Vladimir
Putin answered questions from Russian and foreign journalists following
the completion of the presidential election.
March
18, 2018
23:40
Moscow
Vladimir
Putin answered questions from Russian and foreign journalists following
the completion of the presidential election.
President
of Russia Vladimir Putin: Good evening.
Question: Good
evening. What is your predominant emotion today? How do you feel, and what
plans do you have for tomorrow?
Vladimir
Putin: The predominant emotion is gratitude to the voters
for their choice, for the trust they have placed in me.
Gratitude for their assessment of our work in these past years
and for the hope they have so clearly demonstrated that we will
continue working, that our expanded team and I, their humble servant, will
continue working as hard as before and that we will achieve even
better results. We have every chance to achieve great practical results.
Question: We
were closely monitoring the election campaign in Russia.
The tragedy with Skripal happened at the height
of the election race. How do you see Russia’s future relations with
Europe? Is Europe a partner or maybe the main opponent?
Vladimir Putin: Regarding the tragedy you have mentioned, I learned about
it from the media. The first thing that comes to mind is that,
had it been a warfare agent, the victims would have died immediately.
It is an obvious fact, which must be taken into account. This is first.
The second
is that Russia does not have such chemical agents. We destroyed all our
chemical weapons, and international observers monitored
the destruction process. Moreover, we were the first to do this,
unlike some of our partners who promised to destroy their chemical
weapons but have not done so to this day, regrettably.
Therefore,
we are ready for cooperation, as we said immediately. We are ready
to take part in any investigations necessary, provided the other
side wants this too. We do not see their interest so far, but we have not
removed the possibility of cooperation on this matter from
the agenda.
As for the overall
situation, I believe that any reasonable person can see that this is total
nonsense. It is unthinkable that anyone on Russia would do such
a thing ahead of the presidential election
and the FIFA World Cup. Absolutely unthinkable.
However,
we are ready for cooperation despite the above things. We are ready
to discuss any issues and to deal with any problems.
Question: The voter
turnout across the country was high but, unfortunately, Ukraine restricted
Russian nationals’ right to vote. What is your opinion? And how can
Russia retaliate?
Vladimir Putin: It is a disgrace. It is a violation of all generally
recognised international norms. But Russia will not retaliate. For us
Ukraine and Ukrainians are a brotherly people. I have always
said that. We will not respond with any restrictions;
on the contrary, we will do everything for Ukrainians
to feel at home in Russia.
Question: Mr
President, yesterday you congratulated President Xi Jinping. You expressed
confidence that bilateral relations will be filled with new content. What kind
of new content?
Vladimir Putin: President Xi Jinping has set very ambitious goals for China’s
development for himself and the country. We wish success
to the Chinese leadership and the Chinese people
in tackling these tasks. These ambitious projects include President Xi
Jinping’s concept of the Silk Road and the economic
component of the Silk Road.
I will
not go into the details of our cooperation but we believe it is
perfectly in line with our projects to build the Eurasian
Economic Union and the Eurasian partnership in a broader sense.
Our
interests here are the same. There are plenty of very practical joint
efforts in this area. And we will continue this work.
China
is our strategic partner. Russia and China enjoy an unprecedented
level of relations. We value them greatly. We congratulate Xi Jinping
on his re-election as President of China for another term
and express confidence that China under his leadership and, on our
part, Russia will by all means do everything to expand the Russia-China
cooperation.
Question: When
should we expect changes in the Government? Before or after
the inauguration?
Vladimir Putin: Any changes in the Government should be made
by the President who has assumed office for the next term.
So, for now, I will be thinking what to do and how.
I think the main changes will happen after the inauguration.
Question: A clarification
follow-up to my colleague’s question: have you decided
on a new Prime Minister? Could it be Dmitry Medvedev again?
And my second
question is, do you have plans to carry out a constitutional reform
during the new presidential term that could be related
to a re-distribution of authority between the branches
of power?
Vladimir Putin: I do not plan any constitutional reforms yet.
As concerns
the Prime Minister and the Government overall, I have
already said that I am thinking about it, of course,
and I will think more specifically starting today because
I needed to wait until the election results. But all
the changes will be announced after the inauguration.
Question: What
do you think about the return of the United States’ Monroe
Doctrine to Latin America?
Vladimir Putin: We know the whole history of relations between
the United States and Latin America. Those are complicated relations
essentially forged by gunboats and certain political
and economic pressure.
But
I really hope that today’s Administration has the opportunity,
and it will indeed take the opportunity to build relations in the 21st century
based on equality and respect for each other’s interests.
We
are interested in a positive development of relations
in the world between states on all continents
and the international agenda proceeding from this premise.
Question: I still
would like to clarify. Do you allow the possibility of becoming
President again in 2030 if you do not change the Constitution?
Vladimir Putin: Listen to me. I think what you are saying is somewhat
ridiculous. Let us count. Am I supposed to be President until
I am 100 years old? No.
Question: Do
you plan to meet with other presidential candidates?
Vladimir Putin: Yes, I do.
Remark: When?
Vladimir Putin: I plan to meet with them. I do not know when yet, we
will see. The Executive Office will contact them, we will agree
and I will invite them to a meeting.
Remark: All
of them?
Vladimir Putin: All of them.
Question: Mr
President, in the next six years, will we see a new Vladimir
Putin or the same one?
Vladimir Putin: Everything changes. Thank you very much.
Remark: Including
you?
Vladimir Putin: We all change.
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