English subtitles for clip: File:Совещание о мерах социально-экономической поддержки регионов.webm

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Good afternoon, colleagues.

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Taking part in our meeting
are senior Government officials,

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plenipotentiary presidential envoys
in the federal districts

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and heads of Russian regions.

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We are meeting in a complicate period
as our Armed Forces

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are conducting a special military
operation in Ukraine and Donbass.

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I would like to remind you
that at the beginning,

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on the morning of February 24,

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I publicly announced the reasons for
and the main goal of Russia’s actions.

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It is to help our people in Donbass,
who have been subjected to real genocide

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for nearly eight years in the most
barbarous ways, that is, through blockade,

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large-scale punitive operations,

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terrorist attacks
and constant artillery raids.

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Their only guilt was
that they demanded basic human rights:

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to live according to their forefathers’
laws and traditions,

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to speak their native language,

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and to bring up their children
as they want.

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During these years, the Kiev authorities
have ignored and sabotaged

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the implementation
of the Minsk Package of Measures

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for a peaceful settlement of the crisis

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and ultimately late last year
openly refused to implement it.

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They also started
to implement plans to join NATO.

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Moreover, the Kiev authorities
also announced their intention

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to have nuclear weapons
and delivery vehicles.

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This was a real threat.

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With foreign technical support,
the pro-Nazi Kiev regime

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would have obtained weapons of mass
destruction in the foreseeable future

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and, of course, would have
targeted them against Russia.

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There was a network
of dozens of laboratories in Ukraine,

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where military biological
programs were conducted

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under the guidance and with the financial
support of the Pentagon,

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including experiments
with coronavirus strains, anthrax,

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cholera, African swine fever
and other deadly diseases.

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Frantic attempts are being made to conceal
traces of these secret programs.

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However, we have grounds to assume

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that components of biological weapons

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were being created in direct proximity
to Russia on the territory of Ukraine.

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Our numerous warnings
that such developments

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posed a direct threat
to the security of Russia

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were rejected with open
and cynical arrogance

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by Ukraine and its US and NATO patrons.

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In other words, all our diplomatic efforts
were fully in vain.

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We have been left with no peaceful
alternative to settling the problems

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that developed through no fault of ours.

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In this situation, we were forced to begin
this special military operation.

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The movement of Russian forces
against Kiev and other Ukrainian cities

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is not connected with a desire
to occupy that country.

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This is not our goal,

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as I pointed out openly
in my statement on February 24.

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As for the combat tactics drafted

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by the Defence Ministry of Russia
and the General Staff,

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this has fully justified itself.

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Our fellows – soldiers and officers –

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are displaying courage and heroism
and are doing all they can

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to avoid civilian losses
in Ukrainian cities.

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This is what I would like
to say for the first time:

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at the very start
of the operation in Donbass,

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the Kiev authorities were offered
opportunities to avoid hostilities,

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via different channels, to simply
withdraw their troops from Donbass

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as an alternative to bloodshed.

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They did not want to do this.

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Well, this was their decision;

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now they will understand
what is happening in reality,

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on the ground.

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The operation
is being carried out successfully,

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in strict conformity
with the approved plan.

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I must note that, encouraged by the United
States and other Western countries,

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Ukraine was purposefully
preparing for a scenario of force,

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a massacre and an ethnic
cleansing in Donbass.

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A massive onslaught
on Donbass and later Crimea

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was just a matter of time.

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However, our Armed Forces
have shattered these plans.

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Kiev was not just preparing for war,

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for aggression against Russia,
against Donbass –

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it was conducting it.

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There were endless attempts
to stage acts of subversion

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and organize
a terrorist underground in Crimea.

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Hostilities in Donbass and the shelling
of peaceful residential areas

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have continued all these years.

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Almost 14,000 civilians,
including children,

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have been killed over this time.

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As you know, there was a missile strike
at the centre of Donetsk on March 14.

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This was an overt bloody act
of terror that took over 20 lives.

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Shelling has been ongoing
during the past few days.

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They are striking randomly at squares

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with the fervor of fanatics
and the exasperation of the doomed.

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They are acting like the Nazis did

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when they tried to drag as many innocent
victims as they could to their graves.

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But what is shocking
in its extreme cynicism

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is not just Kiev’s blatant lies

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and statements that Russia allegedly
launched this missile at Donetsk

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(they have gone as far as this),

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but the attitude
of the so-called civilized world.

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The European and American press

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did not even notice
this tragedy in Donetsk,

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as if nothing happened!

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This is how they have been hypocritically
looking the other way over

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the past eight years as mothers
buried their children in Donbass,

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as elderly people were killed.

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This is simply moral degradation,

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complete de-humanization.

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It was no longer possible to tolerate

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this outrageous attitude
towards the people of Donbass.

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To put an end to this genocide,

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Russia recognized
the people’s republics of Donbass

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and signed treaties of friendship
and mutual aid with them.

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Based on these treaties,
the republics appealed to Russia

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for military aid
in rebuffing the aggression.

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We rendered this aid because
we simply could not do otherwise.

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We had no right to act otherwise.

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I would like to emphasize this point
and draw your attention to it:

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if our troops had acted
only within the people's republics

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and helped them liberate their territory,
it would not have been a final solution,

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it would not have led to peace, and would
not have ultimately removed the threat –

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to our country, this time to Russia.

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On the contrary, a new frontline

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would have been extended
around Donbass and its borders,

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and shelling and provocations
would have continued.

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In other words, this armed conflict
would have continued indefinitely.

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It would have been fuelled
by the revanchist hysteria

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of the Kiev regime, as NATO
deployed its military infrastructure

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faster and more aggressively.

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In this case, we would
have been faced with the fact

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that the attack, the offensive
weapons of the alliance

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were already at our borders.

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I will repeat – we had
no alternative for self-defence,

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for ensuring Russia's security,
to this special military operation.

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We will reach the goals we set.

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We will certainly ensure
the security of Russia and our people

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and will never allow Ukraine
to be a bridgehead

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for aggressive actions
against our country.

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We remain ready to discuss

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matters of fundamental importance
to Russia’s future during the talks.

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This includes Ukraine’s status
as a neutral country,

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and demilitarization and denazification.

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Our country has done everything it could
to organize and hold these talks

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realizing that it is important
to use every opportunity

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to save people and their lives.

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But time and time again
we see that the Kiev regime,

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which its Western handlers have charged

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with the task of creating
an aggressive “anti-Russia” stance,

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does not care about the future
of the people of Ukraine.

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They do not care that people are dying,
that hundreds of thousands

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or even millions of people
had to flee their homes,

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and that a horrendous humanitarian
disaster is unfolding in the cities

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controlled by the neo-Nazis
and armed criminals who were cut loose.

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Clearly, Kiev’s Western patrons

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are just pushing them
to continue the bloodshed.

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They incessantly supply Kiev with weapons

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and intelligence,
as well as other types of assistance,

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including military
advisers and mercenaries.

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They are using economic, financial,

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trade, and other sanctions
against Russia as weapons,

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but these sanctions have backfired
in Europe and in the United States

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where prices of gasoline, energy,
and food have shot up,

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and jobs in the industries associated
with the Russian market have been cut.

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So, do not shift the blame on us,

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do not accuse our country of everything
that goes wrong in your countries.

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I want ordinary Western people
to hear me, too.

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You are being persistently told
that your current difficulties

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are the result of Russia’s hostile actions

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and that you have to pay for the efforts

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to counter the alleged Russian threat
from your own pockets.

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All of that is a lie.

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The truth is that the problems

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faced by millions of people in the West

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are the result of many years of actions

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by the ruling elite
of your respective countries,

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their mistakes, and short-sighted
policies and ambitions.

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This elite is not thinking

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about how to improve the lives
of their citizens in Western countries.

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They are obsessed with their own
self-serving interests and superprofits.

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This can be seen in the data provided
by international organizations,

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which clearly show that social problems,

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even in the leading Western countries,
have exacerbated in recent years,

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that inequality and the gap
between the rich and the poor is widening,

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and racial and ethnic conflicts
are making themselves felt.

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The myth of the Western welfare society,

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the so-called golden billion,
is crumbling.

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To reiterate, the whole planet
is now paying for the West’s ambitions

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and the West’s attempts to maintain its
elusive dominance by any means possible.

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Imposing sanctions
is the logical continuation

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and the distillation of the irresponsible

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and short-sighted policy of the US and EU
countries’ governments and central banks.

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They themselves have driven up

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global inflation in recent years,

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and their actions caused rising
global poverty and greater inequality,

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and new flows of refugees
across the world.

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The question now arises – who will answer
for the millions who will die of hunger

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in the world’s poorest countries
due to growing food shortages?

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Let me reiterate, the global economy
and global trade as a whole have suffered

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a major blow, as did trust in the US
dollar as the main reserve currency.

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The illegitimate freezing

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of some of the currency reserves
of the Bank of Russia

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marks the end of the reliability
of so-called first-class assets.

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In fact, the US and the EU

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have defaulted
on their obligations to Russia.

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Now everybody knows that financial
reserves can simply be stolen.

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And many countries
in the immediate future may begin –

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I am sure this is what will happen –

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to convert their paper and digital assets

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into real reserves of raw materials, land,

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food, gold and other real assets

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which will only result in more
shortages in these markets.

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Let me add that the seizure
of foreign assets

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and accounts of Russian
companies and individuals

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is also a lesson for domestic businesses

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that there is nothing as reliable
as investing in one’s own country.

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I personally have said
that a number of times.

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We appreciate the position
of those foreign companies

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who continue working in our country
despite the brazen pressure

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from the US and its vassals.

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They are sure to find additional
opportunities for growth in the future.

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We also know those who cowardly
betrayed their partners

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and forgot about their responsibility
to employees and customers in Russia,

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rushing to earn illusory dividends
from joining the anti-Russia campaign.

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However, unlike Western countries,
we will respect property rights.

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Here is what I would like to point out.

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We must clearly understand that a new
package of sanctions and restrictions

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would have been imposed
on us no matter what.

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I want to emphasize this.

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For the West,
our military operation in Ukraine

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is just a pretext for imposing
more sanctions on us.

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Indeed, this time they are concentrated.

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In the same way, the West
used the referendum in Crimea

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as a pretext, which, by the way,

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took place on March 16, 2014,
eight years ago today,

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when the residents of Crimea
and Sevastopol made the free choice

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to be one with their historical homeland.

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To reiterate, these are just pretexts.

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The policy of containing
and weakening Russia,

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including through economic
isolation, a blockade,

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is a premeditated, long-term strategy.

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Western leaders
are no longer hiding the fact

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that the sanctions are not directed
against individuals or companies.

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Their goal is to deliver a blow
to our entire economy,

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our social and cultural sphere,

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every family, and every Russian citizen.

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00:14:59,533 --> 00:15:04,797
In fact, the steps designed to make
the lives of millions of people worse

240
00:15:04,839 --> 00:15:07,452
have all the attributes of an aggression,

241
00:15:07,482 --> 00:15:12,142
a war by economic, political,
and informational means,

242
00:15:12,172 --> 00:15:15,143
and it is of a comprehensive
and blatant nature.

243
00:15:15,170 --> 00:15:18,905
Again, the West’s top political circles

244
00:15:18,949 --> 00:15:22,258
do not even hesitate
to talk about it openly.

245
00:15:22,761 --> 00:15:27,250
The verbal tinsel
of political correctness,

246
00:15:27,271 --> 00:15:29,482
inviolability of private property

247
00:15:29,542 --> 00:15:32,809
and freedom of speech
was blown off overnight.

248
00:15:33,227 --> 00:15:35,948
Even the Olympic principles
were trampled upon.

249
00:15:36,634 --> 00:15:40,213
They did not hesitate to settle their
score through the Paralympic athletes.

250
00:15:40,233 --> 00:15:42,551
So much for “sport
being separate from politics.”

251
00:15:42,796 --> 00:15:46,227
In many Western countries,
people are subjected to persecution

252
00:15:46,244 --> 00:15:49,709
just because they are
originally from Russia.

253
00:15:49,805 --> 00:15:51,997
They are being denied medical care,

254
00:15:52,042 --> 00:15:55,932
their children are expelled from schools,
parents are losing their jobs,

255
00:15:55,979 --> 00:15:59,902
and Russian music, culture,
and literature are being banned.

256
00:15:59,945 --> 00:16:04,495
In its attempts to “cancel” Russia,
the West tore off its mask of decency

257
00:16:04,528 --> 00:16:09,233
and began to act crudely
showing its true colours.

258
00:16:09,802 --> 00:16:13,501
One cannot help but remember

259
00:16:13,530 --> 00:16:17,500
the anti-Semitic Nazi pogroms
in Germany in the 1930s,

260
00:16:17,528 --> 00:16:20,975
and then pogroms perpetrated by their
henchmen in many European countries

261
00:16:20,993 --> 00:16:24,232
that joined the Nazi aggression
against our country

262
00:16:24,263 --> 00:16:26,252
during the Great Patriotic War.

263
00:16:26,971 --> 00:16:31,410
A massive attack against Russia
has also been unleashed in cyberspace.

264
00:16:32,110 --> 00:16:34,791
An unprecedented information campaign
has been launched

265
00:16:34,825 --> 00:16:40,173
through global social networks
and all Western media outlets,

266
00:16:40,207 --> 00:16:45,220
whose impartiality and independence
have proved to be a mere myth.

267
00:16:45,594 --> 00:16:47,826
Access to information is being restricted

268
00:16:47,845 --> 00:16:50,942
and people are being crammed
full of all sorts of fake stories,

269
00:16:50,961 --> 00:16:54,747
propaganda, and fabrication,
or simply put, snake oil.

270
00:16:54,967 --> 00:16:59,766
It even got to the point where American
social media companies said straight out

271
00:16:59,783 --> 00:17:04,733
that it was possible to post
calls for the murder of Russian nationals.

272
00:17:05,971 --> 00:17:10,543
We realize what kind of resources
this empire of lies has at its disposal

273
00:17:11,179 --> 00:17:14,723
but, all the same, when confronted
with truth and justice, it is helpless.

274
00:17:15,357 --> 00:17:19,483
Russia will never stop trying to make
its position clear to the whole world.

275
00:17:19,522 --> 00:17:22,237
Our position is honest and open,

276
00:17:22,288 --> 00:17:26,713
an increasing number of people
hear, understand and share it.

277
00:17:27,273 --> 00:17:31,484
I want to be as direct as possible:
hostile geopolitical designs

278
00:17:31,507 --> 00:17:36,745
lie behind the hypocritical talk
and recent actions

279
00:17:36,779 --> 00:17:39,768
by the so-called collective West.

280
00:17:40,186 --> 00:17:43,794
They have no use – simply no use –
for a strong and sovereign Russia,

281
00:17:43,834 --> 00:17:47,684
and they will not forgive us
for our independent policy

282
00:17:47,729 --> 00:17:51,139
or for standing up
for our national interests.

283
00:17:51,690 --> 00:17:56,437
We still remember how they supported
separatism and terrorism

284
00:17:56,468 --> 00:17:59,370
by encouraging terrorists and bandits
in the North Caucasus.

285
00:17:59,390 --> 00:18:01,506
Just like in the 1990s
and the early 2000s,

286
00:18:01,542 --> 00:18:08,218
they want to try again to finish us off,
to reduce us to nothing

287
00:18:08,240 --> 00:18:13,763
by turning us into a weak
and dependent country,

288
00:18:13,777 --> 00:18:15,983
destroying our territorial integrity,

289
00:18:16,013 --> 00:18:19,512
and dismembering Russia as they see fit.

290
00:18:19,812 --> 00:18:22,549
They failed then
and they will fail this time.

291
00:18:23,534 --> 00:18:28,948
Yes, of course, they will back 
the so-called fifth column,

292
00:18:28,978 --> 00:18:35,772
national traitors – those who make money
here in our country but live over there,

293
00:18:35,791 --> 00:18:39,469
and “live” not in the geographical
sense of the word

294
00:18:39,508 --> 00:18:43,517
but in their minds,
in their servile mentality.

295
00:18:44,136 --> 00:18:46,271
I do not in the least condemn those

296
00:18:46,313 --> 00:18:49,526
who have villas in Miami
or the French Riviera,

297
00:18:49,571 --> 00:18:55,237
who cannot make do without foie gras,
oysters or gender freedom as they call it.

298
00:18:55,544 --> 00:18:57,540
That is not the problem, not at all.

299
00:18:57,574 --> 00:19:01,216
The problem, again,
is that many of these people

300
00:19:01,253 --> 00:19:05,491
are, essentially, over there
in their minds and not here

301
00:19:05,541 --> 00:19:08,116
with our people and with Russia.

302
00:19:08,800 --> 00:19:11,950
In their opinion – in their opinion! –

303
00:19:11,968 --> 00:19:16,698
it is a sign of belonging
to the superior caste, the superior race.

304
00:19:16,724 --> 00:19:19,251
People like this would sell
their own mothers

305
00:19:19,287 --> 00:19:24,221
just to be allowed to sit
on the entry bench of the superior caste.

306
00:19:24,532 --> 00:19:28,789
They want to be just like them
and imitate them in everything.

307
00:19:29,213 --> 00:19:32,234
But they forget
or just completely fail to see

308
00:19:32,267 --> 00:19:37,443
that even if this so-called
superior caste needs them,

309
00:19:37,487 --> 00:19:43,963
it needs them as expendable raw material
to inflict maximum damage on our people.

310
00:19:45,873 --> 00:19:48,727
The collective West
is trying to divide our society

311
00:19:48,777 --> 00:19:51,037
using, to its own advantage, combat losses

312
00:19:51,086 --> 00:19:53,779
and the socioeconomic
consequences of the sanctions,

313
00:19:53,819 --> 00:19:57,499
and to provoke civil unrest in Russia

314
00:19:57,524 --> 00:20:01,693
and use its fifth column
in an attempt to achieve this goal.

315
00:20:01,740 --> 00:20:05,141
As I mentioned earlier,
their goal is to destroy Russia.

316
00:20:05,736 --> 00:20:09,242
But any nation, and even more
so the Russian people,

317
00:20:09,278 --> 00:20:14,285
will always be able to distinguish
true patriots from scum and traitors

318
00:20:14,317 --> 00:20:15,922
and will simply spit them out

319
00:20:15,938 --> 00:20:19,870
like an insect in their mouth,
spit them onto the pavement.

320
00:20:20,213 --> 00:20:24,883
I'm convinced that a natural and necessary
self-detoxification of society like this

321
00:20:24,933 --> 00:20:29,943
would strengthen our country,
our solidarity and cohesion

322
00:20:29,984 --> 00:20:32,823
and our readiness
to respond to any challenge.

323
00:20:33,192 --> 00:20:35,530
The so-called collective West
and its fifth column

324
00:20:35,530 --> 00:20:39,140
are accustomed to measuring everything
and everyone by their own standards.

325
00:20:39,177 --> 00:20:43,003
They believe that everything
is for sale and everything can be bought,

326
00:20:43,026 --> 00:20:46,265
and therefore they think
we will break down and back off.

327
00:20:46,299 --> 00:20:49,176
But they do not know our history
and our people well enough.

328
00:20:49,352 --> 00:20:52,501
Indeed, many countries
around the world have long put up

329
00:20:52,548 --> 00:20:56,011
living with their backs bent,

330
00:20:56,032 --> 00:20:59,459
obsequiously accepting all the decisions
that come from their sovereign,

331
00:20:59,489 --> 00:21:02,315
looking up to it subserviently.

332
00:21:04,642 --> 00:21:08,738
This is how many countries live.
Unfortunately, in Europe, as well.

333
00:21:08,766 --> 00:21:11,509
In spite of this Russia will never be seen

334
00:21:11,530 --> 00:21:14,170
in such a miserable
and humiliated situation,

335
00:21:14,196 --> 00:21:18,126
and the fight we are waging 
s the fight for our sovereignty

336
00:21:18,170 --> 00:21:20,846
and the future of our country
and our children.

337
00:21:21,414 --> 00:21:25,468
We will fight for the right
to be and remain Russia.

338
00:21:25,745 --> 00:21:29,511
The courage and fortitude
of our soldiers and officers,

339
00:21:29,533 --> 00:21:32,720
the faithful defenders of the Fatherland,
should inspire us.

340
00:21:34,793 --> 00:21:36,261
Dear colleagues!

341
00:21:37,157 --> 00:21:40,523
Clearly, the ongoing developments
are drawing a line

342
00:21:40,542 --> 00:21:45,253
under the global dominance
of Western countries

343
00:21:45,281 --> 00:21:47,314
in politics and the economy.

344
00:21:47,332 --> 00:21:50,639
Moreover, they call into question
the economic model

345
00:21:50,669 --> 00:21:54,442
that has been imposed
on the developing countries

346
00:21:54,468 --> 00:21:56,415
and the entire world in recent decades.

347
00:21:56,434 --> 00:21:57,509
Importantly,

348
00:21:57,509 --> 00:22:00,978
the obsession of the United States
and its proponents with the sanctions

349
00:22:00,988 --> 00:22:03,689
is not shared by the countries
that are home to more than

350
00:22:03,694 --> 00:22:05,440
half of the global population.

351
00:22:05,461 --> 00:22:07,939
These states represent

352
00:22:07,989 --> 00:22:12,043
the fastest growing and the most
promising portion of the global economy.

353
00:22:12,561 --> 00:22:14,295
That includes Russia.

354
00:22:14,537 --> 00:22:17,262
Indeed, it is difficult for us
at the moment.

355
00:22:17,779 --> 00:22:20,843
Russian financial companies,
major enterprises,

356
00:22:20,858 --> 00:22:25,063
small and medium-sized businesses
are facing unprecedented pressure.

357
00:22:25,442 --> 00:22:30,233
The banking system was
the first to come under sanctions,

358
00:22:30,248 --> 00:22:33,495
but our banks dealt with this challenge.

359
00:22:33,542 --> 00:22:35,833
They are working literally
around the clock

360
00:22:35,852 --> 00:22:39,019
to make payments and settlements
between individual clients

361
00:22:39,049 --> 00:22:41,403
and to ensure
the functioning of enterprises.

362
00:22:41,735 --> 00:22:46,460
The second wave of sanctions was designed
to set off panic in the area of retail.

363
00:22:46,836 --> 00:22:49,200
According to estimates,
over the past three weeks,

364
00:22:49,228 --> 00:22:52,630
additional demand for goods
has exceeded one trillion rubles.

365
00:22:53,129 --> 00:22:55,366
However, our manufacturers,

366
00:22:55,410 --> 00:22:58,112
suppliers, transport 
and logistics companies

367
00:22:58,170 --> 00:23:02,632
did everything humanly possible
to avoid major shortages in retail chains.

368
00:23:03,200 --> 00:23:07,055
I would like to thank
the business community

369
00:23:07,072 --> 00:23:11,108
and the teams at companies, 
banks and organisations,

370
00:23:11,140 --> 00:23:15,259
which are not only responding
effectively to sanction-related challenges

371
00:23:15,295 --> 00:23:17,476
but are also laying the foundation

372
00:23:17,518 --> 00:23:20,496
for the continued sustainable
development of our economy.

373
00:23:20,903 --> 00:23:24,549
I would like to make a special mention
of the Government, the Bank of Russia,

374
00:23:24,559 --> 00:23:28,658
regional governors
and regional and municipal teams.

375
00:23:29,025 --> 00:23:31,213
In the current tough conditions,

376
00:23:31,233 --> 00:23:34,205
you are carrying out
your responsibilities admirably.

377
00:23:34,468 --> 00:23:38,596
Obviously, the attempts to organise
an economic "outcry" against Russia,

378
00:23:38,634 --> 00:23:43,273
demoralize our society
and push us around have failed,

379
00:23:43,289 --> 00:23:45,258
and so we are sure to see attempts

380
00:23:45,279 --> 00:23:47,849
to bring even greater pressure
to bear on our country.

381
00:23:47,862 --> 00:23:50,762
But we will overcome
these difficulties as well.

382
00:23:50,804 --> 00:23:54,848
The Russian economy
will adapt to the new realities.

383
00:23:55,463 --> 00:23:59,291
We will strengthen our sovereignty
in science and technology,

384
00:23:59,350 --> 00:24:02,946
allocate additional resources
to support agriculture,

385
00:24:03,001 --> 00:24:07,728
the processing industry,
infrastructure, and housing,

386
00:24:07,745 --> 00:24:10,228
and continue developing foreign trade ties

387
00:24:10,244 --> 00:24:14,568
to tap into rapidly growing,
dynamic international markets.

388
00:24:15,052 --> 00:24:16,721
Clearly, in the new realities,

389
00:24:16,765 --> 00:24:20,784
we will have to make deep
structural changes in our economy,

390
00:24:20,810 --> 00:24:24,886
and I will not pretend that they will be
easy or that they will not lead to

391
00:24:24,902 --> 00:24:28,112
a temporary increase
in inflation and unemployment.

392
00:24:28,268 --> 00:24:32,291
In this situation, our task
is to minimize such risks.

393
00:24:32,532 --> 00:24:37,153
We must not just meet
all the social commitments of the state

394
00:24:37,172 --> 00:24:40,899
but also launch new,
more effective mechanisms

395
00:24:40,937 --> 00:24:43,147
for supporting our people
and their incomes.

396
00:24:43,725 --> 00:24:46,965
We will focus on protecting
mothers and children

397
00:24:47,007 --> 00:24:48,948
and supporting families with children.

398
00:24:49,489 --> 00:24:52,505
We have already made a decision –
you know about it –

399
00:24:52,533 --> 00:24:58,151
to introduce as of April 1 payments
for children aged 8 through 16

400
00:24:58,165 --> 00:25:01,961
in low-income families.

401
00:25:02,297 --> 00:25:07,472
The size of the payment will range from 50
to 100 percent of the subsistence minimum

402
00:25:07,485 --> 00:25:10,216
for every child.

403
00:25:10,452 --> 00:25:15,724
Currently, the national average
is up to 12,300 rubles.

404
00:25:16,392 --> 00:25:20,450
Thus, we will have
a uniform system of support

405
00:25:20,476 --> 00:25:23,705
from when a mother first becomes pregnant

406
00:25:23,760 --> 00:25:26,876
until the child turns 17.

407
00:25:27,628 --> 00:25:31,443
I am instructing the Government
to oversee the operation of this system

408
00:25:31,488 --> 00:25:35,990
so that it quickly detects any changes
in the material status of families.

409
00:25:36,020 --> 00:25:39,548
That is, it is necessary to make sure

410
00:25:39,592 --> 00:25:42,302
families start receiving
state support as soon as possible

411
00:25:42,335 --> 00:25:46,745
if the parents lost their jobs
or faced other difficult circumstances.

412
00:25:47,330 --> 00:25:50,477
I also ask the Government
to promptly analyse

413
00:25:50,513 --> 00:25:54,046
the efficacy of the measures
to support those who have lost their jobs.

414
00:25:54,369 --> 00:25:57,790
Such measures must obviously be expanded,

415
00:25:57,825 --> 00:26:00,926
through the social contract
mechanism, among other.

416
00:26:01,525 --> 00:26:06,203
I am aware that the price hikes
are a big blow to people’s incomes,

417
00:26:06,751 --> 00:26:12,817
and so we will take action to increase
all social payments shortly

418
00:26:12,865 --> 00:26:15,260
including benefits and pensions,

419
00:26:15,287 --> 00:26:20,480
we will raise the minimum wage
and the minimum subsistence level

420
00:26:20,517 --> 00:26:23,767
and also the wages
of public-sector workers.

421
00:26:24,302 --> 00:26:28,542
I ask the Government to calculate 
the exact parameters for the increases.

422
00:26:29,126 --> 00:26:32,258
To emphasize, even under
the current difficult conditions

423
00:26:32,278 --> 00:26:37,813
we must reduce poverty
and inequality by the end of the year.

424
00:26:37,858 --> 00:26:41,495
This issue remains
quite solvable even now.

425
00:26:41,741 --> 00:26:46,163
I ask the Government
and the regions to focus on this task.

426
00:26:46,182 --> 00:26:50,218
I will add that we understand
that it is not only an economic issue

427
00:26:50,263 --> 00:26:53,005
but also one of social justice.

428
00:26:53,125 --> 00:26:55,828
At present, much depends
on the lead of the heads

429
00:26:55,840 --> 00:26:57,948
of the constituent
entities of the Federation

430
00:26:57,956 --> 00:27:00,431
and their readiness
to assume responsibility.

431
00:27:00,861 --> 00:27:03,206
I signed an executive order today

432
00:27:03,225 --> 00:27:06,443
on additional powers
for heads of regions –

433
00:27:06,486 --> 00:27:09,754
they will be authorised to take flexible
and responsive decisions

434
00:27:09,788 --> 00:27:13,257
to support our citizens,
the economy and social policy

435
00:27:13,305 --> 00:27:16,206
in light of the situation on the ground.

436
00:27:16,814 --> 00:27:19,123
Let me remind you

437
00:27:19,163 --> 00:27:22,840
that we streamlined our steps in fighting
the coronavirus in exactly this way,

438
00:27:22,859 --> 00:27:25,431
making it possible
to consider the situation

439
00:27:25,454 --> 00:27:29,787
in each region, city and village –
and the situation is different everywhere.

440
00:27:30,174 --> 00:27:32,864
I am instructing all the departments
of federal bodies

441
00:27:32,878 --> 00:27:36,215
in the constituent entities
of the Federation

442
00:27:36,259 --> 00:27:41,727
to coordinate their work
with the regional authorities,

443
00:27:41,764 --> 00:27:46,791
and governors must establish operational
centres to ensure economic developmen

444
00:27:46,834 --> 00:27:49,220
and to personally lead this work.

445
00:27:50,476 --> 00:27:53,742
What is the priority here?

446
00:27:54,328 --> 00:27:59,501
Private businesses must play the key role
in overcoming the current problems

447
00:27:59,555 --> 00:28:03,241
as they can quickly rework logistics,

448
00:28:03,280 --> 00:28:08,572
find new suppliers and increase
output of in-demand products.

449
00:28:09,073 --> 00:28:12,768
Supporting employment, incomes and wages

450
00:28:12,774 --> 00:28:16,118
and supporting the stable
balanced performance of the economy

451
00:28:16,135 --> 00:28:19,248
in general depend
on how quickly private businesses

452
00:28:19,280 --> 00:28:22,474
will be able to find
the right solutions and take them.

453
00:28:22,508 --> 00:28:24,794
That is why we must respond
to external pressure

454
00:28:24,827 --> 00:28:28,278
with the utmost entrepreneurial freedom

455
00:28:28,331 --> 00:28:30,555
and with support for business initiative.

456
00:28:31,233 --> 00:28:33,884
I want the Government,
law enforcement agencies

457
00:28:33,902 --> 00:28:36,252
and oversight authorities
to continue their work

458
00:28:36,269 --> 00:28:40,208
on lifting unnecessary administrative
and regulatory barriers.

459
00:28:40,236 --> 00:28:43,284
Furthermore, it is unacceptable
to distract the private sector

460
00:28:43,318 --> 00:28:47,509
and regional authorities
from addressing the most pressing tasks

461
00:28:47,530 --> 00:28:52,220
and burden them with all sorts
of inspections and oversight procedures.

462
00:28:52,850 --> 00:28:58,499
The lack of working capital and
the unavailability or high cost of loans

463
00:28:58,542 --> 00:29:01,267
is among the key problems
facing companies now,

464
00:29:01,337 --> 00:29:05,293
and the Central Bank was forced
to take appropriate measures.

465
00:29:05,338 --> 00:29:09,801
In this regard, I am ordering
the following steps to be taken.

466
00:29:10,248 --> 00:29:13,022
First, companies that fulfill orders

467
00:29:13,063 --> 00:29:16,451
placed by government authorities
and companies partly owned by the state

468
00:29:16,483 --> 00:29:21,729
should be paid for the delivered goods
and services as soon as possible,

469
00:29:21,744 --> 00:29:23,771
and reinvest the proceeds into business.

470
00:29:24,121 --> 00:29:25,467
In this regard, I propose

471
00:29:25,505 --> 00:29:29,246
increasing the amount of advance payments
under government contracts.

472
00:29:29,480 --> 00:29:31,516
The advance payment must amount to

473
00:29:31,534 --> 00:29:34,937
at least a half of the total
amount of a contract,

474
00:29:34,968 --> 00:29:37,920
and the payment term
for the delivered goods and services

475
00:29:37,955 --> 00:29:40,775
should be reduced to seven business days.

476
00:29:41,183 --> 00:29:42,901
A similar decision must also be made

477
00:29:42,926 --> 00:29:46,445
at the level of the constituent entities
of the Federation, municipalities

478
00:29:46,461 --> 00:29:48,359
and companies with state participation.

479
00:29:49,222 --> 00:29:53,745
Second, it is imperative
to improve entrepreneurs’ ability

480
00:29:53,759 --> 00:29:57,780
to raise additional resources
from development institutions,

481
00:29:58,250 --> 00:30:02,205
by which I mean expanding
the Project Financing Factory’s activities

482
00:30:02,237 --> 00:30:06,164
(it is working well, and we know from
practice that its services are in demand),

483
00:30:06,218 --> 00:30:09,287
providing resources
for business investment plans

484
00:30:09,321 --> 00:30:11,462
through the Industry Development Fund

485
00:30:11,488 --> 00:30:14,497
(which is one of the really
well-performing tools),

486
00:30:14,731 --> 00:30:18,322
the Bank for Small
and Medium-Sized Enterprises,

487
00:30:18,340 --> 00:30:23,864
and also through regional support
institutions, including guarantee funds.

488
00:30:24,299 --> 00:30:27,204
I hereby instruct the Government
to allocate additional funds

489
00:30:27,254 --> 00:30:29,465
to the constituent entities
of the Federation

490
00:30:29,515 --> 00:30:31,110
to fund these regional tools.

491
00:30:31,129 --> 00:30:33,725
I want the Government
and our colleagues in the regions

492
00:30:33,725 --> 00:30:36,447
to pay attention to the fact
that the most important task

493
00:30:36,447 --> 00:30:39,445
is to ensure the availability of goods
on the consumer market,

494
00:30:39,475 --> 00:30:42,257
primarily essential supplies,

495
00:30:42,280 --> 00:30:45,020
medications and medical products.

496
00:30:45,035 --> 00:30:48,978
Logistical complications
and other objective problems

497
00:30:49,009 --> 00:30:52,018
that result in price surges
must be resolved quickly.

498
00:30:52,097 --> 00:30:54,530
At the same time,
it is imperative to rule out

499
00:30:54,547 --> 00:30:57,084
intervention in price regulation.

500
00:30:57,345 --> 00:30:59,505
The increased supply of goods
and nothing else

501
00:30:59,523 --> 00:31:02,321
should lead to a decrease
and stabilisation of prices.

502
00:31:02,777 --> 00:31:05,809
Separately, I would like
to address our exporters.

503
00:31:06,288 --> 00:31:10,729
Whenever deliveries to international
markets do not run smoothly,

504
00:31:10,767 --> 00:31:14,515
you should send extra batches of goods
to the domestic market

505
00:31:14,534 --> 00:31:18,309
rather than reduce your production rates.

506
00:31:18,486 --> 00:31:22,238
This should objectively
reduce domestic prices,

507
00:31:22,268 --> 00:31:26,799
including those of gasoline, diesel,
bitumen, metals, and other export goods.

508
00:31:27,091 --> 00:31:30,029
I want the Government
and the Federal Anti-monopoly Service,

509
00:31:30,053 --> 00:31:33,546
as well regional authorities,
to monitor these markets at all times.

510
00:31:35,082 --> 00:31:36,183
Furthermore,

511
00:31:36,223 --> 00:31:39,154
considering the new challenges
faced by Russia,

512
00:31:39,199 --> 00:31:43,810
we must maintain and expand
our long-term development agenda,

513
00:31:43,861 --> 00:31:50,564
including the implementation of all
planned federal and regional projects.

514
00:31:50,938 --> 00:31:54,960
We must make full use
of the potential of our budget system

515
00:31:54,994 --> 00:31:57,323
as a tool for stimulation.

516
00:31:57,798 --> 00:32:01,188
As we agreed, federal funding
for various projects,

517
00:32:01,223 --> 00:32:05,210
including construction projects,
will be carried out in full.

518
00:32:05,828 --> 00:32:10,201
Moreover, in December we decided
on allocating additional funds

519
00:32:10,261 --> 00:32:14,290
if construction costs went up
for objective reasons.

520
00:32:15,180 --> 00:32:19,507
I consider it important to note
that there will be no problems

521
00:32:19,552 --> 00:32:22,783
with federal budget funding
in the current situation.

522
00:32:23,321 --> 00:32:28,597
Our economy is generating
adequate revenue.

523
00:32:28,627 --> 00:32:32,255
This means we will not have
to resort to emissions.

524
00:32:32,286 --> 00:32:35,528
In simple terms, the Central bank
will not have to print money.

525
00:32:36,991 --> 00:32:40,736
We have revenue – sound market revenue.

526
00:32:41,421 --> 00:32:43,491
The problem is not rooted in money.

527
00:32:43,753 --> 00:32:45,764
Let me repeat that we have the resources.

528
00:32:45,809 --> 00:32:49,137
The main difficulties are related
to the supply of spare parts,

529
00:32:49,157 --> 00:32:50,967
technology and construction materials,

530
00:32:51,009 --> 00:32:53,475
and the need to organise
the work of subcontractors.

531
00:32:53,489 --> 00:32:57,153
Therefore, the deadlines and the methods
for implementing specific projects

532
00:32:57,163 --> 00:32:59,865
and project phases
may be subject to change.

533
00:32:59,911 --> 00:33:03,947
This will require the smooth operation
of government bodies

534
00:33:03,970 --> 00:33:05,501
and business representatives;

535
00:33:05,518 --> 00:33:08,609
expediting the implementation
of import substitution programmes.

536
00:33:08,623 --> 00:33:09,673
This is important.

537
00:33:09,673 --> 00:33:13,258
In the process, it is also important
to simplify the procedure for cooperation

538
00:33:13,258 --> 00:33:15,740
between the regions
and the federal government bodies

539
00:33:15,758 --> 00:33:19,083
and give the regions of the Federation
more freedom in using resources

540
00:33:19,120 --> 00:33:22,812
and more opportunities for launching
new construction projects and programmes.

541
00:33:23,762 --> 00:33:28,770
Additional funding for road construction
has already been allocated to the regions.

542
00:33:29,137 --> 00:33:30,973
I would like to ask the Government

543
00:33:30,988 --> 00:33:34,477
to consider an increase in funding
other infrastructure facilities

544
00:33:34,507 --> 00:33:37,754
so work can start this year,

545
00:33:37,780 --> 00:33:41,792
and the possibility of building up
purchases from Russian companies,

546
00:33:41,808 --> 00:33:45,266
for instance, with a view
to upgrading public transport.

547
00:33:45,302 --> 00:33:47,959
Obviously, this will be
a serious additional burden

548
00:33:48,006 --> 00:33:51,783
on the budgets of the regions
of the Russian Federation.

549
00:33:51,801 --> 00:33:53,551
Therefore, as we agreed,

550
00:33:53,592 --> 00:33:58,392
we will additionally adjust
the subsidies to even out fiscal capacity.

551
00:33:58,641 --> 00:34:01,751
We will also use other measures
for supporting regional finances.

552
00:34:01,805 --> 00:34:06,340
Thus, all payments on budget loans
scheduled for this year will be suspended,

553
00:34:08,032 --> 00:34:12,464
in other words, postponed,
and payments on commercial loans

554
00:34:12,516 --> 00:34:17,291
will be replaced with budget loans
wherever necessary.

555
00:34:18,002 --> 00:34:21,029
I would like to ask the Government
to study this issue in detail

556
00:34:21,062 --> 00:34:24,095
and dig to the bottom of every case.

557
00:34:24,273 --> 00:34:28,511
Only a case-by-case approach
will produce the desired effect.

558
00:34:29,045 --> 00:34:32,792
In addition, the Ministry of Finance
will additionally provide

559
00:34:32,810 --> 00:34:34,732
an unconditional credit line

560
00:34:34,776 --> 00:34:37,261
to each constituent entity
of the Russian Federation.

561
00:34:37,318 --> 00:34:41,278
It will amount to ten percent
of the total income

562
00:34:41,313 --> 00:34:44,816
with a maturity date not earlier
than the end of the current year.

563
00:34:45,047 --> 00:34:48,468
We are going to maintain the same volume
of infrastructure budget loans.

564
00:34:48,468 --> 00:34:50,920
I am instructing the Government
to make arrangements

565
00:34:50,940 --> 00:34:54,654
for flexible management of this programme
and to take account of the challenges

566
00:34:54,683 --> 00:34:59,226
involved in the implementation
of the projects that I mentioned earlier.

567
00:34:59,244 --> 00:35:02,475
The regions should be able
to take swift action

568
00:35:02,494 --> 00:35:05,747
on altering the portfolio
and the contents of the projects,

569
00:35:06,195 --> 00:35:09,796
and focus on the ones
that can be implemented

570
00:35:09,815 --> 00:35:13,257
as efficiently as possible
in the current circumstances.

571
00:35:13,568 --> 00:35:15,515
If need be, we will explore

572
00:35:15,562 --> 00:35:18,715
the possibility of increasing
the volume of infrastructure loans.

573
00:35:18,757 --> 00:35:20,717
This is possible and is quite feasible.

574
00:35:20,771 --> 00:35:24,978
In general, we will closely
monitor regional finances

575
00:35:25,007 --> 00:35:27,952
and make additional decisions
to support them,

576
00:35:27,985 --> 00:35:29,571
if need be.

577
00:35:30,089 --> 00:35:32,532
I would like to emphasise
that direct communication

578
00:35:32,548 --> 00:35:35,770
between all levels of government
and a clear sequence of actions

579
00:35:35,813 --> 00:35:37,477
are of paramount importance now.

580
00:35:37,514 --> 00:35:42,190
The State Council
and its specialised commissions

581
00:35:42,225 --> 00:35:44,310
have proved their effectiveness.

582
00:35:45,076 --> 00:35:50,525
I want the public administration
commission led by Sergei Sobyanin

583
00:35:50,544 --> 00:35:52,945
to team up with our colleagues
from the Government

584
00:35:52,985 --> 00:35:56,758
and to focus on problematic items
on the regional agenda,

585
00:35:56,785 --> 00:36:00,505
to come up with the best solutions
and to scale them

586
00:36:00,536 --> 00:36:03,528
to all Russian regions.

587
00:36:03,549 --> 00:36:07,282
We have gained extensive experience
from combating the pandemic.

588
00:36:07,469 --> 00:36:08,987
Colleagues,

589
00:36:09,018 --> 00:36:10,746
Our economy,

590
00:36:10,797 --> 00:36:13,446
the state budget and private sector

591
00:36:13,501 --> 00:36:19,336
possess the necessary resources
to address long-term tasks.

592
00:36:19,539 --> 00:36:22,012
All strategic and national goals

593
00:36:22,028 --> 00:36:24,800
that we have set for the period to 2030

594
00:36:24,837 --> 00:36:26,819
must be achieved.

595
00:36:27,237 --> 00:36:30,284
The current challenges
and the opportunities that they offer

596
00:36:30,299 --> 00:36:35,118
should mobilize us – this is what
we should set our minds to

597
00:36:35,148 --> 00:36:39,759
in order to achieve tangible results
in the interests of our people.

598
00:36:39,780 --> 00:36:43,812
Clearly, we will need
to fine-tune our programmes,

599
00:36:43,830 --> 00:36:46,799
and we welcome the initiatives
coming from business circles,

600
00:36:46,846 --> 00:36:49,791
academics, and public associations.

601
00:36:49,819 --> 00:36:53,880
In this regard, I want the regions
to join in organising the forum

602
00:36:53,899 --> 00:36:56,225
convened by the Agency
for Strategic Initiatives

603
00:36:56,233 --> 00:36:58,551
titled, Powerful Ideas for New Times,

604
00:36:58,594 --> 00:37:03,478
where every Russian citizen will have
a chance to present their proposals

605
00:37:03,495 --> 00:37:06,796
and specific projects for advancing
their respective cities,

606
00:37:06,844 --> 00:37:08,917
regions, and our country as a whole.

607
00:37:09,484 --> 00:37:14,528
To reiterate, the current developments
represent a challenge for all of us.

608
00:37:14,544 --> 00:37:18,480
I am confident that we will
come through with dignity.

609
00:37:18,495 --> 00:37:21,018
By working hard and working together,

610
00:37:21,067 --> 00:37:26,679
by supporting each other, we will overcome
all challenges and emerge even stronger,

611
00:37:26,696 --> 00:37:29,932
as has always been the case
in the thousand-year history of Russia.

612
00:37:30,534 --> 00:37:36,259
That is how I want you
to think about this work.