[applause] translator thank you, please sit down. Good morning. I brought something with me so to start off with your economic performance. If i have theit opportunity u brought me another copy. Thank you. I willti try to use your questis to share the most important states with you and that is a lot of relevance with what will happen in the future. I will try to get to your questions as soon as possible. Its a press conference and i dont want to take too much of your precious time. It is an opportunity for you to do your duty to ask the questions that you feel are the relevant for our people so lets start with questions. Usually the first person to ask a question is a veteran but this year i would like to give the first question to speak to one of the most active media organizations. Thank you very much. Mr. Putin, why are you running for president . What is your goals and mission, what do you want to accomplish for russia . What is your vision at the end oof the endof the term if you w . Translator i painted my vision many times at the event i spokel and i shared my reason so it should be a forward leaning russia. We need to have a flexible and agile systemagilesystem, the ecy on high saint Labor Productivity should increase over times. I do not want to talk about my election promises that i should have and will have like many other candidates but its not the right time to present it. Here are the main things we need to focus our attention on, and itandits relevance its relevant to both for the the people. Nd for. Im sure will go back to these issues, while we were ready for your announcement for you to declare their other people nominated themselves, but the rating within the margin of error. Why do you think the years that you have been ruling, we did not have opposition candidate. Is it boring for you maybe to run without a worthy opponent . There was a poster the for the character of sir i have poor eyesight. Everybody is the freighter me this means grandpa putin, this is what they call you in our republic and i have a question about children in language, should i said question right now . Lets do it right now. Will we know that our republic in many parts of russia had this issue about language and the ministry of education made this decision about minority languages so we would like to revisit this issue, do you have any plans to consolidate different problem . Dont think the National Issues really relevant one. And what we are doing with barrier languages to ensure one goal, every child needs to have a level playing field. So i love the republic of pakistan and i have a lot of friends there. Theyre not only leaving pakistan there also leaving other regions, everyone should have a level playing field. Its important to know the Mother Tongue of your ethnic group should also learn russian, if you take russian universiti universities, the training is done in the russian language so children are leaving the republic should know the russian language well to be able to study at a russian university. The same applies to the chechen language and other ethnic groups. That is something that we should cherish and support. We have to admit that after certain events to the collapse of the soviet union in the 19 90s we have to admit that many regions were to establish randomly. Some of the regions economically performed really poorly. So economy was sometimes make sense to consolidate regions. But to take pakistan another republics with nothing majority, again, heres my signal, we were not going to post anything on those regions because it would have detrimental effects on the unity of russia. Each ethnic groups needs to find a form of coexisting with russian people that they find the most appropriate, so dont have any national or state plans, now back to your question in opposition, no opposition candidate that would be Strong Enough the simplest answer would be should i train for myself . But ive been thinking a lot about our political system in our Economic System should be complicit one and that is my goal. I like to have a balance political system competition is vital. We dont have a high profile opposition figures they cannot compete with those in power. Russia is a very specific country. Damn people dont really remember what happened the 1990s and early 2000s. They cannot really compare what we have today. We do have a lot of problems here today. We come together to talk about problems. We wont try to wear any rose tinted glasses. Our gdp has grown sincere 2000. Industrial production has grown 60 . Gdp grew by 75 cents, manufacturing has been growing really fast, like 60 real wages slowdown due to the crisis in three years but, since the year 2000 real wages have grown 3. 5 times. Mortality rate cut by 2. 7 . And returning to mortality decreased by four times. We also reversed the demographic trend. We do have some problems here, nevertheless, we managed to reverse the trend so we had to downward slopes, but we will take additional measures, i will talk about it today. Im sure will be able to go back to normal. Says 65. 3 right now, almost 73. We were living in a state of the civil war for a long time, six years. Ten years of the civil war, when 18yearold boys, unqualified were sent to the front lines now fast forward to today when we have a strong army and our debt is down by three times and our countrys reserve has grown by 30 times, thats now come thats an achievement. As for the opposition, and achievement, wish and i just have protests in streets, they need to talk about efforts to improve our lives. So we could the better and people have the rights to say we need better. What about the platforms of opposition leaders. Take a look. I feel there is a lot of doubts about the platforms. Thus the root of the problem. They need to present a real agenda, not an agenda based on buzz and protest, im sure we will have an agenda in an opposition figure sooner or later. Lets continue. His been covering the president for 18 years, strictly speaking 16 years, but still quite a lot. My question is simple, mr. Putin, you are running, you can run on your behalf, you can run on behalf of the movement or political party. So very briefly, who do you belong to . And to continue, people say that there are some disagreements among your staff about who will be your campaign manager. Would you please knows the person who will run your campaign, and does it really matter to you . I will run a mile behalf, i definitely hope that i would be supported by some popular movements, parties or any other groups that share my views and address my views. I really rely on broad support for people. For my campaign, we talked about yesterday, we dont have final decision. We have disputes that we are not finalized anything as a technical issue but an important one. I would want to be represented by people who enjoy the respect and to support the policies that the government has been conducting over the past years. Lets go to the right wing over there. Maria, mr. Putin, at your annual press Conference Event a lot of people come to with their problems including personal problems. We all remember the girl was only admitted to the hospital after you intervene directly. Why do you think so many people think you are the only solution to their problems . Why do they think they have to appeal to the present directly how much time will be necessary to resolve all the problems of all the russian peoples this Manual Control mode. My other question, recently they made a decision about building a new road theres another construction project thats highly important, the question of funds for the first pick in the federal government also help us with the second construction project as well . I said that one of the government priorities the next years to come should be infrastructure. Roads, airports, ports, telecom. So definitely any construction particularly in the region like this will be a priority for us. We need to finalize what is being done. We need to have the belts road. We need to have additional roads otherwise will not get the right road it deserves. I cannot tell you right now the decision will be taken tomorrow. We also need to look at the resources we have at our disposal and the requirements for the region. We do have a list of priorities, healthcare, education, hightech and increasingly the interim of our people. But we need to find some sources for. Secrets that over the past 12 months have weekly meetings with experts and government officials trying to pinpoint those sources and being those drivers. Many experts agree that some of the sources they have in presenting will not yield any results. When we get down to handson discussions, really practical discussions they realize that there will be no yield very little yield. Its really hard to find the new drivers, new sources of income. Its certain that we will definitely work on the projects. The first question was Manual Control. I think it is over exaggerated. You could take russias regions, you could take moscow, the central authorities ive been head of government for four years. In 1999 and four years just recently. Cannot imagine the workload of the government, it is the toughest job in the executive power. Cannot really fear any issue. We sometimes dont have a clear idea of whats happening russias region, thats bad. We need to have a picture of whats happening everywhere. Thats why we have press conferences. People often say its formality. Thats not right. As the channel of feedback. People get a chance to reach out to the government and those tools of Manual Control are needed to make more systemic, following every truck line, i made the governors of the russian regions and present them with a list of problems that people have voice. I dont think its that i think its just in addition to the work we have been conducting. Like to ask a question on International Affairs. Before the recent escalation in tension, we still have some events like we are put out of the missiledefense agreement and now the inf agreement has been under fire, looking ahead what about the new start treaty . Will it survive . Or what if something happens to can we continues the arms race . And will have to increase the Defense Budget and healthcare and education will have to suffer. We did not withdraw from the fundamental treaties that are the cornerstone of the international architecture. We did not withdraw from the abm treaty, the United States did that. Now we are hearing things about the intermediate range missiles. I think this is Propaganda Campaign in preparation for the u. S. To withdraw from. Theyre factually withdrawn from the treaty already. They deployed a Missile Defense system in romania and the way they did it is, they deployed launches there, they moved them from sea to land in those systems can be easily converted or replaced. The interception could be replaced with intermediate range missiles. This process is already underway. If things continue nothing good will come out of it. We dont plan to withdraw from any treat yourselves. States are talking they no longer need this treaty. Yes, they talk about this. If the United States does this again and withdraw from this treaty unilaterally, this would have a negative effect on international security. In regards to defense spending, were aware whats happening in the world. We know what the outcomes of those actions can be. We will maintain our security without starting a new arms race. The second part of this question. My question was, if increased defense spending and social spending and for military spending, is balanced by a number of limits. First of all we have to ensure security and we should not undermined our economy. These are the key factors that shade in our military Defense Budget. Theres a 1. 4 trillion for and 1. 4 for maintenance. So 2. 8 trillion. That is 2. 8 of gdp, roughly. Given you to find a figure, thats roughly 46 billion u. S. Dollars. In u. S. Dollar terms. Take the u. S. , they signed the bill already that is 700 billion, thats the military budget. Compare 46 and 700, can we afford to have 700 billion, no. Fortysix ip big for us and those who dont want to feed their own army will feed someone elses arm, but thats no joke, there are new jokes, heres a new one might be no to some of you may come from this former officer and asked i used to have this navy knife have you seen it, i just stopped for a watch for a friend of mine. Well, ill take a look, give it to me, its a good watch but tomorrow the gangsters would come here kill me, kill your mother, rip your sister, new come out and say moscow time is 1230. We dont want a Development Like this so will definitely focus on developing our navy and army. Youll get ourselves in an arms race. Thank you mr. President. First, in the United States, investigations by congress, the department of justice and the media have uncovered a large number of contacts between russian citizens associated with your government on high officials of the Trump Campaign. Some of those are being prosecuted for lying, all of this is not normal. Many americans are saying when theres that much smoker must be fire. How to explain to americans the number of contacts between the Trump Campaign in your government . And second, its almost many years in stone trump has been elected president. You praise him during the campaign, what is your assessment of him as president after one year . Also with the second part. Its not up to me to assess what has trump been doing. It is up to those that elected him, up to the american people, there been some major achievements in the short span of time. Look at the markets, the markets are of. That means that Investors Trust the american economy. Means they have comments in the trust the decisions by trump. Certainly we have a lot of respect for the opposition in the u. S. , those who oppose donald trump, but thats an outcome. There have been things he is not been able to execute like healthcare reform and the National Relations promised improved relations with russia. Even if he wanted to do that, is not able to do two restrictions. But does he still have this decision . Maybe, maybe he doesnt have it. I still hope he has that desire. Its of interest to the russian american nations. I hope we will overcome shared threats, terrorism, environmental issue, hope we can Work Together on them. Weapons of mass destruction, proliferation, middle east, north korea, there are other issues where we can work much better when we work jointly. Thats pretty much it. It has been invented by those who are in the opposition. People who oppose President Trump to delegitimize this time in office. It really seems strange to me because they dont understand, the things they dont understa understand, they undermined their own nation, they limit the powers of the president who has been elected. They dont have respect for those people, those americans that elected donald trump taken Election Campaign in the road, should we stop, should we ban any context . Ambassador was accused of meeting someone that happens everywhere. Best general practice when diplomats and members of government meet with every candidate, they discuss issues and development when theyre trying to figure out what those people will do, one and if they come to power. Was so strange about it, why do you think there is this by hysteria . Russia meddling hysteria . So look at social media, the ads that Russian Companies purchase is with like points one something compared to huge numbers by american companies. So you cannot just compare it. Even to some this seems its way too much and then they look at rt, sputnik, the share of the total market is tiny compared to American Media have been doing globally and here in russia. So what about freedom of press . The main tenet of u. S. Democracy . Will someone were successful so im less successful. You need to do your homework to draw the right conclusions. We shouldnt attack each other. Lets think about it and draw the right conclusions. Lets move to the other wing. Us the question english, if the u. S. Wants russia to do more to persuade north korea to halt its missile programs. Would russia support tough for sanctions against north korea . And, do you think that cooperation on north korea could warm up russia u. S. Relations or have you lost hope of mending them under mr. Trump . Thank you. You are interested. Really have you noticed, that your congressman,. Sense, all you lack like this. Okay, there is a question and i think ukraine is never from mesh as well. Lets take a question from ukraine. Thank you for the opportunity to ask a question. Ukrainian is far way from were donors reply to all of my questions, so you do not hide the fact that you are sending some to and what we mean is that they kill ukrainian citizens. We know we have to do with that, summer, but some get jailed. In ukraine, some take imprisonment. Would you want to swap your citizens and its difficult, we want to get back our 65 people its not just its dozens if you win the election, perhaps, in case you continue to pursue this absurd policy on peacekeepers . Those were there appointed by you are conducting a massacre. You might remember they had been liberated and they live a free life. Us take another question. The question with the ukraine, what about the agreement seems were too far away from resolving the situation. Can they still be used . We also have systemic regular meetings between u. S. And russian officials in ukraine, they become the six member of the normandy for . I have a question on ukrainian politician, really, what is the future role in ukraine . And what is the prophet for ukraine in general . Indeed it has demonstrated low efficiency due to, first and foremost unconstructive position of the current authorities. They dont have any desire to look at those they dont want to launch a real protest. Feel to go to have there has been a law approved by the parliament of the special stages that is not being enforced. There was an agreement on that particular law. We know the provisions of the law. The u. S. Is a fullfledged member of the resolution process, regardless of if they are part of the normandy for format or not. They are deeply engaged anyway. The have a lot of information to a need to formally incorporate them into that format . Ive never imposed that decision but its not up to us to agree or not. I like to reply to the voice that you race. You speak russian fluently, so it means that mentally wise this is not that far away from ukraine. Dont take the geographic principle. As for the tragedy in ukraine, thats a tragedy i fully agree with you, again, what has been the reason for it . It was unconstitutional take over of power, and arms one. Some part of ukraine disagrees with it in a posted, ukraine said it wanted to move towards europe, but the authorities started to use special services and then they lost a fullblown army operation. There are no Russian Troops there, but there are militia groups that are selfsufficient and ready to counter a major offensive. We believe that this means interest of the people who reside on those territories because if they dont have the opportunity what what you just raised it will be conducted by the socalled nationalist, nothing would stop it, some of the europeans commended me to turn to International Human rights groups, but they wont be stopped by those international groups. As for the peacekeepers. [inaudible] they said they dont have this experience and i dont have the stuff, and they dont want to give weapons, they would become the targets for both sides. Then the un forces that said have the official troops to secure the officials and that i had a telephone conversation with ms. Myrdal who said as officials move around they should not be just un troops on engagement line. She asked me to agree to the departments of the countrys on the board of ukraine and russia. And yes i agree. And now it turns out its not enough, still. But basically they just want to keep that territory under international control. We dont have anything against the, but its up to the authorities. They should agree with the leaders of those territories. Again, no have been able to resolve that. Key authorities have been trying to avoid them. Has for swaps for prisoners, i agree people have suffered a loss in many innocent people, they were just show the recently, shelled by the ukrainian army. Was it not the army but nationalist battalion . We dont know who shelled them yesterday, theres not always good relations between the nationals battalions and regular ukrainian army. True offices, they have the ultimate goal to protect the nation from external threat, this not be gauged in some domestic conflict. As for the exchange of prisoners, mr. Is in charge of it and instructed so he was invited and asked to use his leverage with leadership of the two unrecognized republics and so that they agree to that exchange. So we have that conversation, and then what comes after the consultation given the 67 people on one side and 300 plus on the other side, this was provided by the ukrainians. They all agreed to it. Then they said no, and they froze everything once again. Lets do it, we can take the next step later on. Christmas is coming, new years coming, lets do this goodwill gesture. This make this goodwill gesture. Now he is spitting in the face of the georgian nation spitting in the face of the ukrainian nation. He was president of an independent state now running aware saying im ukrainian. Hes been shouting does ukraine not have true authentic ukrainians . They have been putting up with it, so pathetic, my heart is bleeding when i look at it. How far close we are, you might disagree. The world has gone through its ups and downs. Russia has gone through its ups and downs, component of 16 or 32 tribes but eventually the nation of ruth came forward and q with a sense of that nation. That gives me reason to think that fundamentally we are the same nation. We are one of the same people, but as we developed ukraine was really close to the western border and is developed in its own way, it has the identity, the language and culture in russia loves that, they feel it just parts of its own culture. Take the 19th century were a lot of people said that ukraine is leased to be dependent has its own path. They tried to say so but that was part of the empire where there was some policy to introduce the russian language to impose on the ukrainians. Back then, we did not have such line in the passport, ukrainians were no different. From russians. Ukraine joan russia 1645. There are three regions. So leaving part of the russian empire for a long time thanks to being part of the russian empire we had the russian turkish war, we had world war i into, but the bolsheviks decided all territories around ukraine should belong to the newly established republic of ukraine. Following world war ii. They were incorporated into. 1054, crime area was created into its own. A violation of the legislation in place back then. So, it wasnt a legitimate legal decision, what followed was a referendum by the ukrainian people. Sure they will do this behind, some people say ukraine should develop an independent state. Fine, these people think so, friday is counterproductive to go against the will of the people. But look at the trend of the world, missing a reverse trend, people of different identities and languages are coming together. Same is happening in north america and europe and asia. Everywhere. So, we need to come to an understanding of what is good for both of us what is counterproductive. Someone taurus apart and we need to come together. Hello mr. Putin. I represent Chinese International radio. In china, russia. In march, 2018, russia will have a president ial election. How will the outcome of this election impact russia china relations . Two thinker Strategic Partnership is above shortterm political situations . Thank you mr. President , i represent we know russian china decided to align their initiative in the Asia Economic union. Could you please, on the results of this work that should last year, how would she assess the results the prospects of developing relations between russia and china . Were developing new interNational Relations, one future based on the quality and mutually beneficial relations. What you think about that . Is it russians have cooperation with china in the goal . First of all, following the decisions taken by the communist party just recently, my assessment is very positive. And that fully corresponds were similar to what we offer as a Development Platform for russias role in the world. So first of all, thats economic operation. The chinese economy has been growing really fast. That is thanks to the decisions that have been made in the past ten years. But the current president and current leader. China wants to be a stable country. They want to ensure development. They want to see their people grow. China is a Strategic Partner for russia, we have more than 63 billion has been down to to the situation in the economy globally. Sure that we will have even a better result very soon. As for the environment of the one belt, one Road Initiative commits compatible we would like to take part in the broader cooperation and asia. There have been some progress made even today i fully responded to the question on the arctic, china has been really interested in the modern series. Our ultimate goal is to provide the movement from asia to europe and europe to asia, now, if we do that be economically more efficient and we would like to make sure that china has those benefits. China is part of a major project in the arctic. We Just Launched the first stretch of a project, to over 16. 5 million funds. Chinese sort of the major investors. There is a reason for. Shyness interested economically will cooperate on other projects. Pipeline, gas supplies. We have another great project on highspeed transit, thats what is about. We do support the high transit link from china to western europe via russia. Who will increase the speeds of transits and goods, will have your project in aviation and space and expiration. Im sure we are moving the right way. We are fully determined to go that way. As for the election that will take place next year, i have full confidence that cooperation with china is beyond any political agenda. We will remain Strategic Partners for a long time. One of the veterans mr. Putin, our people talk a lot about your future time in office, located team will you have for the next six year . Everyone has been talking about this, will the existing government survive . Will those ministers still be in their places . What will be the new agenda and blueprint . On the whole, theyre doing a good job even though there certain issues i just mentioned, the utility sector for example needs to be resolved. There many issues as well, but on the whole the government has been performing quite well. I would describe the results of its work is satisfactory. The fact that our economy steadily growing salsa good indicator that the government is doing a good job, Macro Economic on the foundation of future development. Of course otherwise there would be no foreign direct investment. All of this comes as a result of growing trust, the trust and the policies pursued by the russian government. I hope you will not be offended but it is premature to talk about this. We should discuss it after the election. Just a second place. There is a question to ukraine from poland, the second question from poland. Last year, and i asked you about the remains of the polish aircraft. Will the crash, when remains of the aircraft be returned to poland . You werepects saying paused on the investigation into that crash. There had been some reports that there was some explosions on board the airplane, and the defense minister says there has been some evidence and has got his own commission. And you say some of your operatives provoked that crash. Listen. We are tired of this bluff. It is just nonsense. It just does not make any sense whatsoever. Let me remind you. I was the Prime Minister at the time, and i had nothing to do with Foreign Policy and security agencies. Please. I remember about that. Then, if there was an explosion on board, where did they take off . In moscow . No, in warsaw. Some russian agents planted a bomb. You should look among your own people than. Number three, there has been no explosion on board. Both russian and polish birth have looked into this. They studied everything that happened inside the cabin. There was somebody who went into the cockpit, and the pilot said there is no way we can land there. No, i wontsaid tell him that we can land. Go ahead and land. It is a disaster. We were mourning together we are going together in our speculating about this tragedy. If there is a tragedy i need to treated as a tragedy. We shouldnt speculate to you want to complicate why, what for, just to score some political points Political Forces inside poland . I think the russian poland relations are more important than shortterm politics, different forces fighting in poland is a policy issue, you should open a new chapter, look at the interest of the polish nation and people pulling, holding onto these problems and undermined russia poland relations wont serve your interests. Look at how many jobs you have lost the money you have lost from sanctions, we dont need anything from poland, we just want to develop our relations with poland and i hope this same approach will prevail in poland as well. Rushes news agency mr. Putin, i have a question syria i will try to be short there have been contacts in syria one of the main barriers on the path to resolution and reconciliation . Who should be charged . Who can take out the burden of restoring the infrastructure . You said that isis and syria have been defeated, why do we need russian basis there, to have concern that our western counterpart interpreted solely as a tool to support in power . So how did it happen . Did the syrian army provide security, and when will you finalize which of Russian Troops from syria . From the pakistan agency, you defeated an International Terrorist into pakistan. The same happen now until syria. You are one of the leaders fighting, the u. S. Has not been giving us the right kind of examples, how can we fight and destroy the puppeteers of isis or any other tires screw. Perhaps there be another terrorist group in the future. Im not as popular, i work on International Affairs in education, i came over to the airbase whats your name . [inaudible] so the first russian came in the airbase by foot, where did you come from . Its a dangerous route. I was born in the chechen republic. Only chechens can cover travel on foot and syria. I went to the refugee camp. Several orphans went to his temple and syrian children running around begging for money. So back to those refugee camps, we dont have any programs the right now, we dont know what happens to those children in ten or 15 years should we think perhaps. [inaudible] they were shut down and just like a secretary the institute of asia and understudies, if you give me the mandates and ready to go there to ensure that center. We already have a person from chechnya is going to work there. He helps evacuate children from there. So you are right and this is no joke, you are totally right. This is problem. It is tricky that suffers the most because of the bulk of refugees go to turkey but not as turkey, jordan as well. We are aware of problems with migrants that europe is facing today. We need to address this problem. I dont think syria can resolve this issue on its own. All the people around the world should realize that unless we join our forces this problem could end up on their door their porches well. Unless theyre properly educated and get proper up bringing. This unfair treatment is the biggest source for terrorists. We need to do something about that the syria cannot resolve this problem on its own nor can russia. We are ready to contribute, but we can only be part of the international effort. Thank you for your question, this is no joke. You might do some work there, for example, our ten piece from the northern caucuses worked there, our military police, it was i suggested we send people from modern caucuses to syria as military police. There are also sunnis, local administration trust and because russian personnel and sunnis, its quite good their discipline good guys. Theyre aware of this responsibility. They do their job very well wrapped presenting russias. That this part is also very important. Its very important for a specialist like yourself to be involved there. As far as my trip to the airbase is concerned, it was obviously i have to go there. The only question was whether conditions were right for such a trip. We had to finish fighting those terrorist groups, now finally we have the situation which allowed for such a trip, most of those terror groups have been defeated, Security Issues were taken care of by our troops on the ground they said the most dangerous part of this search troops is when you take off. That is where they can hit you. So i saw those pilots when they were actually below our plane when we landed. The military aircraft, the temperature of their nozzles is much higher the basically protected our plane from missiles, to shoot at us for many potential attacks. Im grateful to them for doing this, even though i think it may have been unnecessary. Still, they protected us in this way fine even lower than we did. To resolve this issue entirely, you need to increase the welfare people, you need to address historical on justices the middle east and throughout the globe generally speaking. And syria and other places its important for all parties involved in all Global Players to have no desire or temptation to take advantage of the radical extremist groups to achieve their shortterm political goals. When they created al qaeda to fight the soviet union, eventually al qaeda tech new york on 9 11. Now, we can see a Fighter Pilots in our drones can tell those terrorists are escaping to iraq, to the territories controlled by our u. S. Partners. They dont hit them why . Because they want to use them later to fight. Six really dangerous. Thank you. I represent russia today, the television network. I want to ask about your personal contacts with donald trump. Image the subject twice. Like to clarify something briefly. If they had a singular pro forma view in english language, would she be on a first name basis with children by now . My second question is about sanctions. How far are you ready to go . How does this affect the freedom of media russia . Today gone theres a trial where a farmer was many children was tried for putting a gps tracker on his cow. Even though this case is in court this first i know last year over 200 people were sentence. Did he order gps tracker in china and put it on his cow so he doesnt get lost, is it band . There is an article in the criminal court. I did not even know there was such. Im sure, i heard they put a gps tracker on cats. Did not said there was a problem over there, to the have to pay any didnt pay . I need to look into it. Back to the first part of her question, we arent good friends with mr. Trump and we call each other by the name. Well, i think we would use what you refer to a singular form. We need to maintain business contacts, weve had few telephone conversations. We are trusted by our people to leavlead the country. And gradually he would have the opportunity to improve ties with russia. I hope that he will fulfill his election promises. That was one of his promises. Thank you very much. I have a very short question, could you please, say a few words about curtis gave relations with russia. How russia plan to develop relations . So, you know what happened. We ran a referendum of independence, the leader said the implementation of the decision has to be delayed. It was not our decision, it was your decision. Then he would step down, and the freeze on this decision is still in place. So, what is our response in her stance . We believe there should be no drastic moves. Everything needs to be in line with existing legislation. You need to respect the position of iraq. Our Companies Operate in iraq and in curtis gave we hope this is for the benefit for the russian economy. Overall we have very good, trustworthy relations. To understand the complexity of the issue. I understand the complex problem. We believe there are no barriers that prevent us from improving and maintaining good times with iraqi curti. [inaudible] you talk about uniting the nation. We need an idea. The 1960s people from different nationalities move there, brought together by one idea to produce oil for the country. This goal united people. Maybe you should look into this experience. Of course we cannot replay history. But you could come up with a project that would bring everybody together, this is what our people need today. We need to consolidate the nation and continue with the subject. So that was your question about oil . Some ask about fish but no, this district will turn 90 years old soon. People who live there are real heroes. They produced oil for the whole country. So, how about this, how about rewarding people, giving them the title in acquiring this ar area, and my very last question two, veteran oil workers wanted you to sign an autograph for the period i think theres some papers on your desk. Heres how we do it. Im going to do it and then you need to get in touch with him, okay . Regards to your question, lets have a followup question on oil and then afghanistan i am not going to cheat, thank you for giving benefit even though i know theres some other oil needs to benefit as well. Youre very selective. We all know who this person is. Because he is apparently in a dispute. I just dont want to take too much of the time. So the selective approach we see everywhere, the most influential person gets it all, gets everything. All the other companies can do nothing. Its very selective, it depends on the person. To agree that we had this problem to agree that some got the benefit of the oil reserve . You are the only person that you feel that privilege. Yet everybody thinks that. Its s big decision. There take a no space on major consultation and analysis of potential of this or that oil field. I just signed those decisions but its the ministry of energy thats drafting, they take a look at the water flooded oilfields, perhaps youre right. Again, we need test the ministry for their rationale. We do have some economic specialist at my executive office. But assuming the privilege get everything. We need to take a broader look. The executive office feels this was a fair decision. Again, its up to the ministry of energy and Economic Development history to discuss this. The question on afghanistan as a promise. [inaudible] recently you and donald trump had a telephone conversation in which you discuss the situation in afghanistan, including the growth of terrorists and drug threat. My questions come when you think about the prospect of working together with United States in addressing this issue in afghanistan . It is one of the areas where united efforts with the u. S. And case that happens, our efforts would be much more efficient. We do see growing threats in afghanistan coming from international terrorism, radical and groups are taking more and more territories. And as close to you becca stand. It does raise concerned with us. We have a military base where we have an arab base, we are closely monitoring the developments on the ground. We see government sending international assistance. We are ready to provide support, just as we did previously, including in training the army, and specialists, and providing military hardware without economic support with afghanistan or friday with remaining issues is one of the major producers of drugs including heavy drugs some of that is then found here in russia together other countries including the u. S. Were ready to Work Together to overcome those issues. Former u. S. Investors to middle east countries testified about the challenges in the region. Thats next on cspan2. Then, u. S. Ambassador to the, nikki haley discussed evidence that iran later, connecticut senator Richard Blumenthal on the anniversary of the Sandy Hook School shooting. Cspan, live every day with new some policy issues that impact too. Coming up on friday morning, Christopher Lewis with a group Public Knowledge on the fcc rolling back obama era neutrality. Joseph talks about the republican tax bill that will be voted on next week. William, ceo and critic of Russian Vladimir Putin discusses relations. Watch washington journal, live at 7 00 a. M. Eastern on friday morning. Former investors to the middle east testified about u. S. Strategy in the region. They discussed efforts to combat isis, Irans Nuclear program, u. S. Relations with turkey and the israelipalestinian conflict. Senator john mccain did not attend because he is in the hospital