TRANSCRIPT: Direct Line with Vladimir Putin

(Kremlin.ru – April 25, 2013)

(transcript conclusion)

Moscow

MARIA SITTEL: Friends, I want to draw your attention to the fact that we have been on the air for over four hours. Shall we take it into the home stretch?

VLADIMIR PUTIN: Let’s.

MARIA SITTEL: Mr President, we would like to propose a quick question and answer session, which has become a tradition on this programme. We have specially selected some questions: short answers to short questions.

VLADIMIR PUTIN: Do you have the questions?

MARIA SITTEL: We do. Have you also selected some questions? Go ahead, you can answer them. We can take turns. Everyone has a folder.

VLADIMIR PUTIN: Let’s do that, although we have never done it like that.

Here’s a short question. Could you pass him the microphone?

VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE POLAR EXPLORERS ASSOCIATION NIKOLAI KORNILOV: Good afternoon, Mr President,

My name is Nikolai Kornilov and I am Vice-President of the Association of Polar Explorers, St Petersburg.

We want to thank you for your support of our polar explorers and our team is always happy to see you both in the Arctic and the Antarctic.

VLADIMIR PUTIN: Thank you.

NIKOLAI KORNILOV: Some time ago you issued instructions to draft an executive order on declaring May 21 the Polar Explorers’ Day. May 21 would be celebrated as Polar Explorers’ Day. This date was selected because the first drifting station North Pole-1 was set up on May 21, 1931. Four of the Papanintsy were there.

And here is our request: we would like to celebrate the Polar Explorers’ Day on May 21. When will you sign this executive order?

Thank you very much.

VLADIMIR PUTIN: You can start celebrating. I’ll sign it.

MARIA MORGUN: Dmitry Kokarev, three-times Paralympic swimming champion.

DMITRY KOKAREV: Yes, I am a three-time Paralympic champion, and here I would like to speak on behalf of all Paralympic summer sports. I would like to thank you for all your support and the reception at the Kremlin. If you remember, I asked you to sign a flag.

My question is this. We are currently training for the Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, but we are badly short of specialised swimming facilities with wheelchair access, that is for disabled athletes. Our team is one of the leaders among Paralympic Summers, and we would like to have our own centre where we could train and improve our performance.

I would like to point out that the documents for such a sports centre have already been signed, they were sent to Moscow, but then there was some problem and the initiative was shelved. There were plans to build a centre in conjunction with the Nizhny Novgorod regional government and the Ministry of Sports of the Russian Federation. Will it ever be built? Because there are such centres in Europe and even in Ukraine. Are we any worse than Ukraine? (Applause.)

VLADIMIR PUTIN: You know, if we respect someone, we have to admit that they are better than us in some ways, and Ukraine can be something better than us too, why not? I love Ukrainian culture and people, I think it’s part of our soul. So why is it so surprising if they are ahead of us in some field?

Dima, do you think there have been any changes in the support of Paralympic sport in recent years?

DMITRY KOKAREV: Yes, the situation is changing slowly, but we would like to see such a centre.

VLADIMIR PUTIN: A swimming pool.

DMITRY KOKAREV: Yes, a swimming pool.

VLADIMIR PUTIN: I understand.

DMITRY KOKAREV: It could even be for different sports, a facility for all Paralympic athletes. Let give you an example, since we are talking about it. We have sports facility at Lake Krugloye. Everyone knows about it and it’s very good.

VLADIMIR PUTIN: Have you trained there?

DMITRY KOKAREV: Yes, we have. But it’s just too small, and healthy athletes can use it too, which cuts our training time. You are an athlete yourself, a martial artist, so I am sure you understand that to get a result you have to train hard.

VLADIMIR PUTIN: Yes, I do. Dima, first of all, I want to thank you for your results and to say once again that we have great respect for our Paralympic heroes. That’s exactly who you are, real heroes, you deserve this title. (Applause.)

You have just mentioned the facility at Lake Krugloye. That really is a world-class base. Sochi also has facility where Paralympic athletes can train. There are other projects, some of them have already been implemented, and others are in progress. I’ll tell you frankly, I don’t know anything about the agreement between the Sports Ministry and the Nizhny Novgorod Region, but I promise…

DMITRY KOKAREV: This agreement exists. But for some reason…

VLADIMIR PUTIN: I will certainly look into this. I just can’t give you a definite answer now, but I’ll try to make sure that the project is implemented. We’ll give it a push.  All right?

I want to wish you good luck. (Applause.)

DMITRY KOKAREV: Can I say a few more words?

VLADIMIR PUTIN: Go ahead.

DMITRY KOKAREV: You have mentioned the total cost of the Winter Olympics, and all we need is one and a half billion. Is that a lot?

MARIA SITTEL: It’s not a lot.

VLADIMIR PUTIN: It’s true, Paralympians are good at counting. They also know how to perform well and to win, and they also know how to count. (Applause.)

Let’s go back to our questions. Who will start?

MARIA SITTEL: I will.

VLADIMIR PUTIN: Where did you get them?

MARIA SITTEL: All the questions come from the website, as phone calls or text messages. We have the callers’ phone numbers, so you can get in touch with them.

Question: Are you considering Sergei Shoigu as your future successor to the presidency?

VLADIMIR PUTIN: The people of the Russian Federation will choose my successor.

KIRILL KLEYMENOV: Mr President, another question: In your travels you go to places where everything is good and perfect. Come to any town in Siberia, without warning the officials in advance, and you will see the real Russia. You will be shocked.

VLADIMIR PUTIN: I visit places like that all the time, and it’s true, I am sometimes shocked. Most recently, by the way, as you may have seen, when I was in Buryatia, I visited small timber processing companies. Some things really are surprising, to put it mildly. It is very useful to visit such places. I will continue this practice myself and would highly recommend the members of the Government and regional authorities to travel to such places more often.

I have also selected some questions. I think they could be of interest to many people: Do you find your work easier now than it was ten years ago or even earlier?

Do you know why I picked this question? Each period of the country’s development has its own challenges. Ten years ago, we faced a very difficult situation: Russia’s statehood was under threat. But that does not mean that today issues are less complicated or less important. People’s needs and expectations are growing. Our expectations are not based on the situation we had ten years ago but on what has been achieved today. And rightly so. There is a certain logic and social justice in this. So there were certain difficulties back then and there are some today. If we work together, we will achieve a result.

MARIA SITTEL: Question: In Derbent, on Mamedbekova Street, remains of ancient tombs were found during the pipe-laying works. These findings have major historical importance for Russia. It is necessary for the state to get involved before they are looted.

VLADIMIR PUTIN: Derbent is one of the oldest cities in the Russian Federation and one of the most ancient cities in the world. We will certainly turn attention to it. Could you make a note for me, please? The Culture Ministry will be sure to get involved.

KIRILL KLEYMENOV: A question from Kuzbass, judging from the area code: I have worked as a miner all my life, but the Order of Honour went to performers Maxim Galkin and Anita Tsoi. (Applause).

VLADIMIR PUTIN: Kirill, could you set that message aside for me, please?

What can I say? I have visited mining regions on several occasions, unfortunately following tragedies that occur there. Not only after tragedies, I have also been there on regular working trips. I must say that miners are very special people. You know, people who haven’t visited those regions will never be able to appreciate it. You go down into the shaft always knowing that methane can accumulate somewhere there and blow up at any moment ­­ that takes a special character. This is the elite of the working class, and they deserve our respect and careful attention.

But Anita Tsoi and Maxim Galkin are also hard-working people. I am sure they deserve their awards.

As for the workers, one of our colleagues from the Russian Popular Front, a worker himself ­ this is the time we go back to Rostov-on-Don ­ proposed just recently that we revive the Hero of Labour order. We have done so, it’s been revived, and we will present it on May 1 each year. (Applause).

Let me have this note as well.

KIRILL KLEYMENOV: Mr President, it’s your turn.

VLADIMIR PUTIN: “When will there be a federal law on beekeeping that protects bitten citizens?” (Laughter).

Actually, this is a very reasonable question because people who work in various areas of agriculture constantly tell us that the regulatory framework is not effective enough.

The Governor of Krasnodar Territory has sent me a draft law on wine several times ­ it’s been three times already, I think. There are people who have special concerns about livestock farming, and we heard about one problem in that area today. It was a fair remark connected with Russia’s accession to the WTO. Agricultural producers are very conscious of this sphere.

Perhaps we should also pay attention to beekeeping, or include it in more general legal regulations, bearing in mind that the problem exists.

MARIA SITTEL: Question: Why does Cyprus get a loan at 4% interest and we pay 20%?

VLADIMIR PUTIN: I have already talked about this. I believe that commercial banks in Russia got too carried away with their own profit margins and are exaggerating the risks in the Russian economy. We will certainly discuss and analyse this situation in the market further without any administrative pressure. The question we have just heard concerns different sectors. Within a country, loans to individuals are issued by commercial financial organisations, whereas inter-state loans are issued to governments, not to individuals, against state guarantees. Accordingly, there are completely different interest rates. You can even say that it amounts to diversifying our reserves, to a certain extent. Although the Cyprus case shows that it is not always a reliable investment. This is the first point.

Second, there is another consideration, which is that when we issue state bonds, for example, we do that at 1.5-2% interest while we charge 4% for loans, and that is profitable.

KIRILL KLEYMENOV: Mr President, there is an online debate about something you said at the beginning of the programme:  you said that people believe in the Russian judicial system, but according to a survey, only 20% of Russians trust our courts. What do you plan to do to make Russian courts truly independent?

VLADIMIR PUTIN: It is necessary to improve the judicial system and to increase people’s confidence in it. But there are people who hold a wide variety of views on the Internet, which is a special communication venue. Some people there are highly professional, while others often act and speak under the influence of emotions. There are many complaints about the judicial system, and they are often justified. But you can’t say that it is completely under state control ­ there are facts that prove this is not the case. I have already cited these figures but I want to repeat them: only 15% of all participants in litigation appeal to a higher court to challenge the decisions taken.

KIRILL KLEYMENOV: Maybe that’s precisely because they do not trust the system?

VLADIMIR PUTIN: Not at all. If a person does not trust the system or if he does not trust the court, which made a ruling in his case, he appeals to a higher court.

In addition, the Russian judicial system is developing. We introduced the system of appellate courts for criminal cases last year, and this year we have introduced appellate courts for civil cases. So, the whole system is developing but we must pay close attention to this process.

In particular, I hope that the relocation of the Supreme Court and the Higher Arbitration Court from Moscow, which is the centre of business interests, even though it is just a geographical change but it will promote the development of the judicial system. Although we realise that it is not difficult to get on a plane and fly to St Petersburg, but it is a relevant change.

“We, the students of 11th grade at the St Petersburg higher school…” – this is my old school, and they invite me to visit. I just wanted to say on the air that I will never forget that I graduated from that school and remain infinitely grateful to the teachers, who gave me so much and supported me at a very important stage in my life. If it is possible, I will visit the school with pleasure.

MARIA SITTEL: Would it be possible to abolish the F marks for physical education?

VLADIMIR PUTIN: You know, this is not an idle inquiry. At some universities students who fail PE cannot get a scholarship and in some cases are even expelled.

My position is that everyone should do sports, and no one should hide behind a health certificate to avoid PE. And the students who do have health restrictions need individual training programmes. There must be special techniques that can help improve physical fitness without causing any harm. In my opinion, it would be enough to have a pass/fail mark. But this is a matter for professionals, although there shouldn’t be any excesses in any in any field.

KIRILL KLEYMENOV: “Why don’t we know our national heroes, unlike the United States, where people applauded Boston police officers when the operation was completed there?”

VLADIMIR PUTIN: There has been yet another tragedy there. This time someone shot five people.

KIRILL KLEYMENOV: Yes, in Illinois, I think.

VLADIMIR PUTIN: Another tragedy, although this doesn’t look like a terrorist attack. It’s just a criminal offence.

As for our heroes, I agree with the author of this message.

KIRILL KLEYMENOV: It was a phone call.

VLADIMIR PUTIN: It would ask the media to pay more attention to these people, they deserve it. They often risk their lives to protect the interests of our citizens.

Take that police officer who detained the famous shooter, the perpetrator of that terrible crime in Belgorod…

KIRILL KLEYMENOV: His surname is Sedykh.

VLADIMIR PUTIN: He was wounded. I told the Interior Minister yesterday to present state awards to him and his colleagues.

Here is a specific question: We would be very grateful if you could have an ice hockey rink built in our yard. I just wanted to say that we will build one.

MARIA SITTEL: Are you happy? We get this question a lot. Are you happy?

VLADIMIR PUTIN: Me?

MARIA SITTEL: Yes.

VLADIMIR PUTIN: That is a philosophical question. I am eternally grateful to Russian citizens for their trust in making me the head of the Russian state. (Applause.) This is my life’s work. I do not know if it’s enough to be happy ­ that is a separate matter.

KIRILL KLEYMENOV: Question: Do you think people don’t respect Russia because they fear it or because they consider it ignorant and poor?

VLADIMIR PUTIN: This is a view that is being imposed on the international public opinion. I am sure that it is not true. Some people would like to think so and impose their beliefs on others. I do not think that we are not liked or are considered ignorant. The achievements of Russian culture are recognised throughout the world. You cannot imagine either the European or world culture without Russian culture: without Russian music or our literature. People who don’t know it should feel ashamed.

As for people’s attitudes… I’ve heard many times in different situations and from different people, and was especially evident when we were competing for the right to host the Olympic Games, when completely different people, independently of each other, told me, “We will support you because we need a free, independent and self-sufficient Russia.” We will certainly promote these qualities.

MARIA SITTEL: A remark: “I just need to say this: I love Russia, and my grandchildren will praise their beautiful homeland, rather than look for its faults. Way to go, Mr President!”

VLADIMIR PUTIN: Well, that’s good, you see! I’m very pleased. Thank you. (Applause.)

KIRILL KLEYMENOV: Your question.

VLADIMIR PUTIN: All right. “I ask the President to provide assistance to the World Cup by making a film about Yashin.” This is a request from Mr Zinovyev.

This is probably a reaction to the film that was just released, Legenda No.17. It is about [Valery] Kharlamov and also about the outstanding coaches that have shaped our team and created such a player as Kharlamov. But, of course, Lev Yashin is also one of our legends, and such a film would be very popular. We’ll think about it.

MARIA SITTEL: “Why are only the questions that the authorities are comfortable with chosen for the programme?”

VLADIMIR PUTIN: I don’t agree. A lot of tough issues were raised today, and it was not easy to respond to them. I can’t agree with this statement.

KIRILL KLEYMENOV: Mr President, we have a lot of personal questions. For example, who is your favourite pop singer?

VLADIMIR PUTIN: This is like asking what team I support. I don’t think it would be right for me to answer it. I have many favourite singers, some of them are here in this hall, some of them have been my personal friends for many years and I am very happy about it. We have many outstanding talents on the pop stage, as well as in the political arena and in the theatres. Yury Yakovlev, who is loved by millions of our viewers, is 85 years old today, and I want to offer my congratulations. (Applause.)

We also have many brilliant people in the political arena: today is also Vladimir Zhirinovsky’s birthday so let’s congratulate him, too. (Applause.)

KIRILL KLEYMENOV: Your question.

VLADIMIR PUTIN: “I demand that the federal standard for food is reinstated.” We have the federal standards for food.

MARIA SITTEL: “Will cannabis be legalised in Russia?”

VLADIMIR PUTIN: No, it won’t. Industrial hemp, which is a derivative of cannabis, can be used in agriculture and to make fabrics, but I am strictly opposed to legalising the drug. In some countries ­ my trip to the Netherlands was mentioned earlier ­ soft drugs have been legalised for a long time, and the point of this was to create a legal alternative to hard drugs. Practice shows that this is not effective: it becomes the first step to hard drugs and severe addiction, and we do not need that.

KIRILL KLEYMENOV: Mr President, here is a question-reproach: How did you, a former KGB officer, allow the ministers in your Government to steal on a grand scale? We feel hurt for our country.

VLADIMIR PUTIN: Do you mean they should have been allowed to steal on a small can? There must me no major or minor theft. It is true that I worked for the KGB [State Security Committee] for a considerable number of years, but mostly my work had to do with foreign intelligence. But I must tell you that we do not allow anyone to steal. If we get information that there is reason to suspect a state official, even of the highest rank, in breaking the law, it is instantly forwarded to law enforcement agencies for investigation.

I said, it has been less than a year since May 7, 2012, when I returned to the office of President. But after I read some materials, they were immediately forwarded to the Investigation Committee.

Question: My son is completely unmanageable. As a father, what advice would you give me? This question comes from Nadezhda [Hope in English]. We have her telephone number.

I chose this question especially. I would say that the state bears a significant share of responsibility for the education of young people, but we must not forget about the parents’ responsibility either. It is possible to give advice in every case but you have to know the situation, the family, the child and his living conditions. I really wish Nadezhda and her family to find a solution to their problem. I am sure that this is possible and I wish her every success.

MARIA SITTEL: This will probably be the last question from me: When will everything be all right? And I close my folder with this.

VLADIMIR PUTIN: When will everything be all right??

MARIA SITTEL: Yes. When will everything be all right?

VLADIMIR PUTIN: People who are fond of drink say that you can’t drink all the vodka but that is the goal you must aspire to.

Everything will probably never be all right. But we will aspire to it. (Applause.)

KIRILL KLEYMENOV: Mr President, I will ask one more question, which is very optimistic, I think: I want to serve our nation and homeland. Will you help me?

VLADIMIR PUTIN: Thank you for choosing this question, or request. I am sure that the vast majority of our citizens share this person’s attitude to our country: they want to serve it, to serve their people. And we must certainly support such ambitions.

The President cannot look at every case and each person has to determine for himself where he can be most useful to his country and what kind of work he should train for. You succeed in the area where you feel successful, where you feel that he can apply your talents and your skills. This is a large part of realising your potential. It is a very good sign that people are talking about it.

Let me have this note please, and I’ll get in touch with its author.

KIRILL KLEYMENOV: Here it is.

VLADIMIR PUTIN: I have one last question too: How can one become President? You can establish your own party, you must prove that you want and can serve your country effectively and you must have the courage to move towards you goal. (Applause.)

Thank you!