1 00:00:22,320 --> 00:00:26,279 Do you imagine your life without being a president? 2 00:00:27,200 --> 00:00:29,839 By the way, it's quite frequent question. 3 00:00:34,240 --> 00:00:37,759 Actually, it's like a canary in a coal mine, so to say. 4 00:00:37,760 --> 00:00:39,599 That's what I think. 5 00:00:39,880 --> 00:00:44,199 If a person is able to go back to live in a regular apartment 6 00:00:45,360 --> 00:00:48,799 instead of enjoying palace interior 7 00:00:51,200 --> 00:00:55,879 in this case, I think that he didn't lose connection with "external world”. 8 00:00:56,400 --> 00:01:00,999 I can easily imagine my life without being in this high position. 9 00:01:14,000 --> 00:01:15,399 It has happened on August 7th, 1999... " 10 00:01:16,400 --> 00:01:17,879 In the heart of events." 11 00:01:21,600 --> 00:01:24,519 CAUCASUS NEWS. 12 00:01:27,680 --> 00:01:30,439 Basaev is commanding militants in Dagestan". 13 00:01:44,400 --> 00:01:45,279 for keeping it short 14 00:01:45,280 --> 00:01:46,799 I am not going to sit down for keeping it short. 15 00:01:47,000 --> 00:01:48,599 16 00:01:52,840 --> 00:01:55,999 Situation is very serious now in Dagestan and in Caucasus. 17 00:01:56,040 --> 00:01:57,879 I just came back from there. 18 00:01:57,920 --> 00:02:01,319 It's really difficult situation. 19 00:02:08,960 --> 00:02:10,399 Real serious. 20 00:02:11,600 --> 00:02:14,239 Probably, we can really lose Dagestan... 21 00:02:20,320 --> 00:02:23,199 Coordination is very bad, so far. 22 00:02:24,200 --> 00:02:27,159 And for some reason everyone is asking for political.. 23 00:02:27,160 --> 00:02:31,599 I was forced to go there yesterday and tell that I am taking full responsibility. 24 00:02:33,800 --> 00:02:36,399 And now about the current events. 25 00:02:37,320 --> 00:02:40,479 I have met with the President this morning. 26 00:02:41,240 --> 00:02:44,079 He signed my resignation 27 00:02:44,080 --> 00:02:46,239 Thanked me for good work 28 00:02:46,240 --> 00:02:48,319 And dismissed me 29 00:02:48,320 --> 00:02:53,279 Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin is appointed as interim 30 00:02:53,280 --> 00:02:56,079 He is the Secretary of Security Council and head of FSB. 31 00:02:56,080 --> 00:02:58,279 Descent and honourable person I think. 32 00:02:58,639 --> 00:03:01,199 I would like to wish him luck. 33 00:03:01,600 --> 00:03:03,199 Luck only, 34 00:03:03,280 --> 00:03:05,359 cause all the rest he already has. 35 00:03:08,440 --> 00:03:09,999 August 9th, 1999 36 00:03:10,000 --> 00:03:12,599 The man, whom Boris Yeltsin has chosen 37 00:03:12,600 --> 00:03:15,199 to be the head of his obsolete government 38 00:03:15,240 --> 00:03:17,999 was practically unknown former spy 39 00:03:18,080 --> 00:03:20,599 and head of Security Council: Vladimir Putin 40 00:03:20,600 --> 00:03:23,439 Even more remarkable was Yeltsin's statement 41 00:03:23,440 --> 00:03:26,199 that it was Putin who ought to become a president of Russia 42 00:03:26,200 --> 00:03:29,119 after Yeltsin's retirement next year. 43 00:03:29,400 --> 00:03:32,199 People had absolutely no trust to the government. 44 00:03:32,240 --> 00:03:35,199 Caucasus war was going on. 45 00:03:35,200 --> 00:03:39,719 The war was not only in Caucasus but everywhere in the country. 46 00:03:39,760 --> 00:03:41,999 You might remember those terrorist attacks etc. 47 00:03:42,600 --> 00:03:44,639 It was not so long ago 48 00:03:44,840 --> 00:03:47,199 just 14-15 years ago. 49 00:03:47,720 --> 00:03:50,119 Caucasus war came to Moscow" 50 00:03:58,480 --> 00:04:01,439 Chechen trace?" 51 00:04:03,600 --> 00:04:05,079 August 14th, 1999 52 00:04:05,080 --> 00:04:07,919 This conflict became the first serious test 53 00:04:07,960 --> 00:04:10,799 for acting Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. 54 00:04:10,840 --> 00:04:13,279 Putin stated that Russia will be able 55 00:04:13,280 --> 00:04:16,399 to take situation in Dagestan under control in less than 2 weeks. 56 00:04:16,800 --> 00:04:19,918 I wasn't really able to make decisions at that moment. 57 00:04:19,920 --> 00:04:22,799 I was forced to deal with it, 58 00:04:22,800 --> 00:04:25,838 though I didn't have full powers. 59 00:04:25,839 --> 00:04:28,199 It was clearly a huge responsibility. 60 00:04:28,200 --> 00:04:31,039 It was a matter of course 61 00:04:31,040 --> 00:04:34,799 and I have had onl one question, 62 00:04:34,800 --> 00:04:36,999 I am not even going to talk about it on camera now. 63 00:04:37,000 --> 00:04:40,199 In case if I won't manage to finish this task, 64 00:04:40,200 --> 00:04:45,599 then what should I do and how should I live further? 65 00:04:45,600 --> 00:04:48,599 I have decided for myself that it's the only option. 66 00:04:48,800 --> 00:04:50,599 I should go till the end. 67 00:04:52,240 --> 00:04:55,399 I never heard of name Putin back then. 68 00:04:55,400 --> 00:04:58,199 It was in August-September of 1999. 69 00:04:58,200 --> 00:05:04,239 Experience of the previous 1$t Chechen campaign was pretty hard. 70 00:05:04,240 --> 00:05:05,799 There was a long line of misfortunes 71 00:05:05,800 --> 00:05:08,519 72 00:05:08,520 --> 00:05:10,278 and often even betrayals. 73 00:05:14,279 --> 00:05:18,799 And in 1999 when Chaban Makhikov... 74 00:05:18,800 --> 00:05:23,799 during that Khattab's assault on Dagestan, 75 00:05:23,800 --> 00:05:28,079 that’s when I first heard the name of our president. 76 00:05:32,600 --> 00:05:35,838 Vladimir Ivanov, our platoon commander, said. 77 00:05:36,400 --> 00:05:38,679 We got a new one." 78 00:05:38,720 --> 00:05:44,399 He came into some general's tent 79 00:05:44,480 --> 00:05:49,599 and they raised a toast to future victory. 80 00:05:49,600 --> 00:05:53,599 I would really like, in accordance with Russian tradition 81 00:05:53,600 --> 00:05:58,159 and tradition of holy Dagestan land where we are today, 82 00:05:58,160 --> 00:06:00,799 to raise this glass 83 00:06:00,800 --> 00:06:04,079 and drink to the memory of those who died. 84 00:06:04,080 --> 00:06:06,159 A second, just a second 85 00:06:07,440 --> 00:06:09,799 I would like to raise a glass 86 00:06:09,880 --> 00:06:12,959 to the health of ones who are wounded 87 00:06:13,000 --> 00:06:15,559 and to wish happiness to everyone present here. 88 00:06:15,760 --> 00:06:19,519 But we have a lot of problems ahead of us 89 00:06:19,520 --> 00:06:22,599 and important tasks you know that very well. 90 00:06:22,680 --> 00:06:25,999 You do know what enemy is planning to do. 91 00:06:26,000 --> 00:06:27,879 All of us know that 92 00:06:27,880 --> 00:06:32,359 What provocations are to be expected in the nearest future, 93 00:06:32,400 --> 00:06:35,278 in what regions etc. 94 00:06:35,279 --> 00:06:37,599 We don't have a right 95 00:06:37,600 --> 00:06:41,399 to allow ourselves a single moment of weakness. 96 00:06:41,400 --> 00:06:42,799 Not a single moment. 97 00:06:42,800 --> 00:06:44,278 Because if we will, 98 00:06:44,320 --> 00:06:48,199 then those who died, did it for nothing. 99 00:06:48,240 --> 00:06:51,799 That's why I’d like to propose the following. 100 00:06:51,800 --> 00:06:56,079 we will absolutely raise our glasses to them, 101 00:06:56,080 --> 00:06:57,559 absolutely. 102 00:06:58,600 --> 00:07:01,278 But we will do it later. 103 00:07:01,279 --> 00:07:02,799 Later. 104 00:07:02,800 --> 00:07:08,559 When this task, the crucial task you all know about, will be completed. 105 00:07:08,600 --> 00:07:11,799 That's why I propose to grab a bite of food now 106 00:07:12,000 --> 00:07:13,799 and go back to work. 107 00:07:16,040 --> 00:07:20,959 He put glass on the table and I remember surprise of our platoon commander 108 00:07:20,960 --> 00:07:22,919 and his respect. 109 00:07:22,920 --> 00:07:26,399 He said that probably it will work differently than during the previous campaign 110 00:07:26,400 --> 00:07:28,319 cause this glass he put back on the table, 111 00:07:28,320 --> 00:07:34,399 in his man's view, it had some good special meaning. 112 00:07:34,400 --> 00:07:37,199 And after that couple of days later, 113 00:07:37,200 --> 00:07:42,119 when military jets flew to Khattab’s units and started shelling them on territory of Chechnya, 114 00:07:42,120 --> 00:07:46,719 it became clear then that this glass returned on the table 115 00:07:46,760 --> 00:07:49,159 had very obvious meaning 116 00:07:49,160 --> 00:07:51,999 It meant that everything will be the right way. 117 00:07:55,320 --> 00:07:56,999 We will be chasing terrorists everywhere. 118 00:07:58,000 --> 00:07:59,799 119 00:07:59,880 --> 00:08:02,159 and if we find them in the toilet, pardon me, 120 00:08:02,200 --> 00:08:04,479 We will rub them out in the outhouse! 121 00:08:04,480 --> 00:08:05,759 The end, issue closed! 122 00:08:16,640 --> 00:08:17,399 What's going on in Chechnya, 123 00:08:21,680 --> 00:08:27,239 is caused by the fact that Russia is not willing 124 00:08:27,240 --> 00:08:30,839 to solve these issues in political way, 125 00:08:30,840 --> 00:08:36,198 by talking to the Chechen leaders. 126 00:08:37,000 --> 00:08:41,799 There are two categories of Russian soldiers on the territory of Chechnya. 127 00:08:41,799 --> 00:08:45,759 those who lie in coffins and those who WILL lie in coffins. 128 00:08:48,640 --> 00:08:54,319 There was no other solution than suppressing this terrorism. 129 00:08:54,320 --> 00:08:56,279 It was impossible to come to an agreement 130 00:08:56,280 --> 00:08:59,759 I remember very clearly and I told about that before, I think, 131 00:08:59,760 --> 00:09:06,519 that while I was head of FSB I was reading different investigative documents 132 00:09:06,520 --> 00:09:10,599 including ones of international terrorists, what they were writing to each other. 133 00:09:10,640 --> 00:09:14,399 It's a unique historic occasion today. 134 00:09:15,200 --> 00:09:18,439 We have a chance to tear Caucasus away from Russia. 135 00:09:18,480 --> 00:09:20,359 Today or never." 136 00:09:20,400 --> 00:09:22,599 But it was clear for us as well. 137 00:09:22,600 --> 00:09:25,319 either we'll hold it today 138 00:09:25,360 --> 00:09:28,279 or we'll never have another chance to save the country. 139 00:09:28,320 --> 00:09:34,959 Well, at that moment practically everyone, except only us maybe, 140 00:09:35,000 --> 00:09:40,119 cause an average citizen didn't go into details, and wasn't much aware of what was happening, 141 00:09:40,120 --> 00:09:41,799 but for anyone in the world, 142 00:09:41,880 --> 00:09:46,839 as many of my colleagues, presidents and prime ministers, were telling me later, 143 00:09:46,880 --> 00:09:52,039 it was a sure thing that Russia will seize to exist in its current borders. 144 00:09:53,200 --> 00:09:57,199 The only question was when it will happen and what will be the consequences, 145 00:09:57,200 --> 00:09:59,399 considering that it was a large nuclear power. 146 00:09:59,600 --> 00:10:04,199 On December 31st, 1999, at 10 am 147 00:10:04,200 --> 00:10:06,558 I got a phone call from Boris Yeltsin office. 148 00:10:09,400 --> 00:10:13,599 And I was told that I have to be in his office in half an hour. 149 00:10:13,600 --> 00:10:15,639 I was invited into his office. 150 00:10:15,640 --> 00:10:20,959 We were standing there, witnessing the power transfer, 151 00:10:21,000 --> 00:10:25,599 including the transfer of nuclear suitcase too, by the way. 152 00:10:25,600 --> 00:10:27,719 I remember this day very well. 153 00:10:27,760 --> 00:10:33,719 On December 31st we were invited for breakfast with the President. 154 00:10:33,760 --> 00:10:35,719 We were about 8 people. 155 00:10:36,000 --> 00:10:39,199 I saw that someone was carrying a TV. 156 00:10:39,200 --> 00:10:44,599 If you remember, TVs used to be thick, chubby ones back then. 157 00:10:44,600 --> 00:10:46,959 They placed the TV there. 158 00:10:46,960 --> 00:10:50,239 Boris Nikolaevich and Vladimir Vladimirovich came over. 159 00:10:50,280 --> 00:10:52,799 They sat down and turned on TV. 160 00:10:54,280 --> 00:10:59,399 I am... leaving 161 00:11:02,600 --> 00:11:07,599 Leaving before... the end of the term. 162 00:11:08,800 --> 00:11:14,199 I realized that it's what I have to do. 163 00:11:14,200 --> 00:11:19,599 Russia has to start a new Millennium 164 00:11:19,640 --> 00:11:25,319 with new politicians, new faces. 165 00:11:25,320 --> 00:11:33,359 With new clever, strong, energetic people. 166 00:11:34,840 --> 00:11:39,799 That's where we heard that Boris Nikolayevich has left 167 00:11:39,800 --> 00:11:43,479 and has passed his president duties to Vladimir Vladimirovich. 168 00:12:31,000 --> 00:12:34,879 After that Vladimir Vladimirovich invited me to his office in Kremlin 169 00:12:34,920 --> 00:12:43,079 and told me that it would be a good idea to congratulate our Army Forces. 170 00:12:43,080 --> 00:12:49,319 Spiritual welfare of the Army Forces was quite bad. 171 00:12:49,360 --> 00:12:53,879 It was necessary to bolster morale of the servicemen, 172 00:12:53,880 --> 00:12:56,319 make them believe in themselves. 173 00:12:59,000 --> 00:13:03,199 At the same time, we had to ensure security of this event, 174 00:13:03,200 --> 00:13:06,439 cause we were flying in the combat zone. 175 00:13:06,440 --> 00:13:10,639 It was worrisome of course, the president is flying, weather is terrible, 176 00:13:10,640 --> 00:13:12,519 by the helicopters. 177 00:13:15,960 --> 00:13:18,079 Our helicopter was shelled 178 00:13:18,080 --> 00:13:20,999 and we were forced to go back to Makhachkala. 179 00:13:21,000 --> 00:13:24,558 By this time we prepared the cars 180 00:13:24,600 --> 00:13:26,759 which we used to get to Gudermes. 181 00:13:26,760 --> 00:13:28,359 I was in Gudermes. 182 00:13:28,400 --> 00:13:32,439 My father knew that he is coming over 183 00:13:32,480 --> 00:13:34,719 don’t know where he knew this from. 184 00:13:34,720 --> 00:13:36,799 It was a secret. 185 00:13:36,800 --> 00:13:39,199 Nobody believed it even myself. 186 00:13:39,200 --> 00:13:42,999 Fighting is going on everywhere but Putin will come, 187 00:13:43,000 --> 00:13:45,959 in a civil car to Dagestan... 188 00:13:46,240 --> 00:13:51,079 We arrived to Gudermes somewhat around 4:30 pm 189 00:13:51,160 --> 00:13:55,199 and we met New Year's Eve already with the servicemen. 190 00:13:56,200 --> 00:13:58,799 Guys, our congratulations on the New Year. 191 00:13:58,840 --> 00:14:01,799 We wish you happiness and all the best for the new year! 192 00:14:01,800 --> 00:14:05,359 Good health to everyone and happy family life! 193 00:14:05,360 --> 00:14:07,678 I would like you to know 194 00:14:07,679 --> 00:14:10,959 that Russia highly appreciates what you do. 195 00:14:10,960 --> 00:14:15,399 And country really needs what you do. Really needs it. 196 00:14:15,440 --> 00:14:19,199 I am not only talking about restoring of country's Honour and Dignity. 197 00:14:19,240 --> 00:14:23,999 No I mean much more serious things by that. 198 00:14:24,000 --> 00:14:28,879 I am talking about putting an end to the demise of Russia. 199 00:14:28,880 --> 00:14:30,879 This is your main goal. 200 00:14:30,920 --> 00:14:34,399 Setting up a goal always meant for Putin 201 00:14:34,400 --> 00:14:38,399 having a concrete result after a specified time. 202 00:14:39,040 --> 00:14:43,919 And when Putin said that problem has to be resolved in 2 weeks, 203 00:14:43,920 --> 00:14:46,079 in 2 weeks it was resolved. 204 00:14:46,360 --> 00:14:50,999 A lot of hard work was done with the locals. 205 00:14:51,000 --> 00:14:58,879 As the result of it, enormous number of local Dagestan residents 206 00:14:58,880 --> 00:15:02,519 with weapon in their hands took side of Federal Forces, 207 00:15:02,520 --> 00:15:06,599 fought with the terrorists and won over them eventually. 208 00:15:06,600 --> 00:15:11,079 The same story was in Chechnya. 209 00:15:14,400 --> 00:15:16,999 We have to act very carefully, 210 00:15:17,160 --> 00:15:22,079 in a way that we wouldn't cause damage to the civilians. 211 00:15:23,280 --> 00:15:25,999 Because there are... there are... 212 00:15:26,000 --> 00:15:29,799 besides the armed militants and bandits there are also women, children 213 00:15:29,800 --> 00:15:32,799 elderly people are there too. 214 00:15:32,800 --> 00:15:37,799 There are veterans of the Great Patriotic War there too by the way! 215 00:15:39,000 --> 00:15:44,479 Whom all of us own the victory over fascism, 216 00:15:44,480 --> 00:15:47,439 they were taking part in it. 217 00:15:47,440 --> 00:15:50,799 And we treat them as family 218 00:15:51,800 --> 00:15:53,919 Sorry. I can't walk all the way through... 219 00:15:55,400 --> 00:15:58,639 The very same Akhmad Hadzhi Kadyrov, 220 00:15:58,640 --> 00:16:03,719 he actually believed Putin, believed this work. 221 00:16:03,760 --> 00:16:05,599 He followed Putin 222 00:16:05,600 --> 00:16:11,199 and hundreds and thousands of other Chechens did too after him. 223 00:16:14,400 --> 00:16:16,359 This was a surprise 224 00:16:16,400 --> 00:16:20,119 a feeling that a strange, new person has appeared. 225 00:16:22,640 --> 00:16:25,639 I met both his mother and father. 226 00:16:26,600 --> 00:16:30,159 The war for Vladimir Vladimirovich, is the same as for me, probably. 227 00:16:30,400 --> 00:16:33,799 It's not only the heroism of people, 228 00:16:33,800 --> 00:16:37,119 but also a personal tragedy which will never die. 229 00:16:37,120 --> 00:16:40,639 On Piskarevskoe cemetery, in one of the mass graves, 230 00:16:40,640 --> 00:16:42,719 his older brother is buried. 231 00:16:42,760 --> 00:16:46,239 He was practically a child when he has died. 232 00:16:46,240 --> 00:16:51,079 His father was heavily wounded in Nevsky Pyatachok, it was a miracle he survived. 233 00:16:51,080 --> 00:16:54,479 He came back home from the hospital 234 00:16:54,520 --> 00:16:59,199 right at the moment when our future President mother was carried out of the apartment. 235 00:16:59,200 --> 00:17:02,999 Medics were loading her in a truck as a dead body. 236 00:17:03,000 --> 00:17:06,839 He chased them away, using his crutches. 237 00:17:06,839 --> 00:17:11,759 She was washed out but he nursed her back to life. 238 00:17:12,240 --> 00:17:16,799 When he came to Moscow for work, 239 00:17:19,040 --> 00:17:20,999 his parents were already pretty old, 240 00:17:21,040 --> 00:17:24,279 they had to be looked after. 241 00:17:24,280 --> 00:17:31,999 And using every chance, Putin was travelling there in order to see them, 242 00:17:32,000 --> 00:17:35,879 to talk to them and to provide with any help they needed. 243 00:17:36,080 --> 00:17:39,399 We used to talk about different topics. 244 00:17:39,440 --> 00:17:42,999 When we were talking in a close circle, 245 00:17:43,000 --> 00:17:47,399 we were remembering our mothers, childhood. 246 00:17:47,400 --> 00:17:49,319 I was saying that it's really strange 247 00:17:49,359 --> 00:17:53,839 that we don't appreciate our moms while they are still alive, 248 00:17:53,840 --> 00:17:56,599 can't find time to come over spend time with her, 249 00:17:56,600 --> 00:17:58,879 listen to her give her a hug. 250 00:17:58,920 --> 00:18:02,599 And then he was also taking a walk down memory lane. 251 00:18:02,600 --> 00:18:05,599 I could feel that he was moved deeply. 252 00:18:17,040 --> 00:18:18,959 March 25th, 2000. 253 00:18:20,119 --> 00:18:25,759 Cold St Petersburg was founded by the great Russian Tzar Peter I, 254 00:18:25,760 --> 00:18:29,599 who built city on the sea and made it the capital. 255 00:18:29,600 --> 00:18:32,999 From these times it was representing the best of the country, 256 00:18:33,000 --> 00:18:35,439 but sometimes the worst of it too. 257 00:18:35,440 --> 00:18:37,759 But along with its glamour 258 00:18:37,760 --> 00:18:42,959 we also met the hard realities of Russia today. 259 00:18:43,000 --> 00:18:46,079 Maria Semyonova, who is 80 years old, 260 00:18:46,080 --> 00:18:49,999 is forced to live in a communal apartment together with 30 other people. 261 00:18:50,000 --> 00:18:53,799 The fair people should be In power 262 00:18:53,800 --> 00:19:00,759 so that we could see at least a bit of fair and honest life. 263 00:19:01,280 --> 00:19:04,559 Putin is better, he is better! 264 00:19:04,560 --> 00:19:05,559 By what? 265 00:19:05,560 --> 00:19:07,199 By everything! Everything! 266 00:19:07,240 --> 00:19:10,399 He'll do everything in a fair way, 267 00:19:10,400 --> 00:19:12,799 unless they'll wipe him out. 268 00:19:12,800 --> 00:19:15,959 Maria was planning to give her vote to the communists, 269 00:19:15,960 --> 00:19:19,159 but like many others she trusts Putin. 270 00:19:19,280 --> 00:19:22,159 I couldn’t imagine in my worst nightmare 271 00:19:22,160 --> 00:19:24,199 that I'll be ever running for president 272 00:19:24,200 --> 00:19:28,199 Cause I think it's absolutely dishonest thing. 273 00:19:28,520 --> 00:19:31,759 Don’t faugh, It's all about making promises, 274 00:19:31,800 --> 00:19:34,639 better than the ones of your competitors. 275 00:19:34,680 --> 00:19:37,399 The way election campaign was run, 276 00:19:37,400 --> 00:19:40,399 the way I managed to structure it. 277 00:19:40,400 --> 00:19:44,839 relieved me from this necessity to mislead large amounts of people. 278 00:19:47,200 --> 00:19:49,279 And I am glad about it. 279 00:19:49,320 --> 00:19:51,839 That's why tomorrow a normal working 280 00:19:51,840 --> 00:19:55,599 We'll have a meeting tomorrow, at 10 am... 281 00:19:59,800 --> 00:20:03,279 He called me and asked to come to work. 282 00:20:03,280 --> 00:20:10,599 I was telling him honestly that I won't manage, I am afraid... 283 00:20:10,600 --> 00:20:15,199 Are you afraid so much that your will is paralysed and you can't do anything? 284 00:20:15,400 --> 00:20:16,999 I am afraid too!'' - he said. 285 00:20:18,000 --> 00:20:20,399 It's a huge responsibility, I am afraid that I won't manage, 286 00:20:20,400 --> 00:20:24,999 but someone has to take care of this 287 00:20:25,000 --> 00:20:27,439 We were given this opportunity, 288 00:20:27,480 --> 00:20:32,358 let's try to give a boost to this country" 289 00:20:33,880 --> 00:20:38,199 I think that the most important question we started to ask ourselves 290 00:20:40,000 --> 00:20:41,399 was "what are we going to do next?" 291 00:20:41,400 --> 00:20:48,399 This was a serious question with no answer. 292 00:20:48,400 --> 00:20:51,199 Nobody was fully understanding what to do. 293 00:20:57,280 --> 00:20:59,559 Very often 294 00:20:59,600 --> 00:21:05,999 from the most ordinary people on the streets of our cities 295 00:21:06,280 --> 00:21:11,399 I heard very simple words but ones very important for me. 296 00:21:14,359 --> 00:21:17,399 They were telling me. We believe you, 297 00:21:17,600 --> 00:21:20,159 we are counting on you. 298 00:21:21,400 --> 00:21:23,999 Just please don't betray us." 299 00:21:26,400 --> 00:21:28,759 I can assure you, 300 00:21:28,760 --> 00:21:37,399 that I will act solely in country's best interests. 301 00:21:39,119 --> 00:21:42,759 Probably I won't avoid mistakes 302 00:21:42,840 --> 00:21:45,919 but what I can really promise, 303 00:21:45,920 --> 00:21:50,279 that I'll be working openly and honestly! 304 00:21:54,040 --> 00:21:55,799 [President of Russian Federation Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin] 305 00:21:56,440 --> 00:22:02,959 We made the first attempt to analyse the situation 306 00:22:05,400 --> 00:22:07,079 in economy, finance, social services, 307 00:22:07,119 --> 00:22:10,239 judicial and legal system. 308 00:22:10,240 --> 00:22:15,399 I remember how we were gathering sometimes in the evenings 309 00:22:15,400 --> 00:22:19,839 and... and somebody said 310 00:22:19,840 --> 00:22:23,879 It seems that we have Chechnya everywhere". 311 00:22:23,880 --> 00:22:26,239 Chechnya wasn’t a geographical thing, 312 00:22:26,240 --> 00:22:31,319 in reality Chechnya was practically in every field of work. 313 00:22:31,480 --> 00:22:33,159 Weakness of the state and authorities in 90s 314 00:22:34,600 --> 00:22:38,519 was causing a fear that the new authorities won't manage either 315 00:22:38,520 --> 00:22:44,479 and will be easily manipulated, by the oligarchs in particular. 316 00:22:44,720 --> 00:22:46,479 When you became a president, 317 00:22:46,480 --> 00:22:50,439 Russia was ruled by the powerful oligarchic clan. 318 00:22:50,440 --> 00:22:54,719 They were looking at you and thinking: "We'll eat him up". 319 00:22:54,720 --> 00:22:55,679 Yes. 320 00:22:55,720 --> 00:22:57,479 We'll make a deal". 321 00:22:57,480 --> 00:22:59,759 And among all these wolves 322 00:22:59,800 --> 00:23:02,239 who used to define the authorities 323 00:23:02,240 --> 00:23:04,799 and everything happening in the country in 90s, 324 00:23:04,800 --> 00:23:09,279 they not only needed to be taken down a notch but to be torn apart 325 00:23:09,280 --> 00:23:11,358 all opportunities being taken away from them. 326 00:23:11,400 --> 00:23:15,239 Well some of them when I was the Chairman of the Government, 327 00:23:15,280 --> 00:23:20,159 and after Yeltsin declared that I'll be running for president 328 00:23:20,200 --> 00:23:24,239 couple of them came to my office in the White House. 329 00:23:24,400 --> 00:23:27,279 they sat down opposite of me and said. 330 00:23:27,280 --> 00:23:31,399 You should understand that you'll NEVER be a president here". 331 00:23:31,400 --> 00:23:34,319 I answered them: "Well, we'll see". 332 00:23:34,320 --> 00:23:39,679 That's the kind of scenes I was having In this very White House. 333 00:23:39,680 --> 00:23:42,399 And how did you manage to take them down a notch? 334 00:23:42,400 --> 00:23:44,919 In different ways, using different means. 335 00:23:49,240 --> 00:23:53,959 I remember very vividly that summer meeting in 2000. 336 00:23:53,960 --> 00:23:58,319 This was actually a first meeting of president Putin 337 00:23:58,359 --> 00:24:01,358 with business representatives a large scale meeting. 338 00:24:04,160 --> 00:24:06,439 It was very important for us to hear 339 00:24:06,440 --> 00:24:08,999 what kind of a country Putin is building. 340 00:24:09,000 --> 00:24:11,199 And for Putin is was crucial to explain 341 00:24:11,200 --> 00:24:14,879 what kind of behavior he was expecting from us as businessmen. 342 00:24:14,920 --> 00:24:18,199 He told us right away: "No guys, it won't be possible to deny the heritage". 343 00:24:21,240 --> 00:24:25,199 I just wanted to draw your attention to the point 344 00:24:25,200 --> 00:24:29,239 that it was you who have been creating this state. 345 00:24:29,240 --> 00:24:35,118 Mainly though political and para-political structures under your control. 346 00:24:35,119 --> 00:24:41,319 That’s why you should have a better look in a mirror. 347 00:24:41,400 --> 00:24:44,239 Putin didn't have any aggression he was very calm. 348 00:24:44,280 --> 00:24:46,559 But the system will be built in a different way now. 349 00:24:46,560 --> 00:24:49,399 And everyone has to contribute to this system. 350 00:24:49,400 --> 00:24:51,239 What kind of contribution? 351 00:24:51,240 --> 00:24:54,118 Your business has to be transparent, 352 00:24:54,160 --> 00:24:56,199 you have to pay taxes 353 00:24:56,200 --> 00:25:00,599 you shouldn't sweat your workers 354 00:25:00,600 --> 00:25:04,279 but you should pay them reasonable salaries instead. 355 00:25:04,280 --> 00:25:05,999 In different words, 356 00:25:06,000 --> 00:25:09,479 right to existence and right to respect 357 00:25:09,480 --> 00:25:12,118 you will have to earn 358 00:25:12,119 --> 00:25:14,879 considering the mess you created by now. 359 00:25:14,880 --> 00:25:17,479 The biggest part of economy at that time 360 00:25:17,520 --> 00:25:20,439 was not even in grey, but in black zone. 361 00:25:20,480 --> 00:25:23,358 Salary in the envelopes 362 00:25:23,400 --> 00:25:25,799 not paying taxes. 363 00:25:25,800 --> 00:25:30,799 criminal outrage. 364 00:25:30,800 --> 00:25:34,479 Average pension in 2000 365 00:25:34,480 --> 00:25:35,439 (many people forgot about it already) 366 00:25:36,920 --> 00:25:39,839 was bit more than 800 rubles. 367 00:25:40,040 --> 00:25:43,599 And people weren't paid even this kind of pension for half a year. 368 00:25:43,600 --> 00:25:46,279 They weren’t paid salaries for half a year. 369 00:25:46,280 --> 00:25:48,679 Lots of people, even the majority of the country, 370 00:25:48,720 --> 00:25:51,079 was busy just trying to survive 371 00:25:52,520 --> 00:25:56,679 By the beginning of the 2000s many strategic enterprises 372 00:25:56,680 --> 00:25:59,358 were taken from the state control. 373 00:25:59,400 --> 00:26:03,118 Unemployment was high, there was large shady employment. 374 00:26:03,119 --> 00:26:08,199 This was happening around year 2000. 375 00:26:08,240 --> 00:26:11,959 Country he took into his hands, 376 00:26:11,960 --> 00:26:17,799 it was in a state of melting ice not even a ship 377 00:26:17,800 --> 00:26:20,519 which was slowly falling into oblivion. 378 00:26:27,600 --> 00:26:29,199 Kursk" is in trouble. 379 00:26:29,200 --> 00:26:31,719 We are talking about lives of 116 crew members... 380 00:26:31,760 --> 00:26:34,679 It seems that 7th compartment is drowned. 381 00:26:34,720 --> 00:26:36,839 It makes evacuation more difficult. 382 00:26:45,359 --> 00:26:48,999 We were sitting in a hall and waiting for Putin. 383 00:26:49,000 --> 00:26:51,479 I was sitting in the 2nd row, 384 00:26:51,480 --> 00:26:55,559 together with mariner's wives. 385 00:26:56,640 --> 00:27:00,279 Frankly speaking, I thought they will simply tear him to pieces. 386 00:27:03,840 --> 00:27:07,358 I was wondering how did he dare to come here? 387 00:27:07,359 --> 00:27:10,118 Didn't he realize what they will do to him? 388 00:27:10,119 --> 00:27:15,599 They were expecting that "Kursk" submarine will be recovered, saved. 389 00:27:15,640 --> 00:27:19,439 And at the same time they were realizing 390 00:27:19,480 --> 00:27:22,919 that it was probably hopeless. 391 00:27:22,920 --> 00:27:25,719 There was such energy there... 392 00:27:25,720 --> 00:27:32,039 a bundle of hate... and despair... and pain... 393 00:27:32,040 --> 00:27:38,439 Never in my whole life I felt anything like this. 394 00:27:38,440 --> 00:27:42,239 Every question was directed to this single man. 395 00:27:42,480 --> 00:27:44,919 Let her speak don't stop her. 396 00:27:46,480 --> 00:27:48,479 The question is. 397 00:27:49,720 --> 00:27:56,039 that it was hard to imagine, for me as well, I am frank with you, 398 00:27:56,040 --> 00:28:01,839 we didn't know that our country is in such a tough situation, 399 00:28:01,840 --> 00:28:04,399 that our Army Forces are in tough situation, 400 00:28:04,440 --> 00:28:07,159 that our fleet is ... 401 00:28:07,800 --> 00:28:12,519 is in breakdown state or in tough situation at least. 402 00:28:12,520 --> 00:28:16,839 So, everything is in such a state, that I could never imagine. 403 00:28:16,840 --> 00:28:20,358 Everything is ruined! Not a damn thing left! 404 00:28:20,680 --> 00:28:23,439 A woman next to me fainted 405 00:28:23,440 --> 00:28:26,479 few minutes after this conversation started. 406 00:28:26,760 --> 00:28:29,118 She was yelling something, 407 00:28:29,119 --> 00:28:32,239 they were interrupting him in the beginning. 408 00:28:32,760 --> 00:28:37,999 Clearly they were more eager to speak up than to listen to him. 409 00:28:38,000 --> 00:28:42,039 And... at some point he even fell silent 410 00:28:42,040 --> 00:28:44,639 and was only listening to them talk. 411 00:28:44,640 --> 00:28:47,959 But then he started to respond after all. 412 00:28:48,040 --> 00:28:52,039 If I only could, you know, I would get in there myself! 413 00:28:52,040 --> 00:28:53,999 I was getting in there before. as you already know. 414 00:28:54,000 --> 00:28:58,959 None of our or foreign specialists can reach 8th compartment. 415 00:28:58,960 --> 00:29:01,959 In order to... for lifting it up... 416 00:29:02,000 --> 00:29:04,039 I am taking responsibility for my words, 417 00:29:04,080 --> 00:29:06,679 I could tell you lots of things and run away. 418 00:29:06,680 --> 00:29:08,799 I am telling you how things really are. 419 00:29:08,840 --> 00:29:12,519 This is the bitter truth but it's TRUTH. 420 00:29:12,520 --> 00:29:14,279 The way it really is. 421 00:29:14,280 --> 00:29:16,399 At some point I realized 422 00:29:16,400 --> 00:29:20,439 that together with him all of them crossed the line 423 00:29:20,440 --> 00:29:26,239 which was separating their husbands lives from death. 424 00:29:26,720 --> 00:29:30,879 Together with him they crossed it over and moved on. 425 00:29:34,440 --> 00:29:36,919 We mapped out plans then, 426 00:29:36,920 --> 00:29:40,279 which were aimed at... I'd describe it with one word. 427 00:29:40,280 --> 00:29:43,199 glueing the country. 428 00:29:43,360 --> 00:29:46,519 Because at that moment, excuse my French, 429 00:29:46,520 --> 00:29:48,799 country was scattering like porridge. 430 00:29:50,640 --> 00:29:57,839 It was in fashion then to disparage Federal centre and central authorities. 431 00:29:57,880 --> 00:30:00,559 Back then any governor could take the liberty 432 00:30:00,600 --> 00:30:02,399 to ignore president's invitation. 433 00:30:02,400 --> 00:30:02,999 Head of Sakha Republic announced 434 00:30:04,960 --> 00:30:09,239 that we should lease out all our treasures to Japan, 435 00:30:09,280 --> 00:30:14,519 just let them pay to every Yakut some amount of dollars 436 00:30:14,520 --> 00:30:16,799 and everything is going to be all right. 437 00:30:22,200 --> 00:30:23,079 At the time when every region was governing itself 438 00:30:23,120 --> 00:30:27,559 making its own laws and controlling execution of its own laws, 439 00:30:27,880 --> 00:30:32,599 these were the signs of losing the country, 440 00:30:32,600 --> 00:30:34,519 as a sovereign state. 441 00:30:47,120 --> 00:30:49,399 At that moment our Republic 442 00:30:50,240 --> 00:30:55,199 wasn't fully in legal framework of the Russian Federation. 443 00:30:56,440 --> 00:31:00,799 And Vladimir Vladimirovich said very calmly. 444 00:31:00,800 --> 00:31:06,199 Tatarstan has to be fully incorporated in legal framework of Russian Federation". 445 00:31:06,240 --> 00:31:09,759 Wash out Putin in Hague Tribunal!" No Tatatarstan’s bread for empire's suckers!" 446 00:31:09,800 --> 00:31:14,359 It would be fair to adopt a special program on social and economic development of Tatarstan 447 00:31:14,360 --> 00:31:19,599 under conditions of full incorporation into legal framework of Russian Federation. 448 00:31:19,640 --> 00:31:23,439 And he said: "This is correct presentation of the problem". 449 00:31:23,440 --> 00:31:26,999 I must say that it was done in couple of months. 450 00:31:35,960 --> 00:31:39,439 First winter, the first president's winter, 451 00:31:40,680 --> 00:31:42,759 in the Russian Far East. 452 00:31:42,760 --> 00:31:45,999 There were left without heating 453 00:31:46,000 --> 00:31:49,839 250 thousand, then 300, 400 thousand people, 454 00:31:49,840 --> 00:31:52,039 entire cities and villages. 455 00:31:52,400 --> 00:31:55,639 Hospitals weren't functioning because of cold, 456 00:31:55,640 --> 00:31:57,559 no heating at all. 457 00:31:58,560 --> 00:32:01,999 Complete chaos... 458 00:32:02,000 --> 00:32:05,639 vertical power structure, putting it mildly, 459 00:32:05,680 --> 00:32:09,119 is probably not restored yet 460 00:32:09,120 --> 00:32:11,519 the way Putin needed. 461 00:32:11,560 --> 00:32:14,199 Everything is working dreadfully. 462 00:32:14,200 --> 00:32:16,519 Mine workers are on the street. 463 00:32:16,520 --> 00:32:19,319 There is no work mines are closed. 464 00:32:19,360 --> 00:32:23,239 At the same time in Central Siberia 465 00:32:23,280 --> 00:32:26,759 large piles of coal are lying at the harbors. 466 00:32:26,760 --> 00:32:30,799 Coal which is already sold and awaiting the shipment 467 00:32:30,800 --> 00:32:33,519 to the buyers outside of Russia. 468 00:32:33,520 --> 00:32:36,439 And then president made the decision 469 00:32:36,440 --> 00:32:38,959 that it should be stopped immediately, 470 00:32:38,960 --> 00:32:42,039 coal should be sent to the boiler stations on the territory of Russia. 471 00:32:42,360 --> 00:32:47,999 Putin could solve this problem by manual control only. 472 00:32:48,000 --> 00:32:50,959 Radiators, iron radiators, 473 00:32:50,960 --> 00:32:53,159 were transported by airplanes 474 00:32:53,160 --> 00:32:57,919 This was absurd, indeed in regard of effectivity and costs. 475 00:32:57,920 --> 00:33:01,279 However, it was absolutely justified 476 00:33:01,320 --> 00:33:04,039 in regard of preventing people from freezing. 477 00:33:05,840 --> 00:33:09,959 Heads of 24 cities and regions were fired. 478 00:33:10,000 --> 00:33:16,839 By president's order they were rousted from warm beds at night 479 00:33:16,840 --> 00:33:22,199 and forced to write resignation letters right at the doorstep. 480 00:33:22,200 --> 00:33:24,599 Criminal charges were brought. 481 00:33:24,600 --> 00:33:30,559 One way or another, they started to wake up somehow, 482 00:33:30,600 --> 00:33:36,279 those who retained their job positions. 483 00:33:36,280 --> 00:33:40,119 This was an important and serious example 484 00:33:40,120 --> 00:33:43,279 and both authorities and the president showed that there is power in the country, 485 00:33:43,320 --> 00:33:44,559 strong power. 486 00:33:47,560 --> 00:33:49,719 January 20, 2001 487 00:34:09,480 --> 00:34:12,717 When George Bush became President 488 00:34:12,880 --> 00:34:17,478 he started making some strong statements on human rights issues 489 00:34:17,520 --> 00:34:22,478 favourite passages about democracy, Chechnya, freedom of the media 490 00:34:22,520 --> 00:34:24,599 a standard set of criticisms. 491 00:34:24,719 --> 00:34:31,518 And for a half year or so, there was a sort of ping-pong of harsh statements. 492 00:34:31,639 --> 00:34:34,279 Washington raised the temperature. 493 00:34:34,400 --> 00:34:37,399 Moscow raised the temperature too. 494 00:34:37,520 --> 00:34:39,918 For a long time Washington made it clear 495 00:34:40,000 --> 00:34:42,879 it was not prepared to talk to Moscow face to face. 496 00:34:42,960 --> 00:34:44,759 But now the situation has changed. 497 00:34:44,920 --> 00:34:48,199 Today George Bush and Vladimir Putin shook hands for the first time 498 00:34:48,320 --> 00:34:51,319 in the Brdo Castle 40 km from Slovenia's capital - Ljubljana. 499 00:34:51,440 --> 00:34:51,998 The President listens carefully to our arguments and hears them. 500 00:34:55,159 --> 00:34:58,519 Can you trust Russia? I'm not going to answer this question. 501 00:35:00,400 --> 00:35:03,639 I'll ask you the same question. 502 00:35:05,280 --> 00:35:08,399 I'll answer this question. I looked the man in the eye. 503 00:35:08,520 --> 00:35:12,639 I found him to be very straightforward and trustworthy. 504 00:35:12,719 --> 00:35:14,679 505 00:35:18,960 --> 00:35:20,079 I was able to get a sense of his soul 506 00:35:20,120 --> 00:35:24,519 a man deeply committed to his country and the best interests of his country. 507 00:35:25,760 --> 00:35:29,639 We can guess that this phrase was not prepared in advance 508 00:35:29,680 --> 00:35:34,839 but was his spontaneous improvised reaction 509 00:35:34,960 --> 00:35:38,879 to his first impression of talking to the Russian President, 510 00:35:39,000 --> 00:35:45,679 which is confirmed by the fact that within 7 years they met 18 times! 511 00:35:46,560 --> 00:35:51,879 In terms of personal relations, Bush and Putin got on really well. 512 00:35:51,960 --> 00:35:56,279 They joked and laughed a lot 513 00:35:56,400 --> 00:36:01,119 But by that time the USA were already convinced 514 00:36:01,320 --> 00:36:06,879 that Russia had entered a mode of some colonial democracy, 515 00:36:06,920 --> 00:36:13,238 that we were firmly on the IMF hook, 516 00:36:13,320 --> 00:36:19,039 that we should continue to get instructions from foreign experts 517 00:36:19,160 --> 00:36:23,359 on how to develop our economy on where to pump our oil to... 518 00:36:23,440 --> 00:36:26,119 But from the outside, everything looked very correct 519 00:36:26,200 --> 00:36:31,439 pats on the back words of encouragement guys, you're on the right track, and so on. 520 00:36:31,560 --> 00:36:33,319 At that time, we all had illusions. 521 00:36:33,400 --> 00:36:37,439 It seemed to us that after the Soviet Union had collapsed 522 00:36:37,560 --> 00:36:40,718 and after Russia had voluntarily agreed I'd like to stress it 523 00:36:40,840 --> 00:36:45,919 voluntarily and consciously agreed to absolute historic limitations 524 00:36:46,000 --> 00:36:50,959 the renunciation of its own territories, production assets 525 00:36:50,960 --> 00:36:53,199 and so on and so forth... 526 00:36:53,320 --> 00:36:57,199 It seemed to us that after the disappearance of the ideological component 527 00:36:57,320 --> 00:37:01,679 that used to separate the former USSR from the rest of the civilized world, 528 00:37:01,880 --> 00:37:05,919 The prison walls would crash... Content, At door would freedom wait to meet us, 529 00:37:05,920 --> 00:37:08,919 Our brothers, hastening to greet us, To us the sword will glad present." [Pushkin] 530 00:37:09,040 --> 00:37:11,279 By "brothers" we understood those abroad. 531 00:37:11,320 --> 00:37:14,599 But the "brothers" were not only in no haste to present the sword to us, 532 00:37:14,719 --> 00:37:21,119 but would have been glad to take the remnants of the USSR military might. 533 00:37:21,200 --> 00:37:24,679 There is a lot of disillusion in your words. 534 00:37:24,800 --> 00:37:31,639 Yes as I said, for almost 20 years I worked for the KGB, in foreign intelligence. 535 00:37:31,680 --> 00:37:36,759 And even I believed that once the ideological barrier had fallen 536 00:37:36,880 --> 00:37:41,039 and the Communist Party no longer had a monopoly on power, 537 00:37:41,120 --> 00:37:43,119 everything would change fundamentally. 538 00:37:43,239 --> 00:37:46,519 No. There hasn't been any fundamental change. 539 00:37:46,600 --> 00:37:48,559 Because, as it turns out 540 00:37:48,719 --> 00:37:53,079 such simple things but they don't occur to you at once 541 00:37:53,200 --> 00:37:57,559 there are also geopolitical interests, that have nothing to do with any ideology. 542 00:37:57,719 --> 00:38:03,718 And our partners should have realised that such country as Russia 543 00:38:03,800 --> 00:38:07,319 has - and cannot but have its own geopolitical interests, 544 00:38:07,440 --> 00:38:10,439 and that we should treat each other with respect 545 00:38:10,560 --> 00:38:15,639 and seek mutually beneficial solutions. 546 00:38:15,680 --> 00:38:19,399 But respect is based on strength and fairness of your position. 547 00:38:19,520 --> 00:38:22,718 Yes, yes... One well-known person once said. 548 00:38:22,760 --> 00:38:28,119 You can get much farther with a kind word and a Smith & Wesson 549 00:38:28,239 --> 00:38:30,759 than you can with a kind word alone. 550 00:38:30,880 --> 00:38:32,519 Unfortunately, he was right. 551 00:38:32,680 --> 00:38:35,718 You had the kind word, but not the Smith & Wesson. 552 00:38:35,880 --> 00:38:38,519 And you had to restore the army to a large extent, 553 00:38:38,600 --> 00:38:41,479 to revive the economy to save the military-industrial complex... 554 00:38:41,600 --> 00:38:44,119 Yes, it’s true... 555 00:38:44,160 --> 00:38:47,519 But we had to start with the economy, of course. 556 00:38:47,640 --> 00:38:49,718 We had large debts. 557 00:38:49,800 --> 00:38:53,759 I remember, the January of 2001 was the most difficult time. 558 00:38:53,840 --> 00:38:57,159 We got together in the first days of January 559 00:38:57,320 --> 00:39:03,519 and discussed if we were able to carry on servicing our external debt, 560 00:39:03,600 --> 00:39:05,559 if we were up to it. 561 00:39:05,680 --> 00:39:10,559 The debt was 140% of GDP. That was the worst-case scenario. 562 00:39:10,640 --> 00:39:15,718 The interest on debt gobbled up a third of the budget, roughly speaking. 563 00:39:15,840 --> 00:39:20,279 So that was the debt that Putin got in the situation the country was in 564 00:39:20,400 --> 00:39:22,599 When got the picture, more or less, 565 00:39:23,320 --> 00:39:26,718 that we were entering a completely new phase 566 00:39:26,840 --> 00:39:31,999 we realised we didn't have any new mechanisms, this is first, 567 00:39:32,080 --> 00:39:37,839 and second, we unfortunately didn't have enough people 568 00:39:37,920 --> 00:39:41,718 who could come up with some suggestions in the situation. 569 00:39:41,760 --> 00:39:46,479 Putin was on very good terms with president of the World Bank - James Wolfensohn. 570 00:39:46,520 --> 00:39:48,399 We made an agreement with Wolfensohn 571 00:39:48,480 --> 00:39:53,039 that he would bring in a number of world's leading specialists. 572 00:39:53,160 --> 00:39:57,639 So we would meet with those outstanding world's leading experts 573 00:39:57,719 --> 00:40:02,319 and Vladimir Vladimirovich would spend 3-4 hours talking to them. 574 00:40:02,480 --> 00:40:04,718 He asked a lot of questions 575 00:40:04,880 --> 00:40:08,399 He was keen to learn about other countries' experience, 576 00:40:08,520 --> 00:40:11,359 about possibilities that we had. 577 00:40:13,160 --> 00:40:16,799 The first four years, we didn't have the majority in Parliament. 578 00:40:16,880 --> 00:40:21,718 We had to work hard with different fractions to get one or another decision through. 579 00:40:26,760 --> 00:40:30,799 We were making reforms with massive support from Putin. 580 00:40:30,920 --> 00:40:34,119 It was enough for us to feel that he was behind us 581 00:40:34,239 --> 00:40:36,959 and we knew that he would support us if need be. 582 00:40:37,120 --> 00:40:41,479 We adopted a 10-year development programme for the country. 583 00:40:41,600 --> 00:40:46,519 If we look at the facts, before Putin, even in the new Russia, 584 00:40:46,600 --> 00:40:50,439 there wasn't anything similar to this 10-year programme. 585 00:40:59,200 --> 00:41:01,599 I heard a loud bang, the windows were smashed, 586 00:41:01,680 --> 00:41:05,238 I saw people jumping out of the windows, they tried to survive. 587 00:41:05,360 --> 00:41:07,799 My God. it was so terrifying. 588 00:41:09,640 --> 00:41:14,199 September 11, 2001. I remember it as if it were yesterday. 589 00:41:14,320 --> 00:41:17,399 My assistant rushes in and tells me to turn on the TV quickly. 590 00:41:17,520 --> 00:41:22,959 I turn on the CNN and see that terrible footage. 591 00:41:23,120 --> 00:41:26,759 President Putin was the first to call President Bush. 592 00:41:26,880 --> 00:41:30,039 That call was the natural reaction of the President 593 00:41:30,080 --> 00:41:33,759 who totally understood what the international terrorism is. 594 00:41:36,920 --> 00:41:40,879 Russia has first-hand knowledge of terrorism. 595 00:41:44,280 --> 00:41:45,238 That's why we can best of all 596 00:41:45,320 --> 00:41:49,839 understand the feelings of the American people. 597 00:41:50,000 --> 00:41:54,519 Addressing the people of the USA on behalf of Russia 598 00:41:54,560 --> 00:41:58,238 I would like to say that we are together with you. 599 00:42:00,200 --> 00:42:03,639 I call the President and he asks me What are your first suggestions? 600 00:42:03,760 --> 00:42:06,639 I say, I've got one first suggestion 601 00:42:06,719 --> 00:42:16,399 Our nuclear forces are due to hold drills on September 12, which was planned earlier. 602 00:42:16,520 --> 00:42:20,079 So what do you suggest he asks. 603 00:42:20,200 --> 00:42:25,479 It's up to you to decide, I say. But I think we should cancel these drills. 604 00:42:25,600 --> 00:42:29,559 Good, he says. I support your suggestion. 605 00:42:29,719 --> 00:42:34,319 Let's not get on the nerves of Americans. Why to get on their nerves at such a moment? 606 00:42:34,440 --> 00:42:41,718 there was fighting going on in Chechnya 607 00:42:41,840 --> 00:42:46,919 and the terrorists who were taking part in it 608 00:42:47,080 --> 00:42:50,919 including foreigners from many different countries 609 00:42:51,000 --> 00:42:55,439 were referred to by Americans as freedom fighters" or "insurgents" at best. 610 00:42:56,600 --> 00:43:01,519 Once our special services documented what were simply direct contacts 611 00:43:01,640 --> 00:43:04,759 between militants from the North Caucasus 612 00:43:04,880 --> 00:43:09,519 and representatives of US special forces 613 00:43:09,560 --> 00:43:11,679 in Azerbaijan. 614 00:43:11,719 --> 00:43:15,919 They helped even with transport. 615 00:43:16,080 --> 00:43:21,559 And when I spoke about that to the then President of the US, 616 00:43:21,719 --> 00:43:25,959 he said - sorry, I will speak plainly I'll kick their asses". 617 00:43:26,120 --> 00:43:33,639 But 10 days later, my subordinates, the FSB heads, 618 00:43:33,719 --> 00:43:37,079 received a letter from their colleagues in Washington. 619 00:43:37,160 --> 00:43:43,959 We have had and will have relations with all the opposition forces in Russia. 620 00:43:44,080 --> 00:43:48,119 We consider we have the right to do this and we will do this in future. 621 00:43:48,200 --> 00:43:53,679 On no account, never and nowhere must you even try to use terrorists 622 00:43:53,760 --> 00:44:01,238 to solve your transitory political and even geopolitical tasks. 623 00:44:01,280 --> 00:44:05,559 Because if you support them in one place they will raise their head in another. 624 00:44:05,719 --> 00:44:09,319 And they will inevitably strike those who supported them yesterday. 625 00:44:09,400 --> 00:44:11,519 But you did warn the Western partners. 626 00:44:11,640 --> 00:44:14,919 You told them - why are you supporting terrorists; it will come back to you. 627 00:44:14,960 --> 00:44:18,279 Yes of course. But some people thought 628 00:44:18,480 --> 00:44:21,799 especially those in special forces of Western countries 629 00:44:21,880 --> 00:44:28,639 that if someone is working to destabilise their main geopolitical opponent 630 00:44:28,719 --> 00:44:33,519 which as we realise now has always been Russia in their minds 631 00:44:33,640 --> 00:44:35,718 then it is generally to their benefit. 632 00:44:35,760 --> 00:44:38,319 It turned out that's not the case 633 00:44:40,960 --> 00:44:44,079 We continue to live in the old system of values. 634 00:44:44,200 --> 00:44:46,119 we are talking about partnership, 635 00:44:46,239 --> 00:44:50,159 but in reality we have not yet learned to trust each other. 636 00:44:50,320 --> 00:44:53,039 In spite of a plethora of sweet words, 637 00:44:53,080 --> 00:44:57,238 we are still surreptitiously opposed to each other. 638 00:44:57,320 --> 00:45:02,959 Today we must say once and for all. the Cold War is done with! 639 00:45:03,080 --> 00:45:07,999 Today we must say that we renounce our stereotypes and ambitions 640 00:45:08,080 --> 00:45:10,439 and from now on will jointly work 641 00:45:10,520 --> 00:45:14,599 for the security of the people of Europe and the world as a whole. 642 00:45:14,680 --> 00:45:18,718 Today decisions are often taken, without our participation 643 00:45:18,800 --> 00:45:22,479 and we are only urged afterwards to support such decisions. 644 00:45:22,520 --> 00:45:26,119 After that they talk again about loyalty to NATO. 645 00:45:26,200 --> 00:45:30,079 They even say that such decisions cannot be implemented without Russia. 646 00:45:30,160 --> 00:45:36,718 Let us ask ourselves: is this normal? Is this true partnership? 647 00:46:03,600 --> 00:46:10,718 After 11th September, 2011, the USA began to assert that their activities in the world... 648 00:46:12,840 --> 00:46:14,839 is explained by the struggle with the international terrorism. 649 00:46:15,400 --> 00:46:18,479 This was illustrated most brightly by the situation with Iraq. 650 00:46:21,520 --> 00:46:28,359 Side by side, the Premier Minister and Russian President look quite natural in Putin's country 651 00:46:28,840 --> 00:46:31,039 Despite the cold weather, the meeting turned warm. 652 00:46:32,440 --> 00:46:35,919 to freeze. - I hope, no. 653 00:46:37,239 --> 00:46:39,119 This is a very beautiful place. Thank you. 654 00:46:39,640 --> 00:46:43,879 The friendliness of the two leaders didn't help to remove the controversy on Iraq problem. 655 00:46:44,440 --> 00:46:48,439 The President Putin rejected the document of the Britain government on massive weapon... 656 00:46:48,680 --> 00:46:51,839 which was named "propaganda" by the Russian foreign minister. 657 00:46:52,400 --> 00:46:57,238 The two leaders agreed on the necessity of check out the weapon. 658 00:46:58,719 --> 00:47:01,999 Maybe, there is another point of view concerning the question... 659 00:47:02,520 --> 00:47:07,439 to what extent we may be sure in existence of massive weapon in Iraq. 660 00:47:08,200 --> 00:47:14,039 There is one reliable way to learn this: to permit observers to do their job. 661 00:47:14,440 --> 00:47:18,519 The support of Russia, the permanent member of the UN Security Council,... 662 00:47:18,840 --> 00:47:22,718 of a new important UN resolution on Iraq will be significant success. 663 00:47:23,040 --> 00:47:25,439 But this advance is very slow. 664 00:47:26,040 --> 00:47:28,879 Russia intends to protect its interests in Iraq. 665 00:47:29,239 --> 00:47:31,919 Diplomats have a lot of work. 666 00:47:33,840 --> 00:47:37,679 Everybody understood the highest responsibility of the moment... 667 00:47:38,480 --> 00:47:42,479 for Iraq, for the region, and for the international system as a whole. 668 00:47:50,120 --> 00:47:55,439 The State Secretary of the USA again accused Baghdad that it still had an arsenal... 669 00:47:55,440 --> 00:47:59,439 of chemical and biological weapons and means of their delivery. 670 00:48:01,640 --> 00:48:09,319 To emphasize the threat from Iraq, Colin Powell demonstrated a "real evidence". 671 00:48:10,440 --> 00:48:19,839 One teaspoon of the dry-powder anthrax was enough to close the US Senate in autumn of 2001. 672 00:48:20,480 --> 00:48:30,839 We've received information from our American colleagues that Iraq authorities are linked with al 673 00:48:31,320 --> 00:48:37,839 Our American friends have recently announced this at the UN Security Council. 674 00:48:40,640 --> 00:48:48,238 I've been in politics not so long. Before, I worked in secret service. 675 00:48:48,800 --> 00:48:51,119 I believed I knew everything from "inside". 676 00:48:52,040 --> 00:48:58,718 When I came to politics, I understood that my Russian colleagues and I,... 677 00:48:59,040 --> 00:49:05,479 and French, and other colleagues from special agencies are just children compared with 678 00:49:08,640 --> 00:49:12,519 The route Moscow - Berlin - Paris is considered to be symbolic. 679 00:49:13,040 --> 00:49:16,718 The three countries still have a consolidated approach to the solution of the Iraq problem. 680 00:49:19,280 --> 00:49:27,559 Along with France, Germany, and overwhelming majority of participants of the international 681 00:49:28,080 --> 00:49:32,359 that the Iraq problem may be and should be resolved diplomatically. 682 00:49:39,160 --> 00:49:47,279 Despite active resistance of the international community, the USA launched this war. 683 00:49:48,560 --> 00:49:53,679 I was summoned by President Putin. Bombardments had already begun. 684 00:49:54,280 --> 00:49:59,079 At that time, there were 3,500 of our specialists there. 685 00:50:00,080 --> 00:50:03,759 They were not allowed to be evacuated. 686 00:50:05,080 --> 00:50:15,959 I addressed insistently to Saddam Hussein referring to the errand of my President. 687 00:50:17,160 --> 00:50:20,559 Saddam allowed doing that according to a special time-table 688 00:50:20,880 --> 00:50:25,679 Our specialists were evacuated, nobody suffered. 689 00:50:32,560 --> 00:50:42,279 President Putin had regular meetings with President Chirac and Chancellor Schroeder. 690 00:50:42,560 --> 00:50:44,759 They discussed global problems. 691 00:50:45,080 --> 00:50:49,479 It was absolutely clear that the configuration of the world was changing. 692 00:50:49,960 --> 00:51:00,279 If Europe was united and large, it could have its own opinion, it would only won. 693 00:51:00,880 --> 00:51:11,079 The concept of big Europe from Vladivostok to Lisbon was aimed at serious interaction. 694 00:51:11,360 --> 00:51:13,959 This responded to requirements of the XXI century. 695 00:51:14,360 --> 00:51:18,679 Unfortunately, this mechanism was not brought into 696 00:51:18,680 --> 00:51:26,479 after the retirement of President Chirac and Chancellor Schroeder. 697 00:51:27,080 --> 00:51:29,119 It seemed to have been very promising. 698 00:51:39,960 --> 00:51:43,159 I have not met such hard-working people. 699 00:51:45,360 --> 00:51:51,599 He goes to bed very late and may ring up early in the morning. When does he sleep? 700 00:51:52,960 --> 00:52:01,079 He can focus on one subject and, after a short time, on another. 701 00:52:05,880 --> 00:52:11,279 He has an important property, the ability to listen. 702 00:52:12,760 --> 00:52:18,479 He listens to everybody, he provides possibility for everyone to speak out, sometimes more than 703 00:52:20,360 --> 00:52:24,718 Due to this, conferences can test for many hours, breaking a schedule very often. 704 00:52:25,760 --> 00:52:33,959 He is often late. This problem actually exists, also for journalists who write about Putin. 705 00:52:34,280 --> 00:52:36,159 We have gone through much In this sense. 706 00:52:38,960 --> 00:52:44,159 I was a witness a couple of times why these delays happen. 707 00:52:44,560 --> 00:52:54,759 For example, I asked an additional question at a meeting with journalists, already when leaving. 708 00:52:55,080 --> 00:52:57,159 He says: "And you, Andrei, stay here." 709 00:52:57,880 --> 00:53:02,279 And I understood at once what happens with him in real life. 710 00:53:03,160 --> 00:53:06,799 He has infinite calls. 711 00:53:07,160 --> 00:53:13,599 I saw how he was diverted from the conversation with me. 712 00:53:14,320 --> 00:53:17,519 The Minister of Finances, Alexei Kudrin, rang up. 713 00:53:18,000 --> 00:53:22,079 And there was an intensive conversation with him for about 20 minutes. 714 00:53:22,480 --> 00:53:25,238 He surely had to be late somewhere else due to 715 00:53:25,600 --> 00:53:32,238 Kudrin believed that it was necessary to give 11 billion dollars to the Paris Club. 716 00:53:32,680 --> 00:53:38,479 This was a difficult and a sort of historical solution. 717 00:53:38,760 --> 00:53:40,999 I asked: "What have you decided?" - "Maybe, we'll give." 718 00:53:44,560 --> 00:53:48,399 About a week later the news said. 719 00:53:49,280 --> 00:53:51,479 Russia returns debts to Paris Club." 720 00:53:53,200 --> 00:54:04,879 Putin's position was that debts of Russia had to be as small as possible. 721 00:54:05,800 --> 00:54:11,279 He believed it was necessary to reduce dependency of Russia on IMF. 722 00:54:11,800 --> 00:54:15,479 He understood that Russia had to be an independent country. 723 00:54:16,280 --> 00:54:20,279 It would be difficult to o and be in a critical situation. 724 00:54:25,880 --> 00:54:31,279 We were absolutely import-dependent country until 1998. 725 00:54:31,880 --> 00:54:39,799 I remember how 2,000 people In Krasnoufimsk stood and yelled: "Give us insulin!" 726 00:54:40,600 --> 00:54:42,679 I think, it was necessary for someone. 727 00:54:43,600 --> 00:54:48,999 The new president gave me a hope and a message. 728 00:54:49,280 --> 00:54:54,119 it's time to stop buying-selling and to take up production. 729 00:54:54,400 --> 00:55:02,919 We decided: let's build a pharmaceutical European standard plant. 730 00:55:03,200 --> 00:55:05,479 Our goal was to achieve a very high level. 731 00:55:06,880 --> 00:55:16,599 It was a direct interference of Vladimir Vladimirovich in a foreign lobby against its pressure. 732 00:55:16,880 --> 00:55:21,079 Everybody told me: "Five teams have failed! What do you want to do?" 733 00:55:21,680 --> 00:55:28,799 I'm an ordinary man; Putin just helped me to implement my idea. 734 00:55:31,040 --> 00:55:35,879 We created 300 working places for young jobless girls. 735 00:55:36,400 --> 00:55:42,079 We understood that along with economical problems, we resolved a greater problem. 736 00:55:42,840 --> 00:55:47,919 Today, we have insulin much enough to assure the drug safety of Russia. 737 00:55:48,600 --> 00:55:52,399 There are supplies to other countries and supplies to the EC are under preparation. 738 00:55:52,800 --> 00:55:53,879 It is a victory, isn't it? 739 00:55:54,400 --> 00:55:58,199 What moments do you have in memory as the most tragic and difficult? 740 00:55:58,880 --> 00:56:01,679 Of course, these were the terrible terrorist acts. 741 00:56:01,680 --> 00:56:06,439 The terror attacks on the school in Beslan on the Dubrovka Theatre in Moscow. 742 00:56:06,520 --> 00:56:11,839 Those were perhaps the most tragic moments 743 00:56:11,960 --> 00:56:15,999 which all our people had to go through. 744 00:56:20,719 --> 00:56:23,959 Do you remember the Nord-Ost? That was not an ordinary terror attack. 745 00:56:24,080 --> 00:56:30,199 The seizure of the building the seizure of hostages. 746 00:56:31,640 --> 00:56:35,879 I kept Putin informed on a non-stop basis, day and night. 747 00:56:36,000 --> 00:56:39,959 At that time he didn’t leave his workplace. 748 00:56:43,360 --> 00:56:48,079 A lot of people thought that the main task was to destroy the terrorists. 749 00:56:48,160 --> 00:56:51,319 No, the main task was to save the people. 750 00:56:51,400 --> 00:56:53,559 It was night already. 751 00:56:53,680 --> 00:56:57,679 I was cut off from my security guards and let in there. 752 00:56:57,800 --> 00:57:03,159 I met the leader of those terrorists ovsar arayev. 753 00:57:03,280 --> 00:57:09,359 He was without a mask, but there were masked gunmen around. 754 00:57:09,480 --> 00:57:13,279 I tell him, let the women and children go 755 00:57:13,360 --> 00:57:18,159 Nowhere in the Koran does it say that you can fight with women and children. 756 00:57:20,600 --> 00:57:28,439 And he replies, if there is no order to pull the troops out of Chechnya 757 00:57:28,480 --> 00:57:31,359 he meant the Russian troops 758 00:57:31,440 --> 00:57:35,079 from 10 o'clock in the morning 759 00:57:35,240 --> 00:57:38,239 every half an hour, 760 00:57:38,320 --> 00:57:41,279 I will shoot one person. 761 00:57:48,960 --> 00:57:53,839 after that I went to Vladimir Vladimirovich. 762 00:57:53,880 --> 00:57:59,199 Of course he was worried and you could see his jaw muscles move. 763 00:57:59,320 --> 00:58:01,679 Of course... 764 00:58:01,800 --> 00:58:07,879 He didn't tell me that there would be a raid at 4 o'clock. 765 00:58:13,320 --> 00:58:17,319 Careful! Don't touch the wires 766 00:58:22,440 --> 00:58:23,999 It was a severe test. 767 00:58:27,840 --> 00:58:31,479 He's had too many of them during his time in office. 768 00:58:31,600 --> 00:58:37,279 No President in no country have met with so many adversities. 769 00:58:37,440 --> 00:58:39,239 Not a one 770 00:58:42,040 --> 00:58:45,799 And every of them, naturally, 771 00:58:45,920 --> 00:58:51,039 is a heavy burden on his shoulders, on his mind, on his heart. 772 00:58:58,360 --> 00:59:01,919 It was the most terrible day for me. 773 00:59:02,040 --> 00:59:05,239 I couldn't imagine myself without Akhmad Kadyrov. 774 00:59:10,280 --> 00:59:15,839 After Akhmad-Khaji died, he invited me to his office. 775 00:59:15,880 --> 00:59:22,719 The President of Chechnya Akhmad-Khaji Kadyrov 776 00:59:22,800 --> 00:59:28,679 served his people with dignity and courage. 777 00:59:28,760 --> 00:59:33,199 Throughout all these years, he covered Chechnya and the Chechens with his own body 778 00:59:33,280 --> 00:59:36,879 and he firmly led his republic to peaceful life. 779 00:59:37,000 --> 00:59:40,839 Akhmad-Khaji Kadyrov departed this life on the 9th of May, 780 00:59:40,920 --> 00:59:46,239 on the day when all our nation celebrate Victory Day. 781 00:59:46,360 --> 00:59:50,399 And he left undefeated. 782 00:59:53,080 --> 00:59:57,479 In the first Chechen campaign, I fought against the federal centre, it's no secret. 783 00:59:57,560 --> 01:00:01,399 We remember how we took Grozny. 784 01:00:01,480 --> 01:00:03,759 Then we left Grozny. 785 01:00:03,880 --> 01:00:06,719 We remember what was the position of the federal centre. 786 01:00:06,800 --> 01:00:10,439 That's why there was mistrust towards the federal centre. 787 01:00:10,520 --> 01:00:15,879 And the majority of young people went to the woods to the mountains... 788 01:00:19,960 --> 01:00:22,559 I was 17 I was young. 789 01:00:22,680 --> 01:00:27,199 Everyone was called to war. So I went too. 790 01:00:27,280 --> 01:00:28,919 There were different people there 791 01:00:29,800 --> 01:00:33,479 Arabs, people from Jordan, from Africa too. 792 01:00:33,600 --> 01:00:36,559 Well, mercenaries. They came to fight for money. 793 01:00:36,640 --> 01:00:38,879 We were not paid. 794 01:00:38,920 --> 01:00:43,079 We thought we were fighting for our people for freedom. 795 01:00:43,640 --> 01:00:47,359 In 1999 the second campaign began. 796 01:00:47,480 --> 01:00:49,879 The federals had me on their wanted list. 797 01:00:50,040 --> 01:00:54,079 So I couldn't stay at home I went to the woods again. 798 01:00:54,200 --> 01:00:56,799 There were guys who had been granted an amnesty. 799 01:00:56,920 --> 01:01:00,159 As soon as Akhmad-Khaji died the gossip was spread 800 01:01:00,240 --> 01:01:02,399 that they would be persecuted. 801 01:01:02,480 --> 01:01:05,799 There was panic in the republic. 802 01:01:05,920 --> 01:01:11,559 When I was on a visit in Moscow, I went to President. 803 01:01:11,680 --> 01:01:14,079 I told him about our situation 804 01:01:14,160 --> 01:01:17,559 and said that we need an opportunity to legalize them somehow. 805 01:01:17,640 --> 01:01:21,079 They were ready to fight for Russia for our people. 806 01:01:21,200 --> 01:01:25,719 I remember how difficult it was to make that decision. 807 01:01:25,840 --> 01:01:32,879 In the end, we granted an amnesty to over 7 000 people. 808 01:01:33,000 --> 01:01:37,559 President Putin, we are with you and with the people. 809 01:01:47,120 --> 01:01:52,759 That way not 7 000 but 70 000 lives were saved. 810 01:01:54,480 --> 01:01:59,679 The Chechen Republic of today is a peaceful and flourishing land. 811 01:01:59,760 --> 01:02:03,479 The people live differently, they see life differently. 812 01:02:05,600 --> 01:02:09,799 I'd like to say something which might be a bit unexpected 813 01:02:09,920 --> 01:02:14,999 The Orthodox Christians, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists 814 01:02:15,080 --> 01:02:18,959 people belonging to traditional religions, 815 01:02:19,080 --> 01:02:23,799 that is to those religions that have always existed on the territory of Russia 816 01:02:23,920 --> 01:02:27,279 they all belong to one civilization. 817 01:02:27,320 --> 01:02:29,479 One distinctive feature of this civilization 818 01:02:29,560 --> 01:02:34,119 is the ability to see people of a different religious tradition 819 01:02:34,160 --> 01:02:35,879 as one of theirs. 820 01:02:35,960 --> 01:02:41,799 And the President - an orthodox Christian who goes to Orthodox church 821 01:02:41,920 --> 01:02:49,119 treats people of other religions as his brothers. 822 01:02:52,040 --> 01:02:54,079 He wishes them happy holidays. 823 01:02:54,200 --> 01:03:00,079 He gives them cooperation and support for the issues they raise. 824 01:03:03,960 --> 01:03:09,319 When Kazan turned 1000 years we gathered in the theatre to celebrate it. 825 01:03:09,360 --> 01:03:14,439 Vladimir Vladimirovich went on stage to congratulate us. 826 01:03:14,880 --> 01:03:16,839 Suddenly he started speaking in Tatar. 827 01:03:21,320 --> 01:03:26,159 If you'd heard the roar of applause he got! 828 01:03:26,280 --> 01:03:29,839 People were smiling. 829 01:03:30,040 --> 01:03:33,479 They just didn't let him continue his speech. 830 01:03:33,520 --> 01:03:36,639 But he came up with a quick answer 831 01:03:36,720 --> 01:03:39,039 He said, hold on it's not all yet. 832 01:03:41,520 --> 01:03:43,879 This is not all I can. 833 01:03:44,520 --> 01:03:50,319 And he went on speaking in Tatar and people applauded even louder. 834 01:03:50,440 --> 01:03:52,239 For those... 835 01:03:54,320 --> 01:03:57,999 For those who are only beginning to learn the Tatar language 836 01:03:58,120 --> 01:04:01,479 and haven't understood everything I said, 837 01:04:01,600 --> 01:04:06,599 I'd like to point out one thing 838 01:04:06,640 --> 01:04:11,439 Kazan has really played a unique historic role 839 01:04:11,520 --> 01:04:14,399 in building a united nation of Russia 840 01:04:14,440 --> 01:04:19,199 in creating a united and solid people of Russia. 841 01:04:19,320 --> 01:04:23,719 The ability to find understanding 842 01:04:23,880 --> 01:04:25,959 a common language with the public, 843 01:04:26,080 --> 01:04:33,119 for a leader of any rank and especially for a leader of a country, 844 01:04:33,240 --> 01:04:38,279 I must say, this is a gift, it is not simple at all. 845 01:04:38,400 --> 01:04:41,439 I don't think we can talk about one particular achievement. 846 01:04:41,520 --> 01:04:45,159 He's achieved the most important thing. 847 01:04:45,720 --> 01:04:48,719 He came and started running the country... 848 01:04:48,880 --> 01:04:55,839 I remember the regions which may not be leaders but live well now, 849 01:04:55,920 --> 01:05:01,679 for example, Kursk, Tambovsk Regions, Voronezh Region... 850 01:05:01,760 --> 01:05:03,799 They used to be on the brink of ruin. 851 01:05:03,920 --> 01:05:09,519 In the 2000s, wherever you went, to whatever regional capital... 852 01:05:09,680 --> 01:05:15,319 There was darkness... Egyptian, puddles, mud, smashed roads... 853 01:05:15,400 --> 01:05:17,359 And look how things are today. 854 01:05:17,480 --> 01:05:21,159 People live in the country and earn good money, very good money. 855 01:05:21,280 --> 01:05:23,479 They can provide for themselves. 856 01:05:23,560 --> 01:05:26,279 Besides they provide for Moscow and half of the country 857 01:05:26,280 --> 01:05:28,439 at least half of the country. 858 01:05:28,520 --> 01:05:33,839 After the institute I wanted to try myself, to work in my profession exactly. 859 01:05:33,880 --> 01:05:35,959 When I saw everything here for the first time 860 01:05:36,080 --> 01:05:38,639 I was both amazed and excited. 861 01:05:38,680 --> 01:05:41,119 We love all these cows very much. 862 01:05:41,160 --> 01:05:45,399 In these conditions, they ought to live long and happily and to give us milk. 863 01:05:45,920 --> 01:05:47,639 I came here two years ago. 864 01:05:47,720 --> 01:05:51,159 I've got a flat, a regular job and a regular income. 865 01:05:51,240 --> 01:05:55,279 If everyone does the job they like and can do, 866 01:05:55,360 --> 01:05:59,799 the country as a whole will grow it all depends on us. 867 01:06:01,160 --> 01:06:04,559 This is very important. This is the food security of the state. 868 01:06:06,560 --> 01:06:08,479 We are surrounded by countries with developed economies. 869 01:06:09,400 --> 01:06:15,159 We must frankly tell: they press us out from the perspective markets where it is possible. 870 01:06:15,440 --> 01:06:20,879 Their visible economical advantages give a reason for a rise of geopolitical ambitions. 871 01:06:21,040 --> 01:06:27,039 All our decisions, all our deeds must become subject of the idea that in the nearest future 872 01:06:27,520 --> 01:06:35,919 Russia would secure a place among really strong, economically advanced and influential countries of 873 01:06:36,440 --> 01:06:42,519 In a decade we must at least double GDP. 874 01:06:43,320 --> 01:06:45,559 Many people doubted that it was possible 875 01:06:46,360 --> 01:06:53,439 Somebody even laughed at it, said: Well, it is not difficult to double it from zero. 876 01:06:58,320 --> 01:07:04,639 First of all, we set a clear and understandable system of taxes for minerals extraction. 877 01:07:05,280 --> 01:07:07,799 The state started to receive income from gas and 878 01:07:08,160 --> 01:07:14,679 And before this it was not significantly less, it was not clear, extremely not clear, not fair. 879 01:07:15,360 --> 01:07:19,679 In 2003 a problem with Yukos appears. 880 01:07:20,360 --> 01:07:23,599 As for Khodorkovskiy, he was our colleague. 881 01:07:23,720 --> 01:07:31,039 How did it happen that such story took place is now hard to explain 882 01:07:32,000 --> 01:07:35,959 And frankly speaking, besides a purely humane commiseration for Khodorkovskiy 883 01:07:35,960 --> 01:07:41,919 who 10 years, maybe best 10 years of his life spent where he spent (prison)... 884 01:07:42,320 --> 01:07:45,319 It is like in a family when children are explained that something is forbidden 885 01:07:45,320 --> 01:07:49,239 they start to check whether it is really forbidden or is allowed a little. 886 01:07:50,280 --> 01:07:56,519 It was not only Yukos who went the way of reducing taxes, tax avoidance. 887 01:07:57,080 --> 01:07:59,719 Other companies also. Yukos more. 888 01:08:00,120 --> 01:08:05,199 And after tax police finished investigating Yukos case, 889 01:08:05,200 --> 01:08:09,239 many companies also paid significant money to the budget 890 01:08:09,280 --> 01:08:13,239 as a result of extra charges after court decisions. 891 01:08:18,640 --> 01:08:21,919 All your friends say that the main problem with Putin 892 01:08:21,920 --> 01:08:24,799 is that he finished faculty of Law and likes it very much. 893 01:08:25,040 --> 01:08:26,999 He always acts within the boundaries of the law. 894 01:08:27,120 --> 01:08:30,238 It is impossible to make Putin breach the law. 895 01:08:30,720 --> 01:08:36,078 It is right. I had very good teachers, very good, I'm very thankful to them. 896 01:08:36,600 --> 01:08:43,799 They hammered some principles, some fundamental things into our heads, 897 01:08:45,520 --> 01:08:51,038 which I consider not only correct from book's point of view, but correct and necessary by life. 898 01:08:52,319 --> 01:08:53,759 I don't remember if I told already or not. 899 01:08:54,000 --> 01:08:58,719 When I came to work in Leningrad department of KGB, and we planned some... 900 01:08:58,720 --> 01:09:01,038 I don't remember a small operation 901 01:09:01,359 --> 01:09:08,359 and one of our veterans proposed to do something. 902 01:09:09,479 --> 01:09:14,959 And he said that we needed to do this and this. There were quite many people there. 903 01:09:15,120 --> 01:09:17,559 I told him: "Listen, I think it is illegal." 904 01:09:18,319 --> 01:09:20,478 Next is an interesting thing. 905 01:09:21,000 --> 01:09:24,519 He looked at me with a surprise and said: "What? 906 01:09:24,560 --> 01:09:29,118 We have a certain instruction and said the number of this instruction of KGB USSR." 907 01:09:29,560 --> 01:09:31,599 I said: "If it exists, then it must be cancelled, 908 01:09:31,600 --> 01:09:36,799 because it contradicts to this law, that law, contradicts the Constitution." 909 01:09:37,399 --> 01:09:44,198 This is not a joke, I didn't make it up. It was in reality. I was young, I just came from the university. 910 01:09:45,840 --> 01:09:51,118 They just laughed at me, thank, God, it was already 1976, 911 01:09:51,120 --> 01:10:00,959 it was far from the time of repressions there were completely different times. 912 01:10:05,600 --> 01:10:10,159 This place is called Russian Calvary - Butovskiy training area, area of death. 913 01:10:10,360 --> 01:10:13,759 Here the authorities killed its own people without charge or trial. 914 01:10:14,800 --> 01:10:19,679 The brotherhood grave with length of more than 1 km, dead bodies are set in several layers. 915 01:10:20,240 --> 01:10:24,399 Most of the killed are simple people, arrested for being late for the work, 916 01:10:24,400 --> 01:10:30,079 accident damage of factory equipment or non execution of the workday norm. 917 01:10:31,520 --> 01:10:33,719 I was shocked by the story of Butovskiy training area. 918 01:10:34,040 --> 01:10:42,478 I went the whole way together with him and understood what was going on with him. 919 01:10:43,640 --> 01:10:48,279 And I could hear him saying: "God, what did they 920 01:10:50,280 --> 01:10:57,079 Honestly speaking, I haven’t written till the present moment about all what he said then. 921 01:10:57,360 --> 01:11:02,039 Because at a certain moment it seemed to me that it was a too personal of a story. 922 01:11:02,160 --> 01:11:06,478 He saw the lists of the killed, the gravestone, and the most important, 923 01:11:06,479 --> 01:11:16,919 he walked on this ground in which these people lied, where they were shot down. 924 01:11:17,600 --> 01:11:22,119 At this moment it seemed to me that the ground was burning under his feet. 925 01:11:22,120 --> 01:11:24,839 And this was not an exaggeration. 926 01:11:32,360 --> 01:11:37,519 President Putin, after meeting him, after talking with him, I realized, 927 01:11:37,520 --> 01:11:42,719 that he may look like extremely cold cool-headed and cold-blooded. 928 01:11:43,000 --> 01:11:44,879 And he behaves correspondingly. 929 01:11:45,360 --> 01:11:49,478 But I thought that inside of him, in his heart there is a warm blood 930 01:12:01,560 --> 01:12:05,559 A person who doesn't like to live skilfully, handily. 931 01:12:27,680 --> 01:12:37,519 So, such a person, that if he will need to make some actions for getting some profit, money, some 932 01:12:37,760 --> 01:12:44,199 and these actions are not acceptable for him, he will never make such actions. 933 01:12:45,560 --> 01:12:48,199 He had such a great teacher as Rakhlin. 934 01:12:52,040 --> 01:12:53,399 And when he taught judo to the President, he didn't in a ou e uca ion o a rest en . 935 01:12:53,720 --> 01:12:56,839 He wanted to make one more man by means of judo. 936 01:12:57,080 --> 01:13:00,199 A person who firmly stands on his feet. 937 01:13:03,720 --> 01:13:05,839 I always say, you know: there are two origins in every person 938 01:13:06,040 --> 01:13:14,559 There is a personal energy, a personal origin, emotional, intellectual, and so on. 939 01:13:14,840 --> 01:13:19,438 And there is an energy of the place energy of the chair. 940 01:13:20,360 --> 01:13:26,999 And they always collide. If the energy of the chair is stronger, the person is significantly distorted. 941 01:13:27,600 --> 01:13:35,399 If the human origin is stronger than the energy of the chair energy of money 942 01:13:35,400 --> 01:13:37,519 the person remains the same. 943 01:13:37,720 --> 01:13:49,438 Putin has such powerful human energy that it overcomes stages of his career, 944 01:13:50,400 --> 01:13:52,799 He invited us to Zavidovo. I remember it was August. 945 01:13:53,240 --> 01:13:58,999 We sat down in a small pavilion several people, and he presented the idea of national projects. 946 01:13:59,720 --> 01:14:05,039 National projects concerning the project of education, medicine, 947 01:14:05,040 --> 01:14:07,959 agriculture and housing projects. 948 01:14:10,479 --> 01:14:15,478 When perinatal centers started to work in Russia the perinatal center in Yaroslavl, 949 01:14:17,600 --> 01:14:19,239 we felt it. Birthrate has increased significantly here. 950 01:14:22,360 --> 01:14:25,119 Andrey and Aleksandr. This is the second delivery 951 01:14:25,360 --> 01:14:26,879 The elder is a girl, 3 years. 952 01:14:27,560 --> 01:14:30,039 He smiles, look, take photo. 953 01:14:31,760 --> 01:14:35,199 Every year the number of births in the perinatal center increases. 954 01:14:35,560 --> 01:14:40,279 And this year this number was 500 more than last year. 955 01:14:43,040 --> 01:14:46,559 Take the matter of mother capital. 956 01:14:47,360 --> 01:14:54,879 This is not just a propaganda of family values, not just a propaganda that a big family is good. 957 01:14:55,560 --> 01:15:01,599 This is real state policy directed to support the birth of children. 958 01:15:02,080 --> 01:15:06,559 This is a world view approach, and this is the most important. 959 01:15:07,240 --> 01:15:11,559 You know, presidents must solve many-sided tasks. 960 01:15:12,000 --> 01:15:16,559 And economy, and politics, and medicine, and education 961 01:15:16,560 --> 01:15:21,759 and infrastructure, and oil, and gas, whatever, international relations. 962 01:15:22,360 --> 01:15:26,359 But no one teaches you to be like this, you become 963 01:15:26,640 --> 01:15:31,599 He has an exceptional capability to grasp the subject 964 01:15:32,880 --> 01:15:38,119 Himself... he has such an expression: ''I will get inside it, and then we will talk." 965 01:15:41,360 --> 01:15:44,359 He wants to master something new all the time, and he masters it. 966 01:15:44,800 --> 01:15:49,999 Invisibly for everybody, he mastered English - bang! and Putin speaks English 967 01:15:57,360 --> 01:16:01,119 Don't forget that he doesn't have neither days-off nor vacations. 968 01:16:02,800 --> 01:16:10,399 He does it from 1 till 2 at night, or from 7 till 8 in the morning. He doesn't have another option. 969 01:16:10,920 --> 01:16:12,199 And he does it anyway. 970 01:16:13,240 --> 01:16:15,119 He had never skated. 971 01:16:17,200 --> 01:16:18,319 Now he plays hockey. 972 01:16:22,720 --> 01:16:27,399 He doesn't speak loud, doesn't yell at anyone. And thus hides his inner character. 973 01:16:27,760 --> 01:16:34,039 In the beginning skiing for Putin was an intensive practice 974 01:16:34,280 --> 01:16:38,359 That's why when you see him on a mountain, for hours uphill and downhill... 975 01:16:38,760 --> 01:16:39,159 He comes for 2.5-3 hours, 976 01:16:42,080 --> 01:16:49,359 and during this period neither a cup of tea nor break for talking, just uphill and downhill. 977 01:16:50,280 --> 01:16:54,599 I don't know where and how he learnt to play piano. 978 01:16:55,600 --> 01:16:58,559 I know only that he did it consistently. 979 01:17:00,600 --> 01:17:09,159 In the beginning, we witnessed how he started to play with one finger, one hand. 980 01:17:13,280 --> 01:17:19,039 Then, in several days the second hand was added. 981 01:18:12,680 --> 01:18:15,319 He is in fact from a usual working family. 982 01:18:16,960 --> 01:18:18,959 The same way like millions of others. 983 01:18:19,680 --> 01:18:22,919 Millions of his compatriots, like me, like you. 984 01:18:23,320 --> 01:18:26,559 - Vladimir Vladimirovych, I need your help. - I listen to you. - My son is under arrest. 985 01:18:28,040 --> 01:18:29,759 please, help, take care of it. 986 01:18:30,400 --> 01:18:32,959 He was brought up in a multifamily flat. 987 01:18:34,160 --> 01:18:37,199 And indeed this influence was serious. 988 01:18:37,360 --> 01:18:41,919 a crack, water was flooding in in winter. 989 01:18:43,680 --> 01:18:51,879 Look, in principle, no matter how paradoxically it is, 80% of people can hear him and understand 990 01:18:51,920 --> 01:18:55,919 than 20 % of officials and the intellectuals. 991 01:18:58,120 --> 01:19:04,039 It seems to me, he feels his role, first of all, as a defender of simple people. 992 01:19:04,240 --> 01:19:08,679 People pass him some notes all the time, some pieces of paper, 993 01:19:08,720 --> 01:19:11,478 something is written by pencils with uneven handwriting. 994 01:19:13,560 --> 01:19:19,639 He take it by himself, or when he has full hands, he passes to someone of assistants. 995 01:19:22,760 --> 01:19:28,079 And the most awful for assistants is when in two hours he asks: Where are these pieces of papers? 996 01:19:28,880 --> 01:19:34,319 I say: Which? He says: An old woman gave me, we stopped in the street. 997 01:19:34,680 --> 01:19:41,559 The telephone rings, he says: During some trip, an old woman approached me... 998 01:19:41,760 --> 01:19:43,799 a certain family applied to me. 999 01:19:44,439 --> 01:19:46,199 In my trip there was a corresponding manager, 1000 01:19:50,479 --> 01:19:56,359 he has all original information how to find this person, call him and solve the question. 1001 01:19:57,360 --> 01:20:02,519 The winter started. - Yes. Welcome. - Thanks. 1002 01:20:02,760 --> 01:20:09,879 We decided to look, with Yevgeniy Stepanovych, how your medicine, culture works... 1003 01:20:10,360 --> 01:20:12,359 You are interested in what people tell you. 1004 01:20:12,760 --> 01:20:16,199 You look at people with whom you talk and want to listen. 1005 01:20:16,400 --> 01:20:21,799 Why? Because you want to find another source of information? A tuning fork? 1006 01:20:22,680 --> 01:20:30,599 No. In general I don't try to find some extra sources, tuning forks... 1007 01:20:31,400 --> 01:20:33,199 I don't need to search for it, I have it all. 1008 01:20:33,760 --> 01:20:36,759 I don’t even know why. It is even hard for me to tell, you understand? 1009 01:20:37,040 --> 01:20:42,399 I say that not to make myself look good I just feel myself as a part. 1010 01:20:43,080 --> 01:20:48,319 A part of our country, our people. Certainly it is important for me, when we meet with people... 1011 01:20:49,520 --> 01:20:54,799 These signals come to me immediately, when I feel that people are not satisfied with something, 1012 01:20:54,800 --> 01:20:57,159 anxious about something, worried about something. 1013 01:20:57,880 --> 01:21:02,959 Certainly, such feedback is necessary, but it can be like hitting a wall. 1014 01:21:03,479 --> 01:21:13,759 But can reach.. Thank God, this feeling is not lost yet, and I manage to feel it at once. 1015 01:21:14,040 --> 01:21:25,159 It is precisely that... I have never been in so called elites. This is really good indeed because... 1016 01:21:26,200 --> 01:21:30,919 when people live in another stratum... are born there, 1017 01:21:30,920 --> 01:21:35,559 it is also not bad thank God, there are own big advantages there too. 1018 01:21:35,960 --> 01:21:42,199 when people are born, live, brought up in a certain elite society, there are also advantages. 1019 01:21:43,320 --> 01:21:46,039 But I have been watching for a long time... 1020 01:21:47,800 --> 01:21:53,679 I highly respect such people, and envy a little, because initially, 1021 01:21:53,720 --> 01:21:59,559 from first steps of life they manage to absorb many important useful things, 1022 01:22:00,280 --> 01:22:06,359 which help to achieve big results in various fields. 1023 01:22:06,600 --> 01:22:11,759 But for the person who deals with work which I do now and the previous years, 1024 01:22:12,000 --> 01:22:23,719 this link and feeling of fellowship with people, usual people are highly important and helps in work. 1025 01:22:24,640 --> 01:22:27,959 My mother told me: Be afraid of those for whom the power is a dream. 1026 01:22:29,000 --> 01:22:31,159 Go to those for whom the power is a cross. 1027 01:22:32,080 --> 01:22:36,599 I came to Vladimir Vladimirovych and said: Vladimir Vladimirovych, we must rebury lllyin. 1028 01:22:37,000 --> 01:22:42,759 Illyin is a genius Russian philosopher, this is a person who 1029 01:22:43,600 --> 01:22:51,719 all his life tried to explain himself and others and to understand what is going on, why it takes place 1030 01:22:52,880 --> 01:22:55,959 Illyin died abroad, in Switzerland. 1031 01:22:56,000 --> 01:23:01,759 In short, the lease of the land for IIlyin's grave came to the end. 1032 01:23:02,760 --> 01:23:10,039 And according to Swiss laws another person could be buried there if this grave is not looked after, 1033 01:23:10,040 --> 01:23:13,759 if there are no relatives. 1034 01:23:14,360 --> 01:23:21,199 And then Vladimir Vladimirovych heard that and took closely to his heart and personally. 1035 01:23:21,840 --> 01:23:29,399 And the decision was made to rebury Illyin on the cemetary of Donskoy Monastery. 1036 01:23:31,160 --> 01:23:42,159 Brothers and sisters! Today we are participants of a historical even 1037 01:23:44,720 --> 01:23:53,159 Co-memorable sons of Russia come back to the native land. 1038 01:23:53,840 --> 01:24:06,799 general Anton Ivanovych Denikin and philosopher Ivan Aleksandrovych lllyin together with their wives. 1039 01:24:07,960 --> 01:24:16,239 This is not just a physical transfer of remains of two great persons to our land. 1040 01:24:17,160 --> 01:24:21,519 I hope this is the beginning of the end of the dreadful civil war. 1041 01:24:22,360 --> 01:24:29,879 Reburial of lllyin, reburial of Denikin, and before that reburial of Shmelyov, our brilliant author, 1042 01:24:30,560 --> 01:24:42,438 these all are fragments directed at consolidation, at stopping of the civil war in heads. 1043 01:24:42,760 --> 01:24:46,759 The motion to gather that spiritual strength 1044 01:24:47,360 --> 01:24:52,879 earned by these great Russian people throughout all their lives 1045 01:24:52,880 --> 01:24:58,239 devoted to thoughts and deeds concerned with Russia. 1046 01:25:00,560 --> 01:25:06,438 If you see the scale of a country and try to make this atmosphere common, 1047 01:25:06,880 --> 01:25:12,159 only In this case 80% can tell you: Yes, we are together with you. 1048 01:25:12,400 --> 01:25:17,039 At the same time, people who not just live, live not well, 1049 01:25:17,040 --> 01:25:24,079 who have problems, who have big claims to local authorities and to supreme power 1050 01:25:24,479 --> 01:25:31,399 but when they understand that there is a person above them for whom the power is a cross and he 1051 01:25:32,160 --> 01:25:39,399 and he consolidates the society, and only national interests become his personal interests 1052 01:25:40,040 --> 01:25:45,159 when he bears responsibility for everyone, including the whole country, 1053 01:25:45,640 --> 01:25:51,159 only in this case people who not just live, can say. Yes, we are together with you, we will be patient. 1054 01:25:53,160 --> 01:26:00,559 At that moment young Russia had no large-scale projects and large-scale victories, 1055 01:26:01,600 --> 01:26:05,799 which would allow to show the whole world that 1056 01:26:06,160 --> 01:26:10,279 we are not a shatter of a great empire, but we are an independent, 1057 01:26:10,280 --> 01:26:15,438 big, serious state with our own achievements, ambitions. 1058 01:26:16,000 --> 01:26:19,559 And in 2005 the application for winter Olympic games was made. 1059 01:26:20,360 --> 01:26:23,599 Frankly speaking, I'm a sinner. 1060 01:26:23,600 --> 01:26:28,438 I didn't believe that we would be given the right to organize winter Olympic games. 1061 01:26:28,560 --> 01:26:32,679 On the eve of a session of International Olympic committee in Guatemala, 1062 01:26:32,720 --> 01:26:38,799 where the question was whether Putin should go to Guatemala or not, 1063 01:26:39,000 --> 01:26:41,999 what if we suddenly lose, I told him: "Vladimir Vladimirovych, 1064 01:26:42,000 --> 01:26:45,599 if you don't go, I guarantee that we will lose. 1065 01:26:46,360 --> 01:26:50,279 But if you do go, then there is a risk that we will lose anyway." 1066 01:26:50,479 --> 01:26:52,879 But without you going we stand no chance. 1067 01:26:55,160 --> 01:27:03,199 When Vladimir Vladimirovych arrived to Guatemala within 2 days 1068 01:27:03,240 --> 01:27:09,279 there were 30-40 meetings with key members of the International Olympic committee. 1069 01:27:09,479 --> 01:27:11,478 It lasted non-stop day and night. 1070 01:27:11,880 --> 01:27:13,679 And there was a rehearsal at which he arrived. 1071 01:27:13,840 --> 01:27:18,879 And we rehearsed the entrance, he participated in it ry disciplinarily. 1072 01:27:19,040 --> 01:27:22,399 But for us the most important thing was to determine the chronometry. 1073 01:27:22,560 --> 01:27:27,199 And he took out his precious papers and I was full ears. 1074 01:27:27,200 --> 01:27:29,239 He says: Are you ready? I say: Yes. 1075 01:27:29,560 --> 01:27:30,959 He says: Let’s go. I turned on. 1076 01:27:32,360 --> 01:27:35,319 And nothing happens. He reads to himself. 1077 01:27:37,160 --> 01:27:39,119 He says: That's all. Stop. 1078 01:27:39,760 --> 01:27:45,359 Dear President! Members of the International Olympic committee! Ladies and Gentlemen! 1079 01:27:45,840 --> 01:27:53,999 I ask you to support Olympic dream of millions f Russians who are waiting for our decision with a 1080 01:27:54,360 --> 01:27:55,159 Thank you. 1081 01:27:55,479 --> 01:27:59,279 It was like an explosion, like a bomb We needed to show, 1082 01:27:59,280 --> 01:28:03,119 like they say now, respect to the International Olympic committee. 1083 01:28:03,400 --> 01:28:08,399 So that they would understand that they were given a gesture of real respect. 1084 01:28:08,960 --> 01:28:13,839 These two phrases in French - bang! And it happened. 1085 01:28:13,840 --> 01:28:15,639 Olympic games are ours, that's it. 1086 01:28:28,880 --> 01:28:31,639 The question of the country is perhaps the major value 1087 01:28:34,200 --> 01:28:40,519 Then perhaps, a question of family, personal relations and friendship, maybe. 1088 01:28:41,080 --> 01:28:46,279 He always shows devotion of such friendly relations. 1089 01:28:49,200 --> 01:28:56,599 I know how hard he suffers personal betrayal. 1090 01:28:57,360 --> 01:29:01,719 I know people with whom he had good relationships. 1091 01:29:02,160 --> 01:29:09,279 After they made some deeds which didn't comply with his idea of peace and decency, 1092 01:29:09,280 --> 01:29:13,438 he just cut them out and never met with them again. 1093 01:29:15,400 --> 01:29:20,478 Personal contacts, personal contacts exist exactly to be kept in private. 1094 01:29:20,720 --> 01:29:22,559 But I can tell several things. 1095 01:29:23,000 --> 01:29:28,199 Some time ago a CD was made... in 1999, I guess... 1096 01:29:28,920 --> 01:29:31,399 The CD is called "Songs of the country which doesn't exist any more". 1097 01:29:32,080 --> 01:29:38,639 Very good songs, good singers and words, and music. 1098 01:29:43,360 --> 01:29:44,399 Sometimes we sing. 1099 01:29:44,640 --> 01:29:50,119 They say: We choose our enemies and friends by ourselves, but neighbours are God given. 1100 01:29:50,720 --> 01:29:53,839 We are neighbours given by God. 1101 01:29:54,320 --> 01:30:00,119 I think that there are no more such close neighbour 1102 01:30:00,120 --> 01:30:04,719 allied relations like between Russia and Kazakhstan. 1103 01:30:05,040 --> 01:30:09,799 It is objective, let no one get offended, we are the closest countries. 1104 01:30:10,200 --> 01:30:14,039 Now we are talking about Eurasian Economic Union. 1105 01:30:15,120 --> 01:30:21,039 This project is proposed by me. Now they say that Russia is making a new Soviet Union. 1106 01:30:21,280 --> 01:30:28,759 Everybody is called... I proposed it because if European Union is made, it is normal, right? 1107 01:30:29,000 --> 01:30:31,999 And if we start to say something it is bad. 1108 01:30:32,520 --> 01:30:34,639 This is a usual approach to such questions. 1109 01:30:37,240 --> 01:30:51,279 Desperate attempts of some countries to save their role of the only development center, 1110 01:30:51,320 --> 01:30:54,039 the only center of the world control 1111 01:30:54,720 --> 01:31:05,119 have resulted in erosion of the international law, the notion of the international security, 1112 01:31:06,080 --> 01:31:09,959 European security. The erosion of Yalta system has started 1113 01:31:17,439 --> 01:31:21,079 of the unipolar conditions, 1114 01:31:21,080 --> 01:31:24,759 and tendency to the world supremacy. 1115 01:31:25,520 --> 01:31:28,119 Whatever has happened in the history of the mankind. 1116 01:31:30,960 --> 01:31:34,039 However, what is the unipolar world? 1117 01:31:35,200 --> 01:31:43,079 However this term is decorated, it finally means in practice only one thing. 1118 01:31:43,640 --> 01:31:51,159 this is one center of power, one center of force, one center of decision making. 1119 01:31:52,560 --> 01:31:55,438 This is the world of one master of one sovereign. 1120 01:31:55,680 --> 01:32:01,039 I was surprised by the reaction of German and other foreign journalists. 1121 01:32:01,360 --> 01:32:03,199 They forgot that they were journalists. 1122 01:32:03,680 --> 01:32:07,438 They stopped taking notes, they were sitting with their mouths open 1123 01:32:07,439 --> 01:32:11,839 watching and listening what he was saying 1124 01:32:12,520 --> 01:32:17,719 One-sided, often illegitimate actions haven’t solved any single problem. 1125 01:32:18,200 --> 01:32:23,639 Moreover, they have become the generator of new human tragedies and trouble spots. 1126 01:32:24,280 --> 01:32:30,599 From one side - shock, from another - hidden dissatisfaction They came to me: Why so sharp? 1127 01:32:30,760 --> 01:32:31,919 I say: What was sharp? 1128 01:32:34,640 --> 01:32:36,959 Speaking about this issues as an old soldier of the Cold War, I would like to draw your attention 1129 01:32:37,680 --> 01:32:43,999 that one of the speeches almost caused a nostalgia about those less complicated times. 1130 01:32:44,680 --> 01:32:45,239 Almost. 1131 01:32:45,920 --> 01:32:49,919 Many of you have big experience in diplomacy or politics. 1132 01:32:50,880 --> 01:32:57,719 I, like one more speaker, have completely different experience - experience of intelligence activities. 1133 01:32:58,240 --> 01:33:02,799 I suppose that old spies have a habit of blunt speaking. 1134 01:33:05,240 --> 01:33:10,239 Fine, I will then answer on that I can read by myself. 1135 01:33:10,840 --> 01:33:13,319 And if I don't answer, you will remind me your questions. 1136 01:33:15,360 --> 01:33:18,039 What would be with Kosovo and Serbia? 1137 01:33:18,280 --> 01:33:21,279 Only Kosovans and Serbians can know it. 1138 01:33:22,120 --> 01:33:23,839 And let's not decide for them 1139 01:33:24,760 --> 01:33:26,119 how they should make their life. 1140 01:33:26,520 --> 01:33:31,039 One should not make himself a God and solve all problems for all peoples. 1141 01:33:32,560 --> 01:33:37,839 We can only create conditions and help people to solve their problems. 1142 01:33:42,040 --> 01:33:47,438 We got acquainted with Putin in one very small department of one very big organization. 1143 01:33:48,439 --> 01:33:50,719 Big organization is certainly KGB of USSR, 1144 01:33:51,240 --> 01:33:56,159 and small department, it's really a small department, of foreign intelligence. 1145 01:33:57,840 --> 01:34:03,359 We served as young officers, senior lieutenants, captains. 1146 01:34:03,720 --> 01:34:07,478 At that time there were illegals in our department 1147 01:34:07,800 --> 01:34:15,199 Those who came back to the motherland after... 20 years of illegal work in the West. 1148 01:34:15,800 --> 01:34:19,839 We recall them with Vladimir Vladimirovych, when we have some free time to reminisce. 1149 01:34:20,400 --> 01:34:23,559 People served, you understand by yourself, not for money. 1150 01:34:25,920 --> 01:34:27,478 They risked hugely. 1151 01:34:29,880 --> 01:34:32,719 And whatever happened to them - these are illegals. 1152 01:34:36,320 --> 01:34:38,079 They were a live example. 1153 01:34:39,240 --> 01:34:41,359 They worked for the country, for the motherland 1154 01:34:42,280 --> 01:34:43,599 This is the essence. 1155 01:34:44,880 --> 01:34:47,639 Without any political colour, ideology and so on 1156 01:34:48,200 --> 01:34:55,599 After serving in KGB and intelligence, his entrance in democratic life, 1157 01:34:55,640 --> 01:35:04,239 meeting new rules of life, possibilities took place precisely during the work with Sobchak. 1158 01:35:04,840 --> 01:35:08,559 It was Sobchak being a bright character and one of the leading activists, 1159 01:35:08,560 --> 01:35:12,319 accelerated his understanding of all events. 1160 01:35:12,920 --> 01:35:17,839 We all went out of the country, we considered that the country had to prevail over everything. 1161 01:35:18,360 --> 01:35:23,478 And, to my mind, Sobchak taught us all how we can keep balance, 1162 01:35:23,479 --> 01:35:28,639 where we can see new possibilities of democratic country democratic order 1163 01:35:28,920 --> 01:35:34,159 freedom of opinion discussion defense of opinion political competence. 1164 01:35:35,040 --> 01:35:46,438 in 2008, after serving two terms of presidency, Putin had an incredibly high rating. 1165 01:35:46,920 --> 01:35:49,959 The question arose and it was the main question. 1166 01:35:50,040 --> 01:35:54,438 would Putin stay for the third term or finally according to the Constitution 1167 01:35:54,439 --> 01:36:00,919 would leave this position, the most important for the country which didn’t get strong yet 1168 01:36:02,200 --> 01:36:05,319 to another leader. This question bothered everybody. 1169 01:36:05,560 --> 01:36:06,999 Thoughts and talks were only about it. 1170 01:36:07,120 --> 01:36:09,839 Vladimir Vladimirovych, during last 2-3 years appeals to you 1171 01:36:09,880 --> 01:36:12,599 to stay for the third term sounded more and more often. 1172 01:36:12,920 --> 01:36:18,199 More likely, a part of your team also tried to influence you in this matter. 1173 01:36:18,640 --> 01:36:22,959 How big was the temptation to consent to these suasions and to stay for the third term? Thanks. 1174 01:36:23,240 --> 01:36:27,239 I had no temptation to stay for the third term. 1175 01:36:27,680 --> 01:36:28,839 Never. 1176 01:36:29,680 --> 01:36:34,239 From the first day of work as the President of Russian Federation, I decided at once 1177 01:36:35,320 --> 01:36:37,759 that I would not breach the working Constitution. 1178 01:36:38,560 --> 01:36:41,438 I got this vaccination during the work with Anatoliy Aleksandrovych Sobchak. 1179 01:36:43,880 --> 01:36:48,199 And I think it is an important signal to the society in general. 1180 01:36:48,600 --> 01:36:54,199 Everyone must obey the working law, starting with the head of the state. 1181 01:36:55,080 --> 01:37:01,559 To your mind, what was your main success, main achievement at the position of the state head? 1182 01:37:01,840 --> 01:37:07,999 And what has gone wrong? What do you consider as your main failure during these years? Thanks. 1183 01:37:11,800 --> 01:37:17,319 I don't see any serious failures. All set goals were achieved, tasks - completed 1184 01:37:17,720 --> 01:37:22,639 I'm not ashamed in front of people who chose me twice for the position of the President of Russian 1185 01:37:23,000 --> 01:37:28,478 All these 8 years I worked hard like a slave galley, from the morning till night. 1186 01:37:29,560 --> 01:37:33,438 And did it with full force. 1187 01:37:36,200 --> 01:37:37,719 I'm satisfied with results of my work 1188 01:37:44,160 --> 01:37:47,039 Hundreds of thousands of tourists and heads of 40 countries of the world are guests. 1189 01:37:47,040 --> 01:37:49,319 All at 300th anniversary of Saint Petersburg. 1190 01:37:51,320 --> 01:37:57,279 Veteran of the war, Mayerbeck Dzgoyev was one of the first to get a course at the multifaceted medical 1191 01:37:57,479 --> 01:38:00,039 Unique equipment is installed here. 1192 01:38:01,880 --> 01:38:03,839 A tanker of ice class is commissioned. 1193 01:38:06,560 --> 01:38:09,239 Prayer towers can be seen from any point of Groznyy, even at night. 1194 01:38:09,439 --> 01:38:13,519 The heart of Chechnya already claims for the title of the biggest mosque in Europe. 1195 01:38:15,120 --> 01:38:16,039 The North pole is ours. 1196 01:38:16,040 --> 01:38:21,239 We have it, friends. - It goes, it goes... 1197 01:38:36,960 --> 01:38:39,639 Hello, Russia Hello, Moscow. 1198 01:38:40,880 --> 01:38:46,359 We have a chance to develop like we did it last years. 1199 01:38:46,840 --> 01:38:52,159 And I am sure we have to choose this way. We have all chances for this. 1200 01:38:53,400 --> 01:38:56,399 Did you get cold? - No. 1201 01:38:57,120 --> 01:39:00,199 Can you give me one minute? - Yes. 1202 01:39:01,680 --> 01:39:06,119 Elections of the President of Russian Federation took place. 1203 01:39:07,240 --> 01:39:15,478 In 2008 when Putin started to work as the Prime Minister 1204 01:39:15,880 --> 01:39:25,279 It seemed that it would be... the time of resting on your laurels. 1205 01:39:25,520 --> 01:39:29,438 I.e. he was the head of the state, he saved the country from collapse. 1206 01:39:29,880 --> 01:39:32,639 He set it on trajectory of stable development. 1207 01:39:32,960 --> 01:39:34,759 He paid all debts. 1208 01:39:35,640 --> 01:39:37,239 With external, with internal. 1209 01:39:38,439 --> 01:39:41,559 He raised the living standards of the population 1210 01:39:41,600 --> 01:39:45,438 and he raised it not for the future generations, but for the present. 1211 01:39:45,680 --> 01:39:47,919 This never happened in the history of our country 1212 01:39:49,640 --> 01:39:52,919 And in theory, he had to enter the this wonderful white house at Krasnopresnenskaya quay, 1213 01:39:52,920 --> 01:39:56,239 sit down in the cabinet and say: Thanks God. 1214 01:39:56,880 --> 01:39:58,879 And the world crisis broke out 1215 01:40:02,080 --> 01:40:10,039 In fact, it was 45 Everybody was scared nobody lived in such a strong stress of the world scale. 1216 01:40:10,479 --> 01:40:12,119 And again, what has Putin done? 1217 01:40:13,200 --> 01:40:20,438 He went to the public and said: I bear responsibility that 1998 would not repeat. 1218 01:40:21,360 --> 01:40:24,039 I bear personal responsibility 1219 01:40:24,040 --> 01:40:29,079 Turn up his sleeves, and kept on rowing his galley from dusk till dawn. 1220 01:40:29,640 --> 01:40:32,159 The fate of tens of thousands of people was at stake. 1221 01:40:32,320 --> 01:40:38,438 If the state didn't help they would just go to streets and became unemployed. 1222 01:40:38,680 --> 01:40:40,279 How many people worked here? 1223 01:40:40,880 --> 01:40:45,879 Around 3 000 people worked here before the crisis. 1224 01:40:46,200 --> 01:40:49,799 At this enterprise? - Yes. Now 2 345. 1225 01:40:50,240 --> 01:40:55,199 Are listed? - Right. Among them 2 thirds are in down time. 1226 01:40:55,439 --> 01:40:58,399 At one working site there were three joint stock companies. 1227 01:40:58,560 --> 01:41:01,679 And at a certain point we got messed 1228 01:41:01,760 --> 01:41:06,319 so that we couldn't find a solution which would allow the work of the company. 1229 01:41:06,520 --> 01:41:08,519 I don't see your signature. Come here and sign. 1230 01:41:09,240 --> 01:41:10,239 Come to me. 1231 01:41:14,720 --> 01:41:15,519 Here is the agreement. 1232 01:41:25,320 --> 01:41:27,559 Give me the pen back. 1233 01:41:29,840 --> 01:41:36,319 I consider that you made thousands of people as hostages of your ambitions, 1234 01:41:36,320 --> 01:41:42,839 on-professionalism or maybe obvious greed. 1235 01:41:46,680 --> 01:41:48,359 It is absolutely unacceptable. 1236 01:41:50,640 --> 01:41:55,478 And where is that social responsibility of business? 1237 01:41:56,840 --> 01:41:57,639 Where is it? 1238 01:41:59,040 --> 01:42:00,719 Here, you know, the matter is not in offence. 1239 01:42:02,040 --> 01:42:03,159 You can discuss it for a long time. 1240 01:42:03,640 --> 01:42:07,559 You can remain in stupor, let's say. 1241 01:42:07,960 --> 01:42:13,839 Not solving some problems. He understands that he is the last person who has to make this 1242 01:42:14,200 --> 01:42:17,839 So that these matters would not be discussed but some actions started. 1243 01:42:18,960 --> 01:42:20,879 Now as for administration. 1244 01:42:22,040 --> 01:42:27,039 Nobody will persuade me that the management of the region and other levels 1245 01:42:27,040 --> 01:42:31,399 as done all what depended on them in order to help people. 1246 01:42:35,280 --> 01:42:38,519 When I said that was going to come here, what did they replied? 1247 01:42:39,040 --> 01:42:42,199 No need, let's go I will show you another company which is recently built. 1248 01:42:42,720 --> 01:42:46,559 Certainly, well done that you built a new enterprise. 1249 01:42:47,080 --> 01:42:50,438 Why did you start to run about like cockroaches just before my arrival? 1250 01:42:50,600 --> 01:42:53,519 were there no people earlier who were able to make decisions? 1251 01:42:53,800 --> 01:42:56,599 All salary debts must be paid. 1252 01:42:59,479 --> 01:43:03,559 This is 41 242 000 RUB. The deadline is today. 1253 01:43:06,840 --> 01:43:08,759 Thanks. Good luck. 1254 01:43:13,400 --> 01:43:16,199 During the crisis, when job cuts started, 1255 01:43:16,200 --> 01:43:20,639 the complex launched such a huge project as 5000 rolling mill. 1256 01:43:21,520 --> 01:43:25,159 It saved people from absence of work. 1257 01:43:27,120 --> 01:43:33,999 Now, tubes which we produce, are used for complicated pipelines like North Stream. 1258 01:43:34,040 --> 01:43:37,879 Now for the Power of Siberia for production of submarines 1259 01:43:38,200 --> 01:43:48,119 This naturally results on salary, i.e. lately the level of life risen significantly. 1260 01:43:48,880 --> 01:43:52,759 We can see real changes. What is used in Russia? 1261 01:43:52,800 --> 01:43:56,679 To believe people in practice but not in words. 1262 01:43:59,200 --> 01:44:06,279 On August 8th 2008, if you remember, it was the opening day of Beijing Olympic games. 1263 01:44:06,760 --> 01:44:08,599 We appeared in the same residency. 1264 01:44:09,120 --> 01:44:13,039 And in one room we were sitting and talking, at that time his telephone rang, 1265 01:44:13,040 --> 01:44:16,438 I said: I will go. He said: No. stay here. 1266 01:44:16,640 --> 01:44:21,639 At that moment he was informed what events took place in North Ossetia 1267 01:44:21,800 --> 01:44:26,199 And he listened, listened, put down the receiver, and was very upset. 1268 01:44:26,479 --> 01:44:29,119 I asked: What happened? I thought something happened at his home, 1269 01:44:29,120 --> 01:44:31,799 something special. I have never seen him like that. 1270 01:44:31,880 --> 01:44:36,438 And he says: Can you imagine? Our peacekeepers were attacked, 1271 01:44:36,439 --> 01:44:40,999 and several soldiers were killed. What did they do? What did they do? 1272 01:44:44,920 --> 01:44:48,478 The situation developed dramatically for 17 years. 1273 01:44:49,840 --> 01:44:54,119 Russian Federation performed peacekeeping functions for 17 years. 1274 01:44:54,400 --> 01:44:57,799 It helped to keep peace and calm there 1275 01:44:58,040 --> 01:45:02,239 It prevented murders which took place from 90s. 1276 01:45:03,360 --> 01:45:09,319 And tried to keep the unity of Georgian state. 1277 01:45:10,560 --> 01:45:15,839 Nonetheless after the aggression and genocide which was started by the regime of Saakashvilli 1278 01:45:16,479 --> 01:45:22,039 the situation changed and our main task was to prevent humanitarian catastrophe, 1279 01:45:22,040 --> 01:45:25,879 to save lives of people for whom we bear responsibility. 1280 01:45:28,960 --> 01:45:37,599 He made decision at once to fly from Beijing to Ossetia. 1281 01:45:39,000 --> 01:45:42,919 And he goes straight to people, certainly. This is typical. 1282 01:45:44,040 --> 01:45:49,639 I.e. all what is concerned with military actions, he was informed during the flight, and he goes at 1283 01:45:50,160 --> 01:45:54,599 Camps of refugees hospitals where the wounded stay. 1284 01:45:54,960 --> 01:45:59,159 It is a genocide. - A real genocide. They kill the wounded. 1285 01:45:59,520 --> 01:46:06,919 My child of 5 months who wasn’t even born, left, he didn't even see his father, why... I don't know. 1286 01:46:08,240 --> 01:46:11,478 He was accompanied his personal photographers, his personal cameraman. 1287 01:46:12,040 --> 01:46:16,999 I don't know how my father-in-law is, who left in the village, old man, ill old man. 1288 01:46:17,320 --> 01:46:28,639 And then he quite toughly gave command to stop recording because these ladies really had a 1289 01:46:29,560 --> 01:46:39,399 And it was utter darkness, cameraman just lit the way with this light so that no one would stumble. 1290 01:46:41,439 --> 01:46:46,839 You have like Presidency of trials. You overcome something, another thing falls on you. 1291 01:46:47,640 --> 01:46:53,199 Chechnya campaign, terror acts, the crisis, Ossetia. 1292 01:46:54,240 --> 01:46:59,639 It goes in a long line, it seems that you solved, and there is again and again. 1293 01:47:00,320 --> 01:47:05,438 As a manager, at what moment do you feel more comfortable. 1294 01:47:05,439 --> 01:47:11,079 when there is a war or when it is peace and everyday routine? 1295 01:47:13,520 --> 01:47:15,438 I worked as the chairman of the government. 1296 01:47:16,080 --> 01:47:17,478 I like this job very much. 1297 01:47:18,479 --> 01:47:24,959 It is definite, clear... not clear, but anyway it is... 1298 01:47:25,760 --> 01:47:29,839 more concentrated at certain questions. 1299 01:47:30,160 --> 01:47:32,959 And one can see the result at once. 1300 01:47:33,439 --> 01:47:35,599 what you did right, what wrong, where you made a mistake. 1301 01:47:37,320 --> 01:47:41,039 When the task has a more global character, 1302 01:47:41,040 --> 01:47:50,039 then the result can not be understood at once what it would be in certain time. 1303 01:47:50,760 --> 01:47:57,279 However, indeed, I have never thought about it. I always start from what I have, 1304 01:47:57,960 --> 01:48:00,759 and I solve those tasks which are set for me. 1305 01:48:04,840 --> 01:48:09,599 In the beginning of 2009 I was at the meeting with Putin in Sochi, 1306 01:48:10,240 --> 01:48:13,039 when the fate of Olympic infrastructure was discussed. 1307 01:48:13,240 --> 01:48:19,559 In the course of the meeting Putin called many times so that the budget money would be saved. 1308 01:48:19,760 --> 01:48:23,199 Because on the one hand we needed to build beautifully, awesome, 1309 01:48:23,560 --> 01:48:25,559 and on the other hand, there is the crisis, 1310 01:48:25,560 --> 01:48:27,599 there is little money in the budget and we should save. 1311 01:48:27,880 --> 01:48:33,519 At certain moment after reminding about saving again, he said: Money is people's. 1312 01:48:33,800 --> 01:48:36,839 And he said it so quietly, without pathos. 1313 01:48:37,040 --> 01:48:42,039 But the voice quaked and it was seen that he was worried personally about it. 1314 01:48:42,439 --> 01:48:48,559 He really considers that the money is people's, i.e. earned by the whole country. 1315 01:48:48,760 --> 01:48:51,359 And thus it must be spent assiduously. 1316 01:48:54,280 --> 01:49:02,879 Such quantity of trips like at that time to enterprises, factories, Rosselmash, Avtovaz, he has 1317 01:49:03,040 --> 01:49:08,999 Besides that this was the summer when awful fires took place. 1318 01:49:09,920 --> 01:49:17,639 And we went right the other day to this burning villages, met with people 1319 01:49:17,800 --> 01:49:25,079 who sometimes were ready to tear apart any representative of the authority who would . 1320 01:49:28,000 --> 01:49:32,319 we are dying, help us, Vladimir Vladimirovych, help us... 1321 01:49:40,880 --> 01:49:44,119 Why did no one do it? Why did you refuse from everything? 1322 01:49:44,360 --> 01:49:47,478 We stood for you... - Who stood for us? 1323 01:49:49,960 --> 01:49:51,799 We will restore nothing from these firebrands. 1324 01:49:52,120 --> 01:49:54,359 We will build new houses. 1325 01:50:00,439 --> 01:50:03,799 Why did he allow it? - Now, now, wait a second. 1326 01:50:09,760 --> 01:50:12,079 I want everyone to hear this, can everyone hear me well? 1327 01:50:14,000 --> 01:50:16,359 Until winter all houses will be built. 1328 01:50:16,479 --> 01:50:21,039 Our village will be restored, do you promise us? Yes, I promise, your village will be restored. 1329 01:50:26,520 --> 01:50:35,839 These trips covered with smoke and flame of that Premier-Minister time come to mind first. 1330 01:50:39,400 --> 01:50:48,279 Then it was a real toil: everyday, getting deep into the soil. 1331 01:50:48,600 --> 01:50:50,279 It was a work on a field. 1332 01:50:51,880 --> 01:50:58,639 Then I remember how we went to the same places, but with new houses built 1333 01:50:59,600 --> 01:51:04,559 I invited you for house warming. Let's go inside. 1334 01:51:05,040 --> 01:51:07,039 The heating is at the minimum. 1335 01:51:07,320 --> 01:51:09,839 As for the gas, the governor told me: We will not finish in time. 1336 01:51:10,640 --> 01:51:11,839 Finished in time. - In time. 1337 01:51:15,240 --> 01:51:18,799 Considering the proposal to put my name at the top of the party list, 1338 01:51:18,800 --> 01:51:21,279 to get involved in party activities 1339 01:51:21,320 --> 01:51:24,879 and in case of successful elections, 1340 01:51:24,880 --> 01:51:28,438 my readiness to take over practical work in the government 1341 01:51:28,439 --> 01:51:30,919 I think that it would be fair 1342 01:51:30,960 --> 01:51:35,399 if Congress would support nomination of Vladimir Putin, Chairman of the party, 1343 01:51:35,400 --> 01:51:37,599 as a president of the country! 1344 01:51:59,000 --> 01:52:03,119 When Medvedev proposed Putin and Putin proposed Medvedev, 1345 01:52:03,120 --> 01:52:09,119 it did seem to everyone quite arrogant so to say 1346 01:52:09,160 --> 01:52:12,399 towards their voters. 1347 01:52:12,400 --> 01:52:16,079 that there weren't actually any real elections. 1348 01:52:17,760 --> 01:52:21,999 And those who didn't make their choice in Putin's favor 1349 01:52:22,000 --> 01:52:24,599 during the presidents elections 1350 01:52:24,600 --> 01:52:27,559 those were the ones who came over. 1351 01:52:27,560 --> 01:52:29,919 They came to Bolotnaya Square 1352 01:52:29,920 --> 01:52:32,959 to say that they had different opinion. 1353 01:52:32,960 --> 01:52:35,679 I came to Bolotnaya to see all this. 1354 01:52:35,680 --> 01:52:37,919 But they occupied the podium 1355 01:52:37,920 --> 01:52:41,159 and immediately took the charge of who is allowed to stand on it or not. 1356 01:52:41,160 --> 01:52:43,159 Later I was sitting in the bar in the neighborhood 1357 01:52:43,160 --> 01:52:45,559 and listening to their ridiculous talks 1358 01:52:45,560 --> 01:52:48,159 that they will overthrow Russian government, 1359 01:52:48,200 --> 01:52:50,559 that they won, they spoke up. I found it extremely funny. 1360 01:52:54,840 --> 01:52:57,839 I had very thorough conversation with Putin. 1361 01:52:58,040 --> 01:53:01,119 I told him that probably I will go to Sakharov Avenue 1362 01:53:01,120 --> 01:53:04,199 I’m not going to say what he told me, 1363 01:53:04,200 --> 01:53:06,478 but there weren't any restrictions at least. 1364 01:53:06,479 --> 01:53:08,799 I simply thought that 1365 01:53:08,840 --> 01:53:10,839 for the first time on Sakharova Ave 1366 01:53:10,840 --> 01:53:16,519 will be those representatives of middle class who were never out on protests. 1367 01:53:16,560 --> 01:53:19,399 We have to organize platform for a dialog! 1368 01:53:19,439 --> 01:53:21,799 Otherwise there will be a revolution! 1369 01:53:21,800 --> 01:53:26,519 Otherwise we'll lose the chance we are having today. 1370 01:53:26,520 --> 01:53:30,279 I tried to give authorities and Putin a push 1371 01:53:30,320 --> 01:53:33,519 and to find the grounds for such dialog with people 1372 01:53:33,520 --> 01:53:38,119 who sincerely care about situation in the country. 1373 01:53:38,479 --> 01:53:44,679 But since these people got very much mixed up 1374 01:53:44,720 --> 01:53:47,839 with more radical groups and with nationalists. 1375 01:53:47,880 --> 01:53:51,759 that's why I noticed later 1376 01:53:51,800 --> 01:53:57,879 that Putin doesn't see any representatives for a dialog there. 1377 01:54:05,520 --> 01:54:09,959 In Putin's opinion, they have crossed the red line then. 1378 01:54:15,200 --> 01:54:18,119 They started to beat up policemen. 1379 01:54:18,280 --> 01:54:20,359 He's killed! 1380 01:54:22,360 --> 01:54:25,519 It was decided that investigation will take place 1381 01:54:25,520 --> 01:54:27,559 and if information will be confirmed, 1382 01:54:27,560 --> 01:54:31,719 that this man hit the policeman, he'll be put in jail then 1383 01:54:31,880 --> 01:54:34,919 And it did happen. 1384 01:54:37,400 --> 01:54:39,279 Most important is that 1385 01:54:39,280 --> 01:54:42,519 it was not only in accordance with the laws of Russian Federation 1386 01:54:42,560 --> 01:54:45,519 but also with internal morals of Putin. 1387 01:54:48,760 --> 01:54:51,079 They are out flying the hang-glider. 1388 01:54:51,080 --> 01:54:55,839 Out flying it and falling to the right, the left of the wing. 1389 01:54:55,960 --> 01:54:57,479 Good birds! 1390 01:54:57,720 --> 01:55:00,799 Beautiful guys, cute ones. 1391 01:55:01,000 --> 01:55:03,999 Kseniya Sobchak, your consistent opposer, 1392 01:55:04,040 --> 01:55:08,199 projected this whole situation 1393 01:55:08,200 --> 01:55:11,439 on election statistics. 1394 01:55:11,440 --> 01:55:13,559 I don't know if you heard about it. 1395 01:55:13,600 --> 01:55:17,919 So, 63% of the cranes followed Putin, 1396 01:55:17,920 --> 01:55:22,359 the rest have chosen to fly to the South 1397 01:55:22,400 --> 01:55:27,919 and only a small group stayed to make nests on squares and boulevards. 1398 01:55:27,920 --> 01:55:31,199 Thus, not all cranes flew after Putin. 1399 01:55:31,400 --> 01:55:33,519 Why don’t I hear applause? 1400 01:55:38,360 --> 01:55:40,159 That's true. 1401 01:55:40,160 --> 01:55:42,319 Not all cranes flew... right away. 1402 01:55:42,320 --> 01:55:44,959 Only the weak cranes didn't fly. 1403 01:55:52,040 --> 01:55:55,439 And only on the first try. On the 2nd try everyone flew! 1404 01:56:01,360 --> 01:56:03,759 Even though. 1405 01:56:03,760 --> 01:56:08,519 I have to admit, I have to tell you honestly, 1406 01:56:08,520 --> 01:56:11,719 a reason that not all cranes flew right away, 1407 01:56:11,720 --> 01:56:16,999 it was also their leader's. 1408 01:56:17,040 --> 01:56:19,199 Cause in certain moments, 1409 01:56:19,240 --> 01:56:22,079 I mean bad weather and strong side wind, 1410 01:56:22,120 --> 01:56:25,199 pilot is forced to gain height and speed quickly. 1411 01:56:25,200 --> 01:56:27,439 Otherwise the system can turn over 1412 01:56:30,440 --> 01:56:32,319 What else can I add? 1413 01:56:32,320 --> 01:56:34,759 There are little birds indeed, 1414 01:56:34,800 --> 01:56:36,519 who don't fly in a flock at all, 1415 01:56:36,520 --> 01:56:39,679 they prefer to make their nests separately. 1416 01:56:39,720 --> 01:56:41,799 Well, what can we do? 1417 01:56:41,800 --> 01:56:44,759 This is a different kind of problem. 1418 01:56:45,920 --> 01:56:48,439 Even if they aren't part of the flock, 1419 01:56:48,480 --> 01:56:50,279 they are still part of our population 1420 01:56:50,280 --> 01:56:52,759 and we should treat them nicely. 1421 01:56:59,040 --> 01:57:01,359 There were people, 1422 01:57:03,080 --> 01:57:05,879 Khodorkovsky and Berezovsky, for instance 1423 01:57:07,240 --> 01:57:12,199 who took absolutely intransigent aggressive stand against him. 1424 01:57:14,960 --> 01:57:16,119 Vladimir Vladimirovich, 1425 01:57:16,120 --> 01:57:18,879 one year ago you pardoned Khodorkovsky. 1426 01:57:18,880 --> 01:57:21,839 He promised you to stay away from politics. 1427 01:57:21,840 --> 01:57:25,719 But now he is even announcing his presidential ambitions! 1428 01:57:25,720 --> 01:57:28,159 I have a question in this regard. don't you regret... 1429 01:57:28,160 --> 01:57:30,359 And where is he going to run for president? 1430 01:57:31,120 --> 01:57:33,919 Mr Khodorkovsky appealed to me for a pardon, 1431 01:57:33,920 --> 01:57:36,519 he has sent a relevant paper at least. 1432 01:57:36,520 --> 01:57:39,399 And it seemed that he wasn't planning to go in politics. 1433 01:57:39,400 --> 01:57:42,839 But when I was making a decision about pardon 1434 01:57:42,840 --> 01:57:46,879 I wasn't considering whether he will do it or not, 1435 01:57:46,920 --> 01:57:49,479 whether he'll go into politics or not. 1436 01:57:49,480 --> 01:57:50,759 It's his choice. 1437 01:57:50,760 --> 01:57:52,599 I was considering humanitarian grounds instead. 1438 01:57:52,600 --> 01:57:55,879 He was writing me then that his mom was seriously ill, 1439 01:57:55,920 --> 01:57:58,639 mom is a holy cause you know! 1440 01:57:58,680 --> 01:58:00,719 am saying this without any sarcasm. 1441 01:58:00,760 --> 01:58:05,759 And he served most part of his punishment in places of imprisonment. 1442 01:58:05,760 --> 01:58:09,799 What would be the point of keeping him there, 1443 01:58:09,800 --> 01:58:15,039 considering that he could miss saying goodbye to his mom? 1444 01:58:17,320 --> 01:58:20,119 Mother played a part there of course 1445 01:58:20,160 --> 01:58:24,239 because humanity is very important. 1446 01:58:24,440 --> 01:58:27,199 Berezovsky wanted to return to the country. 1447 01:58:27,240 --> 01:58:31,119 And Berezovsky was talking about his love to the country etc. 1448 01:58:31,320 --> 01:58:32,919 That's right. 1449 01:58:32,960 --> 01:58:36,239 He was writing that he has made many mistakes, 1450 01:58:36,240 --> 01:58:38,199 caused damage. 1451 01:58:38,200 --> 01:58:41,359 He was asking to forgive him and allow him to come back to Motherland. 1452 01:58:41,360 --> 01:58:44,519 He was ready to allow him to come back to the country. 1453 01:58:44,560 --> 01:58:46,919 He is a strong enough person 1454 01:58:48,520 --> 01:58:53,719 to forgive those who are unforgiving to himself. 1455 01:58:56,560 --> 01:58:58,679 September 5th, 2013 1456 01:58:58,680 --> 01:59:02,039 Last night Barak Obama flew across the Atlantic 1457 01:59:02,040 --> 01:59:04,799 in order to launch a diplomatic offensive. 1458 01:59:06,240 --> 01:59:11,439 And I also look forward to discuss situation in Syria. 1459 01:59:11,440 --> 01:59:14,959 I think that we should take seriously 1460 01:59:15,000 --> 01:59:18,719 our joint recognition that chemical weapon use in Syria 1461 01:59:18,760 --> 01:59:20,679 is not only a tragedy, 1462 01:59:20,680 --> 01:59:23,919 but also a breach of international law. 1463 01:59:24,760 --> 01:59:29,359 Barak Obama flew from Stockholm to G-20 Summit in St Petersburg, 1464 01:59:29,400 --> 01:59:33,399 though one-on-one with Vladimir Putin was not in his schedule. 1465 01:59:44,000 --> 01:59:46,239 Earlier they were ready 1466 01:59:46,280 --> 01:59:49,159 though in Syria regard there were preferences only. 1467 01:59:49,200 --> 01:59:52,759 If M Obama is not able to persuade world leaders 1468 01:59:52,760 --> 01:59:56,119 that military response is the only option 1469 01:59:56,120 --> 01:59:58,399 then convincing Congress and Americans 1470 01:59:58,400 --> 02:00:00,719 on primary voting held next week 1471 02:00:00,760 --> 02:00:02,839 will be even more complicated. 1472 02:00:03,040 --> 02:00:07,199 Couple of days prior to making a decision 1473 02:00:07,200 --> 02:00:09,119 in regard to begin to bomb Damascus 1474 02:00:09,120 --> 02:00:11,519 in order to overthrow the regime 1475 02:00:11,560 --> 02:00:17,199 under the pretence that Syrian government used chemical weapon, 1476 02:00:17,200 --> 02:00:19,799 though no evidence was ever presented. 1477 02:00:20,160 --> 02:00:25,519 On G-20 Summit in St Petersburg Putin made a proposal. 1478 02:00:25,520 --> 02:00:29,639 He simply said: "Since you are so worried about chemical weapon 1479 02:00:29,640 --> 02:00:31,919 let's work on convincing Syria 1480 02:00:31,920 --> 02:00:34,839 to sign convention on the prohibition of chemical weapon 1481 02:00:34,840 --> 02:00:36,479 and promise to destroy them. 1482 02:00:36,480 --> 02:00:38,319 There is no need to bomb. 1483 02:00:38,320 --> 02:00:41,879 if it's all about the chemical weapon and nothing else. 1484 02:00:41,920 --> 02:00:44,719 In this case we are ready to use our influence 1485 02:00:44,760 --> 02:00:46,719 to convince Syria to join convention 1486 02:00:46,760 --> 02:00:48,519 on the prohibition of chemical weapon 1487 02:00:48,560 --> 02:00:51,679 and would sign with a relevant organization 1488 02:00:51,720 --> 02:00:53,599 agreement on its destruction. 1489 02:00:53,640 --> 02:00:57,159 I would like to remind you, that using force against a sovereign state 1490 02:00:57,160 --> 02:01:02,879 is solely allowed in case of the self-defence, 1491 02:01:02,880 --> 02:01:05,639 and as we know, Syria isn't attacking USA, 1492 02:01:05,640 --> 02:01:07,319 and secondly, 1493 02:01:07,320 --> 02:01:10,519 by the decision of UN Security Council. 1494 02:01:10,520 --> 02:01:14,119 As one of the summit participants said yesterday, 1495 02:01:14,160 --> 02:01:17,839 Those who act otherwise, put themselves outside of the law." 1496 02:01:20,280 --> 02:01:22,919 In the beginning there wasn't any dialog. 1497 02:01:22,960 --> 02:01:25,719 There was a handshake on the meeting ceremony. 1498 02:01:25,760 --> 02:01:27,679 Some people said it was cold, 1499 02:01:27,720 --> 02:01:30,359 others that it was timid or aggressive 1500 02:01:30,360 --> 02:01:34,519 Next morning totally unplanned contact took place. 1501 02:01:34,560 --> 02:01:38,199 Every participant of G-20 was witnessing 1502 02:01:38,200 --> 02:01:40,919 that they started to talk. 1503 02:01:40,920 --> 02:01:42,919 Putin and Obama. 1504 02:01:44,200 --> 02:01:48,319 They started this conversation on foot 1505 02:01:48,360 --> 02:01:52,799 and then sat down in a corner of a small hall. 1506 02:01:53,560 --> 02:01:56,559 It was continuing for few minutes at first. 1507 02:01:56,560 --> 02:01:59,119 All country leaders were standing there and waiting. 1508 02:01:59,120 --> 02:02:01,879 Five, ten minutes have passed. 1509 02:02:01,920 --> 02:02:07,279 They weren't paying attention of course to what was happening around. 1510 02:02:07,280 --> 02:02:10,399 I guess that in terms of the protocol 1511 02:02:10,400 --> 02:02:12,759 there was an awkward pause. 1512 02:02:12,760 --> 02:02:15,439 But it didn't really hang in the air, 1513 02:02:15,480 --> 02:02:18,159 cause all leaders of the countries 1514 02:02:18,160 --> 02:02:22,879 were glancing into the corner where two presidents were sitting 1515 02:02:23,320 --> 02:02:26,359 and we could feel the complete understanding 1516 02:02:26,400 --> 02:02:31,959 of how important this talk was for the whole world. 1517 02:02:35,800 --> 02:02:39,239 Of course Putin and Obama didn't succeed 1518 02:02:39,240 --> 02:02:41,119 in solving Syria’s problem. 1519 02:02:41,120 --> 02:02:42,919 However... 1520 02:02:42,960 --> 02:02:46,119 disposal of the chemical weapon stocks 1521 02:02:46,800 --> 02:02:49,079 which Syria had back then 1522 02:02:49,080 --> 02:02:51,719 did take place and it is completed. 1523 02:02:51,760 --> 02:02:53,079 And who knows, 1524 02:02:53,080 --> 02:02:57,559 if they wouldn't reach an agreement then on disposal of the chemical weapon 1525 02:02:57,920 --> 02:03:01,359 what could have happened today 1526 02:03:01,360 --> 02:03:03,679 if it would get into the hands of ISIS? 1527 02:03:03,680 --> 02:03:06,999 Into the hands of people who are cutting off heads 1528 02:03:07,000 --> 02:03:09,319 burning people alive etc. 1529 02:03:15,720 --> 02:03:19,519 He was urging his partners to make agreements 1530 02:03:19,520 --> 02:03:24,919 not for a half-step ahead, not for a period of 2-3 years 1531 02:03:24,960 --> 02:03:27,919 when on the next elections 1532 02:03:27,960 --> 02:03:33,279 they'll need to impress the voters with a new glamorous victory, 1533 02:03:33,280 --> 02:03:35,359 no it should be a bit further 1534 02:03:35,360 --> 02:03:37,359 Looking beyond the horizon. 1535 02:03:37,360 --> 02:03:39,919 You see that's the thing 1536 02:03:39,920 --> 02:03:44,359 which really differs our Western partners from Putin. 1537 02:03:49,320 --> 02:03:54,559 So, you are proposing this concept of the fair world order, 1538 02:03:54,560 --> 02:03:57,439 but you suddenly find out that the world isn't willing to listen to you. 1539 02:03:57,440 --> 02:04:00,119 They are calling black white and vice versa. 1540 02:04:00,160 --> 02:04:04,799 Do they fear the role Russia began to play in the world? 1541 02:04:04,840 --> 02:04:08,319 When from practically failing state 1542 02:04:08,320 --> 02:04:12,479 it suddenly became a powerful political player? 1543 02:04:12,480 --> 02:04:14,559 When you became if I may say so 1544 02:04:14,560 --> 02:04:17,079 the leader of the conservative part 1545 02:04:17,080 --> 02:04:19,279 of both European and American society? 1546 02:04:19,280 --> 02:04:21,119 Well, you are digging too deep. 1547 02:04:21,120 --> 02:04:22,959 Sometimes I get a feeling 1548 02:04:22,960 --> 02:04:25,959 that they like us only when we need humanitarian aid from them. 1549 02:04:25,960 --> 02:04:28,879 Everything is good then, they are sending potatoes, 1550 02:04:28,880 --> 02:04:31,319 and I'm very thankful for that no kidding, 1551 02:04:31,360 --> 02:04:33,959 many people were doing this sincerely, 1552 02:04:33,960 --> 02:04:35,919 ordinary people in particular 1553 02:04:35,920 --> 02:04:39,359 However so-called establishment, 1554 02:04:39,360 --> 02:04:42,919 political and economic elites of these countries 1555 02:04:42,960 --> 02:04:46,679 they only like us when we are poor and standing with a begging bowl. 1556 02:04:46,680 --> 02:04:49,719 As soon as we start talking about our interests 1557 02:04:49,760 --> 02:04:53,119 and they start feeling sort of geopolitical competition, 1558 02:04:53,120 --> 02:04:54,799 they don't like that. 1559 02:04:54,840 --> 02:04:57,119 Well, would you like if a new guy comes to your TV channel, 1560 02:04:57,120 --> 02:04:59,079 strong, powerful and young, 1561 02:04:59,360 --> 02:05:03,559 with good manners and encyclopedic education 1562 02:05:03,600 --> 02:05:05,559 and will be slowly pushing you out? 1563 02:05:05,600 --> 02:05:08,439 You'd be struggling too and start fighting him. 1564 02:05:08,480 --> 02:05:10,959 You know that's the human nature. 1565 02:05:10,960 --> 02:05:13,399 Same story for international relations. 1566 02:05:14,480 --> 02:05:16,799 I am strongly convinced 1567 02:05:16,800 --> 02:05:20,839 that we aren't breaching any game rules. 1568 02:05:20,840 --> 02:05:22,119 By the game rules 1569 02:05:22,120 --> 02:05:25,679 I mean primarily public international law, 1570 02:05:25,680 --> 02:05:29,079 UN Charter and everything associated with it. 1571 02:05:29,080 --> 02:05:31,639 It concerns our relations with Ukraine 1572 02:05:31,640 --> 02:05:33,559 it concerns situation in Crimea, 1573 02:05:33,560 --> 02:05:37,639 it concerns how we position ourselves 1574 02:05:37,640 --> 02:05:39,719 in other regions of the world, 1575 02:05:39,760 --> 02:05:42,039 in regard to fighting international terrorism. 1576 02:05:42,040 --> 02:05:46,919 It concerns our problems in the field of global security. 1577 02:05:46,920 --> 02:05:50,279 By that I mean for instance 1578 02:05:50,280 --> 02:05:55,159 our position on USA withdrawal from the crucial treaty 1579 02:05:55,160 --> 02:05:58,519 on the limitation of Anti-Ballistic Missile Systems. 1580 02:05:59,080 --> 02:06:02,879 When we start bringing this up, 1581 02:06:02,880 --> 02:06:06,879 when we mention for instance that there is a threat 1582 02:06:06,880 --> 02:06:09,039 of NATO expanding to the East 1583 02:06:09,240 --> 02:06:12,119 and military infrastructure approaching our borders 1584 02:06:12,120 --> 02:06:18,639 That's how you go out for confrontation. 1585 02:06:20,160 --> 02:06:24,519 And at this moment 1586 02:06:24,560 --> 02:06:29,719 as we can see, it took the form of so-called sanctions. 1587 02:06:29,720 --> 02:06:32,759 I was mentioning it in my address already, 1588 02:06:32,760 --> 02:06:35,639 that it's no more than the attempt 1589 02:06:35,640 --> 02:06:38,039 to restrain Russia's development. 1590 02:06:38,040 --> 02:06:42,279 We see such attempts during all Russian history, 1591 02:06:42,280 --> 02:06:44,319 from the tzar's times. 1592 02:06:44,320 --> 02:06:47,279 This attempt of restraining Russia 1593 02:06:47,280 --> 02:06:52,799 it's a policy known for centuries. 1594 02:06:52,800 --> 02:06:54,759 There is nothing new. 1595 02:06:54,760 --> 02:06:58,639 However, we shouldn't be too worried. 1596 02:07:24,920 --> 02:07:27,519 was hoisted and I was singing really loud. 1597 02:07:27,520 --> 02:07:28,959 Almost shouting. 1598 02:07:31,720 --> 02:07:35,559 Because country under this flag won 1599 02:07:35,560 --> 02:07:41,759 and I just wanted to sing very loud and to shout 1600 02:07:45,880 --> 02:07:50,599 During Olympics and all these events in Kiev and Ukraine, 1601 02:07:50,640 --> 02:07:54,359 when anti-Putin propaganda (or even hysteria) started in Kiev, 1602 02:07:54,360 --> 02:07:56,799 Putin is here, he is killing Maidan, 1603 02:07:56,800 --> 02:07:58,239 Putin is shooting our children." 1604 02:07:58,240 --> 02:08:00,039 That's what was happening 1605 02:08:00,200 --> 02:08:04,319 and from a private matter it became public and even national one, 1606 02:08:04,360 --> 02:08:06,439 and disability to control the situation 1607 02:08:06,440 --> 02:08:08,479 and the way Western partners were acting. 1608 02:08:08,480 --> 02:08:12,599 And when I saw Putin gritting his teeth 1609 02:08:12,600 --> 02:08:17,279 I suddenly realized that some new strategy will be launched now. 1610 02:08:17,560 --> 02:08:21,199 Cause there wasn't anything said, 1611 02:08:21,200 --> 02:08:23,999 no glass was returned on the table this time 1612 02:08:24,000 --> 02:08:26,079 everything was very peaceful and quiet. 1613 02:08:26,080 --> 02:08:29,679 It was clear though that he saw himself as representative of Russia, 1614 02:08:29,720 --> 02:08:33,839 which was not respected and they tried to push away and insult. 1615 02:08:33,840 --> 02:08:38,439 It's a feeling of adequacy to the country, 1616 02:08:38,480 --> 02:08:42,959 to the history of this country, 1617 02:08:42,960 --> 02:08:45,159 it's a feeling of a certain mission. 1618 02:08:45,160 --> 02:08:48,119 You start understanding that this is history. 1619 02:08:48,160 --> 02:08:50,599 The most important for us was to understand 1620 02:08:50,600 --> 02:08:53,279 what do people living in Crimea want. 1621 02:08:53,280 --> 02:08:56,439 Do they want to stay in Ukraine or to be with Russia? 1622 02:08:56,440 --> 02:08:58,879 And if people do want to return to Russia 1623 02:08:58,880 --> 02:09:02,199 and don't want to be under the rule of neo-Nazi, 1624 02:09:02,200 --> 02:09:04,759 extreme nationalists and banderovites, 1625 02:09:04,800 --> 02:09:07,759 we don't have a right to desert them then. 1626 02:09:08,360 --> 02:09:11,079 And this is absolutely a matter of principle. 1627 02:09:11,080 --> 02:09:15,399 That's what I was telling to my partners back then. 1628 02:09:15,400 --> 02:09:17,359 I was telling them 1629 02:09:17,400 --> 02:09:21,159 that this was a crucial issue for us. people. 1630 02:09:21,200 --> 02:09:24,519 I don't know what kind of interests you will be defending, 1631 02:09:24,520 --> 02:09:27,119 but we'll go till the end defending ours. 1632 02:09:27,160 --> 02:09:29,519 And this is extremely important. 1633 02:09:29,520 --> 02:09:33,799 Not because we want to get a piece of the pie. 1634 02:09:33,800 --> 02:09:37,999 And not even because Crimea's strategic importance in Black Sea region. 1635 02:09:38,040 --> 02:09:42,399 But because it's an element of historical justice. 1636 02:09:43,640 --> 02:09:45,799 I believe that we did the right thing. 1637 02:09:45,840 --> 02:09:47,559 And I don't regret anything. 1638 02:09:49,960 --> 02:09:52,719 We flew to Crimea for referendum. 1639 02:09:52,760 --> 02:09:54,919 It’s incredible feeling! 1640 02:09:54,920 --> 02:09:58,919 We saw families going out with balloons, 1641 02:09:58,920 --> 02:10:02,719 kids with flags of Russian Federation. 1642 02:10:02,720 --> 02:10:04,839 And all of them are going to elections 1643 02:10:04,840 --> 02:10:06,719 with happy faces. 1644 02:10:06,720 --> 02:10:10,159 I saw sober guys crying on the square in Simferopol 1645 02:10:10,160 --> 02:10:11,599 Not drunk! 1646 02:10:13,080 --> 02:10:16,199 Crying from the feeling of incredible happiness, 1647 02:10:16,200 --> 02:10:18,519 that finally they have returned home 1648 02:10:20,120 --> 02:10:25,319 There was a performance on the fly and we sang. 1649 02:10:26,120 --> 02:10:27,439 Russia, 1650 02:10:27,440 --> 02:10:34,839 from Crimea to Yenisei." 1651 02:10:35,920 --> 02:10:38,239 From Crimea to Yenisei... 1652 02:10:38,240 --> 02:10:40,879 They were so incredibly happy! 1653 02:10:40,880 --> 02:10:42,479 Everybody I have seen. 1654 02:10:46,520 --> 02:10:53,199 After a long hard and exhausting voyage 1655 02:10:53,240 --> 02:10:55,679 Crimea and Sevastopol 1656 02:10:55,680 --> 02:10:58,759 are returning to the home harbor 1657 02:10:58,760 --> 02:11:00,319 to the home shores 1658 02:11:00,320 --> 02:11:04,039 to the permanent registration harbor. to Russia! 1659 02:11:06,640 --> 02:11:10,319 RUSSIA! RUSSIA! RUSSIA! 1660 02:11:12,800 --> 02:11:15,799 Great! He is simple, cool. I like him. 1661 02:11:15,920 --> 02:11:22,039 I think he is tough enough, but... I think if you are a president of a big strong country 1662 02:11:22,040 --> 02:11:28,199 you must be big and strong the same way as the country. 1663 02:11:28,760 --> 02:11:29,919 How many pull-ups do you do? 1664 02:11:30,320 --> 02:11:31,879 50. - Really? 1665 02:11:33,360 --> 02:11:35,999 preparing the same way. - These are our people. 1666 02:11:38,800 --> 02:11:44,519 That generation which grew up during Putin times is the majority of our society 1667 02:11:45,800 --> 02:11:51,159 which will lead Russia further next 50 years. 1668 02:11:52,160 --> 02:11:57,959 This is the generation which step by step have learnt to say the word 'patriotism', 1669 02:11:58,280 --> 02:12:04,879 This is the generation which have learnt to wear dresses with Russian flag, and be proud of it. 1670 02:12:06,440 --> 02:12:13,519 This is the generation which knows that this, this and this in our country 1671 02:12:13,520 --> 02:12:16,359 is much better than anywhere else in the world. 1672 02:12:21,440 --> 02:12:25,399 What was 15 years ago? Disbelief and ruins in heads 1673 02:12:26,120 --> 02:12:33,039 Then a hope, and today unlimited trust that we are building the state correctly 1674 02:12:33,600 --> 02:12:37,399 For these 15 years not simply many things have changed. 1675 02:12:37,640 --> 02:12:39,159 We have changed completely. 1676 02:12:39,640 --> 02:12:41,399 Our society has become different. 1677 02:12:42,280 --> 02:12:49,359 We can see a new, powerful, independent Russia able to protect itself. 1678 02:13:01,720 --> 02:13:07,839 I went to Vladimir and to Suzdal to see the sights. 1679 02:13:09,440 --> 02:13:16,239 And in one of Suzdal monasteries I wrote a note for health. 1680 02:13:16,800 --> 02:13:18,359 I was recognized. 1681 02:13:20,840 --> 02:13:22,639 Mother Superior of the monastery came up to me, 1682 02:13:24,400 --> 02:13:31,239 and says: Aleksey Borisovych, do you know that for the last year 1683 02:13:32,360 --> 02:13:39,919 a number of notes for health of President of Russian Federation Putin increased drastically? 1684 02:13:48,160 --> 02:13:53,999 She says: They write like this in notes for health President of Russian Federation. 1685 02:14:08,880 --> 02:14:13,159 Vladimir Vladimirovych Putin visited our monastery on September 9th 2005. 1686 02:14:13,400 --> 02:14:18,919 It was the first visit of head of Russian state in the history of Athos. 1687 02:14:20,760 --> 02:14:24,559 After the ceremonial welcome in the capital city of Athos, Karyes, 1688 02:14:24,560 --> 02:14:28,399 Vladimir Vladimirovych took the driver’s seat 1689 02:14:29,080 --> 02:14:31,399 and drove to Iveron monastery. 1690 02:14:31,720 --> 02:14:35,719 And just at the exit there was a mule of Athos standing 1691 02:14:38,320 --> 02:14:45,959 First there was a police car. then I drove on my car, and after me President drove 1692 02:14:46,120 --> 02:14:55,719 And just before him this mule, for some reason, ran out to the road and ran strictly in the middle of the 1693 02:14:56,200 --> 02:15:00,279 He tried to take to the left, and the mule took to the left, to the right - and that to the right, such 1694 02:15:00,640 --> 02:15:05,199 So, the President understood that something was wrong, and he followed the mule. 1695 02:15:06,240 --> 02:15:08,279 I must tell you: there was nothing like this in Athos. 1696 02:15:08,520 --> 02:15:15,159 So that a mule or a donkey, as we call it, ran in front of any car and didn't allow to bypass... 1697 02:15:15,160 --> 02:15:18,799 there was no such case, never. 1698 02:15:19,160 --> 02:15:25,759 But when on the way back we were driving, a car of police passed by, then I drove by, 1699 02:15:25,800 --> 02:15:31,679 we saw that the mule stayed at the same place and watched us, as if waiting for us. 1700 02:15:32,160 --> 02:15:36,479 It passed us by without problems, like nothing happened. 1701 02:15:36,520 --> 02:15:39,439 We stopped and looked back what would be next 1702 02:15:40,000 --> 02:15:43,359 As soon as the car of Vladimir Vladimirovych appeared from the turn, 1703 02:15:43,760 --> 02:15:47,999 this mule, as if was waiting, ran out to the road at once, turned around 1704 02:15:48,160 --> 02:15:50,799 police car and my car were watching it, 1705 02:15:51,520 --> 02:15:55,199 and it started to run uphill which is harder. 1706 02:15:55,800 --> 02:16:00,239 Again the same way, in the middle of the road ahead of the President's car. 1707 02:16:00,480 --> 02:16:04,959 When going uphill, the mule, maybe because of fatigue, slacked down 1708 02:16:05,080 --> 02:16:09,559 Vladimir Vladimirovych slacked down, he didn't bypass it. But the mule broke in pace. 1709 02:16:10,000 --> 02:16:14,759 And it could be seen that it ran out, Vladimir Vladimirovych took a little to the left. 1710 02:16:14,760 --> 02:16:20,239 started to bypass it, reached it and stopped near it, it was recorded from the car. 1711 02:16:20,480 --> 02:16:22,679 And the mule also stopped stone-still at once. 1712 02:16:22,960 --> 02:16:29,319 And several minutes, I can’t tell you exactly, I didn't count... we saw that they were standing. 1713 02:16:29,680 --> 02:16:32,239 Honestly saying, I can’t explain it. 1714 02:16:32,559 --> 02:16:40,279 Certainly, I want to notice one thing: if it happened it is a certain sign of Holy Mother, patroness of 1715 02:16:40,719 --> 02:16:45,398 It was a certain sign to the President. But I think it is easier for him to understand it. 1716 02:16:51,760 --> 02:16:56,199 He never comes unprepared for any events. 1717 02:16:58,360 --> 02:17:03,359 When he comes to such events like a press conference or live stream, 1718 02:17:03,400 --> 02:17:06,558 he prepares for many many days. 1719 02:17:10,320 --> 02:17:17,599 He has 100% concentration, 100%. Every time... tension.. 1720 02:17:17,600 --> 02:17:22,119 maybe it has to do with inner concentration 1721 02:17:23,520 --> 02:17:29,519 Because Presidents come to speak such Presidents like Putin, 1722 02:17:29,520 --> 02:17:31,839 the price of his words is too high. 1723 02:17:44,600 --> 02:17:48,079 Vladimir Vladimirovych, things that happen to our economy now is a payback for the Crimea, 1724 02:17:48,080 --> 02:17:50,199 maybe it's time to tell frankly about it? 1725 02:17:51,400 --> 02:17:54,478 No, it is not a payback for the Crimea. 1726 02:17:55,000 --> 02:18:00,999 This is a payback... or to be precise, it is a payment for our natural wish 1727 02:18:01,040 --> 02:18:07,119 to save ourselves like a nation, like a civilization, like a state. 1728 02:18:07,400 --> 02:18:17,239 I made an example at so called Valdai club and recalled our most recognized symbol 1729 02:18:17,240 --> 02:18:21,079 a bear, who guards its taiga. 1730 02:18:21,440 --> 02:18:28,999 You know what if I continue such analogues... the idea comes to my head as well. 1731 02:18:29,120 --> 02:18:34,558 maybe our teddy-bear must sit calmly, not run pigs and gilts around taiga 1732 02:18:35,639 --> 02:18:41,519 and eat berries, honey, maybe it will be left alone. They will not leave it alone. 1733 02:18:42,000 --> 02:18:45,398 Because they will always try to enchain it. 1734 02:18:46,400 --> 02:18:51,718 And as soon as they enchain it, they will tear away both teeth and claws. 1735 02:18:52,360 --> 02:18:58,079 And then, after this, as soon as tear away teeth and claws, the teddy-bear is not required at all. 1736 02:18:58,520 --> 02:19:01,159 They will make a stuffed animal, that's it. That's why the matter is not in the Crimea. 1737 02:19:01,440 --> 02:19:07,558 The matter is that we protect our independence, our sovereignty and the right for existence. 1738 02:19:07,559 --> 02:19:09,599 This is what we all must understand. 1739 02:19:09,719 --> 02:19:13,638 When the Crimea started and when the spirit of patriotism appeared 1740 02:19:13,639 --> 02:19:16,878 it suddenly turned out that we have an army. 1741 02:19:18,240 --> 02:19:20,919 It suddenly turned out that we have a military industrial complex. 1742 02:19:21,480 --> 02:19:26,759 It suddenly turned out that despite all statements, including liberal members of your team, 1743 02:19:26,760 --> 02:19:31,318 that we shouldn't spend money for defense, it was unexpectedly, unnoticeably 1744 02:19:31,840 --> 02:19:35,439 that the military industrial complex was formed again to be proud of? 1745 02:19:35,600 --> 02:19:39,119 If we didn't have the military industrial complex and army 1746 02:19:39,120 --> 02:19:44,359 we couldn't overcome all problems concerning fight with international terrorism. 1747 02:19:44,879 --> 02:19:49,279 Even at the most difficult times from the point of view of economy in the beginning of 2000s, 1748 02:19:49,320 --> 02:19:55,039 we did not simply gather an army, and then, I have already told about it, 1749 02:19:55,320 --> 02:20:01,199 with total number of 1 million 300 thousand people I hardly gathered 50 000... 1750 02:20:02,400 --> 02:20:10,519 I took troops from the Far East, marines from the Northern fleet, we made up 50 000 ready for fight. 1751 02:20:11,640 --> 02:20:13,279 Now it is a completely different story. 1752 02:20:13,879 --> 02:20:22,319 Material conditions of the armed forces until present was just poor, both moral, and material. 1753 02:20:22,720 --> 02:20:28,279 You know, concerning this, I would like to use this opportunity, as they say in such cases, 1754 02:20:28,720 --> 02:20:35,119 again to say thanks to all our soldiers who at that time difficult for the country 1755 02:20:35,560 --> 02:20:39,878 saved the country on their shoulders, with empty pockets, 1756 02:20:39,879 --> 02:20:47,079 and I would say in miserable conditions of the armed forces. I highly appreciate it! 1757 02:20:51,280 --> 02:20:55,759 the famous 6th squadron of 76th air assault division... 1758 02:20:55,800 --> 02:21:02,439 in 2000 around our 100 troopers against 1000-1200 1759 02:21:04,200 --> 02:21:06,279 At that time there were such gangs in Chechnya. 1760 02:21:08,760 --> 02:21:09,958 The fight was completely unequal. 1761 02:21:15,879 --> 02:21:24,079 My son was a commander and guys told that they heard all messages. 1762 02:21:24,360 --> 02:21:32,999 His last words were: Drawing the fire on me. Farewell, pals. 1763 02:21:36,520 --> 02:21:54,759 Their fight lasted around one day and ended with 6 alive from 90 guys, and 84 were lost. 1764 02:21:59,760 --> 02:22:04,079 We made the decision, President made the decision to visit this place. 1765 02:22:04,400 --> 02:22:06,999 We didn’t control this area at that time. 1766 02:22:07,200 --> 02:22:10,039 When the President flew away, it was still calm. 1767 02:22:10,080 --> 02:22:17,199 But when special forces were leaving this altitude, fighters moved towards this attitude. 1768 02:22:17,760 --> 02:22:25,039 It was not your fault that the country appeared in such conditions that it is now. 1769 02:22:26,560 --> 02:22:37,079 But we are happy that there are such people whom you raised, with whom you lived. 1770 02:22:39,480 --> 02:22:42,399 Who stood on the way of further collapse of the country. 1771 02:22:49,120 --> 02:22:51,039 And anyway somebody had to do it. 1772 02:22:51,720 --> 02:22:58,079 After the 10th anniversary I phoned everybody, found all addresses. 1773 02:23:00,160 --> 02:23:06,958 Found out all problems, of all, what and who had, what and who needed. 1774 02:23:08,080 --> 02:23:11,439 It was a set of papers this thick. 1775 02:23:12,280 --> 02:23:18,279 In ten days I received a phone call: this set of papers got to Vladimir Vladimirovych. 1776 02:23:19,000 --> 02:23:20,559 He wants to meet you. 1777 02:23:20,760 --> 02:23:29,559 And every governor visited personally in each family, found out all problems, everything was solved, 1778 02:23:29,800 --> 02:23:39,199 so that everything was made before this meeting which was appointed with the President in Moscow. 1779 02:23:39,640 --> 02:23:47,919 Here, you know, the attitude to those parents who are left without their children. 1780 02:23:48,600 --> 02:23:53,919 Our children, they all gave the oath, that's why they knew how it could end. 1781 02:23:54,360 --> 02:23:55,599 This famous fight. 1782 02:23:57,680 --> 02:24:02,639 To my mind, it was already crucial in many aspects The the course of Chechen campaign. 1783 02:24:03,760 --> 02:24:11,799 Because fighters, terrorists, who fought against us, I think, after this fight, understood 1784 02:24:13,080 --> 02:24:18,359 that they would fail to break the fighting spirit and the will of our army. 1785 02:24:23,040 --> 02:24:29,719 Today army is certainly far from what it was 15 years ago. 1786 02:24:31,120 --> 02:24:36,119 The President announces and gives command to make a spot check, for example, Far Eastern 1787 02:24:39,120 --> 02:24:44,559 And we raise 156 000 soldiers within hours. 1788 02:24:46,000 --> 02:24:51,359 This is thousands of armored vehicles, hundreds of air crafts and ships. 1789 02:24:52,920 --> 02:24:55,399 Number of exercises increased manyfold 1790 02:24:57,959 --> 02:25:00,159 In one word: the shell took off. 1791 02:25:02,840 --> 02:25:07,999 The army felt itself like army. Officers started to respect themselves. 1792 02:25:10,840 --> 02:25:14,399 The contract service has become attractive and prestigious. 1793 02:25:14,680 --> 02:25:19,599 If there is no army, strong army, all the rest may not be required. 1794 02:25:20,240 --> 02:25:22,199 And this will be not our country. 1795 02:25:22,800 --> 02:25:24,279 Moments of absolute happiness? 1796 02:25:25,080 --> 02:25:29,079 Oh, it’s hard to tell you. 1797 02:25:30,080 --> 02:25:35,119 I can tell that in general we managed..., and everything together. 1798 02:25:36,080 --> 02:25:41,319 All together it may cause some satisfaction 1799 02:25:42,160 --> 02:25:45,279 when you understand where we were and what we have done. 1800 02:25:45,560 --> 02:25:47,799 Well, let’s start with the country: we saved the country. 1801 02:25:48,520 --> 02:25:50,759 Raised GDP 2 fold. 1802 02:25:51,360 --> 02:25:58,958 In comparison with 1999, the expenses of the Federal budget have risen 22 times, 1803 02:25:58,959 --> 02:26:01,878 if we look at 2014. 1804 02:26:02,240 --> 02:26:06,439 Real income of the population risen 3 fold. 1805 02:26:07,240 --> 02:26:13,639 The number of our people who lives behind the poverty line was almost 42 mln people. 1806 02:26:13,920 --> 02:26:20,839 And now we have almost in 3 times, 2,8 times less of people living behind the poverty line. 1807 02:26:21,440 --> 02:26:27,958 All this together allowed us to solve one more very complicated task. 1808 02:26:28,480 --> 02:26:41,639 Look, in 1999 and in 2000 the natural decrease of the population was 929 000 people, to my mind. 1809 02:26:42,320 --> 02:26:43,639 I.e. almost 1 million. 1810 02:26:44,920 --> 02:26:48,279 The difference between deaths and births was 1 million in favour of the first. 1811 02:26:48,959 --> 02:26:53,999 If we lost 1 million every year, i.e. Russia, it is a catastrophe. 1812 02:26:54,800 --> 02:26:56,799 Russia would slowly stop to exist. 1813 02:26:57,160 --> 02:27:01,119 We did not only stabilize and break this situation, 1814 02:27:01,160 --> 02:27:04,359 and two years in a row we have the natural increase. 1815 02:27:04,800 --> 02:27:06,079 Nobody believed in it. 1816 02:27:07,080 --> 02:27:13,239 This is not due to mother capital and other systems of maternity and childhood support. 1817 02:27:13,560 --> 02:27:17,878 This is due to the general situation. I repeat it gives more confidence to people 1818 02:27:17,879 --> 02:27:21,439 in that they can have more children, raise and educate them, and so on. 1819 02:27:23,760 --> 02:27:28,639 This is some kind of a multiplier indeed of what has been done. 1820 02:27:30,360 --> 02:27:39,799 Maybe, all this together, when thinking about, when analysing it, this can't but bring satisfaction. 1821 02:27:43,440 --> 02:27:45,799 For citizens of Nagin in Northern Ossetia 1822 02:27:45,800 --> 02:27:49,159 the commissioning of a new sports complex became a real holiday. 1823 02:27:50,000 --> 02:27:54,559 The platform is 130 m above the sea level. This is like two Spasskiy towers. 1824 02:27:54,560 --> 02:27:57,759 The area is just a bit bigger than of a standard football field 1825 02:27:58,600 --> 02:28:03,559 Specialists say: There is no such center with such equipment in Europe 1826 02:28:05,400 --> 02:28:09,039 The new hydro-electric power station on the Angara has become the most up-to-date hydro-energy of 1827 02:28:09,200 --> 02:28:11,479 Besides, all equipment is produced by national companies. 1828 02:28:12,320 --> 02:28:17,559 From today the Russky island is called student's capital of the Far East. 1829 02:28:20,000 --> 02:28:25,999 The Northern stream starts from here. The big road of Russian gas to the West starts from here. 1830 02:28:27,360 --> 02:28:32,039 Russia, in Olympic Sochi, at Olympic level, meets Formula 1. 1831 02:28:32,480 --> 02:28:34,958 The legendary auto race took place for the first time in Russia. 1832 02:28:35,120 --> 02:28:38,159 Today here there are the best pilots of the world. 1833 02:28:40,480 --> 02:28:46,399 - The church has its understanding of what authority must be. 1834 02:28:47,640 --> 02:28:53,199 At the same time, this understanding is expressed not by my close predecessors, not by me. 1835 02:28:53,920 --> 02:28:57,239 It exists during the whole history of the church. 1836 02:28:58,560 --> 02:29:03,799 The church associates the authority, especially the top representatives of the authority, 1837 02:29:03,800 --> 02:29:06,639 with the must-have requirement. 1838 02:29:07,240 --> 02:29:13,159 full devotion of themselves to that service which they are are called for. 1839 02:29:13,800 --> 02:29:17,439 You can't say that this person is working as a President. 1840 02:29:17,760 --> 02:29:23,559 He serves in his country as a President. I think it speaks for itself. 1841 02:29:30,320 --> 02:29:32,679 Vladimir Vladimirovych, 15 years of Presidency, 1842 02:29:32,680 --> 02:29:36,719 what does a person who decides to be a President have to give up? 1843 02:29:42,000 --> 02:29:47,079 Some normal everyday life. 1844 02:29:48,360 --> 02:29:53,799 It is inevitable. It is impossible to live like a normal person. 1845 02:29:54,200 --> 02:29:58,599 You can’t go to the cinema, can’t go just like this to the theatre, can't go shopping 1846 02:29:58,600 --> 02:30:02,958 which is also not deprived of certain sense and satisfaction. 1847 02:30:03,320 --> 02:30:07,239 But these are not big losses in comparison with... 1848 02:30:12,560 --> 02:30:18,679 what the fate and the people give to those persons who appear in my place. 1849 02:30:19,920 --> 02:30:25,359 And this is to make maximum contribution, everything what depends on me or on us 1850 02:30:25,360 --> 02:30:30,919 or those who work at such positions for one’s own country, people. 1851 02:30:31,280 --> 02:30:32,359 It compensates everything.