{"id":158163,"date":"2023-02-27T17:52:32","date_gmt":"2023-02-27T21:52:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/stateofthenation.co\/?p=158163"},"modified":"2023-02-27T17:52:32","modified_gmt":"2023-02-27T21:52:32","slug":"the-most-important-speech-of-the-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/stateofthenation.co\/?p=158163","title":{"rendered":"

THE MOST IMPORTANT SPEECH OF THE YEAR<\/h2>"},"content":{"rendered":"

Vladimir Putin\u2019s Address to the Russian Federal Assembly<\/h1>\n
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The ceremony took place in Gostiny Dvor, Moscow.<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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13:50<\/div>\n
<\/i>Moscow<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

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President of\u00a0Russia Vladimir Putin:\u00a0<\/b>Good afternoon,<\/p>\n

Members of the Federation Assembly \u2013 Senators, State Duma Deputies,<\/p>\n

Citizens of\u00a0Russia,<\/p>\n

This Presidential Address comes, as\u00a0we all know, at\u00a0a\u00a0difficult, watershed period for\u00a0our country. This is a\u00a0time of\u00a0radical, irreversible change in\u00a0the\u00a0entire world, of\u00a0crucial historical events that will determine the\u00a0future of\u00a0our country and\u00a0our people, a\u00a0time when every one of\u00a0us bears a\u00a0colossal responsibility.<\/p>\n

One year ago, to\u00a0protect the\u00a0people in\u00a0our historical lands, to\u00a0ensure the\u00a0security of\u00a0our country and\u00a0to\u00a0eliminate the\u00a0threat coming from the\u00a0neo-Nazi regime that had taken hold in\u00a0Ukraine after the\u00a02014 coup, it was decided to\u00a0begin the\u00a0special military operation. Step by\u00a0step, carefully and\u00a0consistently we will deal with the\u00a0tasks we have at\u00a0hand.<\/p>\n

Since 2014, Donbass has been fighting for\u00a0the\u00a0right to\u00a0live in\u00a0their land and\u00a0to\u00a0speak their native tongue. It fought and\u00a0never gave up amid the\u00a0blockade, constant shelling and\u00a0the\u00a0Kiev regime\u2019s overt hatred. It hoped and\u00a0waited that Russia would come to\u00a0help.<\/p>\n

In\u00a0the\u00a0meantime, as\u00a0you know well, we were doing everything in\u00a0our power to\u00a0solve this problem by\u00a0peaceful means, and\u00a0patiently conducted talks on\u00a0a\u00a0peaceful solution to\u00a0this devastating conflict.<\/p>\n

This appalling method of\u00a0deception has been tried and\u00a0tested many times before. They behaved just as\u00a0shamelessly and\u00a0duplicitously when destroying Yugoslavia, Iraq, Libya, and\u00a0Syria. They will never be able to\u00a0wash off this shame. The\u00a0concepts of\u00a0honour, trust, and\u00a0decency are not for\u00a0them.<\/p>\n

Over the\u00a0long centuries of\u00a0colonialism, diktat and\u00a0hegemony, they got used to\u00a0being allowed everything, got used to\u00a0spitting on\u00a0the\u00a0whole world. It turned out that they treat people living in\u00a0their own countries with the\u00a0same disdain, like a\u00a0master. After all, they cynically deceived them too, tricked them with tall stories about the\u00a0search for\u00a0peace, about adherence to\u00a0the\u00a0UN Security Council resolutions on\u00a0Donbass. Indeed, the\u00a0Western elites have become a\u00a0symbol of\u00a0total, unprincipled lies.<\/p>\n

We firmly defend our interests as\u00a0well as\u00a0our belief that in\u00a0today\u2019s world there should be no division into so-called civilised countries and\u00a0all the\u00a0rest and\u00a0that there is a\u00a0need for\u00a0an\u00a0honest partnership that rejects any exclusivity, especially an\u00a0aggressive one.<\/p>\n

We were open and\u00a0sincerely ready for\u00a0a\u00a0constructive dialogue with the\u00a0West; we said and\u00a0insisted that both Europe and\u00a0the\u00a0whole world needed an\u00a0indivisible security system equal for\u00a0all countries, and\u00a0for\u00a0many years we suggested that our partners discuss this idea together and\u00a0work on\u00a0its implementation. But in\u00a0response, we received either an\u00a0indistinct or\u00a0hypocritical reaction, as\u00a0far as\u00a0words were concerned. But there were also actions: NATO\u2019s expansion to\u00a0our borders, the\u00a0creation of\u00a0new deployment areas for\u00a0missile defence in\u00a0Europe and\u00a0Asia\u00a0\u2013 they decided to\u00a0take cover from us under an\u00a0\u2018umbrella\u2019\u00a0\u2013 deployment of\u00a0military contingents, and\u00a0not just near Russia\u2019s borders.<\/p>\n

I would like to stress \u2013in fact, this is well-known \u2013 that no other country has so many military bases abroad as the United States. There are hundreds of them \u2013 I want to emphasise this \u2013 hundreds of bases all over the world; the planet is covered with them, and one look at the map is enough to see this.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0whole world witnessed how they withdrew from fundamental agreements on\u00a0weapons, including the\u00a0treaty on\u00a0intermediate and\u00a0shorter-range missiles, unilaterally tearing up the\u00a0fundamental agreements that maintain world peace. For\u00a0some reason, they did it. They do not do anything without a\u00a0reason, as\u00a0we know.<\/p>\n

Finally, in\u00a0December 2021, we officially submitted draft agreements on\u00a0security guarantees to\u00a0the\u00a0USA and\u00a0NATO. In\u00a0essence, all key, fundamental points were rejected. After that it finally became clear that the\u00a0go-ahead for\u00a0the\u00a0implementation of\u00a0aggressive plans had been given and\u00a0they were not going to\u00a0stop.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0threat was growing by\u00a0the\u00a0day. Judging by\u00a0the\u00a0information we received, there was no doubt that everything would be in\u00a0place by\u00a0February 2022 for\u00a0launching yet another bloody punitive operation in\u00a0Donbass. Let me remind you that back in\u00a02014, the\u00a0Kiev regime sent its artillery, tanks and\u00a0warplanes to\u00a0fight in\u00a0Donbass.<\/p>\n

We all remember the\u00a0aerial footage of\u00a0airstrikes targeting Donetsk. Other cities also suffered from airstrikes. In\u00a02015, they tried to\u00a0mount a\u00a0frontal assault against Donbass again, while keeping the\u00a0blockade in\u00a0place and\u00a0continuing to\u00a0shell and\u00a0terrorise civilians. Let me remind you that all of\u00a0this was completely at\u00a0odds with the\u00a0documents and\u00a0resolutions adopted by\u00a0the\u00a0UN Security Council, but everyone pretended that nothing was happening.<\/p>\n

Let me reiterate that they were the\u00a0ones who started this war, while we used force and\u00a0are using it to\u00a0stop the\u00a0war.<\/p>\n

Those who plotted a\u00a0new attack against Donetsk in\u00a0the\u00a0Donbass region, and\u00a0against Lugansk understood that Crimea and\u00a0Sevastopol would be the\u00a0next target. We realised this as\u00a0well. Even today, Kiev is openly discussing far-reaching plans of\u00a0this kind. They exposed themselves by\u00a0making public what we knew already.<\/p>\n

We are defending human lives and\u00a0our common home, while the\u00a0West seeks unlimited power. It has already spent over $150 billion on\u00a0helping and\u00a0arming the\u00a0Kiev regime. To\u00a0give you an\u00a0idea, according to\u00a0the\u00a0Organisation for\u00a0Economic Cooperation and\u00a0Development, the\u00a0G7 countries earmarked about $60 billion in\u00a02020\u20132021 to\u00a0help the\u00a0world\u2019s poorest countries. Is this clear? They spent $150 billion on\u00a0the\u00a0war, while giving $60 billion to\u00a0the\u00a0poorest countries, despite pretending to\u00a0care about them all the\u00a0time, and\u00a0also conditioning this support on\u00a0obedience on\u00a0behalf of\u00a0the\u00a0beneficiary countries. What about all this talk of\u00a0fighting poverty, sustainable development and\u00a0protection of\u00a0the\u00a0environment? Where did it all go? Has it all vanished? Meanwhile, they keep channelling more money into the\u00a0war effort. They eagerly invest in\u00a0sowing unrest and\u00a0encouraging government coups in\u00a0other countries around the\u00a0world.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0recent Munich Conference turned into an\u00a0endless stream of\u00a0accusations against Russia. One gets the\u00a0impression that this was done so that everyone would forget what the\u00a0so-called West has been doing over the\u00a0past decades. They were the\u00a0ones who let the\u00a0genie out of\u00a0the\u00a0bottle, plunging entire regions into chaos.<\/p>\n

According to\u00a0US experts, almost 900,000 people were killed during wars unleashed by\u00a0the\u00a0United States after 2001, and\u00a0over 38 million became refugees. Please note, we did not invent these statistics; it is the\u00a0Americans who are providing them. They are now simply trying to\u00a0erase all this from the\u00a0memory of\u00a0humankind, and\u00a0they are pretending that all this never happened. However, no one in\u00a0the\u00a0world has forgotten this or\u00a0will ever forget it.<\/p>\n

None of\u00a0them cares about human casualties and\u00a0tragedies because many trillions of\u00a0dollars are at\u00a0stake, of\u00a0course. They can also continue to\u00a0rob everyone under the\u00a0guise of\u00a0democracy and\u00a0freedoms, to\u00a0impose neoliberal and\u00a0essentially totalitarian values, to\u00a0brand entire countries and\u00a0nations, to\u00a0publicly insult their leaders, to\u00a0suppress dissent in\u00a0their own countries and\u00a0to\u00a0divert attention from corruption scandals by\u00a0creating an\u00a0enemy image. We continue to\u00a0see all this on\u00a0television, which highlights greater domestic economic, social and\u00a0inter-ethnic problems, contradictions and\u00a0disagreements.<\/p>\n

I\u00a0would like to\u00a0recall that, in\u00a0the\u00a01930s, the\u00a0West had virtually paved the\u00a0way to\u00a0power for\u00a0the\u00a0Nazis in\u00a0Germany. In\u00a0our time, they started turning Ukraine into an\u00a0\u201canti-Russia.\u201d<\/p>\n

Actually, this project is not new. People who are knowledgeable about history at\u00a0least to\u00a0some extent realise that this project dates back to\u00a0the\u00a019th<\/sup>\u00a0century. The\u00a0Austro-Hungarian Empire and\u00a0Poland had conceived it for\u00a0one purpose, that is, to\u00a0deprive Russia of\u00a0these historical territories that are now called Ukraine. This is their goal. There is nothing new here; they are repeating everything.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0West expedited the\u00a0implementation of\u00a0this project today by\u00a0supporting the\u00a02014 coup. That was a\u00a0bloody, anti-state and\u00a0unconstitutional coup. They pretended that nothing happened, and\u00a0that this is how things should be. They even said how much money they had spent on\u00a0it. Russophobia and\u00a0extremely aggressive nationalism formed its ideological foundation.<\/p>\n

Quite recently, a\u00a0brigade of\u00a0the\u00a0Armed Forces of\u00a0Ukraine was named Edelweiss after a\u00a0Nazi division whose personnel were involved in\u00a0deporting Jews, executing prisoners of\u00a0war and\u00a0conducting punitive operations against partisans in\u00a0Yugoslavia, Italy, Czechoslovakia and\u00a0Greece. We are ashamed to\u00a0talk about this, but they are not. Personnel serving with the\u00a0Armed Forces of\u00a0Ukraine and\u00a0the\u00a0Ukrainian National Guard are particularly fond of\u00a0chevrons formerly worn by\u00a0soldiers from Das Reich, Totenkopf (Death\u2019s Head) and\u00a0Galichina divisions and\u00a0other SS units. Their hands are also stained with blood. Ukrainian armoured vehicles feature insignia of\u00a0the\u00a0Nazi German Wehrmacht.<\/p>\n

Neo-Nazis are open about whose heirs they consider themselves to\u00a0be. Surprisingly, none of\u00a0the\u00a0powers that be in\u00a0the\u00a0West are seeing it. Why? Because they\u00a0\u2013 pardon my\u00a0language\u00a0\u2013 could not care less about it. They do not care who they are betting on\u00a0in\u00a0their fight against us, against Russia. In\u00a0fact, anyone will do as\u00a0long as\u00a0they fight against us and\u00a0our country. Indeed, we saw terrorists and\u00a0neo-Nazis in\u00a0their ranks. They would let all kinds of\u00a0ghouls join their ranks, for\u00a0God\u2019s sake, as\u00a0long as\u00a0they act on\u00a0their will as\u00a0a\u00a0weapon against Russia.<\/p>\n

In\u00a0fact, the\u00a0anti-Russia project is part of\u00a0the\u00a0revanchist policy towards our country to\u00a0create flashpoints of\u00a0instability and\u00a0conflicts next to\u00a0our borders. Back then, in\u00a0the\u00a01930s, and\u00a0now the\u00a0design remains the\u00a0same and\u00a0it is to\u00a0direct aggression to\u00a0the\u00a0East, to\u00a0spark a\u00a0war in\u00a0Europe, and\u00a0to\u00a0eliminate competitors by\u00a0using a\u00a0proxy force.<\/p>\n

We are not at\u00a0war with the\u00a0people of\u00a0Ukraine. I\u00a0have made that clear many times. The\u00a0people of\u00a0Ukraine have become hostages of\u00a0the\u00a0Kiev regime and\u00a0its Western handlers, who have in\u00a0fact occupied that country in\u00a0the\u00a0political, military and\u00a0economic sense and\u00a0have been destroying Ukrainian industry for\u00a0decades now as\u00a0they plundered its natural resources. This led to\u00a0social degradation and\u00a0an\u00a0immeasurable increase in\u00a0poverty and\u00a0inequality. Recruiting resources for\u00a0military operations in\u00a0these circumstances was easy. Nobody was thinking about people, who were conditioned for\u00a0slaughter and\u00a0eventually became expendables. It is a\u00a0sad and\u00a0dreadful thing to\u00a0say, but it is a\u00a0fact.<\/p>\n

Responsibility for\u00a0inciting and\u00a0escalating the\u00a0Ukraine conflict as\u00a0well as\u00a0the\u00a0sheer number of\u00a0casualties lies entirely with the\u00a0Western elites and, of\u00a0course, today\u2019s Kiev regime, for\u00a0which the\u00a0Ukrainian people are, in\u00a0fact, not its own people. The\u00a0current Ukrainian regime is serving not national interests, but the\u00a0interests of\u00a0third countries.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0West is using Ukraine as\u00a0a\u00a0battering ram against Russia and\u00a0as\u00a0a\u00a0testing range. I\u00a0am not going to\u00a0discuss in\u00a0detail the\u00a0West\u2019s attempts to\u00a0turn the\u00a0war around, or\u00a0their plans to\u00a0ramp up military supplies, since everyone is well aware of\u00a0that. However, there is one circumstance that everyone should be clear about: the\u00a0longer the\u00a0range of\u00a0the\u00a0Western systems that will be supplied to\u00a0Ukraine, the\u00a0further we will have to\u00a0move the\u00a0threat away from our borders. This is obvious.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Western elite make no secret of\u00a0their goal, which is, I\u00a0quote, \u201cRussia\u2019s strategic defeat.\u201d What does this mean to\u00a0us? This means they plan to\u00a0finish us once and\u00a0for\u00a0all. In\u00a0other words, they plan to\u00a0grow a\u00a0local conflict into a\u00a0global confrontation. This is how we understand it and\u00a0we will respond accordingly, because this represents an\u00a0existential threat to\u00a0our country.<\/p>\n

However, they too realise it is impossible to\u00a0defeat Russia on\u00a0the\u00a0battlefield and\u00a0are conducting increasingly aggressive information attacks against us targeting primarily the\u00a0younger generation. They never stop lying and\u00a0distorting historical facts as\u00a0they attack our culture, the\u00a0Russian Orthodox Church and\u00a0other traditional religious organizations in\u00a0our country.<\/p>\n

Look what they are doing to\u00a0their own people. It is all about the\u00a0destruction of\u00a0the\u00a0family, of\u00a0cultural and\u00a0national identity, perversion and\u00a0abuse of\u00a0children, including pedophilia, all of\u00a0which are declared normal in\u00a0their life. They are forcing the\u00a0priests to\u00a0bless same-sex marriages. Bless their hearts, let them do as\u00a0they please. Here is what I\u00a0would like to\u00a0say in\u00a0this regard. Adult people can do as\u00a0they please. We in\u00a0Russia have always seen it that way and\u00a0always will: no one is going to\u00a0intrude into other people\u2019s private lives, and\u00a0we are not going to\u00a0do it, either.<\/p>\n

But here is what I\u00a0would like to\u00a0tell them: look at\u00a0the\u00a0holy scripture and\u00a0the\u00a0main books of\u00a0other world religions. They say it all, including that family is the\u00a0union of\u00a0a\u00a0man and\u00a0a\u00a0woman, but these sacred texts are now being questioned. Reportedly, the\u00a0Anglican Church is planning, just planning, to\u00a0explore the\u00a0idea of\u00a0a\u00a0gender-neutral god. What is there to\u00a0say? Father, forgive them, for\u00a0they know not what they do.<\/p>\n

Millions of\u00a0people in\u00a0the\u00a0West realise that they are being led to\u00a0a\u00a0spiritual disaster. Frankly, the\u00a0elite appear to\u00a0have gone crazy, and\u00a0it looks like there is no cure for\u00a0that. But like I\u00a0said, these are their problems, while we must protect our children, which we will do. We will protect our children from degradation and\u00a0degeneration.<\/p>\n

Clearly, the\u00a0West will try to\u00a0undermine and\u00a0divide our society and\u00a0to\u00a0bet on\u00a0the\u00a0fifth columnists who, throughout history, and\u00a0I\u00a0want to\u00a0emphasise this, have been using the\u00a0same poison of\u00a0contempt for\u00a0their own Fatherland and\u00a0the\u00a0desire to\u00a0make money by\u00a0selling this poison to\u00a0anyone who is willing to\u00a0pay for\u00a0it. It has always been that way.<\/p>\n

Those who have embarked on\u00a0the\u00a0road of\u00a0outright betrayal, committing terrorist and\u00a0other crimes against the\u00a0security of\u00a0our society and\u00a0the\u00a0country\u2019s territorial integrity, will be held accountable for\u00a0this under law. But we will never behave like the\u00a0Kiev regime and\u00a0the\u00a0Western elite, which have been and\u00a0still are involved in\u00a0witch hunts. We will not settle scores with those who take a\u00a0step aside and\u00a0turn their back on\u00a0their Motherland. Let this be on\u00a0their conscience, let them live with this\u00a0\u2013 they will have to\u00a0live with it. The\u00a0main point is that our people, the\u00a0citizens of\u00a0Russia, have given them a\u00a0moral assessment.<\/p>\n

I\u00a0am proud, and\u00a0I\u00a0think we are all proud that our multi-ethnic nation, the\u00a0absolute majority of\u00a0our citizens, have taken a\u00a0principled stance on\u00a0the\u00a0special military operation. They understand the\u00a0basic idea of\u00a0what we are doing and\u00a0support our actions on\u00a0the\u00a0defence of\u00a0Donbass. This support primarily revealed their true patriotism\u00a0\u2013 a\u00a0feeling that is historically inherent in\u00a0our nation. It is stunning in\u00a0its dignity and\u00a0deep understnding by\u00a0everyone\u00a0\u2013 I\u00a0will stress, everyone\u00a0\u2013 of\u00a0the\u00a0inseparable link between one\u2019s own destiny and\u00a0the\u00a0destiny of\u00a0the\u00a0Fatherland.<\/p>\n

My\u00a0dear friends, I\u00a0would like to\u00a0thank everyone, all the\u00a0people of\u00a0Russia for\u00a0their courage and\u00a0resolve. I\u00a0would like to\u00a0thank our heroes, soldiers and\u00a0officers in\u00a0the\u00a0Army and\u00a0the\u00a0Navy, the\u00a0Russian Guards, the\u00a0secret services staff, and\u00a0all structures of\u00a0authority, the\u00a0fighters in\u00a0Donetsk and\u00a0Lugansk corps, volunteers and\u00a0patriots who are now fighting in\u00a0the\u00a0ranks of\u00a0the\u00a0BARS combat army reserve.<\/p>\n

I\u00a0would like to\u00a0apologise that I\u00a0will not be able to\u00a0mention everyone during today\u2019s speech. You know, when I\u00a0was drafting this speech, I\u00a0wrote a\u00a0very long list of\u00a0these heroic units but then removed it from my\u00a0text because, as\u00a0I\u00a0said, it is impossible to\u00a0mention everyone, and\u00a0I\u00a0was afraid to\u00a0offend anyone I\u00a0might leave out.<\/p>\n

My\u00a0deepest gratitude to\u00a0the\u00a0parents, wives and\u00a0families of\u00a0our defenders, the\u00a0doctors and\u00a0paramedics, combat medics and\u00a0medical nurses that are saving the\u00a0wounded; to\u00a0the\u00a0railway workers and\u00a0drivers that are supplying the\u00a0front; to\u00a0the\u00a0builders that are erecting fortifications and\u00a0restoring housing, roads and\u00a0civilian facilities; to\u00a0the\u00a0workers and\u00a0engineers at\u00a0defence companies, who are now working almost around-the-clock, in\u00a0several shifts; and\u00a0to\u00a0rural workers who reliably ensure food security for\u00a0the\u00a0country.<\/p>\n

I\u00a0am grateful to\u00a0the\u00a0teachers who sincerely care for\u00a0the\u00a0young generations of\u00a0Russia, especially those that are working in\u00a0very difficult, almost front-line conditions; the\u00a0cultural figures that are visiting the\u00a0zone of\u00a0hostilities and\u00a0hospitals to\u00a0support the\u00a0soldiers and\u00a0officers; volunteers that are helping the\u00a0front and\u00a0civilians; journalists, primarily war correspondents, that are risking their lives to\u00a0tell the\u00a0truth to\u00a0the\u00a0world; pastors of\u00a0Russia\u2019s traditional religions and\u00a0military clergy, whose wise words support and\u00a0inspire people; government officials and\u00a0business people\u00a0\u2013 all those who fulfill their professional, civil and\u00a0simply human duty.<\/p>\n

My\u00a0special words go to\u00a0the\u00a0residents of\u00a0the\u00a0Donetsk and\u00a0Lugansk people\u2019s republics, and\u00a0the\u00a0Zaporozhye and\u00a0Kherson regions. You, my\u00a0friends, determined your future at\u00a0the\u00a0referendums and\u00a0made a\u00a0clear choice despite the\u00a0neo-Nazis\u2019 threats and\u00a0violence, amid the\u00a0close military actions. But there has been nothing stronger than your intent to\u00a0be with Russia, with your Motherland.<\/p>\n

(Applause)<\/i><\/p>\n

I\u00a0want to\u00a0emphasise that this is the\u00a0reaction of\u00a0the\u00a0audience to\u00a0the\u00a0residents of\u00a0the\u00a0Donetsk and\u00a0Lugansk people\u2019s republics, and\u00a0the\u00a0Zaporozhye and\u00a0Kherson regions. Once again, our deepest respect for\u00a0them all.<\/p>\n

We have already begun and\u00a0will expand a\u00a0major socioeconomic recovery and\u00a0development programme for\u00a0these new regions within the\u00a0Federation. It includes restoring production facilities, jobs, and\u00a0the\u00a0ports on\u00a0the\u00a0Sea of\u00a0Azov, which again became Russia\u2019s landlocked sea, and\u00a0building new, modern road,s like we did in\u00a0Crimea, which now has a\u00a0reliable land transport corridor with all of\u00a0Russia. We will definitely implement all of\u00a0these plans together.<\/p>\n

Russia\u2019s regions are currently providing direct assistance to\u00a0the\u00a0cities, districts and\u00a0villages in\u00a0the\u00a0Donetsk and\u00a0Lugansk people\u2019s republics and\u00a0the\u00a0Zaporozhye and\u00a0Kherson regions. They are doing it sincerely, like true brothers and\u00a0sisters. We are together again, which means that we have become even stronger, and\u00a0we will do everything in\u00a0our power to\u00a0bring back the\u00a0long-awaited peace to\u00a0our land and\u00a0ensure the\u00a0safety of\u00a0our people. Our soldiers, our heroes are fighting for\u00a0this, for\u00a0their ancestors, for\u00a0the\u00a0future of\u00a0their children and\u00a0grandchildren, for\u00a0uniting our people.<\/p>\n

Friends, I\u00a0would like to\u00a0ask you to\u00a0pay your respects to\u00a0our fellow soldiers who were killed in\u00a0the\u00a0attacks of\u00a0neo-Nazis and\u00a0raiders, who gave up their lives for\u00a0Russia, for\u00a0civilians, the\u00a0elderly, women and\u00a0children.<\/p>\n

(A\u00a0minute of\u00a0silence)<\/i><\/p>\n

Thank you.<\/p>\n

We all understand, and\u00a0I\u00a0understand also how unbearably hard it is for\u00a0their wives, sons and\u00a0daughters, for\u00a0their parents who raised those dignified defenders of\u00a0the\u00a0Fatherland\u00a0\u2013 like the\u00a0Young Guard members from Krasnodon, young men and\u00a0women who fought against Nazism and\u00a0for\u00a0Donbass during the\u00a0Great Patriotic War. Everyone in\u00a0Russia remembers their courage, resilience, enormous strength of\u00a0spirit and\u00a0self-sacrifice to\u00a0this day.<\/p>\n

Our duty is to\u00a0support the\u00a0families that have lost their loved ones and\u00a0to\u00a0help them raise their children and\u00a0give them an\u00a0education and\u00a0a\u00a0job. The\u00a0family of\u00a0each participant in\u00a0the\u00a0special military operation must be a\u00a0priority and\u00a0treated with care and\u00a0respect. Their needs must be responded to\u00a0immediately, without bureaucratic delays.<\/p>\n

I\u00a0suggest establishing a\u00a0dedicated state fund for\u00a0bringing targeted, personalised assistance to\u00a0the\u00a0families of\u00a0fallen fighters, as\u00a0well as\u00a0veterans of\u00a0the\u00a0special military operation. This entity will be tasked with coordinating efforts to\u00a0offer social, medical support and\u00a0counselling, and\u00a0also address matters related to\u00a0sending them to\u00a0health resorts and\u00a0providing rehabilitation services, while also assisting them in\u00a0education, sports, employment and\u00a0in\u00a0acquiring a\u00a0new profession. This fund will also have an\u00a0essential mission to\u00a0ensure long-term home care and\u00a0high-technology prosthetics for\u00a0those who need that.<\/p>\n

I\u00a0am asking the\u00a0Government to\u00a0work with the\u00a0State Council Commission on\u00a0Social Policy and\u00a0with the\u00a0regions to\u00a0resolve the\u00a0organisational matters as\u00a0quickly as\u00a0possible.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0state fund must be transparent in\u00a0its work, while streamlining assistance and\u00a0operating as\u00a0a\u00a0one-stop-shop, free from red tape or\u00a0administrative barriers. Every family without exception, and\u00a0every veteran will have their personal social worker, a\u00a0coordinator, who will be there for\u00a0them in\u00a0person to\u00a0resolve in\u00a0real time any issue they might face. Let me emphasise that the\u00a0fund must open its offices in\u00a0all regions of\u00a0the\u00a0Russian Federation in\u00a02023.<\/p>\n

We already have measures in\u00a0place for\u00a0supporting Great Patriotic War veterans, combat veterans, as\u00a0well as\u00a0participants in\u00a0local conflicts. I\u00a0believe these essential elements will be added to\u00a0the\u00a0state fund\u2019s mission moving forward. We need to\u00a0explore this possibility, and\u00a0I\u00a0am asking the\u00a0Government to\u00a0do so.<\/p>\n

Make no mistake: the\u00a0fact that we are establishing a\u00a0state fund does not mean that other institutions or\u00a0officials at\u00a0other levels of\u00a0government will be relieved of\u00a0their responsibility. I\u00a0expect all federal agencies, regions and\u00a0municipalities to\u00a0stay focused on\u00a0veterans, on\u00a0service personnel and\u00a0their families. In\u00a0this context, I\u00a0would like to\u00a0thank the\u00a0senior regional officials, mayors, and\u00a0governors who routinely meet with people, including by\u00a0visiting the\u00a0line of\u00a0contact, and\u00a0support their fellow countrymen.<\/p>\n

On\u00a0a\u00a0special note, let me say that today, career service personnel, mobilised conscripts, and\u00a0volunteers all share frontline hardships, including in\u00a0terms of\u00a0provisions, supplies and\u00a0equipment, remuneration, and\u00a0insurance payments to\u00a0the\u00a0wounded, as\u00a0well as\u00a0healthcare services. However, there are complaints that make it all the\u00a0way to\u00a0my\u00a0office, as\u00a0well as\u00a0to\u00a0the\u00a0governors, as\u00a0they have been telling me, and\u00a0to\u00a0the\u00a0military prosecutor\u2019s office and\u00a0the\u00a0Human Rights Commissioner, showing that some of\u00a0these issues have yet to\u00a0be resolved. We need to\u00a0get to\u00a0the\u00a0bottom of\u00a0each complaint on\u00a0a\u00a0case-by-case basis.<\/p>\n

And\u00a0one more thing: everyone understands that serving in\u00a0the\u00a0special military operation zone causes immense physical and\u00a0mental stress, since people risk their lives and\u00a0health every day. For\u00a0this reason, I\u00a0believe that the\u00a0mobilised conscripts, as\u00a0well as\u00a0all service personnel, and\u00a0all those taking part in\u00a0the\u00a0special military operation, including volunteers, must benefit from a\u00a0leave of\u00a0absence of\u00a0at\u00a0least 14 days every six months without counting the\u00a0time it takes them to\u00a0travel to\u00a0their destination. This way, every fighter will be able to\u00a0meet family and\u00a0spend time with their loved ones.<\/p>\n

Colleagues, as\u00a0you are aware, a\u00a02021\u20132025 plan for\u00a0building and\u00a0developing the\u00a0Armed Forces was approved by\u00a0a\u00a0Presidential Executive Order and\u00a0is being implemented and\u00a0adjusted as\u00a0necessary. Importantly, our next steps to\u00a0reinforce the\u00a0Army and\u00a0the\u00a0Navy and\u00a0to\u00a0secure the\u00a0current and\u00a0future development of\u00a0the\u00a0Armed Forces must be based on\u00a0actual combat experience gained during the\u00a0special military operation, which is extremely important, I\u00a0would even say absolutely invaluable to\u00a0us.<\/p>\n

For\u00a0example, the\u00a0latest systems account for\u00a0over 91 percent, 91.3 percent, of\u00a0Russia\u2019s nuclear deterrence forces. To\u00a0reiterate, based on\u00a0our newly acquired experience, we must access a\u00a0similarly high quality level for\u00a0all other components of\u00a0the\u00a0Armed Forces.<\/p>\n

Officers and\u00a0sergeants who act as\u00a0competent, modern and\u00a0decisive commanders, and\u00a0they are many, will be promoted to\u00a0higher positions as\u00a0a\u00a0matter of\u00a0priority, sent to\u00a0military universities and\u00a0academies, and\u00a0will serve as\u00a0a\u00a0powerful personnel reserve for\u00a0the\u00a0Armed Forces. Without a\u00a0doubt, they are a\u00a0valuable resource in\u00a0civilian life and\u00a0at\u00a0governments at\u00a0all levels. I\u00a0just want our colleagues to\u00a0pay attention to\u00a0that. It is very important. The\u00a0people must know that the\u00a0Motherland appreciates their contribution to\u00a0the\u00a0defence of\u00a0the\u00a0Fatherland.<\/p>\n

We will widely introduce the\u00a0latest technology to\u00a0ensure high-quality standards in\u00a0the\u00a0Army and\u00a0Navy. We have corresponding pilot projects and\u00a0samples of\u00a0weapons and\u00a0equipment in\u00a0each area. Many of\u00a0them are significantly superior to\u00a0their foreign counterparts. Our goal is to\u00a0start mass production. This work is underway and\u00a0is picking up pace. Importantly, this relies on\u00a0domestic research and\u00a0the\u00a0industrial base and\u00a0involves small- and\u00a0medium-sized high-tech businesses in\u00a0implementation of\u00a0the\u00a0state defence order.<\/p>\n

Today, our plants, design bureaus and\u00a0research teams employ experienced specialists and\u00a0increasing numbers of\u00a0talented and\u00a0highly skilled young people who are oriented towards breakthrough achievements while remaining true to\u00a0the\u00a0tradition of\u00a0Russian gunsmiths, which is to\u00a0spare no effort to\u00a0ensure victory.<\/p>\n

We will certainly strengthen the\u00a0guarantees for\u00a0our workforce, in\u00a0part concerning salaries and\u00a0social security. I\u00a0propose launching a\u00a0special programme for\u00a0low-cost rental housing for\u00a0defence industry employees. The\u00a0rental payments for\u00a0them will be significantly lower than the\u00a0going market rate, since a\u00a0significant portion of\u00a0it will be covered by\u00a0the\u00a0state.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Government reviewed this issue. I\u00a0instruct you to\u00a0work through the\u00a0details of\u00a0this programme and\u00a0start building such rental housing without delay, primarily, in\u00a0the\u00a0cities that are major defence, industrial and\u00a0research centres.<\/p>\n

Colleagues,<\/p>\n

As\u00a0I\u00a0have already said, the\u00a0West has opened not only military and\u00a0informational warfare against us, but is also seeking to\u00a0fight us on\u00a0the\u00a0economic front. However, they have not succeeded on\u00a0any of\u00a0these fronts, and\u00a0never will. Moreover, those who initiated the\u00a0sanctions are punishing themselves: they sent prices soaring in\u00a0their own countries, destroyed jobs, forced companies to\u00a0close, and\u00a0caused an\u00a0energy crisis, while telling their people that the\u00a0Russians were to\u00a0blame for\u00a0all of\u00a0this. We hear that.<\/p>\n

What means did they use against us in\u00a0their efforts to\u00a0attack us with sanctions? They tried disrupting economic ties with Russian companies and\u00a0depriving the\u00a0financial system of\u00a0its communication channels to\u00a0shutter our economy, isolate us from export markets and\u00a0thus undermine our revenues. They also stole our foreign exchange reserves, to\u00a0call a\u00a0spade a\u00a0spade, tried to\u00a0depreciate the\u00a0ruble and\u00a0drive inflation to\u00a0destructive heights.<\/p>\n

Let me reiterate that the\u00a0sanctions against Russia are merely a\u00a0means, while the\u00a0aim as\u00a0declared by\u00a0the\u00a0Western leaders, to\u00a0quote them, is to\u00a0make us suffer. \u201cMake them suffer\u201d\u00a0\u2013 what a\u00a0humane attitude. They want to\u00a0make our people suffer, which is designed to\u00a0destabilise our society from within.<\/p>\n

However, their gamble failed to\u00a0pay off. The\u00a0Russian economy, as\u00a0well as\u00a0its governance model proved to\u00a0be much more resilient than the\u00a0West thought. The\u00a0Government, parliament, the\u00a0Bank of\u00a0Russia, the\u00a0regions and\u00a0of\u00a0course the\u00a0business community and\u00a0their employees all worked together to\u00a0ensure that the\u00a0economic situation remained stable, offered people protection and\u00a0preserved jobs, prevented shortages, including of\u00a0essential goods, and\u00a0supported the\u00a0financial system and\u00a0business owners who invest in\u00a0their enterprises, which also means investing in\u00a0national development.<\/p>\n

As\u00a0early as\u00a0in\u00a0March 2022, we launched a\u00a0dedicated assistance package for\u00a0businesses and\u00a0the\u00a0economy worth about a\u00a0trillion rubles. I\u00a0would like to\u00a0draw your attention to\u00a0the\u00a0fact that this has nothing to\u00a0do with printing money. Not at\u00a0all. Everything we do is solidly rooted in\u00a0market principles.<\/p>\n

In\u00a02022, there was a\u00a0decline in\u00a0the\u00a0gross domestic product. Mr Mishustin called me to\u00a0say, \u201cI\u00a0would like to\u00a0ask you to\u00a0mention this.\u201d I\u00a0think that these data were released yesterday, right on\u00a0schedule.<\/p>\n

You may remember that some predicted that the\u00a0economy would shrink by\u00a020 to\u00a025 percent, or\u00a0maybe 10 percent. Only recently, we spoke about a\u00a02.9 percent decline, and\u00a0I\u00a0was the\u00a0one who announced this figure. Later it came down to\u00a02.5 percent. However, in\u00a02022, the\u00a0GDP declined by\u00a02.1 percent, according to\u00a0the\u00a0latest data. And\u00a0we must be mindful of\u00a0the\u00a0fact that back in\u00a0February and\u00a0March of\u00a0last year some predicted that the\u00a0economy would be in\u00a0free fall.<\/p>\n

Russian businesses have restructured their logistics and\u00a0have strengthened their ties with responsible, predictable partners\u00a0\u2013 there are many of\u00a0them, they are the\u00a0majority in\u00a0the\u00a0world.<\/p>\n

I\u00a0would like to\u00a0note that the\u00a0share of\u00a0the\u00a0Russian ruble in\u00a0our international settlements has doubled as\u00a0compared to\u00a0December 2021, reaching one third of\u00a0the\u00a0total, and\u00a0including the\u00a0currencies of\u00a0the\u00a0friendly countries, it exceeds half of\u00a0all transactions.<\/p>\n

We will continue working with our partners to\u00a0create a\u00a0sustainable, safe system of\u00a0international settlements, which will be independent of\u00a0the\u00a0dollar and\u00a0other Western reserve currencies that are bound to\u00a0lose their universal appeal with this policy of\u00a0the\u00a0Western elite, the\u00a0Western rulers. They are doing all this to\u00a0themselves with their own hands.<\/p>\n

We are not the\u00a0ones reducing transactions in\u00a0dollars or\u00a0other so-called universal currencies\u00a0\u2013 they are doing everything with their own hands.<\/p>\n

You know, there is a\u00a0maxim, cannons versus butter. Of\u00a0course, national defence is the\u00a0top priority, but in\u00a0resolving strategic tasks in\u00a0this area, we should not repeat the\u00a0mistakes of\u00a0the\u00a0past and\u00a0should not destroy our own economy. We have everything we need to\u00a0both ensure our security and\u00a0create conditions for\u00a0confident progress in\u00a0our country. We are acting in\u00a0line with this logic and\u00a0we intend to\u00a0continue doing this.<\/p>\n

Thus, many basic, I\u00a0will stress, civilian industries in\u00a0the\u00a0national economy are far from being in\u00a0decline, they have increased their production last year by\u00a0a\u00a0considerable amount. The\u00a0scale of\u00a0housing put into service exceeded 100 million square meters for\u00a0the\u00a0first time in\u00a0our modern history.<\/p>\n

As\u00a0for\u00a0agricultural production, it recorded two-digit growth rates last year. Thank you very much. We are most grateful to\u00a0our agricultural producers. Russian agrarians harvested a\u00a0record amount\u00a0\u2013 over 150 million tonnes of\u00a0grain, including over 100 million tonnes of\u00a0wheat. By\u00a0the\u00a0end of\u00a0the\u00a0agricultural season, that is, June\u00a030, 2023, we will bring our grain exports to\u00a055\u201360 million tonnes.<\/p>\n

Just 10 or\u00a015 years ago, this seemed like a\u00a0fairy tale, an\u00a0absolutely unfeasible plan. If you remember, and\u00a0I\u00a0am sure some people do remember this\u00a0\u2013 the\u00a0former Deputy Prime Minister and\u00a0the\u00a0Minister of\u00a0Agriculture are here\u00a0\u2013 just recently, agrarians took in\u00a060 million tonnes overall in\u00a0a\u00a0year, whereas now 55\u201360 million is their export potential alone. I\u00a0am convinced we have every opportunity for\u00a0a\u00a0similar breakthrough in\u00a0other areas as\u00a0well.<\/p>\n

We prevented the\u00a0labour market from collapsing. On\u00a0the\u00a0contrary, we were able to\u00a0reduce unemployment in\u00a0the\u00a0current environment. Today, considering the\u00a0major challenges coming at\u00a0us from all sides, the\u00a0labour market is even better than it used to\u00a0be. You may remember that the\u00a0unemployment rate was 4.7 percent before the\u00a0pandemic, and\u00a0now, I\u00a0believe, it is 3.7 percent. What is the\u00a0figure, Mr Mishustin? 3.7 percent? This is an\u00a0all-time low.<\/p>\n

Let me reiterate that the\u00a0Russian economy has prevailed over the\u00a0risks it faced\u00a0\u2013 it has prevailed. Of\u00a0course, it was impossible to\u00a0anticipate many of\u00a0them, and\u00a0we had to\u00a0respond literally on\u00a0the\u00a0fly, dealing with issues as\u00a0they emerged. Both the\u00a0state and\u00a0businesses had to\u00a0move quickly. I\u00a0will note that private actors, SMEs, played an\u00a0essential role in\u00a0these efforts, and\u00a0we must remember this. We avoided having to\u00a0apply excessive regulation or\u00a0distorting the\u00a0economy by\u00a0giving the\u00a0state a\u00a0more prominent role.<\/p>\n

What else there is to\u00a0say? The\u00a0recession was limited to\u00a0the\u00a0second quarter of\u00a02022, while the\u00a0economy grew in\u00a0the\u00a0third and\u00a0fourth quarters. In\u00a0fact, the\u00a0Russian economy has embarked on\u00a0a\u00a0new growth cycle. Experts believe that it will rely on\u00a0a\u00a0fundamentally new model and\u00a0structure. New, promising global markets, including the\u00a0Asia-Pacific, are taking precedence, as\u00a0is the\u00a0domestic market, with its research, technology and\u00a0workforce no longer geared toward exporting commodities but manufacturing goods with high added value. This will help Russia unleash its immense potential in\u00a0all spheres and\u00a0sectors.<\/p>\n

We expect to\u00a0see a\u00a0solid increase in\u00a0domestic demand as\u00a0early as\u00a0this year. I\u00a0am convinced that companies will use this opportunity to\u00a0expand their manufacturing, make new products that are in\u00a0high demand, and\u00a0to\u00a0take over the\u00a0market niches vacated or\u00a0about to\u00a0be vacated by\u00a0Western companies as\u00a0they withdraw.<\/p>\n

Today, we clearly see what is going on\u00a0and\u00a0understand the\u00a0structural issues we have to\u00a0address in\u00a0logistics, technology, finance, and\u00a0human resources. Over the\u00a0past years, we have been talking a\u00a0lot and\u00a0at\u00a0length about the\u00a0need to\u00a0restructure our economy. Now these changes are a\u00a0vital necessity, a\u00a0game changer, and\u00a0all for\u00a0the\u00a0better. We know what needs to\u00a0be done to\u00a0enable Russia to\u00a0make steady progress and\u00a0to\u00a0develop independently regardless of\u00a0any outside pressure or\u00a0threats, while guaranteeing our national security and\u00a0interests.<\/p>\n

I\u00a0would like to\u00a0point out and\u00a0to\u00a0emphasise that the\u00a0essence of\u00a0our task is not to\u00a0adapt to\u00a0circumstances. Our strategic task is to\u00a0take the\u00a0economy to\u00a0a\u00a0new horizon. Everything is changing now, and\u00a0changing extremely fast. This is not only a\u00a0time of\u00a0challenges but also a\u00a0time of\u00a0opportunities. This is really so today. And\u00a0our future depends on\u00a0the\u00a0way we realise these opportunities. We must put an\u00a0end\u00a0\u2013 and\u00a0I\u00a0want to\u00a0emphase this\u00a0\u2013 to\u00a0all interagency conflicts, red tape, grievances, doublespeak, or\u00a0any other nonsense. Everything we do must contribute to\u00a0achieving our goals and\u00a0delivering results. This is what we must strive to\u00a0achieve.<\/p>\n

Enabling Russian companies and\u00a0small family-run businesses to\u00a0successfully tap the\u00a0market is a\u00a0victory in\u00a0itself. Building cutting-edge factories and\u00a0kilometres of\u00a0new roads is a\u00a0victory. Every new school, every new kindergarten we build is a\u00a0victory. Scientific discoveries and\u00a0new technologies\u00a0\u2013 these are also victories, of\u00a0course. What matters is that all of\u00a0us contribute to\u00a0our shared success.<\/p>\n

What areas should we focus the\u00a0partnership of\u00a0the\u00a0state, the\u00a0regions and\u00a0domestic business on?<\/p>\n

First, we will expand promising foreign economic ties and\u00a0build new logistics corridors. A\u00a0decision has already been made to\u00a0extend the\u00a0Moscow-Kazan expressway to\u00a0Yekaterinburg, Chelyabinsk and\u00a0Tyumen, and\u00a0eventually to\u00a0Irkutsk and\u00a0Vladivostok with branches to\u00a0Kazakhstan, Mongolia and\u00a0China. This will, in\u00a0part, allows us to\u00a0considerably expand our ties with Southeast Asian markets.<\/p>\n

We will develop Black Sea and\u00a0Sea of\u00a0Azov ports. We will pay special attention to\u00a0the\u00a0North-South international corridor, as\u00a0those who work on\u00a0this every day know. Vessels with a\u00a0draft of\u00a0up to\u00a04.5 meters will be able to\u00a0pass through the\u00a0Volga-Caspian Sea Canal this year. This will open up new routes for\u00a0business cooperation with India, Iran, Pakistan, and\u00a0the\u00a0Middle Eastern countries. We will continue developing this corridor.<\/p>\n

Our plans include expedited modernisation of\u00a0the\u00a0eastern railways\u00a0\u2013 the\u00a0Trans-Siberian Railway and\u00a0the\u00a0Baikal-Amur Railway (BAM)\u00a0\u2013 and\u00a0building up the\u00a0potential of\u00a0the\u00a0Northern Sea Route. This will create not only additional freight traffic but also a\u00a0foundation for\u00a0reaching our national goals on\u00a0developing Siberia, the\u00a0Arctic and\u00a0the\u00a0Far East.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0infrastructure of\u00a0the\u00a0regions and\u00a0the\u00a0development of\u00a0infrastructure, including communications, telecommunications and\u00a0railways will receive a\u00a0powerful impetus. Next year, 2024, we will bring to\u00a0a\u00a0proper condition at\u00a0least 85 percent of\u00a0all roads in\u00a0the\u00a0country\u2019s largest metropolises, as\u00a0well as\u00a0over half of\u00a0all regional and\u00a0municipal roads. I\u00a0am sure we will achieve this.<\/p>\n

We will also continue our free gas distribution programme. We have already made the\u00a0decision to\u00a0extend it to\u00a0social facilities\u00a0\u2013 kindergartens and\u00a0schools, outpatient clinics and\u00a0hospitals, as\u00a0well as\u00a0primary healthcare centres. This programme will now be permanent for\u00a0our citizens\u00a0\u2013 they can always request a\u00a0connection to\u00a0the\u00a0gas distribution system.<\/p>\n

This year, we will launch a\u00a0large programme to\u00a0build and\u00a0repair housing and\u00a0utility systems. Over the\u00a0next ten years, we plan to\u00a0invest at\u00a0least 4.5 trillion rubles in\u00a0this. We know how important this is for\u00a0our people and\u00a0how neglected this area has been. It is necessary to\u00a0improve this situation, and\u00a0we will do it. It is important to\u00a0give the\u00a0programme a\u00a0powerful start. So, I\u00a0would like to\u00a0ask the\u00a0Government to\u00a0ensure stable funding for\u00a0this.<\/p>\n

Second, we will need to\u00a0significantly expand our economy\u2019s production capabilities and\u00a0to\u00a0increase domestic industrial capacity.<\/p>\n

An\u00a0industrial mortgage tool has been created, and\u00a0an\u00a0easy-term loan can now be taken out not only to\u00a0purchase production facilities, but also to\u00a0build or\u00a0upgrade them. The\u00a0size of\u00a0such a\u00a0loan was discussed many times and\u00a0there were plans to\u00a0increase it. It is a\u00a0decent amount for\u00a0a\u00a0first step: up to\u00a0500 million rubles. It is available at\u00a0a\u00a0rate of\u00a03 or\u00a05 percent for\u00a0up to\u00a0seven years. It sounds like a\u00a0very good programme and\u00a0should be put to\u00a0good use.<\/p>\n

New terms for\u00a0industrial clusters took effect this year, including a\u00a0lower fiscal and\u00a0administrative burden on\u00a0resident companies, and\u00a0long-term state orders and\u00a0subsidies to\u00a0support demand for\u00a0their innovative products, which are just entering the\u00a0market.<\/p>\n

According to\u00a0estimates, these measures will generate high-demand projects worth over 10 trillion rubles by\u00a02030. Investment is expected to\u00a0reach about 2 trillion this year alone. Please note that these are not forecasts, but existing benchmarks.<\/p>\n

Therefore, I\u00a0would like the\u00a0Government to\u00a0expedite the\u00a0launch of\u00a0these projects, give a\u00a0hand to\u00a0businesses and\u00a0come up with systemic support measures, including tax incentives. I\u00a0am aware that the\u00a0financial bloc does not like to\u00a0provide incentives, and\u00a0I\u00a0partly share this approach: the\u00a0taxation system must be consistent and\u00a0without niches or\u00a0exemptions, but this particular case calls for\u00a0a\u00a0creative approach.<\/p>\n

So, starting this year, Russian companies will be able to\u00a0reduce their revenue taxes if they purchase advanced domestic IT solutions and\u00a0AI-enhanced products. Moreover, these expenses will be credited at\u00a0one and\u00a0a\u00a0half times the\u00a0actual cost, meaning that every ruble invested in\u00a0purchasing such products will result in\u00a0a\u00a0tax deduction of\u00a01.5 rubles.<\/p>\n

I\u00a0propose extending these deductions to\u00a0purchases of\u00a0all kinds of\u00a0Russian high-tech equipment. I\u00a0would like the\u00a0Government to\u00a0come up with a\u00a0list of\u00a0such equipment by\u00a0specific industry and\u00a0with the\u00a0procedure for\u00a0granting deductions. This is a\u00a0good solution to\u00a0reinvigorate the\u00a0economy.<\/p>\n

Third, a\u00a0crucial issue on\u00a0our economic development agenda to\u00a0do with the\u00a0new sources of\u00a0funding investment, which we have been talking about a\u00a0lot.<\/p>\n

Thanks to\u00a0our strong payments balance, Russia does not need to\u00a0borrow funds abroad, kowtow and\u00a0beg for\u00a0money, and\u00a0then hold long discussions on\u00a0what, how much and\u00a0on\u00a0what conditions we would pay back. Russian banks are working stably and\u00a0sustainably and\u00a0have a\u00a0solid margin for\u00a0security.<\/p>\n

In\u00a02022, the\u00a0volume of\u00a0bank loans for\u00a0the\u00a0corporate sector increased, I\u00a0repeat, increased. There was considerable concern about that, but we have reported growth, an\u00a0increase of\u00a014 percent, or\u00a0more than we reported in\u00a02021, before the\u00a0miliary operation. In\u00a02021, the\u00a0figure was 11.7 percent; last year, it was 14 percent. The\u00a0mortgage portfolio went up by\u00a020.4 percent. We are growing.<\/p>\n

Last year, the\u00a0banking sector as\u00a0a\u00a0whole operated at\u00a0a\u00a0profit. It was not as\u00a0large as\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0preceding years, but it was considerable nevertheless: 203 billion rubles. This is another indicator of\u00a0the\u00a0stability of\u00a0the\u00a0Russian financial sector.<\/p>\n

According to\u00a0our estimates, inflation in\u00a0Russia will approach the\u00a0target figure of\u00a04 percent in\u00a0the\u00a0second quarter this year. I\u00a0would like to\u00a0remind you that the\u00a0inflation rate has reached 12, 17 and\u00a020 percent in\u00a0some EU countries. Our figure is 4 or\u00a05 percent; the\u00a0Central Bank and\u00a0the\u00a0Finance Ministry are still discussing the\u00a0figure, but it will be close to\u00a0the\u00a0target. Given these positive dynamics and\u00a0other macroeconomic parameters, we are creating objective conditions for\u00a0lowering long-term interest rates in\u00a0the\u00a0economy, which means that loans for\u00a0the\u00a0real economic sector will become more affordable.<\/p>\n

Individual long-term savings are a\u00a0vital source of\u00a0investment resources around the\u00a0world, and\u00a0we must also stimulate their attraction into the\u00a0investment sphere. I\u00a0would like the\u00a0Government to\u00a0expedite the\u00a0submission of\u00a0draft laws to\u00a0the\u00a0State Duma to\u00a0launch the\u00a0relevant state programme as\u00a0soon as\u00a0this April.<\/p>\n

It is important to\u00a0create additional conditions to\u00a0encourage people to\u00a0invest and\u00a0earn at\u00a0home, in\u00a0the\u00a0country. At\u00a0the\u00a0same time, it is necessary to\u00a0guarantee the\u00a0safety of\u00a0people\u2019s investment in\u00a0voluntary retirement savings. We should create a\u00a0mechanism here similar to\u00a0the\u00a0one used for\u00a0insuring bank deposits. I\u00a0would like to\u00a0remind you that such savings, worth up to\u00a01.4 million rubles, are insured by\u00a0the\u00a0state on\u00a0guarantee deposits. I\u00a0propose doubling the\u00a0sum to\u00a02.8 million rubles for\u00a0voluntary retirement savings. Likewise, we must protect people\u2019s investment in\u00a0other long-term investment instruments, including against the\u00a0possible bankruptcy of\u00a0financial brokers.<\/p>\n

Separate decisions must be taken to\u00a0attract funds to\u00a0rapidly growing and\u00a0high-tech businesses. We will approve support for\u00a0the\u00a0placement of\u00a0their shares on\u00a0the\u00a0domestic stock market, including tax benefits for\u00a0both the\u00a0companies and\u00a0the\u00a0buyers of\u00a0their stock.<\/p>\n

Freedom of\u00a0enterprise is a\u00a0vital element of\u00a0economic sovereignty. I\u00a0will repeat: against the\u00a0backdrop of\u00a0external attempts to\u00a0contain Russia, private businesses have proven their ability to\u00a0quickly adapt to\u00a0the\u00a0changing environment and\u00a0ensure economic growth in\u00a0difficult conditions. So, every business initiative aimed at\u00a0benefiting the\u00a0country should receive support.<\/p>\n

I\u00a0believe it is necessary to\u00a0return, in\u00a0this context, to\u00a0the\u00a0revision of\u00a0a\u00a0number of\u00a0norms of\u00a0criminal law as\u00a0regards the\u00a0economic elements of\u00a0crime. Of\u00a0course, the\u00a0state must control what is happening in\u00a0this area. We should not allow an\u00a0anything-goes attitude here but we should not go too far, either. It is necessary to\u00a0move faster towards the\u00a0decriminalisation I\u00a0mentioned. I\u00a0hope the\u00a0Government will consistently and\u00a0seriously conduct this work together with Parliament, the\u00a0law-enforcement bodies and\u00a0business associations.<\/p>\n

At\u00a0the\u00a0same time, I\u00a0would like to\u00a0ask the\u00a0Government to\u00a0suggest, in\u00a0close cooperation with Parliament, additional measures for\u00a0speeding up the\u00a0de-offshorisation of\u00a0the\u00a0economy. Businesses, primarily those operating in\u00a0key sectors and\u00a0industries should operate in\u00a0Russian jurisdiction\u00a0\u2013 this is a\u00a0fundamental principle.<\/p>\n

Colleagues, in\u00a0this context I\u00a0would like to\u00a0make a\u00a0small philosophical digression. This is what I\u00a0would like to\u00a0single out.<\/p>\n

We remember what problems and\u00a0imbalances the\u00a0Soviet economy faced in\u00a0its later stages. This is why after the\u00a0collapse of\u00a0the\u00a0Soviet Union and\u00a0its planned system, in\u00a0the\u00a0chaos of\u00a0the\u00a01990s, the\u00a0country began to\u00a0create its economy along the\u00a0lines of\u00a0market relations and\u00a0private ownership. Overall, this was the\u00a0right thing to\u00a0do. The\u00a0Western countries were largely an\u00a0example to\u00a0follow in\u00a0this respect. As\u00a0you know, their advisers were a\u00a0dime a\u00a0dozen, and\u00a0it seemed enough to\u00a0simply copy their models. True, I\u00a0remember they still argued with each other\u00a0\u2013 the\u00a0Europeans argued with the\u00a0Americans on\u00a0how the\u00a0Russian economy should develop.<\/p>\n

And\u00a0what happened as\u00a0a\u00a0result? Our national economy was largely oriented to\u00a0the\u00a0West and\u00a0for\u00a0the\u00a0most part as\u00a0a\u00a0source of\u00a0raw materials. Naturally, there were different nuances, but overall, we were seen as\u00a0a\u00a0source of\u00a0raw materials. The\u00a0reasons for\u00a0this are also clear\u00a0\u2013 naturally, the\u00a0new Russian businesses that were taking shape were primarily oriented toward generating profit, quick and\u00a0easy profit in\u00a0the\u00a0first place. What could provide this? Of\u00a0course, the\u00a0sale of\u00a0resources\u00a0\u2013 oil, gas, metals and\u00a0timber.<\/p>\n

Few people thought about other alternatives or, probably, they did not have the\u00a0opportunity to\u00a0invest long-term. This is the\u00a0reason other, more complex industries did not make much headway. It took us years\u00a0\u2013 other governments saw this clearly\u00a0\u2013 to\u00a0break this negative trend. We had to\u00a0adjust our tax system and\u00a0make large-scale public investments.<\/p>\n

We have achieved real and\u00a0visible change. Indeed, the\u00a0results are there, but, again, we should keep in\u00a0mind the\u00a0circumstances in\u00a0which our major businesses developed. Technologies were coming from the\u00a0West, cheaper sources of\u00a0financing and\u00a0lucrative markets were in\u00a0the\u00a0West, and\u00a0capital started flowing to\u00a0the\u00a0West as\u00a0well. Unfortunately, instead of\u00a0expanding production and\u00a0buying equipment and\u00a0technology to\u00a0create new jobs in\u00a0Russia, they spent their money on\u00a0foreign mansions, yachts and\u00a0luxury real estate.<\/p>\n

They began to\u00a0invest in\u00a0the\u00a0economy later, but initially the\u00a0money flowed rapidly to\u00a0the\u00a0West for\u00a0consumption purposes. And\u00a0since their money was there, that is where their children were educated, where their life was, their future. It was very difficult and\u00a0almost impossible for\u00a0the\u00a0state to\u00a0track and\u00a0prevent these developments, because we lived in\u00a0a\u00a0free market paradigm.<\/p>\n

Recent events have clearly shown that the\u00a0image of\u00a0the\u00a0West as\u00a0a\u00a0safe haven for\u00a0capital was a\u00a0mirage. Those who failed to\u00a0understand this in\u00a0time, who saw Russia only as\u00a0a\u00a0source of\u00a0income and\u00a0planned to\u00a0live mostly abroad, have lost a\u00a0lot. They just got robbed there and\u00a0saw even their legitimate money taken away.<\/p>\n

At\u00a0some point I\u00a0made a\u00a0joke\u00a0\u2013 many may still remember it\u00a0\u2013 I\u00a0told Russian businesspeople that they will make themselves sick running from courtroom to\u00a0courtroom and\u00a0from office to\u00a0office in\u00a0the\u00a0West trying to\u00a0save their money. That is exactly how it turned out.<\/p>\n

You know, I\u00a0will say something that is quite simple, but truly important. Trust me, not a\u00a0single ordinary citizen in\u00a0our country felt sorry for\u00a0those who lost their assets in\u00a0foreign banks, lost their yachts or\u00a0palaces abroad, and\u00a0so on. In\u00a0their conversations around the\u00a0kitchen table, people have all recalled the\u00a0privatisation of\u00a0the\u00a01990s, when enterprises that had been built by\u00a0our entire nation were sold for\u00a0next to\u00a0nothing and\u00a0the\u00a0so-called new elites flaunted their lavish lifestyle.<\/p>\n

There are other key aspects. During the\u00a0years that followed the\u00a0breakup of\u00a0the\u00a0Soviet Union, the\u00a0West never stopped trying to\u00a0set the\u00a0post-Soviet states on\u00a0fire and, most importantly, finish off Russia as\u00a0the\u00a0largest surviving portion of\u00a0the\u00a0historical reaches of\u00a0our state. They encouraged international terrorists to\u00a0assault us, provoked regional conflicts along the\u00a0perimeter of\u00a0our borders, ignored our interests and\u00a0tried to\u00a0contain and\u00a0suppress our economy.<\/p>\n

I\u00a0am saying this because big business in\u00a0Russia controls strategic enterprises with thousands of\u00a0workers that determine the\u00a0socioeconomic well-being of\u00a0many regions and, hence, the\u00a0overall state of\u00a0affairs. So, whenever leaders or\u00a0owners of\u00a0such businesses become dependent on\u00a0governments that adopt policies that are unfriendly to\u00a0Russia, this poses a\u00a0great threat to\u00a0us, a\u00a0danger to\u00a0our country. This is an\u00a0untenable situation.<\/p>\n

Yes, everyone has a\u00a0choice. Some may choose to\u00a0live in\u00a0a\u00a0seized mansion with a\u00a0blocked account, trying to\u00a0find a\u00a0place for\u00a0themselves in\u00a0a\u00a0seemingly attractive Western capital, a\u00a0resort or\u00a0some other comfortable place abroad. Anyone has the\u00a0right to\u00a0do that, and\u00a0we will never infringe on\u00a0it. But it is time to\u00a0see that in\u00a0the\u00a0West these people have always been and\u00a0will always remain second class strangers who can be treated any way, and\u00a0their money, connections and\u00a0the\u00a0acquired titles of\u00a0counts, peers or\u00a0mayors will not help at\u00a0all. They must understand that they are second class people there.<\/p>\n

There is another option: to\u00a0stay with your Motherland, to\u00a0work for\u00a0your compatriots, not only to\u00a0open new businesses but also to\u00a0change life around you in\u00a0cities, towns and\u00a0throughout your country. We have quite a\u00a0few businesspeople like this, real fighters in\u00a0our business community, and\u00a0we associate the\u00a0future of\u00a0our business with them. Everyone must know that the\u00a0sources of\u00a0their prosperity and\u00a0their future can only be here, in\u00a0their native country Russia.<\/p>\n

If they do, we will create a\u00a0very strong and\u00a0self-sufficient economy that will not remain aloof in\u00a0the\u00a0world but will make use of\u00a0all its competitive advantages. Russian capital, the\u00a0money earned here, must be put to\u00a0work for\u00a0the\u00a0country, for\u00a0our national development. Today, we see huge potential in\u00a0the\u00a0development of\u00a0infrastructure, the\u00a0manufacturing sector, in\u00a0domestic tourism and\u00a0many other industries.<\/p>\n

I\u00a0would like those who have come up against the\u00a0predatory mores of\u00a0the\u00a0West to\u00a0hear what I\u00a0have to\u00a0say: running around with cap in\u00a0hand, begging for\u00a0your own money makes no sense, and\u00a0most importantly, it accomplishes nothing, especially now that you realise who you are dealing with. Stop clinging to\u00a0the\u00a0past, resorting to\u00a0the\u00a0courts to\u00a0get at\u00a0least something back. Change your lives and\u00a0your jobs, because you are strong people\u00a0\u2013 I\u00a0am addressing our businesspeople now, many of\u00a0whom I\u00a0have known for\u00a0years, who know what is what in\u00a0life.<\/p>\n

Launch new projects, earn money, work hard for\u00a0Russia, invest in\u00a0enterprises and\u00a0jobs, and\u00a0help schools and\u00a0universities, science and\u00a0healthcare, culture and\u00a0sports. In\u00a0this way, you will increase your wealth and\u00a0will also win the\u00a0respect and\u00a0gratitude of\u00a0the\u00a0people for\u00a0a\u00a0generation ahead. The\u00a0state and\u00a0society will certainly support you.<\/p>\n

Let us consider this as\u00a0a\u00a0message for\u00a0your business: get moving in\u00a0the\u00a0right direction.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

___
\nhttps:\/\/jameshfetzer.org\/2023\/02\/vladimir-putins-address-to-the-russian-federal-assembly\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Vladimir Putin\u2019s Address to the Russian Federal Assembly The ceremony took place in Gostiny Dvor, Moscow. February 21, 2023 13:50 Moscow<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-158163","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/stateofthenation.co\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/158163","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/stateofthenation.co\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/stateofthenation.co\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/stateofthenation.co\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/stateofthenation.co\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=158163"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/stateofthenation.co\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/158163\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/stateofthenation.co\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=158163"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/stateofthenation.co\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=158163"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/stateofthenation.co\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=158163"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}