"Президент". Фильм Владимира Соловьева

Do you imagine your life
without being a president?

By the way, it's quite frequent question.

Actually, it's like a canary
in a coal mine, so to say.

That's what I think.

If a person is able to go back
to live in a regular apartment

instead of enjoying palace interior

in this case, I think that he didn't lose
connection with "external world”.

I can easily imagine my life
without being in this high position.

It has happened on August 7th, 1999... "

In the heart of events."

CAUCASUS NEWS.

Basaev is commanding militants in Dagestan".

for keeping it short

I am not going to sit down
for keeping it short.

Situation is very serious now
in Dagestan and in Caucasus.

I just came back from there.

It's really difficult situation.

Real serious.

Probably, we can really lose Dagestan...

Coordination is very bad, so far.

And for some reason everyone
is asking for political..

I was forced to go there yesterday and
tell that I am taking full responsibility.

And now about the current events.

I have met with the President this morning.

He signed my resignation

Thanked me for good work

And dismissed me

Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin
is appointed as interim

He is the Secretary of
Security Council and head of FSB.

Descent and honourable person I think.

I would like to wish him luck.

Luck only,

cause all the rest he already has.

August 9th, 1999

The man, whom Boris Yeltsin has chosen

to be the head of his obsolete government

was practically unknown former spy

and head of Security Council: Vladimir Putin

Even more remarkable was Yeltsin's statement

that it was Putin who ought
to become a president of Russia

after Yeltsin's retirement next year.

People had absolutely no trust
to the government.

Caucasus war was going on.

The war was not only in Caucasus
but everywhere in the country.

You might remember those
terrorist attacks etc.

It was not so long ago

just 14-15 years ago.

Caucasus war came to Moscow"

Chechen trace?"

August 14th, 1999

This conflict became the first serious test

for acting Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.

Putin stated that Russia will be able

to take situation in Dagestan
under control in less than 2 weeks.

I wasn't really able to make
decisions at that moment.

I was forced to deal with it,

though I didn't have full powers.

It was clearly a huge responsibility.

It was a matter of course

and I have had onl one question,

I am not even going to talk
about it on camera now.

In case if I won't manage to finish this task,

then what should I do
and how should I live further?

I have decided for myself
that it's the only option.

I should go till the end.

I never heard of name Putin back then.

It was in August-September of 1999.

Experience of the previous 1$t
Chechen campaign was pretty hard.

There was a long line of misfortunes

and often even betrayals.

And in 1999 when Chaban Makhikov...

during that Khattab's assault on Dagestan,

that’s when I first heard
the name of our president.

Vladimir Ivanov, our
platoon commander, said.

We got a new one."

He came into some general's tent

and they raised a toast to future victory.

I would really like, in
accordance with Russian tradition

and tradition of holy Dagestan land
where we are today,

to raise this glass

and drink to the memory of those who died.

A second, just a second

I would like to raise a glass

to the health of ones who are wounded

and to wish happiness
to everyone present here.

But we have a lot of problems ahead of us

and important tasks
you know that very well.

You do know what enemy
is planning to do.

All of us know that

What provocations are to be
expected in the nearest future,

in what regions etc.

We don't have a right

to allow ourselves
a single moment of weakness.

Not a single moment.

Because if we will,

then those who died, did it for nothing.

That's why I’d like to propose the following.

we will absolutely raise our glasses to them,

absolutely.

But we will do it later.

Later.

When this task, the crucial task
you all know about, will be completed.

That's why I propose
to grab a bite of food now

and go back to work.

He put glass on the table and I remember
surprise of our platoon commander

and his respect.

He said that probably it will work differently
than during the previous campaign

cause this glass he put

back on the table,

in his man's view, it had
some good special meaning.

And after that couple of days later,

when military jets flew to Khattab’s units and
started shelling them on territory of Chechnya,

it became clear then that
this glass returned on the table

had very obvious meaning

It meant that everything
will be the right way.

We will be chasing terrorists everywhere.

and if we find them
in the toilet, pardon me,

We will rub them out in the outhouse!

The end, issue closed!

What's going on in Chechnya,

is caused by the fact that Russia is not willing

to solve these issues in political way,

by talking to the Chechen leaders.

There are two categories of Russian soldiers
on the territory of Chechnya.

those who lie in coffins and
those who WILL lie in coffins.

There was no other solution
than suppressing this terrorism.

It was impossible
to come to an agreement

I remember very clearly and
I told about that before, I think,

that while I was head of FSB I was reading
different investigative documents

including ones of international terrorists,
what they were writing to each other.

It's a unique historic occasion today.

We have a chance to tear
Caucasus away from Russia.

Today or never."

But it was clear for us as well.

either we'll hold it today

or we'll never have another
chance to save the country.

Well, at that moment practically
everyone, except only us maybe,

cause an average citizen didn't go into details,
and wasn't much aware of what was happening,

but for anyone in the world,

as many of my colleagues, presidents
and prime ministers, were telling me later,

it was a sure thing that Russia will
seize to exist in its current borders.

The only question was when it will happen
and what will be the consequences,

considering that it was a large nuclear power.

On December 31st, 1999, at 10 am

I got a phone call from Boris Yeltsin office.

And I was told that I have to be
in his office in half an hour.

I was invited into his office.

We were standing there,
witnessing the power transfer,

including the transfer of
nuclear suitcase too, by the way.

I remember this day very well.

On December 31st we were invited
for breakfast with the President.

We were about 8 people.

I saw that someone was carrying a TV.

If you remember, TVs used to be
thick, chubby ones back then.

They placed the TV there.

Boris Nikolaevich and Vladimir
Vladimirovich came over.

They sat down and turned on TV.

I am... leaving

Leaving before... the end of the term.

I realized that it's what I have to do.

Russia has to start a new Millennium

with new politicians, new faces.

With new clever, strong, energetic people.

That's where we heard that
Boris Nikolayevich has left

and has passed his president duties
to Vladimir Vladimirovich.

After that Vladimir Vladimirovich
invited me to his office in Kremlin

and told me that it would be a good idea
to congratulate our Army Forces.

Spiritual welfare of the Army
Forces was quite bad.

It was necessary to bolster
morale of the servicemen,

make them believe in themselves.

At the same time, we had to
ensure security of this event,

cause we were flying in the combat zone.

It was worrisome of course, the president
is flying, weather is terrible,

by the helicopters.

Our helicopter was shelled

and we were forced
to go back to Makhachkala.

By this time we prepared the cars

which we used to get to Gudermes.

I was in Gudermes.

My father knew that he is coming over

don’t know where he knew this from.

It was a secret.

Nobody believed it even myself.

Fighting is going on everywhere
but Putin will come,

in a civil car to Dagestan...

We arrived to Gudermes
somewhat around 4:30 pm

and we met New Year's Eve
already with the servicemen.

Guys, our congratulations
on the New Year.

We wish you happiness and
all the best for the new year!

Good health to everyone
and happy family life!

I would like you to know

that Russia highly
appreciates what you do.

And country really needs what you do.
Really needs it.

I am not only talking about restoring
of country's Honour and Dignity.

No I mean much more
serious things by that.

I am talking about putting an end
to the demise of Russia.

This is your main goal.

Setting up a goal always meant for Putin

having a concrete result
after a specified time.

And when Putin said that problem
has to be resolved in 2 weeks,

in 2 weeks it was resolved.

A lot of hard work
was done with the locals.

As the result of it, enormous number
of local Dagestan residents

with weapon in their hands
took side of Federal Forces,

fought with the terrorists
and won over them eventually.

The same story was in Chechnya.

We have to act very carefully,

in a way that we wouldn't cause
damage to the civilians.

Because there are... there are...

besides the armed militants and bandits
there are also women, children

elderly people are there too.

There are veterans of the Great
Patriotic War there too by the way!

Whom all of us own
the victory over fascism,

they were taking part in it.

And we treat them as family

Sorry. I can't walk all the way through...

The very same Akhmad Hadzhi Kadyrov,

he actually believed Putin,
believed this work.

He followed Putin

and hundreds and thousands of
other Chechens did too after him.

This was a surprise

a feeling that a strange,
new person has appeared.

I met both his mother and father.

The war for Vladimir Vladimirovich,
is the same as for me, probably.

It's not only the heroism of people,

but also a personal tragedy
which will never die.

On Piskarevskoe cemetery,
in one of the mass graves,

his older brother is buried.

He was practically a child
when he has died.

His father was heavily wounded in Nevsky
Pyatachok, it was a miracle he survived.

He came back home from the hospital

right at the moment when our future President
mother was carried out of the apartment.

Medics were loading her
in a truck as a dead body.

He chased them away, using his crutches.

She was washed out but
he nursed her back to life.

When he came to Moscow for work,

his parents were already pretty old,

they had to be looked after.

And using every chance, Putin was
travelling there in order to see them,

to talk to them and to provide
with any help they needed.

We used to talk about different topics.

When we were talking in a close circle,

we were remembering
our mothers, childhood.

I was saying that it's really strange

that we don't appreciate
our moms while they are still alive,

can't find time to come over
spend time with her,

listen to her give her a hug.

And then he was also taking
a walk down memory lane.

I could feel that he was moved deeply.

March 25th, 2000.

Cold St Petersburg was founded
by the great Russian Tzar Peter I,

who built city on the sea
and made it the capital.

From these times it was representing
the best of the country,

but sometimes the worst of it too.

But along with its glamour

we also met the hard realities
of Russia today.

Maria Semyonova,
who is 80 years old,

is forced to live in a communal apartment
together with 30 other people.

The fair people should be In power

so that we could see at least
a bit of fair and honest life.

Putin is better, he is better!

By what?

By everything!
Everything!

He'll do everything in a fair way,

unless they'll wipe him out.

Maria was planning to give
her vote to the communists,

but like many others she trusts Putin.

I couldn’t imagine in my worst nightmare

that I'll be ever running for president

Cause I think it's absolutely dishonest thing.

Don’t faugh, It's all about making promises,

better than the ones of your competitors.

The way election campaign was run,

the way I managed to structure it.

relieved me from this necessity
to mislead large amounts of people.

And I am glad about it.

That's why tomorrow
a normal working

We'll have a meeting tomorrow, at 10 am...

He called me and asked to come to work.

I was telling him honestly that
I won't manage, I am afraid...

Are you afraid so much that your will
is paralysed and you can't do anything?

I am afraid too!'' - he said.

It's a huge responsibility,
I am afraid that I won't manage,

but someone has to take care of this

We were given this opportunity,

let's try to give a boost to this country"

I think that the most important question
we started to ask ourselves

was "what are we going to do next?"

This was a serious question with no answer.

Nobody was fully understanding what to do.

Very often

from the most ordinary people
on the streets of our cities

I heard very simple words but
ones very important for me.

They were telling me.
We believe you,

we are counting on you.

Just please don't betray us."

I can assure you,

that I will act solely
in country's best interests.

Probably I won't avoid mistakes

but what I can really promise,

that I'll be working openly and honestly!

[President of Russian Federation
Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin]

We made the first attempt
to analyse the situation

in economy, finance, social services,

judicial and legal system.

I remember how we were gathering
sometimes in the evenings

and... and somebody said

It seems that we have
Chechnya everywhere".

Chechnya wasn’t a geographical thing,

in reality Chechnya was practically
in every field of work.

Weakness of the state and authorities in 90s

was causing a fear that the new
authorities won't manage either

and will be easily manipulated,
by the oligarchs in particular.

When you became a president,

Russia was ruled by
the powerful oligarchic clan.

They were looking at you
and thinking: "We'll eat him up".

Yes.

We'll make a deal".

And among all these wolves

who used to define the authorities

and everything happening
in the country in 90s,

they not only needed to be taken down
a notch but to be torn apart

all opportunities being
taken away from them.

Well some of them when I was
the Chairman of the Government,

and after Yeltsin declared
that I'll be running for president

couple of them came to my office
in the White House.

they sat down opposite of me and said.

You should understand that
you'll NEVER be a president here".

I answered them: "Well, we'll see".

That's the kind of scenes I was having
In this very White House.

And how did you manage
to take them down a notch?

In different ways,
using different means.

I remember very vividly
that summer meeting in 2000.

This was actually a first meeting
of president Putin

with business representatives
a large scale meeting.

It was very important for us to hear

what kind of a country Putin is building.

And for Putin is was crucial to explain

what kind of behavior he was
expecting from us as businessmen.

He told us right away: "No guys,
it won't be possible to deny the heritage".

I just wanted to draw
your attention to the point

that it was you who
have been creating this state.

Mainly though political and para-political
structures under your control.

That’s why you should have
a better look in a mirror.

Putin didn't have any aggression
he was very calm.

But the system will be built
in a different way now.

And everyone has to
contribute to this system.

What kind of contribution?

Your business has to be transparent,

you have to pay taxes

you shouldn't sweat your workers

but you should pay them
reasonable salaries instead.

In different words,

right to existence and right to respect

you will have to earn

considering the mess you created by now.

The biggest part of economy at that time

was not even in grey, but in black zone.

Salary in the envelopes

not paying taxes.

criminal outrage.

Average pension in 2000

(many people forgot about it already)

was bit more than 800 rubles.

And people weren't paid even this
kind of pension for half a year.

They weren’t paid salaries for half a year.

Lots of people, even
the majority of the country,

was busy just trying to survive

By the beginning of the 2000s
many strategic enterprises

were taken from the state control.

Unemployment was high,
there was large shady employment.

This was happening around year 2000.

Country he took into his hands,

it was in a state of melting ice
not even a ship

which was slowly falling into oblivion.

Kursk" is in trouble.

We are talking about lives
of 116 crew members...

It seems that 7th compartment is drowned.

It makes evacuation more difficult.

We were sitting in a hall
and waiting for Putin.

I was sitting in the 2nd row,

together with mariner's wives.

Frankly speaking, I thought
they will simply tear him to pieces.

I was wondering how
did he dare to come here?

Didn't he realize
what they will do to him?

They were expecting that "Kursk"
submarine will be recovered, saved.

And at the same time they were realizing

that it was probably hopeless.

There was such energy there...

a bundle of hate...
and despair... and pain...

Never in my whole life
I felt anything like this.

Every question was
directed to this single man.

Let her speak don't stop her.

The question is.

that it was hard to imagine,
for me as well, I am frank with you,

we didn't know that our country is
in such a tough situation,

that our Army Forces
are in tough situation,

that our fleet is ...

is in breakdown state or
in tough situation at least.

So, everything is in such a state,
that I could never imagine.

Everything is ruined!

Not a damn thing left!

A woman next to me fainted

few minutes after this conversation started.

She was yelling something,

they were interrupting him
in the beginning.

Clearly they were more eager
to speak up than to listen to him.

And... at some point he even fell silent

and was only listening to them talk.

But then he started to respond after all.

If I only could, you know,
I would get in there myself!

I was getting in there before.
as you already know.

None of our or foreign specialists
can reach 8th compartment.

In order to... for lifting it up...

I am taking responsibility for my words,

I could tell you lots of things and run away.

I am telling you how things really are.

This is the bitter truth but it's TRUTH.

The way it really is.

At some point I realized

that together with him
all of them crossed the line

which was separating
their husbands lives from death.

Together with him they crossed it over
and moved on.

We mapped out plans then,

which were aimed at...
I'd describe it with one word.

glueing the country.

Because at that moment,
excuse my French,

country was scattering like porridge.

It was in fashion then to disparage
Federal centre and central authorities.

Back then any governor
could take the liberty

to ignore president's invitation.

Head of Sakha Republic announced

that we should lease out
all our treasures to Japan,

just let them pay to every Yakut
some amount of dollars

and everything
is going to be all right.

At the time when every region
was governing itself

making its own laws and
controlling execution of its own laws,

these were the signs of losing the country,

as a sovereign state.

At that moment our Republic

wasn't fully in legal framework
of the Russian Federation.

And Vladimir Vladimirovich said very calmly.

Tatarstan has to be fully incorporated in
legal framework of Russian Federation".

Wash out Putin in Hague Tribunal!"
No Tatatarstan’s bread for empire's suckers!"

It would be fair to adopt a special program on
social and economic development of Tatarstan

under conditions of full incorporation into
legal framework of Russian Federation.

And he said: "This is correct
presentation of the problem".

I must say that it was done
in couple of months.

First winter, the first president's winter,

in the Russian Far East.

There were left without heating

250 thousand, then 300, 400 thousand people,

entire cities and villages.

Hospitals weren't functioning because of cold,

no heating at all.

Complete chaos...

vertical power structure,
putting it mildly,

is probably not restored yet

the way Putin needed.

Everything is working dreadfully.

Mine workers are on the street.

There is no work mines are closed.

At the same time in Central Siberia

large piles of coal are lying at the harbors.

Coal which is already sold
and awaiting the shipment

to the buyers outside of Russia.

And then president made the decision

that it should be stopped immediately,

coal should be sent to the boiler stations
on the territory of Russia.

Putin could solve this problem
by manual control only.

Radiators, iron radiators,

were transported by airplanes

This was absurd, indeed
in regard of effectivity and costs.

However, it was absolutely justified

in regard of preventing people from freezing.

Heads of 24 cities and regions were fired.

By president's order they were
rousted from warm beds at night

and forced to write resignation
letters right at the doorstep.

Criminal charges were brought.

One way or another,
they started to wake up somehow,

those who retained their job positions.

This was an important and serious example

and both authorities and the president showed
that there is power in the country,

strong power.

January 20, 2001

When George Bush became President

he started making some strong statements
on human rights issues

favourite passages about democracy,
Chechnya, freedom of the media

a standard set of criticisms.

And for a half year or so, there was
a sort of ping-pong of harsh statements.

Washington raised the temperature.

Moscow raised the temperature too.

For a long time Washington made it clear

it was not prepared
to talk to Moscow face to face.

But now the situation has changed.

Today George Bush and Vladimir Putin
shook hands for the first time

in the Brdo Castle
40 km from Slovenia's capital - Ljubljana.

The President listens carefully
to our arguments and hears them.

Can you trust Russia?
I'm not going to answer this question.

I'll ask you the same question.

I'll answer this question.
I looked the man in the eye.

I found him to be very straightforward
and trustworthy.

I was able to get a sense of his soul

a man deeply committed to his country
and the best interests of his country.

We can guess that this phrase
was not prepared in advance

but was his spontaneous
improvised reaction

to his first impression of talking
to the Russian President,

which is confirmed by the fact
that within 7 years they met 18 times!

In terms of personal relations,
Bush and Putin got on really well.

They joked and laughed a lot

But by that time
the USA were already convinced

that Russia had entered a mode
of some colonial democracy,

that we were firmly on the IMF hook,

that we should continue to get instructions
from foreign experts

on how to develop our economy
on where to pump our oil to...

But from the outside,
everything looked very correct

pats on the back words of encouragement
guys, you're on the right track, and so on.

At that time, we all had illusions.

It seemed to us
that after the Soviet Union had collapsed

and after Russia had voluntarily agreed
I'd like to stress it

voluntarily and consciously agreed
to absolute historic limitations

the renunciation of its own territories,
production assets

and so on and so forth...

It seemed to us that after the disappearance
of the ideological component

that used to separate the former USSR
from the rest of the civilized world,

The prison walls would crash... Content,
At door would freedom wait to meet us,

Our brothers, hastening to greet us,
To us the sword will glad present." [Pushkin]

By "brothers" we understood those abroad.

But the "brothers" were not only in no haste
to present the sword to us,

but would have been glad to take
the remnants of the USSR military might.

There is a lot of disillusion
in your words.

Yes as I said, for almost 20 years
I worked for the KGB, in foreign intelligence.

And even I believed
that once the ideological barrier had fallen

and the Communist Party
no longer had a monopoly on power,

everything would change fundamentally.

No. There hasn't been
any fundamental change.

Because, as it turns out

such simple things
but they don't occur to you at once

there are also geopolitical interests,
that have nothing to do with any ideology.

And our partners should have realised
that such country as Russia

has - and cannot but have
its own geopolitical interests,

and that we should
treat each other with respect

and seek mutually beneficial solutions.

But respect is based on strength
and fairness of your position.

Yes, yes...
One well-known person once said.

You can get much farther
with a kind word and a Smith & Wesson

than you can with a kind word alone.

Unfortunately, he was right.

You had the kind word,
but not the Smith & Wesson.

And you had to restore the army
to a large extent,

to revive the economy
to save the military-industrial complex...

Yes, it’s true...

But we had to start with the economy,
of course.

We had large debts.

I remember, the January of 2001
was the most difficult time.

We got together
in the first days of January

and discussed if we were able
to carry on servicing our external debt,

if we were up to it.

The debt was 140% of GDP.
That was the worst-case scenario.

The interest on debt gobbled up
a third of the budget, roughly speaking.

So that was the debt that Putin got
in the situation the country was in

When got the picture, more or less,

that we were entering
a completely new phase

we realised we didn't have
any new mechanisms, this is first,

and second, we unfortunately
didn't have enough people

who could come up with some suggestions
in the situation.

Putin was on very good terms with president
of the World Bank - James Wolfensohn.

We made an agreement with Wolfensohn

that he would bring in
a number of world's leading specialists.

So we would meet with those outstanding
world's leading experts

and Vladimir Vladimirovich
would spend 3-4 hours talking to them.

He asked a lot of questions

He was keen to learn
about other countries' experience,

about possibilities that we had.

The first four years,
we didn't have the majority in Parliament.

We had to work hard with different fractions
to get one or another decision through.

We were making reforms
with massive support from Putin.

It was enough for us to feel
that he was behind us

and we knew that he would support us
if need be.

We adopted a 10-year development programme
for the country.

If we look at the facts,
before Putin, even in the new Russia,

there wasn't anything similar
to this 10-year programme.

I heard a loud bang,
the windows were smashed,

I saw people jumping out of the windows,
they tried to survive.

My God. it was so terrifying.

September 11, 2001.
I remember it as if it were yesterday.

My assistant rushes in
and tells me to turn on the TV quickly.

I turn on the CNN
and see that terrible footage.

President Putin was the first
to call President Bush.

That call was the natural reaction
of the President

who totally understood
what the international terrorism is.

Russia has first-hand knowledge
of terrorism.

That's why we can best of all

understand the feelings
of the American people.

Addressing the people of the USA
on behalf of Russia

I would like to say
that we are together with you.

I call the President and he asks me
What are your first suggestions?

I say, I've got one first suggestion

Our nuclear forces are due to hold drills
on September 12, which was planned earlier.

So what do you suggest he asks.

It's up to you to decide, I say.
But I think we should cancel these drills.

Good, he says. I support your suggestion.

Let's not get on the nerves of Americans.
Why to get on their nerves at such a moment?

there was fighting going on in Chechnya

and the terrorists
who were taking part in it

including foreigners
from many different countries

were referred to by Americans as
freedom fighters" or "insurgents" at best.

Once our special services documented
what were simply direct contacts

between militants from the North Caucasus

and representatives of US special forces

in Azerbaijan.

They helped even with transport.

And when I spoke about that
to the then President of the US,

he said - sorry, I will speak plainly
I'll kick their asses".

But 10 days later,
my subordinates, the FSB heads,

received a letter from their colleagues
in Washington.

We have had and will have relations
with all the opposition forces in Russia.

We consider we have the right to do this
and we will do this in future.

On no account, never and nowhere
must you even try to use terrorists

to solve your transitory political
and even geopolitical tasks.

Because if you support them in one place
they will raise their head in another.

And they will inevitably strike those
who supported them yesterday.

But you did warn the Western partners.

You told them - why are you supporting
terrorists; it will come back to you.

Yes of course.
But some people thought

especially those in special forces
of Western countries

that if someone is working to destabilise
their main geopolitical opponent

which as we realise now
has always been Russia in their minds

then it is generally to their benefit.

It turned out that's not the case

We continue to live
in the old system of values.

we are talking about partnership,

but in reality we have not yet learned
to trust each other.

In spite of a plethora of sweet words,

we are still surreptitiously opposed
to each other.

Today we must say once and for all.
the Cold War is done with!

Today we must say that we renounce
our stereotypes and ambitions

and from now on will jointly work

for the security of the people of Europe
and the world as a whole.

Today decisions are often taken,
without our participation

and we are only urged afterwards
to support such decisions.

After that they talk again
about loyalty to NATO.

They even say that such decisions
cannot be implemented without Russia.

Let us ask ourselves: is this normal?
Is this true partnership?

After 11th September, 2011, the USA began to
assert that their activities in the world...

is explained by the struggle with the international
terrorism.

This was illustrated most brightly by the situation
with Iraq.

Side by side, the Premier Minister and Russian
President look quite natural in Putin's country

Despite the cold weather, the meeting turned warm.

to freeze. - I hope, no.

This is a very beautiful place. Thank you.

The friendliness of the two leaders didn't help to
remove the controversy on Iraq problem.

The President Putin rejected the document of the
Britain government on massive weapon...

which was named "propaganda" by the Russian
foreign minister.

The two leaders agreed on the necessity of check
out the weapon.

Maybe, there is another point of view concerning
the question...

to what extent we may be sure in existence of
massive weapon in Iraq.

There is one reliable way to learn this: to permit
observers to do their job.

The support of Russia, the permanent member of
the UN Security Council,...

of a new important UN resolution on Iraq will be
significant success.

But this advance is very slow.

Russia intends to protect its interests in Iraq.

Diplomats have a lot of work.

Everybody understood the highest responsibility of
the moment...

for Iraq, for the region, and for the international
system as a whole.

The State Secretary of the USA again accused
Baghdad that it still had an arsenal...

of chemical and biological weapons and means of
their delivery.

To emphasize the threat from Iraq, Colin Powell
demonstrated a "real evidence".

One teaspoon of the dry-powder anthrax was
enough to close the US Senate in autumn of 2001.

We've received information from our American
colleagues that Iraq authorities are linked with al

Our American friends have recently announced this
at the UN Security Council.

I've been in politics not so long. Before, I worked in
secret service.

I believed I knew everything from "inside".

When I came to politics, I understood that my
Russian colleagues and I,...

and French, and other colleagues from special
agencies are just children compared with

The route Moscow - Berlin - Paris is considered to
be symbolic.

The three countries still have a consolidated
approach to the solution of the Iraq problem.

Along with France, Germany, and overwhelming
majority of participants of the international

that the Iraq problem may be and should be
resolved diplomatically.

Despite active resistance of the international
community, the USA launched this war.

I was summoned by President Putin.
Bombardments had already begun.

At that time, there were 3,500 of our specialists
there.

They were not allowed to be evacuated.

I addressed insistently to Saddam Hussein
referring to the errand of my President.

Saddam allowed doing that according to a special
time-table

Our specialists were evacuated, nobody suffered.

President Putin had regular meetings with
President Chirac and Chancellor Schroeder.

They discussed global problems.

It was absolutely clear that the configuration of the
world was changing.

If Europe was united and large, it could have its own
opinion, it would only won.

The concept of big Europe from Vladivostok to
Lisbon was aimed at serious interaction.

This responded to requirements of the XXI century.

Unfortunately, this mechanism was not brought into

after the retirement of President Chirac and
Chancellor Schroeder.

It seemed to have been very promising.

I have not met such hard-working people.

He goes to bed very late and may ring up early in
the morning. When does he sleep?

He can focus on one subject and, after a short time,
on another.

He has an important property, the ability to listen.

He listens to everybody, he provides possibility for
everyone to speak out, sometimes more than

Due to this, conferences can test for many hours,
breaking a schedule very often.

He is often late. This problem actually exists, also
for journalists who write about Putin.

We have gone through much In this sense.

I was a witness a couple of times why these delays
happen.

For example, I asked an additional question at a
meeting with journalists, already when leaving.

He says: "And you, Andrei, stay here."

And I understood at once what happens with him in
real life.

He has infinite calls.

I saw how he was diverted from the conversation
with me.

The Minister of Finances, Alexei Kudrin, rang up.

And there was an intensive conversation with him for
about 20 minutes.

He surely had to be late somewhere else due to

Kudrin believed that it was necessary to give 11
billion dollars to the Paris Club.

This was a difficult and a sort of historical solution.

I asked: "What have you decided?" - "Maybe, we'll
give."

About a week later the news said.

Russia returns debts to Paris Club."

Putin's position was that debts of Russia had to
be as small as possible.

He believed it was necessary to reduce dependency
of Russia on IMF.

He understood that Russia had to be an
independent country.

It would be difficult to o and be in a critical

situation.

We were absolutely import-dependent country until
1998.

I remember how 2,000 people In Krasnoufimsk
stood and yelled: "Give us insulin!"

I think, it was necessary for someone.

The new president gave me a hope and a message.

it's time to stop buying-selling and to take up
production.

We decided: let's build a pharmaceutical European
standard plant.

Our goal was to achieve a very high level.

It was a direct interference of Vladimir Vladimirovich
in a foreign lobby against its pressure.

Everybody told me: "Five teams have failed! What
do you want to do?"

I'm an ordinary man; Putin just helped me to
implement my idea.

We created 300 working places for young jobless
girls.

We understood that along with economical
problems, we resolved a greater problem.

Today, we have insulin much enough to assure the
drug safety of Russia.

There are supplies to other countries and supplies
to the EC are under preparation.

It is a victory, isn't it?

What moments do you have in memory as the
most tragic and difficult?

Of course, these were the terrible terrorist acts.

The terror attacks on the school in Beslan
on the Dubrovka Theatre in Moscow.

Those were perhaps the most tragic moments

which all our people had to go through.

Do you remember the Nord-Ost?
That was not an ordinary terror attack.

The seizure of the building
the seizure of hostages.

I kept Putin informed on a non-stop basis,
day and night.

At that time he didn’t leave his workplace.

A lot of people thought that the main task
was to destroy the terrorists.

No, the main task was to save the people.

It was night already.

I was cut off from my security guards
and let in there.

I met the leader of those terrorists
ovsar arayev.

He was without a mask,
but there were masked gunmen around.

I tell him, let the women and children go

Nowhere in the Koran does it say
that you can fight with women and children.

And he replies, if there is no order
to pull the troops out of Chechnya

he meant the Russian troops

from 10 o'clock in the morning

every half an hour,

I will shoot one person.

after that I went to Vladimir Vladimirovich.

Of course he was worried
and you could see his jaw muscles move.

Of course...

He didn't tell me
that there would be a raid at 4 o'clock.

Careful! Don't touch the wires

It was a severe test.

He's had too many of them
during his time in office.

No President in no country
have met with so many adversities.

Not a one

And every of them, naturally,

is a heavy burden on his shoulders,
on his mind, on his heart.

It was the most terrible day for me.

I couldn't imagine myself
without Akhmad Kadyrov.

After Akhmad-Khaji died,
he invited me to his office.

The President of Chechnya
Akhmad-Khaji Kadyrov

served his people with dignity and courage.

Throughout all these years, he covered
Chechnya and the Chechens with his own body

and he firmly led his republic
to peaceful life.

Akhmad-Khaji Kadyrov departed this life
on the 9th of May,

on the day when all our nation
celebrate Victory Day.

And he left undefeated.

In the first Chechen campaign, I fought
against the federal centre, it's no secret.

We remember how we took Grozny.

Then we left Grozny.

We remember what was the position
of the federal centre.

That's why there was mistrust
towards the federal centre.

And the majority of young people
went to the woods to the mountains...

I was 17 I was young.

Everyone was called to war.
So I went too.

There were different people there

Arabs, people from Jordan,
from Africa too.

Well, mercenaries.
They came to fight for money.

We were not paid.

We thought we were fighting
for our people for freedom.

In 1999 the second campaign began.

The federals had me on their wanted list.

So I couldn't stay at home
I went to the woods again.

There were guys
who had been granted an amnesty.

As soon as Akhmad-Khaji died
the gossip was spread

that they would be persecuted.

There was panic in the republic.

When I was on a visit in Moscow,
I went to President.

I told him about our situation

and said that we need an opportunity
to legalize them somehow.

They were ready to fight for Russia
for our people.

I remember how difficult it was
to make that decision.

In the end, we granted an amnesty
to over 7 000 people.

President Putin, we are with you
and with the people.

That way not 7 000
but 70 000 lives were saved.

The Chechen Republic of today
is a peaceful and flourishing land.

The people live differently,
they see life differently.

I'd like to say something
which might be a bit unexpected

The Orthodox Christians, Muslims,
Jews, Buddhists

people belonging to traditional religions,

that is to those religions that have always
existed on the territory of Russia

they all belong to one civilization.

One distinctive feature of this civilization

is the ability to see people
of a different religious tradition

as one of theirs.

And the President - an orthodox Christian
who goes to Orthodox church

treats people of other religions
as his brothers.

He wishes them happy holidays.

He gives them cooperation and support
for the issues they raise.

When Kazan turned 1000 years
we gathered in the theatre to celebrate it.

Vladimir Vladimirovich went on stage
to congratulate us.

Suddenly he started speaking in Tatar.

If you'd heard the roar of applause he got!

People were smiling.

They just didn't let him
continue his speech.

But he came up with a quick answer

He said, hold on it's not all yet.

This is not all I can.

And he went on speaking in Tatar
and people applauded even louder.

For those...

For those who are only beginning
to learn the Tatar language

and haven't understood everything I said,

I'd like to point out one thing

Kazan has really played
a unique historic role

in building a united nation of Russia

in creating a united and solid people
of Russia.

The ability to find understanding

a common language with the public,

for a leader of any rank
and especially for a leader of a country,

I must say, this is a gift,
it is not simple at all.

I don't think we can talk
about one particular achievement.

He's achieved the most important thing.

He came and started running the country...

I remember the regions
which may not be leaders but live well now,

for example, Kursk, Tambovsk Regions,
Voronezh Region...

They used to be on the brink of ruin.

In the 2000s, wherever you went,
to whatever regional capital...

There was darkness... Egyptian,
puddles, mud, smashed roads...

And look how things are today.

People live in the country
and earn good money, very good money.

They can provide for themselves.

Besides they provide for Moscow
and half of the country

at least half of the country.

After the institute I wanted to try myself,
to work in my profession exactly.

When I saw everything here
for the first time

I was both amazed and excited.

We love all these cows very much.

In these conditions, they ought
to live long and happily and to give us milk.

I came here two years ago.

I've got a flat,
a regular job and a regular income.

If everyone does the job
they like and can do,

the country as a whole will grow
it all depends on us.

This is very important.
This is the food security of the state.

We are surrounded by countries
with developed economies.

We must frankly tell: they press us out from the
perspective markets where it is possible.

Their visible economical advantages give a reason
for a rise of geopolitical ambitions.

All our decisions, all our deeds must become
subject of the idea that in the nearest future

Russia would secure a place among really strong,
economically advanced and influential countries of

In a decade we must at least double GDP.

Many people doubted that it was possible

Somebody even laughed at it, said: Well, it is not
difficult to double it from zero.

First of all, we set a clear and understandable
system of taxes for minerals extraction.

The state started to receive income from gas and

And before this it was not significantly less, it was
not clear, extremely not clear, not fair.

In 2003 a problem with Yukos appears.

As for Khodorkovskiy, he was our colleague.

How did it happen that such story took place is now
hard to explain

And frankly speaking, besides a purely humane
commiseration for Khodorkovskiy

who 10 years, maybe best 10 years of his life spent
where he spent (prison)...

It is like in a family when children are explained that
something is forbidden

they start to check whether it is really forbidden or
is allowed a little.

It was not only Yukos who went the way of
reducing taxes, tax avoidance.

Other companies also. Yukos more.

And after tax police finished investigating Yukos
case,

many companies also paid significant money to the
budget

as a result of extra charges after court decisions.

All your friends say that the main problem with
Putin

is that he finished faculty of Law and likes it very
much.

He always acts within the boundaries of the law.

It is impossible to make Putin breach the law.

It is right. I had very good teachers, very good, I'm
very thankful to them.

They hammered some principles, some
fundamental things into our heads,

which I consider not only correct from book's point
of view, but correct and necessary by life.

I don't remember if I told already or not.

When I came to work in Leningrad department of
KGB, and we planned some...

I don't remember a small operation

and one of our veterans proposed to do something.

And he said that we needed to do this and this.
There were quite many people there.

I told him: "Listen, I think it is illegal."

Next is an interesting thing.

He looked at me with a surprise and said: "What?

We have a certain instruction and said the number
of this instruction of KGB USSR."

I said: "If it exists, then it must be cancelled,

because it contradicts to this law, that law,
contradicts the Constitution."

This is not a joke, I didn't make it up. It was in
reality. I was young, I just came from the university.

They just laughed at me, thank, God, it was already
1976,

it was far from the time of repressions there were
completely different times.

This place is called Russian Calvary - Butovskiy
training area, area of death.

Here the authorities killed its own people without
charge or trial.

The brotherhood grave with length of more than 1
km, dead bodies are set in several layers.

Most of the killed are simple people, arrested for
being late for the work,

accident damage of factory equipment or non
execution of the workday norm.

I was shocked by the story of Butovskiy training
area.

I went the whole way together with him
and understood what was going on with him.

And I could hear him saying: "God, what did they

Honestly speaking, I haven’t written till the present
moment about all what he said then.

Because at a certain moment it seemed to me that
it was a too personal of a story.

He saw the lists of the killed, the gravestone, and
the most important,

he walked on this ground in which these people lied,
where they were shot down.

At this moment it seemed to me that the ground
was burning under his feet.

And this was not an exaggeration.

President Putin, after meeting him, after talking
with him, I realized,

that he may look like extremely cold cool-headed
and cold-blooded.

And he behaves correspondingly.

But I thought that inside of him, in his heart there is
a warm blood

A person who doesn't like to live skilfully, handily.

So, such a person, that if he will need to make
some actions for getting some profit, money, some

and these actions are not acceptable for him, he will
never make such actions.

He had such a great teacher as Rakhlin.

And when he taught judo to the President, he didn't
in a ou e uca ion o a rest en .

He wanted to make one more man by means of
judo.

A person who firmly stands on his feet.

I always say, you know: there are two origins in
every person

There is a personal energy, a personal origin,
emotional, intellectual, and so on.

And there is an energy of the place energy of the
chair.

And they always collide. If the energy of the chair is
stronger, the person is significantly distorted.

If the human origin is stronger than the energy of the
chair energy of money

the person remains the same.

Putin has such powerful human energy that it
overcomes stages of his career,

He invited us to Zavidovo. I remember it was
August.

We sat down in a small pavilion several people, and
he presented the idea of national projects.

National projects concerning the project of
education, medicine,

agriculture and housing projects.

When perinatal centers started to work in Russia
the perinatal center in Yaroslavl,

we felt it. Birthrate has increased significantly here.

Andrey and Aleksandr. This is the second delivery

The elder is a girl, 3 years.

He smiles, look, take photo.

Every year the number of births in the perinatal
center increases.

And this year this number was 500 more than last
year.

Take the matter of mother capital.

This is not just a propaganda of family values,
not just a propaganda that a big family is good.

This is real state policy directed to support the birth
of children.

This is a world view approach, and this is the most
important.

You know, presidents must solve many-sided
tasks.

And economy, and politics, and medicine, and
education

and infrastructure, and oil, and gas, whatever,
international relations.

But no one teaches you to be like this, you become

He has an exceptional capability to grasp the
subject

Himself... he has such an expression: ''I will get
inside it, and then we will talk."

He wants to master something new all the time,
and he masters it.

Invisibly for everybody, he mastered English - bang!
and Putin speaks English

Don't forget that he doesn't have neither days-off
nor vacations.

He does it from 1 till 2 at night, or from 7 till 8 in the
morning. He doesn't have another option.

And he does it anyway.

He had never skated.

Now he plays hockey.

He doesn't speak loud, doesn't yell at anyone. And
thus hides his inner character.

In the beginning skiing for Putin was an intensive
practice

That's why when you see him on a mountain, for
hours uphill and downhill...

He comes for 2.5-3 hours,

and during this period neither a cup of tea nor break
for talking, just uphill and downhill.

I don't know where and how he learnt to play
piano.

I know only that he did it consistently.

In the beginning, we witnessed how he started to
play with one finger, one hand.

Then, in several days the second hand was added.

He is in fact from a usual working family.

The same way like millions of others.

Millions of his compatriots, like me, like you.

- Vladimir Vladimirovych, I need your help. - I listen
to you. - My son is under arrest.

please, help, take care of it.

He was brought up in a multifamily flat.

And indeed this influence was serious.

a crack, water was flooding in in winter.

Look, in principle, no matter how paradoxically it
is, 80% of people can hear him and understand

than 20 % of officials and the intellectuals.

It seems to me, he feels his role, first of all, as a
defender of simple people.

People pass him some notes all the time, some
pieces of paper,

something is written by pencils with uneven
handwriting.

He take it by himself, or when he has full hands, he
passes to someone of assistants.

And the most awful for assistants is when in two
hours he asks: Where are these pieces of papers?

I say: Which? He says: An old woman gave me, we
stopped in the street.

The telephone rings, he says: During some trip, an
old woman approached me...

a certain family applied to me.

In my trip there was a corresponding manager,

he has all original information how to find this
person, call him and solve the question.

The winter started. - Yes. Welcome. - Thanks.

We decided to look, with Yevgeniy Stepanovych,
how your medicine, culture works...

You are interested in what people tell you.

You look at people with whom you talk and want
to listen.

Why? Because you want to find another source of
information? A tuning fork?

No. In general I don't try to find some extra
sources, tuning forks...

I don't need to search for it, I have it all.

I don’t even know why. It is even hard for me to tell,
you understand?

I say that not to make myself look good I just feel
myself as a part.

A part of our country, our people. Certainly
it is important for me, when we meet with people...

These signals come to me immediately, when I feel
that people are not satisfied with something,

anxious about something, worried about something.

Certainly, such feedback is necessary, but it can be
like hitting a wall.

But can reach.. Thank God, this feeling is not lost
yet, and I manage to feel it at once.

It is precisely that... I have never been in so called
elites. This is really good indeed because...

when people live in another stratum... are born
there,

it is also not bad thank God, there are own big
advantages there too.

when people are born, live, brought up in a certain
elite society, there are also advantages.

But I have been watching for a long time...

I highly respect such people, and envy a little,
because initially,

from first steps of life they manage to absorb many
important useful things,

which help to achieve big results in various fields.

But for the person who deals with work which I do
now and the previous years,

this link and feeling of fellowship with people,
usual people are highly important and helps in work.

My mother told me: Be afraid of those for whom
the power is a dream.

Go to those for whom the power is a cross.

I came to Vladimir Vladimirovych and said: Vladimir
Vladimirovych, we must rebury lllyin.

Illyin is a genius Russian philosopher, this is a
person who

all his life tried to explain himself and others and
to understand what is going on, why it takes place

Illyin died abroad, in Switzerland.

In short, the lease of the land for IIlyin's grave came
to the end.

And according to Swiss laws another person could
be buried there if this grave is not looked after,

if there are no relatives.

And then Vladimir Vladimirovych heard that and
took closely to his heart and personally.

And the decision was made to rebury Illyin on the
cemetary of Donskoy Monastery.

Brothers and sisters! Today we are participants of
a historical even

Co-memorable sons of Russia come back to the
native land.

general Anton Ivanovych Denikin and philosopher
Ivan Aleksandrovych lllyin together with their wives.

This is not just a physical transfer of remains of
two great persons to our land.

I hope this is the beginning of the end of the dreadful
civil war.

Reburial of lllyin, reburial of Denikin, and before that
reburial of Shmelyov, our brilliant author,

these all are fragments directed at consolidation, at
stopping of the civil war in heads.

The motion to gather that spiritual strength

earned by these great Russian people throughout all
their lives

devoted to thoughts and deeds concerned with
Russia.

If you see the scale of a country and try to make
this atmosphere common,

only In this case 80% can tell you: Yes, we are
together with you.

At the same time, people who not just live, live not
well,

who have problems, who have big claims to local
authorities and to supreme power

but when they understand that there is a person
above them for whom the power is a cross and he

and he consolidates the society, and only national
interests become his personal interests

when he bears responsibility for everyone, including
the whole country,

only in this case people who not just live, can say.
Yes, we are together with you, we will be patient.

At that moment young Russia had no large-scale
projects and large-scale victories,

which would allow to show the whole world that

we are not a shatter of a great empire, but we are
an independent,

big, serious state with our own achievements,

ambitions.

And in 2005 the application for winter Olympic
games was made.

Frankly speaking, I'm a sinner.

I didn't believe that we would be given the right to
organize winter Olympic games.

On the eve of a session of International Olympic
committee in Guatemala,

where the question was whether Putin should go to
Guatemala or not,

what if we suddenly lose, I told him: "Vladimir
Vladimirovych,

if you don't go, I guarantee that we will lose.

But if you do go, then there is a risk that we will
lose anyway."

But without you going we stand no chance.

When Vladimir Vladimirovych arrived to
Guatemala within 2 days

there were 30-40 meetings with key members of the
International Olympic committee.

It lasted non-stop day and night.

And there was a rehearsal at which he arrived.

And we rehearsed the entrance, he participated in it
ry disciplinarily.

But for us the most important thing was to
determine the chronometry.

And he took out his precious papers and I was full
ears.

He says: Are you ready? I say: Yes.

He says: Let’s go. I turned on.

And nothing happens. He reads to himself.

He says: That's all. Stop.

Dear President! Members of the International
Olympic committee! Ladies and Gentlemen!

I ask you to support Olympic dream of millions f
Russians who are waiting for our decision with a

Thank you.

It was like an explosion, like a bomb We needed
to show,

like they say now, respect to the International
Olympic committee.

So that they would understand that they were given
a gesture of real respect.

These two phrases in French - bang! And it
happened.

Olympic games are ours, that's it.

The question of the country is perhaps the major
value

Then perhaps, a question of family, personal
relations and friendship, maybe.

He always shows devotion of such friendly relations.

I know how hard he suffers personal betrayal.

I know people with whom he had good relationships.

After they made some deeds which didn't comply
with his idea of peace and decency,

he just cut them out and never met with them again.

Personal contacts, personal contacts exist
exactly to be kept in private.

But I can tell several things.

Some time ago a CD was made... in 1999, I
guess...

The CD is called "Songs of the country which

doesn't exist any more".

Very good songs, good singers and words, and
music.

Sometimes we sing.

They say: We choose our enemies and friends by
ourselves, but neighbours are God given.

We are neighbours given by God.

I think that there are no more such close neighbour

allied relations like between Russia and
Kazakhstan.

It is objective, let no one get offended, we are the
closest countries.

Now we are talking about Eurasian Economic
Union.

This project is proposed by me. Now they say that
Russia is making a new Soviet Union.

Everybody is called... I proposed it because if
European Union is made, it is normal, right?

And if we start to say something it is bad.

This is a usual approach to such questions.

Desperate attempts of some countries to save their
role of the only development center,

the only center of the world control

have resulted in erosion of the international law, the
notion of the international security,

European security. The erosion of Yalta system has
started

of the unipolar conditions,

and tendency to the world supremacy.

Whatever has happened in the history of the
mankind.

However, what is the unipolar world?

However this term is decorated, it finally means in
practice only one thing.

this is one center of power, one center of force, one
center of decision making.

This is the world of one master of one sovereign.

I was surprised by the reaction of German and
other foreign journalists.

They forgot that they were journalists.

They stopped taking notes, they were sitting with
their mouths open

watching and listening what he was saying

One-sided, often illegitimate actions haven’t solved
any single problem.

Moreover, they have become the generator of new
human tragedies and trouble spots.

From one side - shock, from another - hidden
dissatisfaction They came to me: Why so sharp?

I say: What was sharp?

Speaking about this issues as an old soldier of the
Cold War, I would like to draw your attention

that one of the speeches almost caused a nostalgia
about those less complicated times.

Almost.

Many of you have big experience in diplomacy or

politics.

I, like one more speaker, have completely different
experience - experience of intelligence activities.

I suppose that old spies have a habit of blunt
speaking.

Fine, I will then answer on that I can read by
myself.

And if I don't answer, you will remind me your
questions.

What would be with Kosovo and Serbia?

Only Kosovans and Serbians can know it.

And let's not decide for them

how they should make their life.

One should not make himself a God and solve all
problems for all peoples.

We can only create conditions and help people to
solve their problems.

We got acquainted with Putin in one very small
department of one very big organization.

Big organization is certainly KGB of USSR,

and small department, it's really a small
department, of foreign intelligence.

We served as young officers, senior lieutenants,
captains.

At that time there were illegals in our department

Those who came back to the motherland after... 20
years of illegal work in the West.

We recall them with Vladimir Vladimirovych, when
we have some free time to reminisce.

People served, you understand by yourself, not for
money.

They risked hugely.

And whatever happened to them - these are illegals.

They were a live example.

They worked for the country, for the motherland

This is the essence.

Without any political colour, ideology and so on

After serving in KGB and intelligence, his entrance
in democratic life,

meeting new rules of life, possibilities took place
precisely during the work with Sobchak.

It was Sobchak being a bright character and
one of the leading activists,

accelerated his understanding of all events.

We all went out of the country, we considered
that the country had to prevail over everything.

And, to my mind, Sobchak taught us all how we
can keep balance,

where we can see new possibilities of democratic
country democratic order

freedom of opinion discussion defense of opinion
political competence.

in 2008, after serving two terms of presidency,
Putin had an incredibly high rating.

The question arose and it was the main question.

would Putin stay for the third term or finally
according to the Constitution

would leave this position, the most important for the
country which didn’t get strong yet

to another leader. This question bothered everybody.

Thoughts and talks were only about it.

Vladimir Vladimirovych, during last 2-3 years
appeals to you

to stay for the third term sounded more and more
often.

More likely, a part of your team also tried to
influence you in this matter.

How big was the temptation to consent to these
suasions and to stay for the third term? Thanks.

I had no temptation to stay for the third term.

Never.

From the first day of work as the President of
Russian Federation, I decided at once

that I would not breach the working Constitution.

I got this vaccination during the work with Anatoliy
Aleksandrovych Sobchak.

And I think it is an important signal to the society in
general.

Everyone must obey the working law, starting with
the head of the state.

To your mind, what was your main success,
main achievement at the position of the state head?

And what has gone wrong? What do you consider
as your main failure during these years? Thanks.

I don't see any serious failures. All set goals were
achieved, tasks - completed

I'm not ashamed in front of people who chose me
twice for the position of the President of Russian

All these 8 years I worked hard like a slave
galley, from the morning till night.

And did it with full force.

I'm satisfied with results of my work

Hundreds of thousands of tourists and heads of 40
countries of the world are guests.

All at 300th anniversary of Saint Petersburg.

Veteran of the war, Mayerbeck Dzgoyev was one of
the first to get a course at the multifaceted medical

Unique equipment is installed here.

A tanker of ice class is commissioned.

Prayer towers can be seen from any point of
Groznyy, even at night.

The heart of Chechnya already claims for the title of
the biggest mosque in Europe.

The North pole is ours.

We have it, friends. - It goes, it goes...

Hello, Russia Hello, Moscow.

We have a chance to develop like we did it last
years.

And I am sure we have to choose this way. We have
all chances for this.

Did you get cold? - No.

Can you give me one minute? - Yes.

Elections of the President of Russian Federation
took place.

In 2008 when Putin started to work as the Prime
Minister

It seemed that it would be... the time of resting on
your laurels.

I.e. he was the head of the state, he saved the
country from collapse.

He set it on trajectory of stable development.

He paid all debts.

With external, with internal.

He raised the living standards of the population

and he raised it not for the future generations, but
for the present.

This never happened in the history of our country

And in theory, he had to enter the this wonderful
white house at Krasnopresnenskaya quay,

sit down in the cabinet and say: Thanks God.

And the world crisis broke out

In fact, it was 45 Everybody was scared nobody
lived in such a strong stress of the world scale.

And again, what has Putin done?

He went to the public and said: I bear responsibility
that 1998 would not repeat.

I bear personal responsibility

Turn up his sleeves, and kept on rowing his galley
from dusk till dawn.

The fate of tens of thousands of people was at
stake.

If the state didn't help they would just go to streets
and became unemployed.

How many people worked here?

Around 3 000 people worked here before the crisis.

At this enterprise? - Yes. Now 2 345.

Are listed? - Right. Among them 2 thirds are in
down time.

At one working site there were three joint stock
companies.

And at a certain point we got messed

so that we couldn't find a solution which would allow
the work of the company.

I don't see your signature. Come here and sign.

Come to me.

Here is the agreement.

Give me the pen back.

I consider that you made thousands of people as
hostages of your ambitions,

on-professionalism or maybe obvious greed.

It is absolutely unacceptable.

And where is that social responsibility of business?

Where is it?

Here, you know, the matter is not in offence.

You can discuss it for a long time.

You can remain in stupor, let's say.

Not solving some problems. He understands that
he is the last person who has to make this

So that these matters would not be discussed but
some actions started.

Now as for administration.

Nobody will persuade me that the management of
the region and other levels

as done all what depended on them in order to
help people.

When I said that was going to come here, what did
they replied?

No need, let's go I will show you another company
which is recently built.

Certainly, well done that you built a new enterprise.

Why did you start to run about like cockroaches
just before my arrival?

were there no people earlier who were able to
make decisions?

All salary debts must be paid.

This is 41 242 000 RUB. The deadline is today.

Thanks. Good luck.

During the crisis, when job cuts started,

the complex launched such a huge project as 5000
rolling mill.

It saved people from absence of work.

Now, tubes which we produce, are used for
complicated pipelines like North Stream.

Now for the Power of Siberia for production of
submarines

This naturally results on salary, i.e. lately the level
of life risen significantly.

We can see real changes. What is used in
Russia?

To believe people in practice but not in words.

On August 8th 2008, if you remember, it was the
opening day of Beijing Olympic games.

We appeared in the same residency.

And in one room we were sitting and talking, at that
time his telephone rang,

I said: I will go. He said: No. stay here.

At that moment he was informed what events took
place in North Ossetia

And he listened, listened, put down the receiver, and
was very upset.

I asked: What happened? I thought something
happened at his home,

something special. I have never seen him like that.

And he says: Can you imagine? Our peacekeepers
were attacked,

and several soldiers were killed. What did they do?
What did they do?

The situation developed dramatically for 17 years.

Russian Federation performed peacekeeping
functions for 17 years.

It helped to keep peace and calm there

It prevented murders which took place from 90s.

And tried to keep the unity of Georgian state.

Nonetheless after the aggression and genocide

which was started by the regime of Saakashvilli

the situation changed and our main task was to
prevent humanitarian catastrophe,

to save lives of people for whom we bear
responsibility.

He made decision at once to fly from Beijing to
Ossetia.

And he goes straight to people, certainly. This is
typical.

I.e. all what is concerned with military actions,
he was informed during the flight, and he goes at

Camps of refugees hospitals where the wounded
stay.

It is a genocide. - A real genocide. They kill the
wounded.

My child of 5 months who wasn’t even born, left,
he didn't even see his father, why... I don't know.

He was accompanied his personal photographers,
his personal cameraman.

I don't know how my father-in-law is, who left in the
village, old man, ill old man.

And then he quite toughly gave command
to stop recording because these ladies really had a

And it was utter darkness, cameraman just lit the
way with this light so that no one would stumble.

You have like Presidency of trials. You overcome
something, another thing falls on you.

Chechnya campaign, terror acts, the crisis,
Ossetia.

It goes in a long line, it seems that you solved, and
there is again and again.

As a manager, at what moment do you feel more
comfortable.

when there is a war or when it is peace and
everyday routine?

I worked as the chairman of the government.

I like this job very much.

It is definite, clear... not clear, but anyway it is...

more concentrated at certain questions.

And one can see the result at once.

what you did right, what wrong, where you made a
mistake.

When the task has a more global character,

then the result can not be understood
at once what it would be in certain time.

However, indeed, I have never thought about it. I
always start from what I have,

and I solve those tasks which are set for me.

In the beginning of 2009 I was at the meeting with
Putin in Sochi,

when the fate of Olympic infrastructure was
discussed.

In the course of the meeting Putin called many
times so that the budget money would be saved.

Because on the one hand we needed to build
beautifully, awesome,

and on the other hand, there is the crisis,

there is little money in the budget and we should
save.

At certain moment after reminding about saving
again, he said: Money is people's.

And he said it so quietly, without pathos.

But the voice quaked and it was seen that he was
worried personally about it.

He really considers that the money is people's, i.e.
earned by the whole country.

And thus it must be spent assiduously.

Such quantity of trips like at that time to
enterprises, factories, Rosselmash, Avtovaz, he has

Besides that this was the summer when awful fires
took place.

And we went right the other day to this burning
villages, met with people

who sometimes were ready to tear apart
any representative of the authority who would .

we are dying, help us, Vladimir Vladimirovych,
help us...

Why did no one do it? Why did you refuse from
everything?

We stood for you... - Who stood for us?

We will restore nothing from these firebrands.

We will build new houses.

Why did he allow it? - Now, now, wait a second.

I want everyone to hear this, can everyone hear me
well?

Until winter all houses will be built.

Our village will be restored, do you promise us?
Yes, I promise, your village will be restored.

These trips covered with smoke and flame of that
Premier-Minister time come to mind first.

Then it was a real toil: everyday, getting deep into
the soil.

It was a work on a field.

Then I remember how we went to the same places,
but with new houses built

I invited you for house warming. Let's go inside.

The heating is at the minimum.

As for the gas, the governor told me: We will not
finish in time.

Finished in time. - In time.

Considering the proposal to put
my name at the top of the party list,

to get involved in party activities

and in case of successful elections,

my readiness to take over
practical work in the government

I think that it would be fair

if Congress would support nomination
of Vladimir Putin, Chairman of the party,

as a president of the country!

When Medvedev proposed Putin
and Putin proposed Medvedev,

it did seem to everyone
quite arrogant so to say

towards their voters.

that there weren't actually
any real elections.

And those who didn't make
their choice in Putin's favor

during the presidents elections

those were the ones who came over.

They came to Bolotnaya Square

to say that they had different opinion.

I came to Bolotnaya to see all this.

But they occupied the podium

and immediately took the charge of
who is allowed to stand on it or not.

Later I was sitting in the bar
in the neighborhood

and listening to their ridiculous talks

that they will overthrow
Russian government,

that they won, they spoke up.
I found it extremely funny.

I had very thorough
conversation with Putin.

I told him that probably
I will go to Sakharov Avenue

I’m not going to say what he told me,

but there weren't
any restrictions at least.

I simply thought that

for the first time on Sakharova Ave

will be those representatives of middle class
who were never out on protests.

We have to organize platform for a dialog!

Otherwise there will be a revolution!

Otherwise we'll lose the chance
we are having today.

I tried to give authorities
and Putin a push

and to find the grounds
for such dialog with people

who sincerely care about
situation in the country.

But since these people
got very much mixed up

with more radical groups
and with nationalists.

that's why I noticed later

that Putin doesn't see any
representatives for a dialog there.

In Putin's opinion, they
have crossed the red line then.

They started to beat up policemen.

He's killed!

It was decided that investigation
will take place

and if information will be confirmed,

that this man hit the policeman,
he'll be put in jail then

And it did happen.

Most important is that

it was not only in accordance with
the laws of Russian Federation

but also with internal morals of Putin.

They are out flying the hang-glider.

Out flying it and falling to
the right, the left of the wing.

Good birds!

Beautiful guys, cute ones.

Kseniya Sobchak,
your consistent opposer,

projected this whole situation

on election statistics.

I don't know if you heard about it.

So, 63% of the cranes followed Putin,

the rest have chosen to fly to the South

and only a small group stayed to make
nests on squares and boulevards.

Thus, not all cranes flew after Putin.

Why don’t I hear applause?

That's true.

Not all cranes flew... right away.

Only the weak cranes didn't fly.

And only on the first try.
On the 2nd try everyone flew!

Even though.

I have to admit,
I have to tell you honestly,

a reason that not all cranes flew right away,

it was also their leader's.

Cause in certain moments,

I mean bad weather and strong side wind,

pilot is forced to gain
height and speed quickly.

Otherwise the system
can turn over

What else can I add?

There are little birds indeed,

who don't fly in a flock at all,

they prefer to make their nests separately.

Well, what can we do?

This is a different kind of problem.

Even if they aren't part of the flock,

they are still part of our population

and we should treat them nicely.

There were people,

Khodorkovsky and Berezovsky, for instance

who took absolutely intransigent
aggressive stand against him.

Vladimir Vladimirovich,

one year ago you pardoned Khodorkovsky.

He promised you to stay away from politics.

But now he is even announcing
his presidential ambitions!

I have a question in this regard.
don't you regret...

And where is he going to run for president?

Mr Khodorkovsky appealed to me for a pardon,

he has sent a relevant paper at least.

And it seemed that he wasn't
planning to go in politics.

But when I was making
a decision about pardon

I wasn't considering
whether he will do it or not,

whether he'll go into politics or not.

It's his choice.

I was considering
humanitarian grounds instead.

He was writing me then
that his mom was seriously ill,

mom is a holy cause you know!

am saying this without any sarcasm.

And he served most part of his
punishment in places of imprisonment.

What would be the point
of keeping him there,

considering that he could
miss saying goodbye to his mom?

Mother played a part there of course

because humanity is very important.

Berezovsky wanted
to return to the country.

And Berezovsky was talking about
his love to the country etc.

That's right.

He was writing that he has
made many mistakes,

caused damage.

He was asking to forgive him and
allow him to come back to Motherland.

He was ready to allow him
to come back to the country.

He is a strong enough person

to forgive those who are
unforgiving to himself.

September 5th, 2013

Last night Barak Obama
flew across the Atlantic

in order to launch a diplomatic offensive.

And I also look forward
to discuss situation in Syria.

I think that we should take seriously

our joint recognition that
chemical weapon use in Syria

is not only a tragedy,

but also a breach of international law.

Barak Obama flew from Stockholm
to G-20 Summit in St Petersburg,

though one-on-one with Vladimir
Putin was not in his schedule.

Earlier they were ready

though in Syria regard
there were preferences only.

If M Obama is not able
to persuade world leaders

that military response is the only option

then convincing Congress and Americans

on primary voting held next week

will be even more complicated.

Couple of days prior to making a decision

in regard to begin to bomb Damascus

in order to overthrow the regime

under the pretence that Syrian
government used chemical weapon,

though no evidence was ever presented.

On G-20 Summit in St Petersburg
Putin made a proposal.

He simply said: "Since you are so
worried about chemical weapon

let's work on convincing Syria

to sign convention on the
prohibition of chemical weapon

and promise to destroy them.

There is no need to bomb.

if it's all about the chemical
weapon and nothing else.

In this case we are ready
to use our influence

to convince Syria to join convention

on the prohibition of chemical weapon

and would sign with a relevant organization

agreement on its destruction.

I would like to remind you, that
using force against a sovereign state

is solely allowed in case
of the self-defence,

and as we know,
Syria isn't attacking USA,

and secondly,

by the decision of UN Security Council.

As one of the summit
participants said yesterday,

Those who act otherwise,
put themselves outside of the law."

In the beginning there wasn't any dialog.

There was a handshake
on the meeting ceremony.

Some people said it was cold,

others that it was timid or aggressive

Next morning totally unplanned
contact took place.

Every participant of G-20 was witnessing

that they started to talk.

Putin and Obama.

They started this conversation on foot

and then sat down in
a corner of a small hall.

It was continuing
for few minutes at first.

All country leaders were
standing there and waiting.

Five, ten minutes have passed.

They weren't paying attention of course
to what was happening around.

I guess that in terms of the protocol

there was an awkward pause.

But it didn't really hang in the air,

cause all leaders of the countries

were glancing into the corner
where two presidents were sitting

and we could feel the
complete understanding

of how important this talk
was for the whole world.

Of course Putin and
Obama didn't succeed

in solving Syria’s problem.

However...

disposal of the chemical weapon stocks

which Syria had back then

did take place and it is completed.

And who knows,

if they wouldn't reach an agreement then
on disposal of the chemical weapon

what could have happened today

if it would get into the hands of ISIS?

Into the hands of people who
are cutting off heads

burning people alive etc.

He was urging his partners
to make agreements

not for a half-step ahead,
not for a period of 2-3 years

when on the next elections

they'll need to impress the voters
with a new glamorous victory,

no it should be a bit further

Looking beyond the horizon.

You see that's the thing

which really differs our
Western partners from Putin.

So, you are proposing this
concept of the fair world order,

but you suddenly find out that the world
isn't willing to listen to you.

They are calling black white
and vice versa.

Do they fear the role Russia
began to play in the world?

When from practically failing state

it suddenly became a
powerful political player?

When you became if I may say so

the leader of the conservative part

of both European and American society?

Well, you are digging too deep.

Sometimes I get a feeling

that they like us only when we
need humanitarian aid from them.

Everything is good then,
they are sending potatoes,

and I'm very thankful for that
no kidding,

many people were doing this sincerely,

ordinary people in particular

However so-called establishment,

political and economic elites
of these countries

they only like us when we are poor
and standing with a begging bowl.

As soon as we start talking
about our interests

and they start feeling sort of
geopolitical competition,

they don't like that.

Well, would you like if a new guy
comes to your TV channel,

strong, powerful and young,

with good manners
and encyclopedic education

and will be slowly pushing you out?

You'd be struggling too
and start fighting him.

You know that's the human nature.

Same story for international relations.

I am strongly convinced

that we aren't breaching
any game rules.

By the game rules

I mean primarily
public international law,

UN Charter and everything
associated with it.

It concerns our relations with Ukraine

it concerns situation in Crimea,

it concerns how we position ourselves

in other regions of the world,

in regard to fighting
international terrorism.

It concerns our problems
in the field of global security.

By that I mean for instance

our position on USA withdrawal
from the crucial treaty

on the limitation of
Anti-Ballistic Missile Systems.

When we start bringing this up,

when we mention for instance
that there is a threat

of NATO expanding to the East

and military infrastructure
approaching our borders

That's how you go out for confrontation.

And at this moment

as we can see, it took the form
of so-called sanctions.

I was mentioning it
in my address already,

that it's no more than the attempt

to restrain Russia's development.

We see such attempts
during all Russian history,

from the tzar's times.

This attempt of restraining Russia

it's a policy known for centuries.

There is nothing new.

However, we shouldn't be too worried.

was hoisted and
I was singing really loud.

Almost shouting.

Because country under this flag won

and I just wanted to sing
very loud and to shout

During Olympics and all
these events in Kiev and Ukraine,

when anti-Putin propaganda
(or even hysteria) started in Kiev,

Putin is here, he is killing Maidan,

Putin is shooting our children."

That's what was happening

and from a private matter it became
public and even national one,

and disability to control the situation

and the way Western
partners were acting.

And when I saw Putin gritting his teeth

I suddenly realized that some new
strategy will be launched now.

Cause there wasn't anything said,

no glass was returned
on the table this time

everything was very peaceful and quiet.

It was clear though that he saw
himself as representative of Russia,

which was not respected and they
tried to push away and insult.

It's a feeling of adequacy to the country,

to the history of this country,

it's a feeling of a certain mission.

You start understanding that this is history.

The most important for us
was to understand

what do people living in Crimea want.

Do they want to stay in Ukraine
or to be with Russia?

And if people do want to return to Russia

and don't want to be
under the rule of neo-Nazi,

extreme nationalists and banderovites,

we don't have a right to desert them then.

And this is absolutely a matter of principle.

That's what I was telling
to my partners back then.

I was telling them

that this was a crucial issue for us.
people.

I don't know what kind of interests
you will be defending,

but we'll go till the end defending ours.

And this is extremely important.

Not because we want
to get a piece of the pie.

And not even because Crimea's
strategic importance in Black Sea region.

But because it's an element
of historical justice.

I believe that we did the right thing.

And I don't regret anything.

We flew to Crimea for referendum.

It’s incredible feeling!

We saw families going out with balloons,

kids with flags of Russian Federation.

And all of them are going to elections

with happy faces.

I saw sober guys crying
on the square in Simferopol

Not drunk!

Crying from the feeling of
incredible happiness,

that finally they have returned home

There was a performance
on the fly and we sang.

Russia,

from Crimea to Yenisei."

From Crimea to Yenisei...

They were so incredibly happy!

Everybody I have seen.

After a long hard and exhausting voyage

Crimea and Sevastopol

are returning to the home harbor

to the home shores

to the permanent registration harbor.
to Russia!

RUSSIA! RUSSIA! RUSSIA!

Great! He is simple, cool. I like him.

I think he is tough enough, but... I think if you are a
president of a big strong country

you must be big and strong the same way as the
country.

How many pull-ups do you do?

50. - Really?

preparing the same way. - These are our people.

That generation which grew up during Putin times
is the majority of our society

which will lead Russia further next 50 years.

This is the generation which step by step have
learnt to say the word 'patriotism',

This is the generation which have learnt to wear
dresses with Russian flag, and be proud of it.

This is the generation which knows that this, this
and this in our country

is much better than anywhere else in the world.

What was 15 years ago? Disbelief and ruins in
heads

Then a hope, and today unlimited trust that we are
building the state correctly

For these 15 years not simply many things have
changed.

We have changed completely.

Our society has become different.

We can see a new, powerful, independent Russia
able to protect itself.

I went to Vladimir and to Suzdal to see the sights.

And in one of Suzdal monasteries I wrote a note for
health.

I was recognized.

Mother Superior of the monastery came up to me,

and says: Aleksey Borisovych, do you know that for
the last year

a number of notes for health of President of Russian
Federation Putin increased drastically?

She says: They write like this in notes for health
President of Russian Federation.

Vladimir Vladimirovych Putin visited our monastery
on September 9th 2005.

It was the first visit of head of Russian state in the
history of Athos.

After the ceremonial welcome in the capital city of
Athos, Karyes,

Vladimir Vladimirovych took the driver’s seat

and drove to Iveron monastery.

And just at the exit there was a mule of Athos
standing

First there was a police car. then I drove on my car,
and after me President drove

And just before him this mule, for some reason, ran
out to the road and ran strictly in the middle of the

He tried to take to the left, and the mule took to the
left, to the right - and that to the right, such

So, the President understood that something was
wrong, and he followed the mule.

I must tell you: there was nothing like this in Athos.

So that a mule or a donkey, as we call it, ran in
front of any car and didn't allow to bypass...

there was no such case, never.

But when on the way back we were driving, a car of
police passed by, then I drove by,

we saw that the mule stayed at the same place and
watched us, as if waiting for us.

It passed us by without problems, like nothing
happened.

We stopped and looked back what would be next

As soon as the car of Vladimir Vladimirovych
appeared from the turn,

this mule, as if was waiting, ran out to the road at
once, turned around

police car and my car were watching it,

and it started to run uphill which is harder.

Again the same way, in the middle of the road
ahead of the President's car.

When going uphill, the mule, maybe because of
fatigue, slacked down

Vladimir Vladimirovych slacked down, he didn't
bypass it. But the mule broke in pace.

And it could be seen that it ran out, Vladimir
Vladimirovych took a little to the left.

started to bypass it, reached it and stopped near it,
it was recorded from the car.

And the mule also stopped stone-still at once.

And several minutes, I can’t tell you exactly, I didn't
count... we saw that they were standing.

Honestly saying, I can’t explain it.

Certainly, I want to notice one thing: if it happened
it is a certain sign of Holy Mother, patroness of

It was a certain sign to the President. But I think it
is easier for him to understand it.

He never comes unprepared for any events.

When he comes to such events like a press
conference or live stream,

he prepares for many many days.

He has 100% concentration, 100%. Every time...
tension..

maybe it has to do with inner concentration

Because Presidents come to speak such
Presidents like Putin,

the price of his words is too high.

Vladimir Vladimirovych, things that happen to our
economy now is a payback for the Crimea,

maybe it's time to tell frankly about it?

No, it is not a payback for the Crimea.

This is a payback... or to be precise, it is a
payment for our natural wish

to save ourselves like a nation, like a civilization,
like a state.

I made an example at so called Valdai club and
recalled our most recognized symbol

a bear, who guards its taiga.

You know what if I continue such analogues... the
idea comes to my head as well.

maybe our teddy-bear must sit calmly, not run pigs
and gilts around taiga

and eat berries, honey, maybe it will be left alone.
They will not leave it alone.

Because they will always try to enchain it.

And as soon as they enchain it, they will tear away
both teeth and claws.

And then, after this, as soon as tear away teeth and
claws, the teddy-bear is not required at all.

They will make a stuffed animal, that's it. That's why
the matter is not in the Crimea.

The matter is that we protect our independence, our
sovereignty and the right for existence.

This is what we all must understand.

When the Crimea started and when the spirit of
patriotism appeared

it suddenly turned out that we have an army.

It suddenly turned out that we have a military
industrial complex.

It suddenly turned out that despite all statements,
including liberal members of your team,

that we shouldn't spend money for defense, it was
unexpectedly, unnoticeably

that the military industrial complex was formed
again to be proud of?

If we didn't have the military industrial complex and
army

we couldn't overcome all problems concerning fight
with international terrorism.

Even at the most difficult times from the point of
view of economy in the beginning of 2000s,

we did not simply gather an army, and then, I have
already told about it,

with total number of 1 million 300 thousand people I
hardly gathered 50 000...

I took troops from the Far East, marines from the
Northern fleet, we made up 50 000 ready for fight.

Now it is a completely different story.

Material conditions of the armed forces until present
was just poor, both moral, and material.

You know, concerning this, I would like to use this
opportunity, as they say in such cases,

again to say thanks to all our soldiers who at that
time difficult for the country

saved the country on their shoulders, with empty
pockets,

and I would say in miserable conditions of the
armed forces. I highly appreciate it!

the famous 6th squadron of 76th air assault
division...

in 2000 around our 100 troopers against 1000-1200

At that time there were such gangs in Chechnya.

The fight was completely unequal.

My son was a commander and guys told that they
heard all messages.

His last words were: Drawing the fire on me.
Farewell, pals.

Their fight lasted around one day and ended with 6
alive from 90 guys, and 84 were lost.

We made the decision, President made the
decision to visit this place.

We didn’t control this area at that time.

When the President flew away, it was still calm.

But when special forces were leaving this altitude,
fighters moved towards this attitude.

It was not your fault that the country appeared in
such conditions that it is now.

But we are happy that there are such people whom
you raised, with whom you lived.

Who stood on the way of further collapse of the
country.

And anyway somebody had to do it.

After the 10th anniversary I phoned everybody,
found all addresses.

Found out all problems, of all, what and who had,
what and who needed.

It was a set of papers this thick.

In ten days I received a phone call: this set of
papers got to Vladimir Vladimirovych.

He wants to meet you.

And every governor visited personally in each family,
found out all problems, everything was solved,

so that everything was made before this meeting
which was appointed with the President in Moscow.

Here, you know, the attitude to those parents who
are left without their children.

Our children, they all gave the oath, that's why they
knew how it could end.

This famous fight.

To my mind, it was already crucial in many aspects
The the course of Chechen campaign.

Because fighters, terrorists, who fought against us, I
think, after this fight, understood

that they would fail to break the fighting spirit and
the will of our army.

Today army is certainly far from what it was 15
years ago.

The President announces and gives command to
make a spot check, for example, Far Eastern

And we raise 156 000 soldiers within hours.

This is thousands of armored vehicles, hundreds of
air crafts and ships.

Number of exercises increased manyfold

In one word: the shell took off.

The army felt itself like army. Officers started to
respect themselves.

The contract service has become attractive and
prestigious.

If there is no army, strong army, all the rest may not
be required.

And this will be not our country.

Moments of absolute happiness?

Oh, it’s hard to tell you.

I can tell that in general we managed..., and
everything together.

All together it may cause some satisfaction

when you understand where we were and what we
have done.

Well, let’s start with the country: we saved the
country.

Raised GDP 2 fold.

In comparison with 1999, the expenses of the
Federal budget have risen 22 times,

if we look at 2014.

Real income of the population risen 3 fold.

The number of our people who lives behind the
poverty line was almost 42 mln people.

And now we have almost in 3 times, 2,8 times less
of people living behind the poverty line.

All this together allowed us to solve one more very
complicated task.

Look, in 1999 and in 2000 the natural decrease of
the population was 929 000 people, to my mind.

I.e. almost 1 million.

The difference between deaths and births was 1
million in favour of the first.

If we lost 1 million every year, i.e. Russia, it is a
catastrophe.

Russia would slowly stop to exist.

We did not only stabilize and break this situation,

and two years in a row we have the natural
increase.

Nobody believed in it.

This is not due to mother capital and other systems
of maternity and childhood support.

This is due to the general situation. I repeat it gives
more confidence to people

in that they can have more children, raise and
educate them, and so on.

This is some kind of a multiplier indeed of what has
been done.

Maybe, all this together, when thinking about, when
analysing it, this can't but bring satisfaction.

For citizens of Nagin in Northern Ossetia

the commissioning of a new sports complex became
a real holiday.

The platform is 130 m above the sea level. This is
like two Spasskiy towers.

The area is just a bit bigger than of a standard

football field

Specialists say: There is no such center with such
equipment in Europe

The new hydro-electric power station on the Angara
has become the most up-to-date hydro-energy of

Besides, all equipment is produced by national
companies.

From today the Russky island is called student's
capital of the Far East.

The Northern stream starts from here. The big road
of Russian gas to the West starts from here.

Russia, in Olympic Sochi, at Olympic level, meets
Formula 1.

The legendary auto race took place for the first time
in Russia.

Today here there are the best pilots of the world.

- The church has its understanding of what authority
must be.

At the same time, this understanding is expressed
not by my close predecessors, not by me.

It exists during the whole history of the church.

The church associates the authority, especially
the top representatives of the authority,

with the must-have requirement.

full devotion of themselves to that service which they
are are called for.

You can't say that this person is working as a
President.

He serves in his country as a President. I think it
speaks for itself.

Vladimir Vladimirovych, 15 years of Presidency,

what does a person who decides to be a President
have to give up?

Some normal everyday life.

It is inevitable. It is impossible to live like a normal
person.

You can’t go to the cinema, can’t go just like this to
the theatre, can't go shopping

which is also not deprived of certain sense and
satisfaction.

But these are not big losses in comparison with...

what the fate and the people give to those persons
who appear in my place.

And this is to make maximum contribution,
everything what depends on me or on us

or those who work at such positions for one’s own
country, people.

It compensates everything.