"Lick the Americans." Putin’s main quotes at a press conference

On Thursday, December 17, Russian President Vladimir Putin held the eleventh large press conference. The event, which was attended by over a thousand journalists, both Russian and foreign, was held in Moscow, in the World Trade Center. "Lenta.ru," cites the most interesting answers from the head of state to questions from the media.

About downed fighter and relations with Turkey

Given that we have shown willingness to cooperate with Turkey on the most sensitive issues, why was it done? They thought we were going to run away from there? No, of course, Russia is not that country. If the Turkish leadership decided to lick the Americans in one place, I do not know if they did the right thing. I do not know if the Americans need it or not. (...) One can imagine that at some level there were agreements that, behold, we will build up a Russian plane here, and you will close our eyes, that we will enter Iraqi territory and occupy part of Iraq. I do not know, maybe that was the exchange. We are not aware of this.

On the economic relations of Russia and Ukraine

From January 1, unfortunately for us, we predict a deterioration in our economic relations, because we have to decide that with January 1 we will not work with Ukraine as a member of the CIS free trade zone. The leaders of the European Union asked and suggested not to exclude Ukraine from the free trade zone and not to deprive it of its preferences in trade with Russia. This was done in the hope that in the trilateral format - Russia, the EU, Ukraine - during the year [2015] we will negotiate and make some changes in various forms, some adjustments using additional protocols that remove our concerns and guarantee our economic interests, if we do not change the agreement between Ukraine and Russia on Ukraine’s accession to the association with the European Union.

But only in July did some kind of contacts begin, which actually did not lead to anything. We sought to maintain our economic relations with Ukraine, but Ukraine is a member of the free trade zone - there are various preferences, zero tariffs. But she unilaterally comes out of this regime, as it were, and joins all European rules. There, for example, it is written: all products on the Ukrainian market must be subordinated to technical standards and norms of technical regulation of the European Union. But our goods do not yet meet these requirements, you understand us. Means what? What do you throw our products from this market.

Regarding the President of Tatarstan. As we say - even though you call it a pot, the main thing is to not put it in the stove. I do not think that the renaming will affect the national feelings of the Tatars. For example, Chechnya declared that we should have one president. We respect the decision of the Tatar people. You decide there yourself.

Regarding my other relatives and daughters, I read different things at different times. Including that my daughters study and live abroad. It is not true. I am proud of them [daughters], they continue to study and work. My daughters are fluent in three European languages. Even someone already speaks one or two Eastern, someone else in one fourth of Europe. And they don't just say, they use [foreign languages] in their work. I never discuss issues related to my family. They do not do business and politics.

On the fight against doping in sport

The most important thing is that there is a general approach in law in general, in this case, in particular: the responsibility must always be personal, if it is proven. The one who is to blame - the coach, the organizer, the athlete himself - they must answer. For those who violate something, should not be responsible people who have nothing to do with it. It’s just nonsense, it’s unfair and wrong. I respect those who achieve real results. If a person needs to use any drugs for health reasons, let him go to Paralympic sports. Russia, I want to say it again, should and will be open for joint work in the fight against doping.

About syria

We will never agree that someone from the outside - anywhere - will impose on anyone who should lead where. This simply does not fit into any common sense or international law. Our position does not change; it is fundamental. We believe that only the Syrian people should determine who should govern them and by what standards and rules. (...) We have long said that we will carry out our air strikes and support the offensive movement of the Syrian army as long as the Syrian army carries out these operations. When we see that the process of rapprochement has begun, the political process has begun [in Syria], and the Syrian leadership itself believes that that’s it - we need to stop shooting and we need to start negotiating, we are not going to beоbetter than the Syrians themselves than the Syrians, why do we need it?

On oil prices and budget adjustments

We calculated the budget for next year just from this figure [$ 50 per barrel]. This is a very optimistic assessment today. Now how much is she already - 38? We will probably have to correct something here. (...) We will not rush to make adjustments to the budget, because this leads to a reduction in social spending. But the government, of course, is preparing a script for any outcome of developments.

About the crisis and turnover

Real incomes of the population decreased, investment in fixed assets in the ten months of the current year decreased by 5,7 percent. At the same time, statistics show that the Russian economy as a whole has passed the crisis, the peak, at least, the crisis. (...) Our budget revenues from our export goods have decreased. Why? Yes, because of the cost figures. And since we register an increase in turnover in ports, this means that the physical volume has not decreased, but increased.

On the work of the government and possible changes in the Cabinet

No changes, in any case, are foreseen. Together with the government, we are thinking about how to improve the structure, how to make the work of the government more effective in the most sensitive areas - in the economy and the social sphere. There are such plans, but they are not of any dramatic nature, they are not connected exclusively with personalities, this is connected with the desire to improve the work of this most important governing body. For a sufficiently long period of time of my work, it was possible to notice that I am very careful: a) to people and b) I think that personnel reshuffle, as a rule, is not always negative. But the mess is not needed, it interferes. If something does not work for someone, for which I am also responsible, I think that there is also my fault here. Of course, you can and should work better. But on the whole, strategically, the government takes the necessary steps and acts effectively.

About publications about the business of the sons of the Prosecutor General Yuri Chaika

It is necessary to understand whether they, the children of the prosecutor general, violated the law or not, is there any elements in the work of the prosecutor general related to the conflict of interests, did he somehow assist and help his children? The presidential control department deals with media materials on the family of the prosecutor general. I didn’t want to talk about it, but that doesn’t mean that we don’t do it. It is necessary to look at everything carefully, just as it is necessary to carefully look at and clear all possible constituent information appearing on the Internet.

In 2008, we canceled the licensing of this type of activity in the fight against bureaucracy. It seems to be good, but what did it lead to in practice? This led to the fact that a large number of people who buy these heavy loads and use it appeared. But this is a gray economy. It is necessary to leave all the same from the gray schemes. We must help them. Some things need to be improved here, but how to do it? To withdraw from the scheme and at the same time not to overload with various taxation and tax payments ... Let the government think about it in advance and do it.

About pensions

The state will have to lower the provision of pensioners or raise the retirement age. This should be done gradually. When it will have to be done is unclear. I will emphasize that changes in the retirement age system will not affect in any way those who have already retired.

On the model of development of Sevastopol and the return of dirks to retired military

Sevastopol is a very important element of the maritime infrastructure. We equip the Black Sea Fleet with new ships and submarines. Of course, Sevastopol will develop as a base of the Navy. But to say that Sevastopol should be solely the base of the fleet is not entirely correct. At one time, he developed. And so the city was in a very difficult position. But now he is developing. I am sure that Sevastopol should develop in several directions at once. How? This must decide themselves Sevastopol. It is necessary to develop high-tech production. It can be done? Sure you may. Including, with the involvement of former employees of the Navy. We will support and develop both Sevastopol and the Crimea as a whole. And officers must return dirks.

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