Presidential Address to Federal
Assembly
The President of Russia delivered
the Address to the Federal Assembly. The ceremony took place in Gostiny Dvor.
February 20, 2019
13:30
Moscow
The presentation
of the Address was attended by Federation Council members, State
Duma deputies, members of the Government, leaders
of the Constitutional Court and Supreme Court, governors.
* * *
President of Russia Vladimir
Putin: Members of the Federation Council, State Duma deputies,
citizens of Russia,
Today’s Address is primarily devoted
to matters of domestic social and economic development.
I would like to focus on the objectives set forth
in the May 2018 Executive Order and detailed in the national
projects. Their content and the targets they set are
a reflection of the demands and expectations
of Russia’s citizens. People are at the core
of the national projects, which are designed to bring about
a new quality of life for all generations. This can only be
achieved by generating momentum in Russia’s development.
These are long-term objectives that
we have set for ourselves. However, work to achieve these strategic
goals has to begin today. Time is always in short supply,
as I have already said on numerous occasions, and you all
know this all too well. There is simply no time for getting up
to speed or making any adjustments. All in all, I believe
that we have already completed the stage of articulating objectives
and outlining tools for achieving our goals. Departing from
the targets that were outlined would be unacceptable. It is true that
these are challenging objectives. That being said, lowering
the requirements for specific targets or watering them down is
not an option. As I have already said, these are formidable challenges
that require us to undertake major efforts. However, they are in step
with the scale and pace of global change. It is our duty
to keep pushing ahead and gaining momentum.
If someone prefers to work
in the business as usual mode, without challenges, avoiding
initiative or responsibility, they had better leave immediately.
I already hear that some things are “impossible,” “too difficult,”
“the standards are too high,” and “it will not work.” With such
an attitude, you had better stay away.
Besides, you cannot fool
the people. They are acutely aware of hypocrisy, lack of respect
or any injustice. They have little interest in red tape
and bureaucratic routine. It is important for people to see what
is really being done and the impact it has on their lives
and the lives of their families. And not sometime
in the future, but now. We must not repeat the mistakes
of the past decades and wait for communism to arrive.
We have to change the situation for the better now.
Therefore, the work
of the executive branch at all levels should be coordinated,
meaningful and energetic. The Government of Russia must set
the tone.
At the same time,
I would like to emphasise and repeat: our development projects
are not federal and even less so agency-based. They are national. Their
results must be visible in each region of the Federation,
in every municipality. It is here, on the ground, that
the majority of specific tasks is implemented.
Allow me to underscore: thanks
to years of common work and the results achieved, we can
now direct and concentrate enormous financial resources –
at least enormous for our country – on development goals.
These resources have not come as a rainfall. We have not borrowed
them. These funds have been earned by millions of our citizens –
by the entire country. They need to be applied to increase
the wealth of Russia and the wellbeing of Russian
families.
Very soon, this year people should
feel real changes for the better. It is on the basis
of their opinion and assessments at the beginning
of next year that we will evaluate the first results of our work
on the national projects. And we will draw the appropriate
conclusions about the work quality and performance at all levels
of executive power.
Colleagues,
Let me now share some specifics
on our objectives. I will begin with the key objective
of preserving our nation, which means providing all-around support
to families.
Family, childbirth, procreation
and respect for the elderly have always served
as a powerful moral framework for Russia and its
multi-ethnic people. We have been doing everything in our power
to strengthen family values and are committed to doing so
in the future. In fact, our future is at stake. This is
a task shared by the state, civil society, religious organisations,
political parties and the media.
Russia has entered an extremely
challenging period in terms of demographics. As you know,
the birth rate is declining. As I have already said, this is
caused by purely objective reasons, which have to do with
the immense human losses and birth dearth experienced by our country
in the 20th century, during the Great Patriotic
War and the dramatic years following the dissolution
of the Soviet Union. This does not mean, however, that we must accept
this situation or come to terms with it. Definitely, not.
We succeeded in overcoming
the negative demographic trends in the early 2000s, when our
country faced extreme challenges. This seemed to be an impossible
challenge at the time. Nevertheless, we succeeded,
and I strongly believe that we can do it again by returning
to natural population growth by late 2023 – early 2024.
Today, I wanted to talk
about a new package of measures that has already been prepared
to support families.
First, it is important that having
children and bringing them up do not put families at the risk
of poverty or undermine their wellbeing. As you know, we have
already provided for the payment of subsidies
for the first two children until they reach 18 months. Benefits
for the first child are paid from the federal budget,
and families can use the maternity capital subsidy for obtaining
benefits for their second child. The size of the subsidy
depends on the regional subsistence level for a child. It
may vary from 8,000 rubles in Belgorod Region, for example,
to 22,000 rubles in Chukotka Autonomous Area, with the national
average of over 11,000 rubles a month per child. Currently these
allocations are reserved to families whose income does not exceed
the subsistence wage multiplied by 1.5 per person. It is time that we
make the next step.
Starting January 1, 2020,
I propose raising the bar to two subsistence wages per family
member. This is what people have requested and these requests come
directly into the Executive Office. This measure will increase
the number of families entitled to additional benefits
by almost 50 percent. Some 70 percent of families with one
or two children will be able to benefit from help from
the Government.
Second. At present, carers
looking after children with disabilities and people disabled since
childhood receive an allowance of only 5,500 rubles. I suggest
increasing this to 10,000 rubles, starting July 1. Of course,
I understand that it is still a small amount. However, it will be
an additional measure of support for families with a child
who needs special care.
Third. The income of Russian
families must, of course, increase. This is a serious task that
requires a comprehensive solution. I will speak about this
in greater detail later. But we need direct measures. First of all,
the tax burden on families needs to be relieved. The approach
should be very simple: the more children there are, the lower
the tax. I propose increasing federal tax relief on real estate
for families with many children. I also propose lifting taxes
on 5 square metres in a flat and 7 square metres
in a house per each child.
What does this mean? If,
for example, right now, 20 square metres in a flat are not
subject to tax, the new measure will mean that for a family
with three children, an extra 15 square metres will not be subject to tax.
Regarding plots of land that belong to families with many children,
I propose that 600 square metres should be exempt from tax, and this
means most plots of land will be free from taxation. Let me remind you
that this benefit is already available to pensioners and people
of pre-retirement age. Of course, in many Russian regions there
are local tax benefits on land and property for large families.
However, the benefit being imposed at the federal level
guarantees that it will be available everywhere in the country.
I want to ask regional officials to propose additional tax
measures to support families with children.
Fourth, the Government
and the Central Bank need to consistently maintain
the policy to lower mortgage rates to 9 percent, and then
to 8 percent or below, as stipulated in the May 2018
Executive Order. At the same time, special measures of support
should be provided for families with children, of course.
As a reminder, last year, a preferential mortgage programme was
launched for families that have had their second or subsequent child.
The rate for them is 6 percent. Anything higher is subsidised
by the state. However, only 4,500 families have used
the benefit.
The question is why. It means
that people are somehow dissatisfied with the proposed conditions. But it
is also clear why. A family making a decision to buy housing
certainly makes plans for a long or at least medium term,
a lasting investment. But with this programme, they take out a loan,
start paying the instalments, and the grace period ends.
The interest is actually subsidised only for the first 3
or 5 years. I propose extending the benefit
for the entire term of the mortgage loan.
Yes, of course, it will require
additional funding, and the cost will be rather high: 7.6 billion
rubles in 2019, 21.7 billion rubles in 2020, and 30.6 billion
rubles in 2021. But the programme is estimated to reach
as many as 600,000 families. We certainly need to find
the money. We know where to get it. We have it, and we just need
to use it in the areas that are of major importance
to us.
And one more direct action
solution. Considering the sustainability and stability
of the macroeconomic situation in the country
and the growth of the state’s revenues, I consider it
possible to introduce another measure of support for families
having a third and subsequent children. I suggest paying 450,000
rubles directly from the federal budget to cover this sum from their
mortgage. Importantly, I propose backdating this payment starting
January 1, 2019, recalculating it and allocating relevant sums
in this year’s budget.
Let us see what we have. If we add
this sum to the maternity capital, which can also be used
for mortgage payments, we will get over 900,000 rubles. In many
regions, this is a substantial part of the cost of a flat.
I would like to draw the attention of the Government
and the State Duma to this issue. If need be, the budget
will have to be adjusted accordingly. An additional 26.2 billion
rubles will be required for this in 2019. The relevant figures
for 2020 and 2021 are 28.6 billion rubles and 30.1 billion
rubles, respectively. These are huge funds but they should be allocated
and used in what I have already described as a very
important area.
It is necessary to give families
an opportunity not only to buy ready-made housing but also
to build their own housing on their land. I would like
to ask the Government to draft in cooperation with
the Central Bank convenient and, most importantly, affordable financial
instruments for supporting private housing construction because it is not
covered by mortgage loans today.
And, last but not least, the tax
on land must be fair. Obviously, the cadastral or market value
of a land plot can change but tax rates must not go up and down
unpredictably like roller coaster rides. We have already limited to 10
percent the annual growth of the tax rates for residential
property. I suggest establishing the same limit for land plots.
Moving on, today, when construction
companies build social facilities and transfer them to the state
or municipalities, they have to pay profit tax and VAT. We need
to relieve construction companies of this burden (including our
innovations in the construction sector). This will serve
as an impetus for the comprehensive development
of cities and townships, ensuring that families have everything they
need near their homes: clinics, schools and sports facilities. By doing
this, we will enable parents to work, study, live happily and enjoy
parenthood.
We have come close
to guaranteeing universal access to kindergartens, but
by the end of 2021, we will have to resolve
the problem with nurseries by enabling them to accept 270,000
more children, including in the private sector, with 90,000 places
to be created as early as this year. The federal
and regional budgets should allocate 147 billion rubles for this
purpose, over a three-year period. Let me add that enrolling in a nursery
group, kindergarten, getting subsidies, benefits or the tax
deductions that I have already mentioned and, I hope, that we will
come up with, together with you, all this should happen without any additional
applications, excessive paperwork or having to visit various social
services. By the end of 2020, all the key government
services must be provided in a proactive format where a person
will only need to send in a request for a service that
he or she needs, and the system will take care of all
the rest independently and automatically.
I would like to emphasise
that the package of measures to support families proposed today
is not an exhaustive list of initiatives. It sets
the priorities. Considering the challenges posed
by the state of Russia’s demographics, we will continue
to channel more and more resources into this area. I ask all
of you, colleagues, including both the Government
and the Federal Assembly, to think about it and suggest
solutions.
Colleagues, solving our demographic
problems, increasing life expectancy and reducing mortality rates are
directly related to eradicating poverty. Allow me to remind you that
in 2000, there were more than 40 million people living below
the poverty line. Now there are about 19 million, but this is still too
many, too many. However, there was a time when their number dropped
to 15 million, and now it has grown a little again. We must
certainly focus our attention on this — on combating poverty.
Furthermore, there are even more
people facing serious financial problems than those officially living below
the poverty line. They are forced to cut spending on such
essentials as clothes, medicines and even food. Those most often
faced with poverty are large or single parent families, families with
members with disabilities, as well as single pensioners and people
who cannot find a good job, a well-paid job because there are no
openings or they lack qualifications.
There are many reasons
for poverty, not only in our country, but also
in the world, but it always literally crushes a person, dimming
their life prospects. The state must help people, help them out
of difficult life situations. The experience of some of our
regions shows that it is possible to work effectively for this.
I will name these regions: Kaluga, Ulyanovsk, Tomsk, Vologda,
and Nizhny Novgorod Regions, and a number of other regions
of Russia. Their experience shows that so-called social contracts can be
a working mechanism of such support.
How does it work and what is
this all about? The state helps people find jobs and improve their
skills. The state provides financial resources to families
to run a household farm or to start a small business,
and by the way, these are substantial resources of tens
of thousands of rubles. Let me emphasise that support programmes will
be tailored to meet the needs of every specific applicant.
The allocation of these resources creates some obligations
for the recipients: they have to go through training, find
a job in the given field and provide a steady income
for their family and children. Mechanisms of this kind are
in place around the world and are very effective. Social
contracts can change the lives of those who really want to do
it.
It is estimated that more than 9
million people will be able to benefit from these support measures over
a five-year period. I instruct the Government to assist
the regions that are proactive in introducing social contracts
and work with them on co-financing mechanisms.
Moving on, there are currently many
people and families taking out loans for various purposes, including
consumer loans. Of course, borrowers have to be aware of their
obligations and refrain from assuming an excessive burden. That being
said, anything can happen: people can lose their job or become ill.
In this case, the last thing is to force people into
a corner, and it is also pointless in economic terms. Additional
legal guarantees are needed to protect people. I propose introducing
mortgage payment holidays, as we have recently discussed in Kazan,
to enable people who lose their income to suspend mortgage payments.
They must get a chance to keep their home, if it is the only
property they own, and postpone loan payments. This is not an easy
task, and we have to understand how this can be done so as not
to harm financial institutions while supporting the people. This can
be done, however.
I also ask the Bank
of Russia and law enforcement agencies to put things right
without delay in the microlending segment and protect people
from fraud or extortion by dishonest lenders.
Let me emphasise that as we seek
to overcome poverty and develop the social security net, we need
to reach every family in need and understand the problems
it faces. It should not be possible to refuse assistance simply because
the life circumstances a person is facing are slightly inconsistent
with the criteria set by a programme.
And, of course, it is necessary
to be scrupulous and attentive to every detail. By way
of example, and this is not a very good example for our
work, I would like to say the following: pensions were adjusted
for inflation under the pension reform this year. But if
a pensioner’s income exceeded the subsistence rate, the social
payments were no longer made at the same level. They were either
cancelled altogether or reduced. As a result, the pensions
were not increased at all, or the increases were much less than
a pensioner expected. So many people feel cheated with good reason.
Probably, many people in this hall understand what this is all about. We
made payments from the regional or federal budget to achieve
the subsistence level. We made adjustments for inflation
and the cost of living either matched or exceeded it. So
these payments were discontinued and that was it.
It was necessary to take into
account all the nuances but this was left undone, and of course,
this should not be allowed to happen. This injustice, and it is
certainly an injustice, should be sorted immediately. Starting this year,
adjustments of pensions and monthly payments should by all means
be above the subsistence rate of pensioners that is established every
year. In other words, the state should first bring pensions
to the subsistence level and only after that make adjustments
in pensions and monthly payments. Payments for the first
months of this year must be recalculated and people should be paid
the money due to them that they have not received.
I would like to emphasise
that all those who work in the social sphere or join
the government or municipal services in order to help
people resolve their urgent problems, must meet the highest professional
standards. I believe by and large this is the case.
Of course, this is a very complicated job. We all understand that
working with people every day, from morning until night, is indeed difficult.
But if you have this job you should realise that it is no less important
to understand people, to know what they feel, empathise, share their
worries and concerns and never permit yourself arrogant attitudes
or a lack of respect for people, either in word
or deed. I would like you to always remember this.
Colleagues,
The next important subject is
healthcare. I know that, on the one hand, its current state
seems to be improving, and medical treatment is becoming more
accessible. Nevertheless, many people are not satisfied. It is easy to understand
the reasons for this. As a rule, people judge
the healthcare system by its primary component, that is, outpatient
clinics and paramedic stations. People voice complaints with regard
to their work. Quite often, they have to wait many days to see
a specialist, and it is impossible to quickly undergo
the required tests free of charge. People in remote communities
are even having trouble getting appointments with medical personnel. Yes,
the number of paramedic stations and mobile medical units continues
to increase, but people in areas where there are no such facilities
care nothing about the overall statistics.
I want to emphasise that
medical treatment should become accessible for everyone
by the end of 2020 in all populated areas across Russia
without exception and for all citizens, regardless of their
place of residence. For your information, an additional 1,590
outpatient clinics and paramedic stations are to be built
or renovated in 2019–2020, and I hope that this will be
accomplished.
Today, a number of regions
are implementing the Thrifty Outpatient Clinic project.
As a result, the waiting time to get an appointment
and see a doctor is reduced three or four times over,
on the average. I have visited such outpatient clinics,
and they are operating very well. Much better conditions are created
for people with disabilities and for parents with children.
Unfortunately, there are very few such outpatient clinics so far; they are
rather an exception than the rule all across the nation.
Considering the best regional
practices , and, I repeat, there are such practices, I hereby
instruct the Government to approve the high standards
of thrifty outpatient clinics by the end of the year
and their certification regulations. Next year, you have to team up
with the regions to introduce mechanisms incentivising managers
and medical personnel to improve the quality of their work.
First of all, we have to completely convert all paediatric outpatient
clinics to new standards already in 2021. Please note that the sign
“Thrifty Outpatient Clinic” is not what counts. Most importantly, people should
at long last perceive the state’s respectful and truly
considerate attitude towards their health.
Improving IT penetration
in healthcare will make it more accessible. Online links between medical
institutions, pharmacies, doctors and patients must be streamlined over
the next three years. Let me add that social security medical assessment
boards must be finally included into this digital network in order
to free elderly people, people with disabilities and families with
children from waiting lists and the need to produce various
certificates that are often useless.
Primary care is understaffed.
To address this matter, comprehensive efforts to develop medical
education should be accompanied by initiatives that produce immediate
results. In this connection, I propose removing age restrictions
for the Country Doctor programme so that professionals over
the age of 50 can also receive a one-time payment when moving
to a rural area or a small city: 1,000,000 rubles
for doctors and 500,000 rubles for paramedics.
The most complex surgery is
currently performed not only at federal, but also at regional clinics
and centres using the most advanced equipment. At the same
time, patient recovery is also critical. We have never had a system
of this kind, but we have to start with something. A lot has
to be done in this area. Let us begin by creating at least
two world-class recovery facilities for children, just as we did with
perinatal centres, and proceed from there.
In my last year’s Address,
I proposed a programme for fighting cancer. At least 1
trillion roubles will be allocated to this effect over the next six
years. This is about providing timely, effective and accessible treatment,
using advanced technologies that are effective in most cases
and enable people to overcome this dangerous disease. Today,
the leukaemia recovery rate for children exceeds 80 percent,
and for certain types of cancer, more than 90 percent
of patients recover. Not that long ago, in the mid-1990s, this
disease was almost untreatable and only 10–20 percent of children
could be saved. Russia lacked both the technology and capabilities
at the time. In many cases, the only option was
to turn to foreign clinics. Those who could afford it did so.
We were aware of how tragic this
situation was, which prompted us to focus on improving cancer
treatment for children, developing oncohaematology, using
the capabilities offered by our research institutions,
the healthcare system, and worked proactively with our foreign
partners (some doctors simply moved from Germany to Moscow, and spent
a lot of time here, and probably still do), which yielded
results.
We will continue working
to overhaul the system of cancer care. Early detection is
of crucial importance. In fact, we have revived the system
of health screening and regular medical check-ups. These have
to include cancer screening. It has to be made obligatory. People
must have the opportunity to make appointments remotely, to choose
a suitable time for visiting an outpatient clinic, including
in the evening or at the weekend, so that
the check-up can be carried out without any additional formalities.
Next, over the next few years we
must create a number of new areas combining healthcare with social
services. Thus, we must overhaul the system of assistance
for people who need long-term help at medical facilities
or at home, adjust this system to the needs
of specific families and individuals, support people with their everyday
needs by assigning district nurses or carers, or training
relatives in medical or other necessary skills. The application
of these recipient-oriented principles of assistance began last year
in Volgograd, Kostroma, Novgorod, Pskov, Ryazan and Tula regions. We
must introduce them throughout the country within a timeframe
of four years.
Palliative care is a matter
of not only medical but also of social, public and moral
concern. According to the available information, some 800,000 people
need this assistance, and volunteers have told me that the figure is
around one million. As you know, in January I visited
a children’s hospice in St Petersburg, where we discussed this
matter. I know that yesterday the State Duma adopted
in the second reading amendments to the legislation
on palliative care. I would like work on this law to be
completed as soon as possible. We will then monitor its application
so we can promptly make amendments, taking into account the opinions
of volunteers, whom I have mentioned, doctors, carers, members
of the public and religious associations and benefactors,
that is, everyone who have long been providing heartfelt palliative care.
Colleagues, people have increasingly
high demands on environmental safety issues. Perhaps, the most
painful topic is municipal waste. If you remember, it came up
for the first time during one of my Direct Lines. Yes, we
have probably neglected the waste disposal problems for maybe
a hundred years, which means we have never paid attention to them.
Many landfills are overfilled because waste has been accumulating there
for decades. The landfills have turned into real mountains of garbage
near residential areas.
By the way, I am also
interested to know how you issued permits for the construction
of residential neighbourhoods next to these dumps and landfills.
Didn’t you think of that? You should have. I urge
the representatives of the authorities at all levels:
pretending that nothing is happening, turning away, brushing aside people’s
needs is absolutely unacceptable. These issues are difficult, of course,
but difficult issues must also be addressed.
This year, the regions began
adopting a new system of solid municipal waste management. However,
if the only change is a rise in rubbish clearance prices –
well, this is not real work; it is a sham. People need to see what
they are paying for and what real changes are happening. It is
necessary to restore order in this area, to get rid
of shady businesses that do not bear any responsibility and only get
super-profits dumping trash at random sites.
We need to build
a civilised and safe system of waste treatment, recycling
and disposal. Surprisingly, a year ago I personally had
to interfere on some matters. I had to talk
to the Interior Ministry and the Prosecutor’s Office
several times. You know, surprisingly, I would like to say it again,
almost nothing moved forward until I gave an order to station
a guard there and not to let anyone in. This is the only
way it works, because these shady companies, the so-called fly-by-nights,
they just make quick profits and shut down their so-called business.
I ask the Russian Popular
Front to ensure effective public control here, including reliance
on public environmental inspectors. Their signals regarding any violations
must be considered by the authorities, who must adopt specific
measures. In the next two years, 30 large problem landfills within
city boundaries must be closed and rehabilitated, and in six
years, all the rest. At the same time, it is necessary
to increase the share of waste treatment from today's 8–9
percent to 60, so as not to accumulate new millions of tonnes
of trash.
It is necessary to introduce
stricter environmental requirements when it comes to utility services
and energy and transport enterprises. In part, I am urging
businesses to play a more active role in natural gas motor fuel
projects, and invest in the formation of a network
of fuelling stations and fuel systems using liquefied natural gas. We
have enough of it, more than any other country. Indeed, this is
a complicated and costly project but it should be carried out because
it will produce results not only for businesses but for the people
as well.
A positive effect from
the industry’s transfer to the best affordable technologies
and strict environmental standards should be felt by residents
of major industrial centres of the country, primarily
the 12 cities I mentioned in the 2018 Address. These places
should be finally removed from the zone of real environmental
disaster. Over a period of the next six years, the amount
of polluting emissions in the air should be reduced there
by no less than 20 percent.
To prevent anyone from
the temptation of dodging the implementation of this job,
it is necessary to strictly monitor industrial and other companies
responsible for this, to map out the specific steps they should
take to minimise environmental damage, and to register all this
in a law on emission quotas. I know all too well what this
is all about. I know that fairly influential lobbyists are trying
to impede this draft law as much as they can. I know their
arguments very well too: the need to preserve jobs and a complicated
economic situation.
But this cannot go on endlessly
in this manner. It must not. Let me recall that in making such
decisions we should be guided by the interests
of the people of Russia rather than corporate interests
or interests of some individuals. Colleagues, please pass this law during
the spring session.
Finding solutions
for environmental problems is the job of our researchers
and people in industry. Each of us is responsible for this.
I am urging young people, among others, to take a more active
part in this work. We must hand over to the future generations
an environmentally safe country and preserve Russia’s natural
potential as well as its specially protected areas. This year new
national parks will open in the republics of Daghestan, Komi
and Sakha (Yakutia), Altai Territory and Chelyabinsk Region. However,
I would like to draw your attention to the fact that many
specially protected areas do not yet have precise borders and their
regulations are not observed.
I have instructed
the Ministry of Natural Resources to conduct a detailed
audit. All sanctuaries must be registered in the cadastre. It is also
necessary to adopt a law according to which only environmental
tourism can take place in nature reserves, without any withdrawal
of territories, wood cutting or major construction work. Naturally,
it is necessary to take into account the interests
of the locals but these issues should be resolved
in a package.
Colleagues, the number
of students from small towns and remote areas studying
at the best Moscow and regional universities is increasing.
According to international assessments, our elementary, middle
and high school students demonstrate good results
in the humanities and hard sciences. We can see it ourselves,
based on the results of contests and various student
competitions. All this is an indicator of qualitative changes
in our school education.
However, despite all these
achievements, we must not overlook the obvious problems in this
crucial area. The share of schools with modern study conditions has
increased from 12 percent in 2000 (only 12 percent) to 85 percent
in 2018. But even today, some 200,000 children still go to schools
where there is no proper heating, water supply and sewage system. Yes, it
is less than 1.5 percent of all schoolchildren, but when their parents see
these conditions, any words about justice and equal opportunities only
irritate them. I want to draw the attention
of the heads of the regions where poorly equipped schools
still exist. This problem can be completely resolved within two years. We can
do it. I know that the Government is thinking about it
and making certain decisions. I am asking you to support
the regions that lack their own resources.
When in 2006 we started
providing internet connections to schools, the technology was
completely different. You know, it seemed like a real breakthrough.
And it was indeed a breakthrough at the time. Right now,
this technology seems ancient, and we have new tasks to resolve.
By the end of 2021, all Russian schools must have
a high-speed internet connection rather than just a connection. Let
me remind you that in 2006, when schools were being hooked up
to the internet, the recommended speed was 128 kbps. Now we need
50 Mbps or 100 Mbps, which is at least 400 times higher. This will
help our kids to gain access to lessons and lectures
by prominent teachers, to contests and Olympiads; it will allow
them to significantly expand their capabilities and get involved
in online projects with their fellow students from other regions
and countries. The content of educational programmes must also
change. The national standards and programmes must reflect
the priorities of the country’s science and technology
development, while the federal lists of recommended textbooks must
include the best of the best books.
Of course, human resources are
the most important issue. I have already spoken today about expanding
the Country Doctor programme. I propose starting a similar
programme for education, the Country Teacher. Teachers who decide to move
to smaller towns and villages will receive a one-time payment
of one million rubles.
We must work consistently
to strengthen the common environment of education
and culture. The culture and education centres
in Kaliningrad, Kemerovo, Vladivostok and Sevastopol will open no
later than in 2023. Our leading museums and theatres will be
represented there, and branches of art schools will start working
there already next year. The demand for a rich cultural
environment is very high, primarily in the regions, where
a great number of talented and committed people are working.
I propose greatly expanding
assistance to local cultural initiatives, that is, projects dealing with
local history, crafts and the preservation
of the historical heritage of our peoples. For example,
additional allocations can be made towards this from the Presidential
Grants Fund. In addition, we will allocate over 17 billion rubles within
the Culture national project for the construction
and renovation of rural culture clubs and over 6 billion rubles
for supporting culture centres in Russia’s small towns.
I would like to remind you
that medical and educational institutions are exempt from profit tax, but
only until January 1, 2020. I propose making this incentive
of unlimited duration and also extending it to the regional
and municipal museums, theatres and libraries. By the way,
this will allow them to save some 4 billion rubles, which they will invest
in development or will use to raise salaries. And lastly,
this measure will encourage private investment in local cultural establishments.
Colleagues, I would like
the heads of regions to ensure that salaries in education,
healthcare, culture and other public sectors are kept on a par
with the average wage in the given region’s economy. Colleagues,
this is very important. I keep talking about this at all
my meetings. We must not lower this standard. At the same time,
the average wage in the economy must grow. Over 40 million
people who work in the public and defence sectors and are
non-working pensioners receive fixed payments. These payments must grow
together with the inflation at the least. I ask
the Government to take this into account.
More than 70 million people work
in manufacturing, agriculture or the services or are small
business owners. The state of Russia’s economy has a direct
bearing on their income, wellbeing and confidence
in the future. The primary tool for achieving steady wage
increases is to promote quality employment and free enterprise,
qualified, well-paid jobs in all regions, including both traditional
and new sectors. High economic growth rates are essential. This is
the only way to overcome poverty and ensure steady
and perceptible increases in income. This is the key
to success. As soon as in 2021, Russia’s economic growth
rate must exceed 3 percent and stay above the global average
afterwards. This objective should not be discarded.
The Government
and the Central Bank are once again tasked with complying with
the target inflation rate. I have already said this, and we knew
that this would happen when we put aside financial resources
for the national projects. This was an expected outcome,
and now we need to make sure that the situation gets back
to normal. We can do this. As I said, the Government
and the Central Bank must ensure that the inflation targets are
met and create a favourable macroeconomic environment
for facilitating growth in general. We have a strong financial
safety cushion.
I have something positive
to share with you. For the first time ever, our reserves fully
cover not only the sovereign debt, which is quite small, but also private
borrowings. These funds are at work, and investment
of the National Welfare Fund generates budget revenue. Therefore,
I would like to address those of our colleagues who constantly
criticise the Government, its financial and economic ministries
and ask where the money went and where we invested it. We set
a target to reach a certain level, after which we can use these
funds, although cautiously so as not to cause any macroeconomic
disturbances. We are about to reach this level, and are beginning
to do it. The proceeds from these investments go
to the federal budget. In 2018, proceeds from investing
the National Welfare Fund in the amount of 70.5 billion
rubles were added to the budget.
To achieve high growth rates, it
is also necessary to resolve systemic problems in the economy.
I will highlight four priorities here.
The first one is faster growth
in labour productivity, primarily based on new technologies
and digitalisation; the development of competitive industries
and, as a result, an increase in non-primary exports
by more than 50 percent in six years.
The second one is
to improve the business climate and the quality
of national jurisdiction, so that no one moves their operations
to other jurisdictions, to ensure that everything is reliable
and runs like clockwork. Growth in investment should increase
by 6–7 percent in 2020. Achieving this level will be one
of the key criteria for evaluating the Government’s work.
The third priority is removing
infrastructural constraints for economic development
and for unlocking the potential of our regions.
And the fourth thing is
training modern personnel, of course, and creating powerful
scientific and technological foundations.
Now I would like to expand
on our specific tasks in these fields.
A colossal guaranteed demand
for industrial and high-tech products is being formed in Russia,
I can say this without any exaggeration. So the words I would
like to use – we are faced with historical opportunities
for a qualitative growth of Russian business, mechanical
engineering and machine-tool making, microelectronics, IT-industry,
and other industries. The national projects alone include – just
think of it – 6 trillion rubles worth of procurement plans
for medical and construction equipment, instruments,
telecommunications systems, and systems for housing and public
utilities. And these resources should work here in Russia.
So I am urging
the Government, the regions, the representatives of state-owned
companies I see here in this room – you certainly want
to buy all the most modern equipment and as inexpensively
as possible. Naturally, everyone wants to be and should be
competitive, but wherever possible, you need to rely on our
producers, on domestic ones. We must find them, and even work
together with them. Of course, there must be a competitive
environment, but we already have the tools to support Russian
manufacturers. We must not forget about these tools, and use them.
I would like to emphasise
that access to state contracts must be equal (at least for our
own, for national companies), and the orders should go
to those who prove their sustainability with hard work and results,
with willingness to change, to introduce advanced technology
and increase labour productivity, and offer the best competitive
products.
As concerns the defence
industry, we must use our current capacities for diversification,
to expand civil production. Colleagues understand what I am talking
about here. There are certain targets for each year. And they must be
achieved, no matter what.
And of course, now is
the time for more daring initiatives, for creating businesses
and production companies, for promoting new products
and services. This wave of technological development allows companies
to grow and win markets very quickly. There are already examples
of successful companies, innovative companies. We need many more
of them, including in such fields as artificial intelligence,
Big Data, the Internet of Things and robotics.
I am instructing
the Government to create the most comfortable conditions
for private investment in technological startups
and to involve development institutions in their support.
I am asking members of parliament to promptly pass the laws
that are most crucial for creating the legal framework
of the new digital economy, laws that will allow to close civil
deals and raise funds using digital technology, to develop e-commerce
and services. The entire Russian legislation must be geared up
to reflect the new technological reality. These laws must not
restrict the development of innovative and promising industries
but push this development forward.
The most crucial indicator
of a business’s efficiency and competitiveness lies
in expanding export and entering external markets. The success
of our agricultural industry is, of course, a good example
of such development. Our agricultural export increased by 19.4
percent in 2018 reaching $25.8 billion. In 2024, we must reach $45
billion. Incidentally, we are not only one of the largest wheat
exporters (last year we exported 44 million tonnes). We have at least one
more significant achievement. Thanks to the developments
of Russian researchers we are no longer dependent on other countries
for wheat seeds. Experts will confirm how critically important this is.
Russia must have the entire range of its own advanced agricultural
technology, which must be available not only to large but also
to small farms. This is literally a matter of national security
and successful competition in the growing food markets.
Improving the quality
of life for those who work in rural areas is a key
long-term factor of the agricultural industry’s steady growth.
I would like to point out to the Government that
as soon as this year, they must approve a new development
programme for rural territories that must be enforced
as of January 1, 2020.
One more thing. I think
everybody will agree that our massive natural resources constitute our natural
advantage. They need to be used for increasing the production
of organic produce. I am instructing the Government
to create a protected brand for clean products, a brand
that will guarantee safety of the technology used and win
the reputation of high quality both on the domestic
and foreign markets. Trust me, it will be extremely popular abroad. There
is hardly anything clean left there.
Colleagues, to achieve
the ambitious goals facing the country, we must rid the system
of everything that restricts freedom of enterprise and business
initiative. Honest businesses should not face the risk of criminal
or administrative prosecution. I have already noted this matter
in one of my Addresses, and I have cited
the relevant figures. Unfortunately, the situation has not improved
much.
Today, almost half of all cases
(45 percent) opened against entrepreneurs do not get to trial. What does
this mean? This means that they were opened in a slipshod manner
or under some unclear pretext. And what does this mean
in practice? As a result, 130 jobs are lost on average every
time a business closes down as result of an investigation.
Let us think about this figure; this is becoming a major economic problem.
The business community points
to a number of legislative and law enforcement problems.
I agree that we need to closely analyse the criteria under which
all employees of a company can be considered to be part
of a group that is guilty of collusion just through
the fact of working for that company. To be honest, this is
complete nonsense, but, unfortunately, it happens time and again.
And this leads to a stricter detention during
the investigation and a more substantial penalty later on.
Additionally, we need to strictly limit the grounds
for extending the term of detention during
the investigation of so-called economic criminal cases. Today, this
sometimes happens without any grounds, simply because the investigators
had no time to conduct the required expert checks
or as a result of delays in the investigation.
We have discussed this matter with
the Prosecutor General and the President
of the Supreme Court. This is what happens: a person is kept
behind bars, and he has not been summoned for questioning
for several months. The prosecutor wants to know why he had not
been questioned, and they tell him that the investigator was on holiday.
Of course, investigators, especially those at the Interior
Ministry, handle a tidal wave of criminal cases, and we need
to do something about that, we need to take a closer look
at this matter. Perhaps we should set aside additional resources and increase
the number of investigators. Nevertheless, how can this be explained?
A person is kept behind bars while the investigator has left
on holiday and has not questioned him for several months. This
should not happen, we need to sort this out. I ask the Supreme
Court and the Prosecutor General’s Office to analyse all these
problems once again and to submit their proposals.
I suggest that our business
associations and the Agency for Strategic Initiatives create
a special digital platform – in fact, they themselves have
advanced this initiative – which entrepreneurs will use to make
public any instances of pressure on business and to demand
a formal court hearing.
I urge the heads
of law enforcement agencies not to be wary of this. This
initiative will serve as an additional support, so that senior
officials at these agencies will promptly receive the objective
information they need to make decisions, at least
at the departmental level. I ask the Government
and the business community to discuss the technological
solutions and the legal framework for implementing this
initiative, and the law enforcement agencies – the Interior
Ministry, the Federal Security Service, the Prosecutor General’s
Office and the Investigative Committee – to coordinate
regulations for working with the entrepreneurs’ complaints, including
deadlines. This platform must start working, at least in pilot mode,
by the end of the year.
Next, the Government has
proposed overhauling the regulatory framework. This is good, and we
must give all-round support to this. However, I believe that this is
not enough. We must take even more radical steps. Indeed, let us draw
the line and suspend all the existing regulatory laws
and departmental regional orders, letters and instructions
as of January 1, 2021. In the two years until then, we
must update the regulatory laws together with the business community,
retaining only those documents that satisfy current requirements
and shelving the rest.
When we discussed this issue, many
of our colleagues said honestly that they were terrified. Yes, this is
scary, but the problem does exist. It will not be an easy job.
The files are really thick in some areas and departments. They
have been piling up for decades since the Soviet era, or even
“as far back as Ochakov and the Crimean war.”
[The quote is from Alexander Griboyedov’s Woe from Wit written
in 1824.] I am not referring to the year 2014,
of course. (Laughter) Some of these documents go back
to the time of Alexander Griboyedov or even before him. So
much has been written and regulated. But frankly, I doubt that even
the personnel of these agencies know everything that is written
in these documents. Hence, we must complete their analysis within two
years. There is nothing to fear. We must roll up our sleeves and do
it, keeping or updating only the documents we really need
to properly organise our activities.
Colleagues, infrastructure upgrades
need to be accelerated using state-of-the-art technology. This is
essential for enhancing a country's connectivity, and especially
for Russia, the world’s largest country with its vast territory. This
is essential for strengthening statehood, unleashing the country’s
potential and driving national economic growth.
This year, the railway section
of the Crimean Bridge will be launched, and will become
a powerful impetus. I would like to take this opportunity
to thank all the construction and railway workers. We saw that
a bypass railway was built near Krasnodar alongside an approach
railway to this junction from the Caucasus coast. As I have
said, trains will begin using the Crimean Bridge in 2019, creating
a powerful development driver for Crimea and Sevastopol.
In addition to this,
the expressway linking Moscow and St Petersburg is expected
to be completed, creating new business opportunities and jobs
for people living in Novgorod, Tver, Leningrad and Moscow
regions.
More than 60 airports will benefit
from upgrades over the next six years, including international airports
in Khabarovsk, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk and Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.
In 2025, the throughput
capacity of the Baikal-Amur Mainline and Trans-Siberian Railway
will grow 1.5 times, reaching 210 million tonnes, which is very important
for the development of Siberia and Russia’s Far East.
Let me reiterate that key indicators
related to social and economic development and quality
of life in all Russia’s Far Eastern regions are expected
to exceed the national average. This is a national cause,
and a major priority of our efforts to promote Eastern
Siberia and the Far East as strategic territories. All agencies
have to constantly keep this in mind.
In September, we will have
a meeting in Vladivostok to discuss what each
of the federal agencies has done and intends to undertake
for the Far East. All the plans for building and upgrading
roads, railways, sea ports, air service and communications must prioritise
regional development, including promoting these regions as travel
destinations.
There is enormous interest
in Russia, our culture, nature and historical monuments. Taking into
consideration the success of the World Cup, I propose
making greater use of e-visas and thinking more broadly about how
to streamline visa processing for tourists coming to Russia.
Next. This year we must adopt
a master plan for developing the infrastructure
of a digital economy, including telecommunications networks,
as well as data storage and processing capacities. Here we need
to look ahead as well. The task for the next few years
is to provide universal access to high-speed internet and start
using 5G communications networks.
To achieve a revolution
in communications, navigation and systems for remote sensing
of the Earth, we must dramatically increase the capabilities
of our satellite group. Russia has unique technology for this, but
such tasks require a fundamental upgrade of the entire space
industry. I am instructing Roscosmos and the Moscow Government
to establish a National Space Centre. My colleagues came
to me and told me about it. This is a good project is designed
to unite relevant organisations, design bureaus and prototype
production facilities, and to support scientific research
and the training of personnel.
We are seeing that global competition
is increasingly shifting to science, technology and education. Just
recently, it seemed inconceivable that Russia could make not just
a breakthrough but also a high-tech breakthrough in defence.
This was difficult, complex work. Much had to be restored or started
from scratch It was necessary to break new ground and find bold,
unique solutions. Nevertheless, this was done. It was done by our
engineers, workers and scientists, including very young people that grew
up with these projects. Let me repeat that I know all the details
of this large-scale effort and I am completely justified in saying,
for instance, that the development of the Avangard
strategic hypersonic glide vehicle is tantamount to the launching
of the world's first artificial satellite. And not just
in terms of enhancing the country’s defence capability and security,
although this is the primary goal, but in influencing
the consolidation of our scientific potential
and the development of unique technological assets.
At one time, the nuclear
defence project gave the country nuclear power. The construction
of a missile shield that started with the launch
of the world's first artificial satellite allowed the country
to begin peaceful space exploration. Today, we need to use
the personnel, knowledge, competences and materials we have acquired
from developing the next generation of weapons to produce
the same kind of results for civilian applications.
We have yet to implement new
ambitious scientific and technological programmes. An Executive Order
on genetic research has already been signed, and I propose
launching a similar large-scale programme at the national level
on artificial intelligence. In the middle of the next
decade, we should be among the leaders in these science
and technology areas, which, of course, will determine
the future of the world and the future of Russia.
To implement such projects, we
need to accelerate the development of an advanced
scientific infrastructure. Incidentally, the reactor PIK,
a mega-science class research unit was recently launched in Leningrad
Region. Over the next 20 years, it will be one of the world’s
most powerful sources for neutron research, enabling scientists
to conduct unique research in physics, biology, and chemistry,
and to develop new drugs, diagnostic tools, and new materials.
For the first time
in decades, Russian shipyards will break ground for several modern
research vessels capable of working in all strategic areas, including
the Arctic seas and the Antarctic, exploring the shelf
and the natural resources of the World Ocean.
To promote powerful
technological development, we need to build a modern research
and development model. This is why we are setting up research
and education centres in the regions that will integrate all
levels of education with the potential of research facilities
and business. Within three years, centres like this should be established
in 15 regions in the Russian Federation, the first five
this year. Three of them – in Tyumen and Belgorod Regions
and Perm Territory – are close to completion and are
to open this year.
We need specialists capable
of working at advanced production facilities, developing
and applying breakthrough technology solutions. Therefore, we need
to ensure a broad introduction of updated curricula at all
levels of professional education, to organise personnel training
for the industries that are still being formed.
At the end of August,
Russia will host the WorldSkills world championships – so let us wish
our team success. Their success is significant for increasing
the prestige of the skilled labor occupation. Relying
on the WorldSkills movement experience, we will accelerate
the modernisation of secondary vocational education, which includes
installing modern equipment at more than 2,000 shops in colleges
and technical schools by 2022.
Passion for a future career
and creativity is formed at a young age. In the next
three years, thanks to the development of children’s technology
parks, quantoriums and education centres for computer skills, natural
sciences and the humanities, around one million new spots
in extracurricular education programmes will be created. All children must
have access.
The Sirius educational centre
in Sochi is becoming a true constellation. The plan was
for centres supporting gifted children, based on its model,
to open in all regions by 2024. But our colleagues said they can
finish this work early, within two years. Such proactive efforts deserve
praise.
I think every national project
has reserves for increasing the pace. I expect that our
companies and the business community will get involved in such
projects as Ticket to the Future that provides school pupils
in their sixth year and above with the opportunity
to discover their career interests and intern at actual
companies, research centres and other places.
I want to speak directly
to our young people. Your talents, energy and creative abilities are
among Russia’s strongest competitive advantages. We understand and greatly
value this. We have created an entire system of projects
and personal growth competitions in which every young person, from
school to university age, can show what they are made of. These include
ProeKTOriYA, My First Business, I Am A Professional, Russian
Leaders and many others. I want to stress that all this is
being created for young people to take advantage of these
opportunities. I urge you to take a chance and use them, be
bold, realise your dreams and plans, do something of value
for yourself, your family and your country.
Colleagues, Russia has been
and always will be a sovereign and independent state. This is
a given. It will either be that, or will simply cease to exist.
We must clearly understand this. Without sovereignty, Russia cannot be
a state. Some countries can do this, but not Russia.
Building relations with Russia means
working together to find solutions to the most complex matters
instead of trying to impose solutions. We make no secret of our
foreign policy priorities. These include strengthening trust, countering global
threats, promoting cooperation in the economy and trade,
education, culture, science and technology, as well as facilitating
people-to-people contact. These tenets underpin our work within the UN,
the Commonwealth of Independent States, as well as within
the Group of 20, BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation
Organisation.
We believe
in the importance of promoting closer cooperation within
the Union State of Russia and Belarus, including close foreign
policy and economic coordination. Together with our integration partners
within the Eurasian Economic Union, we will continue creating common
markets and outreach efforts. This includes implementing the decisions
to coordinate the activities of the EAEU with China’s Belt
and Road initiative on the way to a greater Eurasian
partnership.
Russia’s equal and mutually
beneficial relations with China currently serve as an important
factor of stability in international affairs and in terms
of Eurasian security, offering a model of productive economic
cooperation. Russia attaches importance to realising the potential
of the special privileged strategic partnership with India. We will
continue to promote political dialogue and economic cooperation with
Japan. Russia stands ready to work with Japan on finding mutually
acceptable terms for signing a peace treaty. We intend
to promote deeper ties with the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations.
We also hope that the European
Union and the major European countries will finally take actual steps
to put political and economic relations with Russia back
on track. People in these countries are looking forward
to cooperation with Russia, which includes corporations, as well
as small and medium-sized enterprises, and European businesses
in general. It goes without saying that this would serve our common
interests.
The unilateral withdrawal
of the USA from the INF Treaty is the most urgent
and most discussed issue in Russian-American relations. This is why
I am compelled to talk about it in more detail. Indeed, serious
changes have taken place in the world since the Treaty was
signed in 1987. Many countries have developed and continue to develop
these weapons, but not Russia or the USA – we have limited
ourselves in this respect, of our own free will. Understandably, this
state of affairs raises questions. Our American partners should have just
said so honestly rather than make far-fetched accusations against Russia
to justify their unilateral withdrawal from the Treaty.
It would have been better if they had
done what they did in 2002 when they walked away from the ABM Treaty
and did so openly and honestly. Whether that was good or bad is
another matter. I think it was bad, but they did it and that is that.
They should have done the same thing this time, too. What are they doing
in reality? First, they violate everything, then they look
for excuses and appoint a guilty party. But they are also
mobilising their satellites that are cautious but still make noises
in support of the USA. At first, the Americans began
developing and using medium-range missiles, calling them discretionary
“target missiles” for missile defence. Then they began deploying Mk-41 universal
launch systems that can make offensive combat use of Tomahawk medium-range
cruise missiles possible.
I am talking about this
and using my time and yours because we have to respond
to the accusations that are leveled at us. But having done
everything I have just described, the Americans openly
and blatantly ignored the provisions envisaged by articles 4
and 6 of the INF Treaty. According to Item 1, Article VI
(I am quoting): “Each Party shall eliminate all intermediate-range
missiles and the launchers of such missiles… so that… no such
missiles, launchers… shall be possessed by either party.” Paragraph 1
of Article VI provides that (and I quote) “upon entry into force
of the Treaty and thereafter, neither Party may produce
or flight-test any intermediate-range missile, or produce any stages
or launchers of such missiles.” End of quote.
Using medium-range target missiles
and deploying launchers in Romania and Poland that are fit
for launching Tomahawk cruise missiles, the US has openly violated
these clauses of the Treaty. They did this some time ago. These
launchers are already stationed in Romania and nothing happens. It
seems that nothing is happening. This is even strange. This is not at all
strange for us, but people should be able to see and understand
it.
How are we evaluating the situation
in this context? I have already said this and I want
to repeat: Russia does not intend – this is very important, I am
repeating this on purpose – Russia does not intend to deploy
such missiles in Europe first. If they really are built and delivered
to the European continent, and the United States has plans
for this, at least we have not heard otherwise, it will dramatically
exacerbate the international security situation, and create
a serious threat to Russia, because some of these missiles can
reach Moscow in just 10–12 minutes. This is a very serious threat
to us. In this case, we will be forced, I would like
to emphasise this, we will be forced to respond with mirror
or asymmetric actions. What does this mean?
I am saying this directly
and openly now, so that no one can blame us later, so that it will be
clear to everyone in advance what is being said here. Russia will be
forced to create and deploy weapons that can be used not only
in the areas we are directly threatened from, but also in areas
that contain decision-making centres for the missile systems
threatening us.
What is important in this
regard? There is some new information. These weapons will fully correspond
to the threats directed against Russia in their technical
specifications, including flight times to these decision-making centres.
We know how to do this
and will implement these plans immediately, as soon
as the threats to us become real. I do not think we need
any further, irresponsible exacerbation of the current international
situation. We do not want this.
What would I like to add?
Our American colleagues have already tried to gain absolute military
superiority with their global missile defence project. They need to stop
deluding themselves. Our response will always be efficient and effective.
The work on promising
prototypes and weapon systems that I spoke about
in my Address last year continues as scheduled and without
disruptions. We have launched serial production of the Avangard
system, which I have already mentioned today. As planned, this year,
the first regiment of the Strategic Missile Troops will be
equipped with Avangard. The Sarmat super-heavy intercontinental missile
of unprecedented power is undergoing a series of tests.
The Peresvet laser weapon and the aviation systems equipped with
Kinzhal hypersonic ballistic missiles proved their unique characteristics
during test and combat alert missions while the personnel learned how
to operate them. Next December, all the Peresvet missiles supplied
to the Armed Forces will be put on standby alert. We will
continue expanding the infrastructure for the MiG-31
interceptors carrying Kinzhal missiles. The Burevestnik nuclear-powered
cruise missile of unlimited range and the Poseidon
nuclear-powered unmanned underwater vehicle of unlimited range are
successfully undergoing tests.
In this context, I would
like to make an important statement. We did not announce it before,
but today we can say that as soon as this spring the first
nuclear-powered submarine carrying this unmanned vehicle will be launched. The work is going as planned.
Today I also think I can officially inform you
about another promising innovation. As you may remember, last time
I said we had more to show but it was a little early
for that. So I will reveal little by little what else we have up
our sleeves. Another promising innovation, which is successfully being
developed according to plan, is Tsirkon, a hypersonic missile that
can reach speeds of approximately Mach 9 and strike a target
more than 1,000 km away both under water and on the ground. It
can be launched from water, from surface vessels and from submarines,
including those that were developed and built for carrying Kalibr
high-precision missiles, which means it comes at no additional cost for us.
On a related note, I want to highlight
that for the defence of Russia’s national interests, two
or three years ahead of the schedule set by the state
arms programme, the Russian Navy will receive seven new multipurpose
submarines, and construction will begin on five surface vessels designed
for the open ocean. Sixteen more vessels of this class will
enter service in the Russian Navy by 2027.
To conclude, on the unilateral withdrawal
by the USA from the Treaty on the Elimination
of Intermediate-Range and Shorter-Range Missiles, here is what
I would like to say. The US policy toward Russia in recent
years can hardly be called friendly. Russia’s legitimate interests are being
ignored, there is constant anti-Russia campaigning, and more and more
sanctions, which are illegal in terms of international law, are
imposed without any reason whatsoever. Let me emphasise that we did nothing
to provoke these sanctions. The international security architecture
that took shape over the past decades is being completely and unilaterally
dismantled, all while referring to Russia as almost the main
threat to the USA.
Let me say outright that this is not true. Russia wants
to have sound, equal and friendly relations with the USA. Russia
is not threatening anyone, and all we do in terms of security is
simply a response, which means that our actions are defensive. We are not
interested in confrontation and we do not want it, especially with
a global power like the United States of America. However, it
seems that our partners fail to notice the depth and pace of change
around the world and where it is headed. They continue with their
destructive and clearly misguided policy. This hardly meets
the interests of the USA itself. But this is not for us
to decide.
We can see that we are dealing with proactive
and talented people, but within the elite, there are also many people
who have excessive faith in their exceptionalism and supremacy over
the rest of the world. Of course, it is their right
to think what they want. But can they count? Probably they can. So let them
calculate the range and speed of our future arms systems. This
is all we are asking: just do the maths first and take decisions that
create additional serious threats to our country afterwards. It goes
without saying that these decisions will prompt Russia to respond
in order to ensure its security in a reliable
and unconditional manner.
I have already said this, and I will
repeat that we are ready to engage in disarmament talks, but we will
not knock on a locked door anymore. We will wait until our partners
are ready and become aware of the need for dialogue
on this matter.
We continue developing our Armed Forces
and improving the intensity and quality of combat training,
in part, using the experience we gained
in the anti-terrorist operation in Syria. Much experience was
gained by practically all the commanders of the Ground
Forces, by covert operations forces and military police, warship
crews, army, tactical, and strategic and military transport aviation.
I would like to emphasise again that we need
peace for sustainable long-term development. Our efforts to enhance
our defence capability are for only one purpose: to ensure
the security of this country and our citizens so that nobody
would even consider pressuring us, or launching an aggression against
us.
Colleagues, we are facing ambitious goals. We are
approaching solutions in a systematic and consistent way,
building a model of socio-economic development that will allow us
to ensure the best conditions for the self-fulfillment
of our people and, hence, provide befitting answers
to the challenges of a rapidly changing world,
and preserve Russia as a civilisation with its own identity,
rooted in centuries-long traditions and the culture of our
people, our values and customs. Naturally, we will only be able
to achieve our goals by pooling our efforts, together
in a united society, if all of us, all citizens of Russia,
are willing to succeed in specific endeavours.
Such solidarity in striving for change is
always the deliberate choice of the people themselves. They make
this choice when they understand that national development depends
on them, on the results of their labour, when a desire
to be needed and useful enjoys support, when everyone finds
a job by vocation one is happy with, and most importantly, when
there is justice and a vast space for freedom and equal
opportunity for work, study, initiative and innovation.
These parameters for development breakthroughs
cannot be translated into figures or indicators, but it is these
things – a unified society, people being involved
in the affairs of their country, and a common
confidence in our power – that play the main role
in reaching success. And we will achieve this success by any
means necessary.
Thank you for your attention.
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