Vladimir Putin answered media questions after Direct Line.
June 15,
2017
16:45
Moscow
7 of 9
Answers to journalists’ questions after Direct Line.
President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Let us start with our
Chinese friends.
Question: This past May the heads of state
and government of thirty countries adopted a joint communiqué
at the first Belt and Road International Economic Forum, which
includes a commitment to step up cooperation. Mr President, how does
Russia plan to implement those agreements together with China? Thank you.
Vladimir Putin: I have already said how, but I can
repeat.
Firstly, I think the event was unique. This is
the initiative of the Chinese President, our great friend,
and my personal friend, Xi Jinping. The event was
a success. It was a large-scale and successful event.
I expect it to usher in a new stage of cooperation
in Eurasia, and not only there.
The main thing for us to do is to join our efforts
within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union
and China’s Silk Road initiative. Can this be done or not? I am
confident it can, since even in the economic sphere – I am
not even mentioning the strategic level of our partnership – we
have many overlapping goals and complementary capabilities. This is why
I do not have any doubt that we will work together and that this work
will yield benefits for both the Chinese and Russian peoples.
But not just us two, it will also impact global competitiveness.
I would like to once again thank China for arranging this
work.
Question: Mr President, I came from Donbass, I was with
Iosif Kobzon on his eighth visit there. People said to me, “Ask
the President when he is going to take Donbass.” Because people are
tired there. Three years have passed, there is still shooting going on, and people
just do not know what they should do. Everything is destroyed.
Vladimir Putin: Yes, I know. This is a tragedy,
and a very big one. We will do everything we can to minimise
the damage there. I would like to say the following. You
know our general stance but we will do everything to support
the people there regardless of any external factors. However, we
expect that the current authorities in Kiev have sufficient
intelligence, common sense and responsibility to implement
the agreements that were achieved as a result of fairly
difficult work, I mean primarily the Minsk Agreements.
Remark: They are not working.
Vladimir Putin: It would be much worse without them. That much is
clear. Yet we see that the problems there are not going away,
and some of them are getting worse. We are going to analyse
the situation to promptly adopt decisions that will adequately
respond to the unfolding situation.
Question: Everyone knows that Russia maintains good relations with
the Kurds in Syria and Iraq. On June 2, you met with
the Prime Minister of Iraqi Kurdistan, Mr Barzani. The Kurds are
still fighting terrorism. My question is, will Russia maintain relations
with the Kurds after the war on terrorism ends?
Vladimir Putin: We have always maintained relations with the Kurdish
people. And I see no reason for ending these contacts.
However, first we need to resolve our common problem, the one
you have just mentioned – the fight against terrorism. We know,
and I have already said this many times, that our position here is open.
We know what a large and significant contribution the Kurdish
fighters are making to the fight against terrorism. There are very
capable Kurdish units and they operate very effectively.
As for broader cooperation, you have just mentioned
my meeting with Mr Barzani. We are working very actively with Iraq
as a whole, and these relations will develop.
We are perfectly aware of how sensitive the Kurdish question
is. We formulated our position long ago. We will act and develop our
position within the framework of international law.
Question: Mr President, the Russia-Japan programme for joint
economic activity on the Kuril Islands is gaining momentum now.
For Japan, it means the start of the process
of handing over the islands. Could you tell us what this means
for Russia? What is Russia’s perspective? Are you planning to visit
the islands?
Vladimir Putin: Look, we proceed from the assumption that
cooperative work on the islands is quite possible. Our idea is that
we need to create favourable conditions for resolving our territorial
issues. We do not yet know what form the final decision will take. But
without creating the appropriate conditions, such as improving
the atmosphere of trust, we will not be able to do anything at all.
There are issues aggravating this matter, namely, security issues,
including those in this region, and Japan's commitments to its
allies. These are all very delicate things that require very careful
and balanced consideration and elaboration. Depending on how
this work goes, final decisions will be made. It would be premature
to discuss them now.
Question: Several large-scale anti-government protests took place
in the past two months. Could you please say what you think about
them? And do you consider Alexei Navalny, who called for these
protests, your political opponent in the 2018 election?
Vladimir Putin: When I heard that you are from the BBC,
I had no doubt that you would ask exactly this question because
in a certain sense this is propaganda of the people you
support.
Protests are always possible in the framework
of democratic procedures. I believe this is a proper, good
method of communicating to the government, to any
government in any country, including Russia, the opinion
of those people who disagree with the current government
on something. That said, all forms of protest, including
demonstrations, should stay within the confines of the law.
By the same token, officials, government agencies
and representatives of the authorities should act within
the confines of the law. Those who violate the law should
be responsible for these violations. That is all.
However, it is one thing to organise protests and another
thing to use them to provoke and aggravate the situation
as a means of self-promotion. This is what I do not
welcome. I believe this is not done to improve the situation
in the country or resolve some issues in society. They
protest to advertise themselves rather than to solve people’s
problems.
Question: Mr President, what about the sale
of the RBC?
Vladimir Putin: About what?
Question: The RBC sale.
Vladimir Putin: You have already asked me this question.
Question: No,
I did not ask you this question. Mikhail Prokhorov is going to sell
the RBC to Grigory Beryozkin shortly. Have you discussed this deal
with any of its participants?
Vladimir Putin: No, I have not.
Question: Have you met with Mikhail Prokhorov recently?
Vladimir Putin: No, I have not discussed this deal with anyone
and I have not yet met with Mikhail Prokhorov. I can imagine
that such a meeting may take place.
Question: What could you say about the information that this
deal is a result of pressure exerted by the authorities
on the current owner or a consequence of your personal
discontent with the RBC’s editorial policy?
Vladimir Putin: I have nothing to say on that.
I believe that such media as the RBC are required. To be
honest, I sometimes also watch it. I consider the information
presented on the screen useful. I like it. As for pressure,
I do not know anything about it. As for Mikhail Prokhorov,
I will probably see him. I know him well. But I have not yet met
with anyone or discussed this with anyone.
Question: without microphone.
Vladimir Putin: When I hear this, I look at what is
going on in other countries. And there – you are welcome,
we know how political processes go and we know the political old
timers. Generally speaking, this is okay if it stays within the framework
of democratic procedure, within the bounds of existing laws.
In this regard, nobody violates the law here.
Question: During Direct Line today you were asked about Kirill
Serebrennikov. Mr Uchitel asked you a question but you did not respond.
Vladimir Putin: I somehow missed it, I am sorry. Did he
ask about Serebrennikov?
Question: Yes, he did – both Bezrukov and Uchitel asked
what you thought about the forceful actions at the Gogol Centre
and whom you meant when you said “fools.” Because in your
conversation with Mironov about State Awards, as it was subsequently
reported, you said, “fools.”
Vladimir Putin: I do not remember what I said when that
letter was handed over. I really read the letter. I do not
remember the context or whom the “fools” referred to, although
I think I have some idea. Let me see.
Evidently, it was about the fact that a search was conducted
and documents were seized with the involvement of law
enforcement but I do not think that was wise because there is absolutely
no need to show up at a theatre or accounts department with
a security detail. That is simply preposterous.
Although I should tell you that this was not targeted
at a particular theatre or Serebennikov personally. Security
details are used in our country at the drop of a hat,
even where it is absolutely uncalled for. I will not go into detail now.
This is done even in the course of investigations
in defence, security or intelligence agencies themselves. That is
also unnecessary. You know, officers will obey any order. It makes no sense. It
made no sense here, either.
As for Serebrennikov, I have not met him, unlike, say,
Alexei Uchitel. At any rate, I have not spoken to him face
to face. As you know, he carried out many projects with state
financial support. In other words – I am not passing judgment
on his creative activity; I am absolutely not prepared
for that – but as you know, there have been no and there
are no restrictions regarding his creative activity, because he was simply
given state money. However, if somebody receives money from the state,
the state should be certain that this money is spent properly,
in accordance with law. There was concern about financial irregularities.
That is all – there was nothing else there. However, only court –
after a preliminary investigation – can make the final decision
as to whether somebody is guilty or not.
This is all I can say now.
See also
June 15,
2017
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