 00:27:44.273
For this reason, I am not at all surprised.

407
00:27:44.273 --> 00:27:49.818
However, he always proceeded from the premise that Ukraine should not 

408
00:27:49.818 --> 00:27:51.957
seek its fortunes overseas.

409
00:27:51.957 --> 00:27:57.502
“Over the ocean the calf costs half, but it is dear to ship it here” –

410
00:27:57.502 --> 00:28:02.968
you know how the Russian saying goes? This means to say that instead 

411
00:28:02.968 --> 00:28:08.196
of seeking fortunes overseas, you have to turn to your neighbours.

412
00:28:08.196 --> 00:28:10.968
This is the right way to do things.

413
00:28:10.968 --> 00:28:16.434
As a matter of fact, a meeting before the Normandy Format meeting is 

414
00:28:16.434 --> 00:28:21.662
not on the agenda, since we agreed to meet in the Normandy Format.

415
00:28:21.662 --> 00:28:27.286
So if we are to meet anyway, why should we bother to organise meetings 

416
00:28:27.286 --> 00:28:32.752
without any proper preparations? I do not think anyone is interested 

417
00:28:32.752 --> 00:28:36.079
in this, neither I nor President Zelensky.

418
00:28:36.079 --> 00:28:39.089
After all, we have to produce results.

419
00:28:39.089 --> 00:28:42.574
Otherwise, we are in contact, the two of us,

420
00:28:42.574 --> 00:28:45.030
talking to each other by phone.

421
00:28:45.030 --> 00:28:50.020
So the contact is there, but we have to come up with solutions.

422
00:28:50.020 --> 00:28:54.773
As a matter of principle, the Normandy Format and a meeting 

423
00:28:54.773 --> 00:28:56.991
in this format are possible.

424
00:28:56.991 --> 00:29:02.061
After all, there is no mechanism other than the Normandy Format.

425
00:29:02.061 --> 00:29:07.131
It is for this reason that we, and when I say we, I mean Russia,

426
00:29:07.131 --> 00:29:12.279
i.e., my colleagues and I, the Foreign Ministry and the relevant 

427
00:29:12.279 --> 00:29:15.844
agencies, we are for maintaining this format.

428
00:29:15.844 --> 00:29:19.171
Let me reiterate that this is all we have.

429
00:29:19.171 --> 00:29:23.290
We welcome the disengagement of forces in these two 

430
00:29:23.290 --> 00:29:25.587
critical areas; this is good.

431
00:29:25.587 --> 00:29:30.102
We welcome the actions of both the Ukrainian authorities 

432
00:29:30.102 --> 00:29:32.796
and the self-proclaimed republics.

433
00:29:32.796 --> 00:29:36.915
On the other hand, there are some ambiguous reports.

434
00:29:36.915 --> 00:29:42.460
For example, I believe it was the Ukrainian Foreign Minister who said 

435
00:29:42.460 --> 00:29:47.133
that Ukraine could abandon the Minsk Agreements altogether.

436
00:29:47.133 --> 00:29:52.837
But why? What will we discuss in the Normandy format then? I do not see 

437
00:29:52.837 --> 00:29:57.986
what else we can discuss in this format. This is the first thing.

438
00:29:57.986 --> 00:30:03.531
Secondly, we have seen official statements saying that other military 

439
00:30:03.531 --> 00:30:08.125
units, including police and the National Guard of Ukraine,

440
00:30:08.125 --> 00:30:12.719
could be deployed in the area from which troops and heavy 

441
00:30:12.719 --> 00:30:14.700
weaponry have pulled out.

442
00:30:14.700 --> 00:30:18.977
If this happens, the Lugansk and Donetsk self-defence 

443
00:30:18.977 --> 00:30:20.957
forces will act likewise.

444
00:30:20.957 --> 00:30:25.393
Do we need this now that these areas have been vacated? 

445
00:30:25.393 --> 00:30:26.819
I do not think so.

446
00:30:26.819 --> 00:30:31.572
And last but not least, I would like to draw your attention 

447
00:30:31.572 --> 00:30:37.196
and the attention of all the colleagues present here to the key matter.

448
00:30:37.196 --> 00:30:41.791
The Ukrainian leaders have announced that a different law 

449
00:30:41.791 --> 00:30:45.751
on the special status of Donbass could be adopted.

450
00:30:45.751 --> 00:30:51.375
What kind of law will this be? It is a subject of paramount importance.

451
00:30:51.375 --> 00:30:56.128
If this new law is not coordinated with Lugansk and Donetsk,

452
00:30:56.128 --> 00:30:59.376
the process will be deadlocked overnight.

453
00:30:59.376 --> 00:31:04.446
The Steinmeier Formula, which does not have any special content,

454
00:31:04.446 --> 00:31:10.070
is only an instrument for adopting and implementing the law on special 

455
00:31:10.070 --> 00:31:12.684
status after the local elections.

456
00:31:12.684 --> 00:31:16.011
It is merely a formula, which, by the way,

457
00:31:16.011 --> 00:31:19.813
does not fully comply with the Minsk Agreements.

458
00:31:19.813 --> 00:31:23.932
But we accepted it; it was a compromise on our part,

459
00:31:23.932 --> 00:31:27.734
because we wanted to see at least some progress.

460
00:31:27.734 --> 00:31:32.962
Why would we need this formula without a law on special status if 

461
00:31:32.962 --> 00:31:37.161
the formula was created to ensure its implementation?

462
00:31:37.161 --> 00:31:41.676
One more thing: the law on the special status of Donbass 

463
00:31:41.676 --> 00:31:45.637
will expire on December 31. If it is not extended…

464
00:31:45.637 --> 00:31:51.340
Actually, our European colleagues raised this question and openly asked 

465
00:31:51.340 --> 00:31:53.954
Ukraine to adopt a permanent law,

466
00:31:53.954 --> 00:31:56.964
not a law that would expire in a year,

467
00:31:56.964 --> 00:32:01.638
or two or three years. Poroshenko accepted their reasoning.

468
00:32:01.638 --> 00:32:06.311
He said that they should and would do so. But he never did.

469
00:32:06.311 --> 00:32:08.767
The law expires on December 31.

470
00:32:08.767 --> 00:32:13.441
What next? What will we discuss in the Normandy format? It 

471
00:32:13.441 --> 00:32:15.500
is a fundamental question.

472
00:32:15.500 --> 00:32:19.065
Overall, they are not sitting on their hands.

473
00:32:19.065 --> 00:32:23.184
The sides’ forces have been disengaged in two areas.

474
00:32:23.184 --> 00:32:28.174
But, you see, we need disengagement all along the contact line,

475
00:32:28.174 --> 00:32:32.848
so that at least the guns are silent and people do not die.

476
00:32:32.848 --> 00:32:37.284
This must definitely be done, and the sooner the better.

477
00:32:37.284 --> 00:32:38.393
Next question.

478
00:32:38.393 --> 00:32:43.700
Natural gas contracts between Gazprom and Naftogaz, signed in 2009,

479
00:32:43.700 --> 00:32:45.760
expire at the end of 2019.

480
00:32:45.760 --> 00:32:50.433
Is there a threat that transit through Ukrainian will stop,

481
00:32:50.433 --> 00:32:54.948
considering that there is only a month and a half before 

482
00:32:54.948 --> 00:32:56.533
the end of the year?

483
00:32:56.533 --> 00:33:00.810
The contract with Belarus also expires on December 31.

484
00:33:00.810 --> 00:33:06.513
How are the talks advancing regarding the price of gas along this track?

485
00:33:06.513 --> 00:33:12.138
Regarding negotiations with Ukraine and whether there is a threat that 

486
00:33:12.138 --> 00:33:17.603
transit will come to an end, we have said time and again that we are 

487
00:33:17.603 --> 00:33:22.752
ready to work with Ukraine on shipping our gas to Europe through 

488
00:33:22.752 --> 00:33:28.297
Ukraine, as well as on gas supplies to Ukraine itself at lower prices 

489
00:33:28.297 --> 00:33:33.446
than what Ukraine pays for the same Russian gas obtained through 

490
00:33:33.446 --> 00:33:36.773
the would-be reverse gas flow from Europe.

491
00:33:36.773 --> 00:33:41.051
I would like it to be clear for everyone: reverse gas 

492
00:33:41.051 --> 00:33:43.110
deliveries are unfeasible.

493
00:33:43.110 --> 00:33:48.734
It is not possible for natural gas to flow in one direction within one 

494
00:33:48.734 --> 00:33:53.962
half of the pipeline, and in another direction in the second half.

495
00:33:53.962 --> 00:33:57.369
There is absolutely no way to achieve this.

496
00:33:57.369 --> 00:34:00.458
We know how they do it technology-wise.

497
00:34:00.458 --> 00:34:06.082
Once the gas is supplied, it is channelled through a looping pipe they 

498
00:34:06.082 --> 00:34:10.756
built for this purpose in order to pump it back to Ukraine.

499
00:34:10.756 --> 00:34:15.033
Ukraine can also directly pump out gas as it transits 

500
00:34:15.033 --> 00:34:16.776
through its territory…

501
00:34:16.776 --> 00:34:21.608
How does the pipeline work? It was built in the Soviet times 

502
00:34:21.608 --> 00:34:26.677
as a transit pipeline with its branches reaching across Ukraine.

503
00:34:26.677 --> 00:34:32.302
They count some volumes as delivered, and then adjust the calculations,

504
00:34:32.302 --> 00:34:35.153
as if the supplies came from Europe.

505
00:34:35.153 --> 00:34:39.906
This is total nonsense, and we understand this all too well.

506
00:34:39.906 --> 00:34:45.530
However, we do not make a fuss about it so as not to escalate tensions.

507
00:34:45.530 --> 00:34:50.758
We have already said that we are ready to cut the price of direct 

508
00:34:50.758 --> 00:34:53.452
supplies by 20 or even 25 percent.

509
00:34:53.452 --> 00:34:58.046
There was a time when Mr Medvedchuk and Mr Boiko met with 

510
00:34:58.046 --> 00:35:00.185
the Russian Prime Minister.

511
00:35:00.185 --> 00:35:05.413
Mr Medvedev asked them at the time: “Why do you care? You are not 

512
00:35:05.413 --> 00:35:10.641
government members [in Ukraine] and will hardly enter the cabinet.

513
00:35:10.641 --> 00:35:16.107
” I believe that they answered this question in a very mature manner.

514
00:35:16.107 --> 00:35:21.335
They said: “What matters for us is that Ukraine and the Ukrainian 

515
00:35:21.335 --> 00:35:26.088
consumers receive cheaper gas. It must cost 25 percent less.

516
00:35:26.088 --> 00:35:30.127
If we can do this, or at least launch this process,

517
00:35:30.127 --> 00:35:32.029
this will make us happy.

518
00:35:32.029 --> 00:35:35.752
” I believe this political stance to be mature 

519
00:35:35.752 --> 00:35:39.395
and in the interests of the people of Ukraine.

520
00:35:39.395 --> 00:35:44.227
What do we see today? What is actually happening? Once again,

521
00:35:44.227 --> 00:35:48.901
Naftogaz filed yet another lawsuit claiming over 6 billion.

522
00:35:48.901 --> 00:35:53.654
This is complete nonsense. All they do is make things worse.

523
00:35:53.654 --> 00:35:58.803
What for? We said that we were ready to reach any agreement with 

524
00:35:58.803 --> 00:36:01.734
support from the European Commission.

525
00:36:01.734 --> 00:36:06.486
Ukraine wants the contract to be governed by Ukrainian law? 

526
00:36:06.486 --> 00:36:11.398
Fine, we are ready. Ukraine wants the contract to be governed 

527
00:36:11.398 --> 00:36:16.230
by European law, and undertakes to abide by it? We are ready,

528
00:36:16.230 --> 00:36:20.428
go ahead. We have said so at the European Commission,

529
00:36:20.428 --> 00:36:25.181
and this is what I told my colleagues in France and Germany.

530
00:36:25.181 --> 00:36:29.696
If Ukraine succeeds in implementing European law on time,

531
00:36:29.696 --> 00:36:34.607
it is fine with us. In Europe, this is a matter of separating 

532
00:36:34.607 --> 00:36:37.221
generating and transit companies.

533
00:36:37.221 --> 00:36:42.132
If they are able to do it within the remaining period of time,

534
00:36:42.132 --> 00:36:45.935
fine. They assume obligations to Europe, not us,

535
00:36:45.935 --> 00:36:48.628
so let them do this, we are ready.

536
00:36:48.628 --> 00:36:51.796
Some things are simply beyond our reach.

537
00:36:51.796 --> 00:36:56.232
For this reason, there is a risk that transit will stop,

538
00:36:56.232 --> 00:37:00.351
considering the circumstances that I have mentioned.

539
00:37:00.351 --> 00:37:04.391
Negotiations with Belarus are advancing as planned.

540
00:37:04.391 --> 00:37:09.778
I hope that we will settle these matters before the end of the year.

541
00:37:09.778 --> 00:37:11.917
I have a question about IT.

542
00:37:11.917 --> 00:37:16.749
Lately we have had many draft laws that regulate this sphere.

543
00:37:16.749 --> 00:37:21.898
In particular, restrictions were introduced on foreign ownership 

544
00:37:21.898 --> 00:37:26.492
of significant information resources and pre-installation 

545
00:37:26.492 --> 00:37:28.393
of the Russian software.

546
00:37:28.393 --> 00:37:33.700
What do you think about these draft laws? Can they have a negative 

547
00:37:33.700 --> 00:37:39.087
impact on the Russian market? How do you regard the law restricting 

548
00:37:39.087 --> 00:37:42.097
foreigner ownership of such resources?

549
00:37:42.097 --> 00:37:47.087
I fully understand, and we have discussed this many times with 

550
00:37:47.087 --> 00:37:49.622
my colleagues in the Government,

551
00:37:49.622 --> 00:37:54.296
that we must find a balance between our security interests 

552
00:37:54.296 --> 00:37:56.989
and the development of the market.

553
00:37:56.989 --> 00:38:02.059
The IT market is organised in such a way that we are interested 

554
00:38:02.059 --> 00:38:06.812
in attracting and preserving foreign investment and foreign 

555
00:38:06.812 --> 00:38:11.881
technologies. We are interested in creating the best conditions 

556
00:38:11.881 --> 00:38:16.159
for the development of this economic sector in Russia,

557
00:38:16.159 --> 00:38:19.486
which is very important for us in general.

558
00:38:19.486 --> 00:38:22.654
I believe that, considering everything –

559
00:38:22.654 --> 00:38:28.120
the decision has not yet been approved by the Government although it 

560
00:38:28.120 --> 00:38:33.190
has the draft law, but I know that discussion is still underway,

561
00:38:33.190 --> 00:38:38.655
the Government will be able to find a flexible tool to regulate this 

562
00:38:38.655 --> 00:38:43.329
market without harming our foreign partners while ensuring 

563
00:38:43.329 --> 00:38:45.151
the country’s security.

564
00:38:45.151 --> 00:38:49.587
We understand that this is also a very important sphere 

565
00:38:49.587 --> 00:38:53.944
for the interests of society as a whole and the people.

566
00:38:53.944 --> 00:38:59.013
But let us prevent the situation when our foreign partners find 

567
00:38:59.013 --> 00:39:03.845
themselves at a disadvantage in an uncompetitive environment.

568
00:39:03.845 --> 00:39:08.994
For example, we have just discussed a South African company that 

569
00:39:08.994 --> 00:39:12.479
operates successfully on the Russian market.

570
00:39:12.479 --> 00:39:15.727
Why should we restrict its work? However,

571
00:39:15.727 --> 00:39:20.401
we cannot choose one company and say that we like this one 

572
00:39:20.401 --> 00:39:25.074
but not that one. We all understand that there are nuances 

573
00:39:25.074 --> 00:39:27.134
of this difficult process.

574
00:39:27.134 --> 00:39:32.441
Let me repeat this: I hope that we will find a balance between all 

575
00:39:32.441 --> 00:39:37.036
these elements, and the Government will offer a good tool 

576
00:39:37.036 --> 00:39:38.224
for regulation.

577
00:39:38.224 --> 00:39:42.818
Mr President, you signed the law criminalising disrespect 

578
00:39:42.818 --> 00:39:45.115
for the authorities in March.

579
00:39:45.115 --> 00:39:45.828
In March?

580
00:39:45.828 --> 00:39:50.740
Yes, in March I think, March 18, if my memory serves me right.

581
00:39:50.740 --> 00:39:55.334
Many Russians then expressed concern that officials would 

582
00:39:55.334 --> 00:39:57.710
use it for dishonest purposes.

583
00:39:57.710 --> 00:40:03.176
Actually, recently there was a case where an orphan tore the Russian 

584
00:40:03.176 --> 00:40:08.879
Constitution on video protesting that he had not been granted a flat he 

585
00:40:08.879 --> 00:40:11.256
was entitled to for six years.

586
00:40:11.256 --> 00:40:13.949
Fortunately, that case ended well,

587
00:40:13.949 --> 00:40:17.514
and after a public outcry he received a flat.

588
00:40:17.514 --> 00:40:22.346
How would you assess the effect of this law after six months?

589
00:40:22.346 --> 00:40:27.019
I think you just assessed the practice of its enforcement –

590
00:40:27.019 --> 00:40:28.841
it is not over the top.

591
00:40:28.841 --> 00:40:33.515
I think that every state – not only Russia, and by the way,

592
00:40:33.515 --> 00:40:38.822
other countries assign far more severe punishments for desecrating 

593
00:40:38.822 --> 00:40:44.288
national symbols – but in fact every civilised state protects itself 

594
00:40:44.288 --> 00:40:47.219
from disrespect for national symbols.

595
00:40:47.219 --> 00:40:50.625
This, in fact, is the purpose of this law –

596
00:40:50.625 --> 00:40:55.536
not to shut off all criticism of the government by the people.

597
00:40:55.536 --> 00:41:01.002
There should be criticism, it needs to continue as an effective tool 

598
00:41:01.002 --> 00:41:04.566
to improve the functioning of the government.

599
00:41:04.566 --> 00:41:07.656
The authorities are interested in this.

600
00:41:07.656 --> 00:41:12.250
Yes, right, [Dmitry Peskov, presidential press secretary] 

601
00:41:12.250 --> 00:41:13.993
decided to correct me.

602
00:41:13.993 --> 00:41:18.825
In 2020, the BRICS GDP will be not $50 trillion above the G7;

603
00:41:18.825 --> 00:41:21.280
it would be 50 trillion rubles.

604
00:41:21.280 --> 00:41:24.528
If I said something different, excuse me,

605
00:41:24.528 --> 00:41:27.538
please. This is exactly what I meant –

606
00:41:27.538 --> 00:41:31.341
50 trillion rubles, which is still more than G7.

607
00:41:31.341 --> 00:41:33.004
The last one, please.

608
00:41:33.004 --> 00:41:38.707
Mr President, do you think there is a need for further cooperation with 

609
00:41:38.707 --> 00:41:41.955
OPEC countries in cutting oil production?

610
00:41:41.955 --> 00:41:43.064
Yes. There is.

611
00:41:43.064 --> 00:41:46.787
We have a very constructive dialogue with OPEC.

612
00:41:46.787 --> 00:41:50.589
We understand the reason for their tough stance,

613
00:41:50.589 --> 00:41:53.600
including our friends in Saudi Arabia,

614
00:41:53.600 --> 00:41:55.580
it is Aramco’s IPO plans.

615
00:41:55.580 --> 00:41:59.382
Everyone understands this, it is an open secret,

616
00:41:59.382 --> 00:42:01.125
but it doesn’t matter.

617
00:42:01.125 --> 00:42:04.135
They have their own current interests,

618
00:42:04.135 --> 00:42:08.254
and we should respect this – we are doing just that.

619
00:42:08.254 --> 00:42:11.027
As for the outlook for cooperation,

620
00:42:11.027 --> 00:42:16.334
it will not boil down to restraining our production or reducing it.

621
00:42:16.334 --> 00:42:19.265
We have other fields for cooperation,

622
00:42:19.265 --> 00:42:24.572
too. But the system of relations that has developed between Russia 

623
00:42:24.572 --> 00:42:27.741
and OPEC, as well as non-OPEC countries,

624
00:42:27.741 --> 00:42:32.414
appears to be an effective tool of maintaining the balance 

625
00:42:32.414 --> 00:42:36.296
on the global energy market that everyone needs –

626
00:42:36.296 --> 00:42:41.286
the consumers of energy resources as well as producers thereof.

627
00:42:41.286 --> 00:42:46.118
We take it that we can achieve this balance by joint efforts,

628
00:42:46.118 --> 00:42:50.316
not to the detriment of anyone, but, on the contrary,

629
00:42:50.316 --> 00:42:55.941
to everyone’s benefit, considering that stability in the global energy 

630
00:42:55.941 --> 00:43:00.693
markets is good for both consumers and producers, and wider,

631
00:43:00.693 --> 00:43:05.842
for the global economy, because it creates conditions for stable 

632
00:43:05.842 --> 00:43:09.328
international supplies at affordable prices.

633
00:43:09.328 --> 00:43:12.021
Thank you very much. All the best.