Putin's Busy Friday: Central Asia Summit, Heads of CIS Council and Presser

Karl Sanchez·14 Oct 2022

Yes, and it's also been a busy week. What follows are Putin's speeches delivered at the Russia-Central Asia Summit, then the CIS Heads-of-State Council Meeting finished by the presser. As usual, these are machine translations and may contain grammatical issues. Any emphasis provided will be mine. Currently, there's only video of the Summit and presser, which can be found at the top of the linked page.

Russia-Central Asia Summit

Following the summit, the participants adopted a Joint Statement, which is quite lengthy and merits reading despite their repetitive nature. Now, Putin's speech:

Vladimir Putin: Thank you, thank you very much. (Addressing K.-J.Tokayev.)

And first of all, of course, I would like to thank you all for supporting our initiative and for gathering in such a circle.

It is clear that relations between our countries are being built in a variety of areas and formats. We are constantly in contact, in direct communication, we are in contact both through bilateral channels and within the framework of the CIS, the Eurasian Economic Union, the CSTO and a number of other structures. We can always consult with each other, adjust certain problems that arise. Nevertheless, I am confident that the new format of our communication will be useful and will bring, so to speak, additional added value.

The complicated situation in the world is also pushing for the intensification of all mechanisms of interaction between us, and in the region it is not easy, and most importantly, attempts by the outside to prevent the development of our integration in many areas, to disrupt the close ties and close interaction that have developed throughout history in politics, in the economy, in the humanitarian sphere.

In our opinion, truly coordinated joint steps by our countries are indeed in great demand now, both to build up alliances and strategic partnerships and to increase the resilience of our economies.

For its part, Russia is open to strengthening multilateral cooperation with our Central Asian friends, in particular, to participating in the creation of new supply chains, ensuring the smooth functioning of joint ventures, and building alternative logistics schemes.

Meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of State

Again, following the meeting, a package of documents was adopted. Putin's speech:

Vladimir Putin: <... > I would also like to note the responsible and proactive approach of our friends to the implementation of the current chairmanship.

Over three decades, the CIS has come a long way, established itself as an authoritative regional integration association, within the framework of which the member states build relations on the principles of good-neighborliness, partnership, mutual benefit and consideration of each other's interests. The main thing is that thanks to the Commonwealth, it was possible to preserve, and in some areas even increase the economic, social, cultural and humanitarian ties that have developed over many years of living in a single state.

I would also like to note that despite the sanctions pressure, of which we are all well aware, our economic exchanges with the CIS countries are consistently expanding. Last year, Russia's trade with the CIS countries increased by more than 30 percent, and in the first half of this year it increased by another seven percent, to $46 billion. Last year it was $96 [billion] for the whole year.

The mutual interest of the CIS states in cooperation in the development of the "green" economy, digitalization, the widespread use of innovations, the integrated and rational use of available natural resources is growing.

Joint activities on import substitution and strengthening technological and financial sovereignty have been intensified. In particular, vigorous efforts are being made to switch to national currencies in mutual settlements between the CIS countries. This makes it possible, regardless of external factors, to expand commodity exchanges, make reciprocal investments, expand their own capital market, and therefore deepen continental economic integration.

Of course, with all the positive aspects of cooperation within the CIS, we must admit that, unfortunately, sometimes there are inconsistencies, disagreements, and conflicts. We are well aware of this, and our colleagues have just spoken about this. Yesterday, the President of Tajikistan and the President of Kyrgyzstan and I also discussed issues related to the same issues.

Of course, we must strive to look for ways out of the current situation, wherever it arises. In my opinion, everyone has goodwill, and we need to use this goodwill to the maximum.

Of course, we welcome the mediation efforts of anyone, if only these efforts would benefit in calming the situation, for the benefit of all participants in any contradictions and conflicts. This also applies to our partners from anywhere, from the United States and Europe.

At the same time, of course, I was surprised to read yesterday some of the comments of the President of France on the results of the meeting in Prague on October 6. I believe that these statements lack an understanding of the very course of the conflict and do not seem to contain information about the position of the parties. Therefore, they sounded incorrect, I would even say, perverse, and therefore unacceptable. There will be an opportunity, and we will discuss all this with the President of France.

In any case, Russia has always sincerely sought to resolve any conflicts, including issues related to and around Karabakh. We have met several times in a trilateral format and said in advance that it would be expedient to do this in modern conditions. I am pleased to invite the President of Azerbaijan and the Prime Minister of Armenia to agree on a date and, as I understand it, to meet in Russia anywhere, at any time: in Sochi, in St Petersburg, in Moscow. We will discuss and decide.

I would not like to go into details now. It seems to me that our colleagues have already said a lot of things. We will discuss this later in a narrower format, where, I hope, we will make progress – as we have been able to do so far – in resolving specific issues that arise in this area, on this track.

Colleagues, I would like to say something else about cooperation within the CIS?

I would like to note with satisfaction that a number of important joint documents and decisions have been prepared for adoption following this meeting, which are aimed at deepening integration in various fields. All of them are in line with the implementation of the concept of further development of the CIS and the strategy for the economic development of the CIS for the period up to 2023 and are ultimately aimed at creating on the basis of our Commonwealth an integration, political, economic, cultural and humanitarian association - an association in which the effective development of each of its participants, fruitful trade and economic cooperation will be guaranteed.

As a next step towards achieving this goal, I would like to note the draft decision submitted for approval by the Council of Heads of State on the completion of work on an agreement on free trade in services and investments, which will make it possible to form a common market in the CIS in the future and ensure an unhindered exchange of investments. This, in turn, will open up new, truly limitless opportunities for the joint implementation of entrepreneurial initiatives in our countries, major investment and infrastructure projects that increase interconnection in the Commonwealth, the involvement of economies and companies in the Eurasian production and transport chains.

In this context, Russia's reorientation of exports and imports opens up serious prospects, which stimulates the development of transport corridors throughout Greater Eurasia. Therefore, the key task is the arrangement of the trans-Eurasian logistics corridors "East - West" and "North - South" passing through the territory of the CIS states. I think that this is of interest not only for Russia, but for all states, our neighbors, our friends, because it increases transport opportunities and economic benefits.

At previous meetings of the CIS leaders, the importance of intensifying joint work to strengthen security in our common region and developing cooperation between the CIS and the Collective Security Treaty Organization was repeatedly mentioned. Our colleagues here have already spoken about this.

Of course, we support the decisions proposed for our approval to grant the Commonwealth observer status at the CSTO. If some of our colleagues, in particular the Prime Minister of Armenia, have any concerns in this regard, I believe that this should be further worked out. I think that, yes, it is necessary to pay attention to this and work on it, but it seems to me that the very fact of the CIS observation in the CSTO does not bother anyone, but on the contrary, in my opinion, creates additional opportunities to use all these platforms for additional consultations, meetings, discussion of issues and search for solutions.

I would also consider it expedient to make full use of the potential of cooperation between the CIS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, in particular in combating terrorism and extremism, crime, drug trafficking and corruption. Specific opportunities for this will be provided by the Program of Cooperation of the CIS Member States in the Fight against Terrorism and Extremism for 2023–2025, which we are signing today. It seems that the CIS and the SCO could more closely combine efforts in solving such important tasks as the development of transport connectivity and interregional trade, contracts in the field of culture, tourism, science, technology, and healthcare.

Humanitarian cooperation, of course, is a priority area of interaction within the CIS. The creation of a favorable climate for deepening diverse ties in this area is facilitated by the established annual practice of identifying the cultural capitals of the Commonwealth. We are grateful for the support of the Russian initiative to declare the city of St. Petersburg the cultural capital in 2023.

My colleagues and I have already discussed that an informal meeting could be held in the future cultural capital on the eve of 2023. It is my pleasure to invite you all.

Let me also remind you that in December 2020, we decided to declare 2023 in the Commonwealth the Year of the Russian Language as a Language of Interethnic Communication. It is symbolic that we are approaching its start with a new interesting project proposed by Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kazakhstan, on the creation of an international organization for the promotion of the Russian language under the auspices of the CIS. Naturally, we will provide maximum assistance to the implementation of this initiative.

Colleagues, I would like to draw your attention to the fact that this is not some kind of blank, this is really the idea of the President of Kazakhstan. He shared his suggestion with me a little earlier. Of course, Russia cannot but support this initiative.

Russia also supports the draft decision on the next thematic years in the Commonwealth. As we understand, there is a consensus for 2024 – it will be the Year of the Volunteer Movement – and for 2026 – it will become the Year of Health.

As for 2025, we propose to discuss the possibility of declaring it the Year of the 80th Anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, but also the Year of Peace and Unity in the Fight against Nazism. Thus, in the context of attempts by some countries to erase from memory the feat of the peoples of the USSR in saving humanity from the Nazi plague, we would send a clear signal and a call to unite in defending historical truth, in the fight against Nazism.

I would also like to note that we attach great importance to strengthening the parliamentary dimension of cooperation. The Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of the CIS member states occupies a special place in the system of COMMONWEALTH bodies, the model legal acts being developed help to ensure the harmonization of national legislations. The relevant issues will be raised at the expanded meeting, and this has already been mentioned here.

In conclusion, I would like to thank all my colleagues for supporting Russia's proposal to approve Sergei Lebedev as Chairman of the Executive Committee and Executive Secretary of the CIS for the next term. It is well known to everyone, in fact, I do not need to repeat it anymore, the characteristics have been sounded.

I would also like to wish success to our Kyrgyz friends, who will assume the chairmanship of the CIS in 2023. Of course, for our part, we will do everything that is required of us, if we need any help, in order to assist our Kyrgyz friends in carrying out their chairmanship functions.

Thank you.

And finally:

The Press Conference

Vladimir Putin: Good evening.

I'm listening to you. You are welcome.

Anna Gereikhanova: Good afternoon.

Rossiyskaya Gazeta, Aysel Gereikhanova.

Mr President, yesterday you took part in the summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia, and yesterday the creation of a new international organisation was announced. How do you assess these plans and why is it necessary?

Vladimir Putin: We asked ourselves this question back when this organisation was being created – I think it was 30 years ago – and it seemed that all sorts of other tools were enough to compare notes on security issues. But today it turns out that this is not the case, and these additional tools, especially for the Asian region, are needed, and we need to improve them.

At one time, the initiator, the author of the creation of this structure was the First President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Abishevich Nazarbayev, and, you see, he no longer works in this capacity, but the structure itself lives, and now Kazakhstan has proposed to create an organization on its basis.

Let me remind you that the OSCE developed in exactly the same way: at first it was just a forum for discussing security issues in Europe, and then it turned into an organization.

I think that this is in demand, bearing in mind that there are many threats not only on the European continent, but also on the Asian continent. I'm not going to list everything now, you probably know everything about it.

Therefore, in my opinion, it is in demand, in a timely manner, and all participants supported it.

Alexander Lazurenko: Good afternoon.

Alexey Lazurenko, MIC "Izvestia".

The first Russia-Central Asia Forum has just ended. From your point of view, is Russia still of interest to the countries of Central Asia?

Vladimir Putin: It seems to me that there is even more now. Of course, trade volumes are growing, and they are growing at a much higher rate than in previous years, for obvious reasons – probably, there is no need to explain.

We are developing new logistics chains, which largely pass through this region. The countries of the region are interested in this. Finally, there are new opportunities in terms of cooperation, in terms of developing our own competencies.

Some enterprises that have long gone into oblivion – now we are looking at how to revive them, and we can do this on a completely new technological basis, and this can be done, including in the countries of Central Asia – both for us and for our partners. That's the first part.

And the second is how to organise this, how we can organise, for example, work in the financial sector, these services, the transition to national currencies, in what volumes, what to do, how to organise a system for transmitting financial information. There are many very specific issues here, in the solution of which our partners in Central Asia are definitely interested.

I am not even talking about issues related to security, to the fight against terrorism, for example, to the situation in Afghanistan. Yes, we are discussing this at the CSTO and the CIS, but this primarily concerns someone – the Central Asian republics. Therefore, a separate format, in principle, will not hurt, and it is in demand.

And finally, I repeat, we are working bilaterally with our partners and allies, but when we meet in such a format as today, five plus another participant, another country – Russia, we seem to be looking not in refraction to bilateral contacts, but – I spoke about this today – we will try to look for such projects and areas of cooperation. which are interesting for the region as a whole. You know, it seems to be all the same, but a look from a different angle, which can be interesting for everyone at once. Here's the thing.

And something else. For example, my colleague from Turkmenistan [Sergei Berdimuhamedov] said that it is very important for the countries of Central Asia – for those who do not have access to the World Ocean – to cooperate with Russia in this format, in the multilateral, Central Asian format, in order to look for such opportunities and channels together. And we are developing a number of projects that are also interesting for us, related to other partners. It is extremely important, interesting and timely to combine all this together.

Pavel Minakov: Interfax News Agency.

Good evening!

It is no secret that some states in the post-Soviet space are wary of the events in Ukraine. You met with your colleagues at the CIS summit and communicated informally with them. What is your conclusion: against the background of the ongoing hostilities in Ukraine, the unity on the territory of the CIS has somehow strengthened, remained at the same level or some negative trends are observed?

Vladimir Putin: No. As you can see, all this is passing, all these formats are working, which means that they are in demand, and our allies, our partners want to work in such formats. Nothing changes in that sense.

But, of course, we pay attention to some events related to relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, to what is happening between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, we are all well aware of this. Of course, our partners are interested and concerned about the future development of relations in the Russian-Ukrainian direction. This is the subject of discussion, it is true, there is nothing unexpected here, and I inform our partners in detail about this, tell our point of view. But this does not affect the character, the quality, the depth of Russia's relations with these countries.

Please, please.

Yulia Bubnova: Good afternoon.

TASS News Agency, Yulia Bubnova.

Yesterday you held a meeting with the leaders of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Tell us how it went and what was achieved as a result of it. Thank you.

Vladimir Putin: It was constructive. Naturally, when relations are in a fairly hot phase, it is not easy to find any common ground, but nevertheless, it seems to me that we managed to do it. In any case, we agreed that all measures will be taken to ensure that hostilities do not resume – first of all.

Secondly, which is very important, the parties will take the necessary steps for the return of refugees.

And the third , also essential, important element is that we, without pretending to any mediating role (although, frankly, we were asked to do so), agreed that both sides will convey to us the relevant documents and their vision of solving this problem, and we will not only try to evaluate these proposals from our side, but also use the documents at our disposal to find a solution. which could form the basis of possible agreements. I mean that Moscow sometimes has more reliable information about the borders between the Union republics than the Union republics themselves. We will raise these documents, raise these maps, look at them and then look for a solution together with our colleagues.

So overall, this meeting was very useful.

You are welcome.

Pavel Zarubin: Good evening.

Pavel Zarubin, Rossiya TV channel.

I have a question that I think a lot of people in Russia are thinking about right now.

In my opinion, the role of Germany in the Ukrainian conflict is not discussed. If Chancellor Merkel took a rather restrained position, then Scholz, as they say, went to all the troubles, and with some amazing ease Germany suddenly forgot everything that Russia did to unite the German people, with ease, as it seems, turned the very difficult pages of reconciliation between the two peoples, and now we see previously unimaginable things, how Russian people are again being killed with German weapons.

You are an expert on Germany. How can you explain everything that is happening, and how will this affect Russian-German relations in the future?

Thank you.

Vladimir Putin: This is the choice of those people who legitimately came to power in a particular country, in this case in Germany. They must determine for themselves what is more important for them – the fulfillment of some allied obligations, as they see it, or ensuring the interests of their own people, their national interests.

Judging by what you said, the focus in this case seems to be on some allied obligations, in this case the Federal Republic within the framework of the North Atlantic Alliance. Whether this is right or wrong – I believe that this is a mistake, and this mistake is paid for by business, the economy, the citizens of the Federal Republic, because it has negative economic consequences for the eurozone as a whole and for the Federal Republic in particular.

But few people seem to consider its interests, otherwise Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 would not have been undermined. They didn't work, but it was such an element of reliability – that in extreme cases they could have been turned on. But now there is no such possibility. Although one branch there, as I said in Moscow, is still apparently in working order, but no decision has been made and, apparently, is unlikely to be made. But this is no longer our business, this is the business of our partners.

And what guides the leaders of certain states is their business. I have stated my version. It seems to me that this is exactly the essence of the problem.

You are welcome.

Marianna Finoshina: Maria Finoshina, RT International.

Good evening, Mr President.

Before your trip to Kazakhstan, you met with the President of the United Arab Emirates, and here in Astana, with the President of Turkey. In what way were the situation in Ukraine discussed during these conversations? Perhaps the leaders of these countries shared with you some exclusive position of Kiev, which is known only to them?

Also, the Turkish press writes that Ankara is now trying to organize negotiations between Moscow and Western countries - the United States, Britain, France, Germany - in Istanbul. How real is this meeting today? How effective, if any, will it be if Kiev does not take part? And how prudent do you think it is to involve China and India in these negotiations?

Thank you.

Vladimir Putin: As we know, President of Turkey Mr Erdogan has already played a fairly prominent role in resolving a number of issues, including, for example, exchanges. He was really involved personally in this work, and, as you know, there is a result. So we are also grateful to him for this, because we got our servicemen, including officers. That's the first thing.

Second. He was an active participant in the organization of grain exports from Ukraine. True, unfortunately, this grain does not go – or minimally goes – to the poorest countries in the world through the UN, but this is another matter. We also discussed this with him, and during our talks yesterday he spoke in favour of somehow structuring the flows of this grain and, above all, directing them to the poorest countries. But the UN Secretary-General must work on this. I know he's working, but he's not doing well either.

The United Arab Emirates, of course, is also ready for a mediating role, and I must say that the President of the United Arab Emirates is engaged in this, including humanitarian issues, exchanges and so on, and not without success, for which we are also grateful to him.

India and China always talk about the need to establish a dialogue and resolve everything peacefully. We know their position. These are our close allies, partners, and we respect their position.

But we also know Kiev's position. They kept saying that they wanted negotiations, and they kind of asked for it, and now they've made a formal decision that bans those negotiations. Well, what can we talk about here?

I, in turn, as you know, and speaking in the Kremlin when making decisions on the regions of the Russian Federation, said that we are open. We've always said we're open. Even in Istanbul, we have reached certain agreements. In fact, these agreements were almost initialed. That's it: as soon as the troops withdrew from Kiev, the Kiev authorities immediately lost their desire to negotiate – that's all.

If they're ripe for it, go ahead. Then, probably, the mediation efforts of all those who are interested in this will also be in demand.

Please, please.

Igor Yezhov: Ilya Yezhov, Vesti FM and Mayak.

Continuing the international theme: Mr President, is there any certainty about your trip to the G20 summit in Indonesia? And if so, if you go there, are you ready to hold talks with President of the United States Joe Biden there?

Thank you.

Vladimir Putin: I must ask him whether he is ready to hold such talks with me or not. I don't see the need, to be honest, by and large, there is no platform for any negotiations yet.

The question of my trip there has not yet been finally resolved. But Russia will certainly take part in this work, in what format – we will think about it later. As for any direct talks with any of the G20 participants, we are in constant contact with some of them, as you know. We have just talked about the position of Turkey, the Turkish President – Turkey is also among the Group of Twenty, we are in constant contact with him, with some colleagues too. Such issues were not discussed with the President of the United States.

Please.

Kirill Panyushkin: Good afternoon.

Konstantin Panyushkin, Channel One.

The Federal Security Service recently reported that the explosive device that detonated on the Crimean bridge was originally sent by sea, apparently by cargo ship, from Odessa.

This fact, how it will affect Russia's position on cargo shipping from the ports of Ukraine – will we, perhaps, hinder it now? And most importantly, as for the grain deal, because after all, the agreement was to export grain, not explosive devices. Will this terrorist attack ruin the grain deal?

Vladimir Putin: The Federal Security Service has stated that, most likely, this so-called cargo, or rather, explosives, explosives, were sent by sea from Odessa, but it is not precisely established whether this was done with the help of grain carriers or not. This is a question, there is no answer to it yet.

But if humanitarian corridors for the supply of grain to the poorest countries – although it does not go there, but this work was organized under this pretext – [if] it turns out that humanitarian corridors are used to commit terrorist acts, then, of course, this will raise a big question about the further functioning of this corridor. But so far we do not have such data.

Kirill Panyushkin: Is Russia's possible response being worked out?

Vladimir Putin: You know what, the answer is simple: we will simply close it, and the matter is over. But we must first establish this reliably. There is no such information.

You are welcome.

Alexei Yunashev: Good afternoon, Mr President.

Alexander Yunashev, Life.

The other day in Moscow, a man was fined for listening to Ukrainian music. This seems to be a clear overkill, because so soon the film "Only "Old Men" Go to Battle can be banned - there are Ukrainian motives, and Gogol.

After all, if fascists listen to folk songs, the songs themselves do not become fascist because of this, what do you think? And how should we treat Ukrainian culture now?

Vladimir Putin: I think that we are constantly indignant at attempts to close Russian culture and abolish it – this is complete nonsense. As one of our musicians said, "Some fools." But we shouldn't behave in the same way. First.

Second. The Ukrainian language is one of the state languages in Crimea. In one of the subjects of the Russian Federation, in the Crimea, Ukrainian is the state language, along with Crimean Tatar and Russian. So that in itself is wrong.

Third. In Russia, I think, there are about three million citizens of the Russian Federation who live permanently with us, Ukrainians. How can we ban their language and culture? We don't even have that in our heads.

Therefore, I understand what this is connected with: this is happening against the background of today's emotions. But I think that many of our families know, hear and love Ukrainian songs, Ukrainian culture. Even in the Soviet Union, hits in the Ukrainian language were very popular. And I think we shouldn't be like those who, as I have already begun, in answering your question, abolish any culture. Culture has nothing to do with it at all.

If the current leadership in Kiev considers it possible to support neo-Nazis, it is possible to support torchlight processions in the center of their large cities and people who walk around with Nazi symbols, then this has nothing to do with Ukrainian culture.

You are welcome.

Lyudmila Lezhneva: Good afternoon.

Newspaper "Izvestia", Lyubov Lezhneva.

I wanted to ask about mobilization. You have already said that there are many problems with mobilization, and now many companies do not understand which employees will be taken and which ones will not.

I would like to ask you whether we should expect a new wave of mobilization? Will there be a general mobilization? And the 300,000 people that the head of the Defence Ministry spoke about is still an actual figure or not?

Thank you.

Vladimir Putin: First of all, the Defence Ministry initially assumed a lower figure – not 300,000 people. First.

Second. Nothing additional is planned. There have been no proposals from the Defence Ministry in this regard, and I do not see any need in the foreseeable future.

As for the cluelessness I mentioned. It is connected with the old forms of accounting, which have not been updated for decades. And when they began to carry out these mobilization measures, only then it became clear what quality they were. This information base is now being updated on a modern basis, on a modern basis, and it will be as reliable as possible. Therefore, I think that the quality should be improved.

Although I must say that this work is already ending. Now there are 222,000 people mobilized out of 300,000 in the forming troops. I think that within about two weeks all mobilization measures will be completed.

You are welcome.

Andrei Golovko: Alexei Golovko, Rossiya TV channel. Vesti".

In continuation, by the way, of the theme. We are in Kazakhstan now – here, as we know, there are a lot of people who left after the announcement of partial mobilization. A certain number of them are in other neighboring countries.

In Russia, they say different things, someone calls them traitors, the State Duma even offered to confiscate their cars. And how do you personally feel about those who left the country after September 21?

Vladimir Putin: I would prefer to give legal assessments rather than emotional ones. It is necessary to give in each specific case a legal assessment of the action of a particular citizen. Someone left because they are afraid of something, someone left because they want to evade mobilization, someone else for some reason. In each specific case, it is necessary to give a legal assessment and act in relation to a particular person only on this basis. It seems to me that it is impossible to act differently.

You are welcome. Please.

Georgy Ivanov: Thank you very much.

Gleb Ivanov, "Arguments and Facts".

Again, Mr President, in continuation of the topic of mobilization. Now the first data on the dead mobilized soldiers are beginning to arrive. In the Chelyabinsk region, the authorities of the region announced that several mobilized people died. In Moscow today, an employee of the Moscow government, mobilized on September 23, is buried. He had no military training, no military experience.

Actually, the question is: how does this happen? When the partial mobilization was announced, we said that all those mobilized would undergo mandatory military training. How is it that people end up at the front – not even three weeks have passed since the announcement of mobilization – and die there? And how, in your opinion, is the process of mobilization going now?

And one more question, if I may, about the Crimean Bridge. After the terrorist attack on the Crimean Bridge, from your point of view, how are security measures now ensured at strategic infrastructure facilities: railway stations, airports, gas pipelines, power plants? Can we protect them?

Thank you.

Vladimir Putin: As for mobilisation, I can say again what I said earlier. The contact line is 1100 kilometers, so it is almost impossible to keep it exclusively with troops formed from contract soldiers, especially since they take an active part in offensive operations. That's what mobilization comes with. First.

Second. All citizens called up as part of the mobilization must be trained, and it is as follows. I said that 222,000 people are now in the troops, or rather, in the so-called forming units, where the initial training is from five to ten days. Then they go directly, depending on the military registration specialty, to combat units, where training is from five to fifteen days. Then the next stage is already directly in the troops taking part in hostilities, and there is additional coordination.

But if you look from the beginning of mobilization to today, in principle, if you look at the minimum values, then in general it is possible. And not only is it possible: I said that 222,000 of us are in the forming troops, 33,000 mobilized people are already in the units, and 16,000 are in the units involved in the fulfillment of the combat mission.

But if such questions arise, which you have now formulated, I will additionally instruct the Security Council. There are military people in the Security Council, who previously served in the Ministry of Defence, with good experience, who know their business, high-level and class specialists. I will instruct them to conduct an inspection of how the training of mobilized citizens is carried out.

About [security]. After the terrorist attack on the Crimean Bridge, of course, the relevant services were instructed to strengthen control in order to ensure the safety of all critical infrastructure facilities, and appropriate measures should be taken at all of them: at energy facilities, and at different levels, of different classes, at transport facilities. We have a large country, so let's hope that the work in this direction will be effective. So far, it has been possible to do so.

You are welcome.

Andrei Kolesnikov: The Kommersant newspaper.

Do you think that after all Ukraine will be able to exist as a state? And Russia?

And the second question. Mr President, do you regret anything?

Vladimir Putin: No.

I want it to be clear that what is happening today is not pleasant, to put it mildly, but we would have gotten the same thing a little later, only in worse conditions for us, that's all.

So my actions are correct and timely.

Andrei Kolesnikov: What about the first question?

Vladimir Putin: Will Ukraine exist?

Andrei Kolesnikov: Will Ukraine be able to exist as a state? And will Russia be able to?

Vladimir Putin: But we did not set ourselves the task of destroying Ukraine. Of course not.

They took 2.5 million people living in Crimea, two [million] 400 [thousand] – and cut off the water there. The troops had to go and open the water to the Crimea. Just as an example of the logic of our actions. If they had not done this action, there would have been no opposition.

The bridge was blown up – now we need to think ten times: ensuring communication with Crimea through the territory, how important is it for the Russian Federation? Understand?

Pavel Zarubin: After the terrorist attack on the Crimean Bridge, massive strikes were carried out on the territory of Ukraine at the beginning of the week. How do you assess their effectiveness and what is the probability that such massive strikes will still have to be inflicted?

Vladimir Putin: Now there is no need for massive strikes, now there are other tasks, because, I think, seven of the 29 facilities were not hit as planned by the Defence Ministry, but they are getting them, these facilities, gradually. There is no need for massive strikes, at least not yet. Well, there it will be seen.

All? Let's wrap up.

Sergei Dianov: Thank you very much.

Sergey Dianov, RIA Novosti.

NATO directly says that the defeat of Ukraine will be a defeat for the Alliance. Do you think it is possible that NATO will send troops to the territory of Ukraine if the state of affairs on the battlefield becomes catastrophic for Kiev?

Vladimir Putin: You know, this is a question of concepts, a question of legal technique: what is the defeat of Ukraine – everyone can understand it differently. The fact that Crimea became a subject of the Russian Federation in 2014 is a defeat or what, what is it? We need to understand what it is.

But in any case, the introduction of some troops into direct contact, into a direct clash with the Russian army is a very dangerous step that could lead to a global catastrophe. I hope that the mind-mind of those who talk about this will be enough to avoid taking such dangerous steps.

Thank you very much. Best regards.

Yes, President Putin did dodge a few questions, and for others lacked information to provide a complete answer. However, it's quite clear the Summit and CIS meeting were quite successful, and more questions should have been asked about them. Will Putin go to Bali for the G-20 or will he appear via video? Clearly, he sees no reason to meet with Biden, and that should be big news. The question about combat between NATO and Russian forces should have been asked differently, IMO, since such combat is already occurring. Yes, the initial task didn't include the elimination of Ukraine as a nation, but Putin noted that the initial dynamic has changed and left the question unanswered.

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Putin's Busy Friday: Central Asia Summit, Heads of CIS Council and Presser

Russia-Central Asia Summit

See also

Meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of State

The Press Conference