VLADIMIR PUTIN: ENGLISH

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Sunday, March 22, 2020

EN -- Telephone conversation with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte/ PT -- Conversa telefónica com o Primeiro Ministro italiano Giuseppe Conte

Telephone conversation with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte

Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with Prime Minister of Italy Giuseppe Conte at the initiative of the Russian side.

March 21, 2020

20:10

The coronavirus pandemic and the steps taken in both countries to counter the spread of the infection were discussed in detail. Vladimir Putin expressed support to the leadership and people of Italy in view of the extremely severe epidemiological situation in the Italian Republic.

The two leaders agreed on close interaction in fighting the coronavirus. In response to the request from the Italian side, the President of Russia confirmed readiness to render the necessary assistance and set out its specific parameters. Thus, there are plans to deliver protective equipment, KAMAZ truck-mounted units for disinfectant spraying of vehicles and territories, medical and other equipment, as well as to send teams of Russian specialists to render practical assistance in the worst-hit areas of the country. The deliveries will be carried out by the Defence Ministry using the Russian Federation Aerospace Forces aircraft.

Giuseppe Conte expressed sincere gratitude for the steps taken by Russia to support Italy during this difficult time.

Conversa telefónica com o Primeiro Ministro italiano Giuseppe Conte

Vladimir Putin conversou por telefone com o Primeiro Ministro da Itália, Giuseppe Conte, por iniciativa do lado russo.

21 de Março de 2020

20:10

A pandemia de coronavírus e as medidas tomadas em ambos os países para combater a propagação da infecção foram discutidas em pormenor. Vladimir Putin exprimiu apoio à liderança e ao povo da Itália, tendo em consideração a situação epidemiológica extremamente grave na República Italiana.

Os dois líderes concordaram com uma estreita interacção na luta contra o coronavírus. Em resposta ao pedido do lado italiano, o Presidente da Rússia confirmou a disponibilidade de prestar a assistência necessária e estabeleceu parâmetros específicos. Assim, há planos para fornecer equipamentos de protecção, unidades montadas em camiões KAMAZ para pulverização desinfectante de veículos e de territórios/locais, equipamentos médicos e outros, além de enviar equipas de especialistas russos para prestar assistência prática nas áreas mais atingidas do país. As entregas serão realizadas pelo Ministério da Defesa, usando aviões das Forças Aeroespaciais da Federação Russa.

Giuseppe Conte exprimiu gratidão sincera pelas providências dadas pela Rússia, para apoiar a Itália durante este período difícil.

EN -- Interview with Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera

Putin: Â«Ready to talk to the US. In constant contact with Salvini's LeagueÂ»

Interview with Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera

Ahead of the official visit to Italy, Vladimir Putin gave an interview to a leading Italian daily Corriere della Sera.

July 4, 2019

06:00

Question: Relations between Russia and Italy seem positive. Our government is among the few in Europe to be pushing for the revision of sanctions. Yet it is Italy that suffers the largest losses due to the ban on supplies of various consumer goods introduced by the Russian government as a countermeasure. Wouldn't it be a kind gesture on Russia's part to make the first step and start unilaterally lifting retaliatory sanctions?

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Indeed, we enjoy special time-tested relations with Italy. There is a trusted dialogue with the Italian leadership. Continuous joint work is underway in the political, economic, scientific and humanitarian fields. We highly appreciate this asset of mutual trust and partnership.

Of course, we kept this in mind. And we had no desire to extend the restrictions to the economic relations with Italy. But the thing is, our response measures – in retaliation for the illegitimate sanctions imposed – were supposed to be non-discriminative, because otherwise we would face problems in the World Trade Organisation. I would like to note that the decisions to impose sanctions against Russia were taken by the European Commission and supported by all EU countries.

At the same time, I would like to stress that the mentioned response measures are of a local nature and do not hinder, by and large, the effective development of our investment and industrial cooperation. None of the Italian companies have thus withdrawn from the Russian market. At the recent Economic Forum in Saint-Petersburg, a number of promising bilateral contracts in the industrial, oil and gas and petrochemical sectors were signed.

As for the removal of sanctions, I have spoken on this subject time and time again. The one behind the sanctions is the one to make the first step; I am talking about the European Union. After that, Russia will be able to abolish its countermeasures. It is our hope that common sense will eventually prevail and Europe will prioritise its own interests rather than follow instructions given by somebody else. Then we will be able to develop mutually beneficial, multi-faceted and forward-looking cooperation.

Question: In today's world, which seems in certain aspects even more unstable than that of the Cold War era, Russia-US disarmament arrangements are in crisis. We are standing on the verge of a new arms race with its unforeseeable consequences, in spite of what looked like a good start in your relations with Mr Trump. To what extent do you think your country is responsible for such development?

Vladimir Putin: To no extent! The breakdown of the system of international security began with the US unilateral withdrawal from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty. This instrument was the cornerstone of the entire arms control architecture.

Just compare the sum Russia spends on defence – about $48 billion – and the US military budget, which is more than $700 billion. Is there any sign of an actual arms race here? We are not willing to get dragged into it. But at the same time we must ensure our security. That is why, we had to develop advanced weapons and equipment – in response to the increasing military expenditure and the clearly destructive actions of the United States.

The situation with the INF Treaty is a glaring example here. We approached the US more than once, suggesting that we sort out issues pertaining to this document, yet we faced the refusal. As a result, the Americans are destroying yet another important treaty regime.

Prospects of our cooperation in the field of strategic arms reduction remain unclear. The START Treaty will expire in early 2021. At the moment, the US does not seem ready to discuss its extension or the possibility of elaborating a new full-scale agreement.

One more fact should be mentioned here. Last October, we offered the US to adopt a joint statement on the inadmissibility of a nuclear war and the recognition of its devastating consequences. There has been no response from the US.

Recently, the administration in Washington has begun to reflect on the possibility of restarting our bilateral dialogue on a broad strategic agenda. I believe that reaching concrete agreements in the field of ensuring arms control would help improve international stability. Russia has political will to do this; now it is for the US to make a decision. I reiterated this position at our meeting with President Trump on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Japan not long ago.