On u. S. Policy, relations with ukraine, russias role in syria, and the testimony of former fbi director james comey. So many people are calling you from different parts of the world. You can actually study the map. Right now, we have a phone call from kiev. Ask your question, please . My name is dmitry, i live in ukraine. Why did you abandon us . We are not all supporters of the dara. We go to celebrations of the victory day, but why are we all represented in the same light in the media . Mr. Putin thank you for your stance, thank you for respecting our legacy. Partust said that you took in the internal regimen march in memory. We do not try to present everyone in the same fashion. But again, we are afraid to offer public support. Are afraid to harm you. We try not to interfere in the Domestic Affairs of ukraine. Certainly, we do appreciate your position. Thank you so much for this call. What do your friends say on the subject like the man who was helping with the Prisoner Exchange . Mr. Putin we do have a lot of friends in ukraine. You just mentioned one o f them. I became acquainted with him when he was head of the executive office of president kuchma, the first president of ukraine. Was themain partner current prime minister, head of the executive office of the president of russia in that time. We have good relations. I believe he is the ukrainian nationalist. He does not like that definition. He believes he is an enlightened hisiot of ukraine, but father was a member of the ukrainian nationalist army. His father was convicted by this court, he the soviet was exiled. That is where he was born. He has his own views on the m dependence of you on the independence of ukraine. But his system of values are works ofdamentally ukrainian nationalists. Who penned their works in the , if my memorynd chevnovil,ight, mr. A modern figure. Like toof them, i emphasize this, all of them preceded from the assumption that ukraine needs to be given to be aence, but federation. It needs to be a federative state. A was ahem straightforward. He said it was a mechanical centralization, overly centralization would lead to internal conflict in ukraine. At that is exactly what we are seeing in ukraine right now today. He promotes their ideas. He does this in public. He makes statements, he does a writes articles on this issue. Some people do not like it, but this is the way he thinks. Those people who promote ukrainian independence and nationalists, they have never seen some of them believe crimea should not be part of ukraine. That democracy should prevail, that ukraine should be a federation, and mr. Shares the same values. Veryiven this, he promotes good relations with russia. It may not be a union, but again, we need to have a good level of economic integration. Ins that it is better their destroy the shared energy,hared infrastructure financial, and industrial , therations collaboration. It is embarrassing to destroy that, and he believes it would be expedient to have an operation like this. And so, he speaks on the half of the people. He feels that he is in the interests of the people, and he is not alone. We the person said he is in kiev, andin commemorates the memory of our forefathers. Edchuk is of the same opinion. He needs and be able team believes he believes he needs be able to take care of our legacy. To continue on this topic, we have a question from social media. Ukraine celebrated the regime orashenkou and mr. Quoted, say goodbye to russia. Mr. Putin no, i did not see that statement, but yesterday that was reported to me. They reported to me in the evening that he read out that line. Verse,l line is from a russia, that has not been washed, and goodbye to russia, the land of slaves and the land of landowners. Thes good he knows russian classic authors, that there is another line. I might the able to hide myself and from there in years beyond mountains. He did not like the fear that was there in russia. He wanted to hide away and escape. The verse wasll, written in 1841 or 1842, when he on his way to the kosice to the caucauses. He was a brave officer. Which now belong to ukraine, they were part of russia. And he is the president of todays ukraine. He wants to go somewhere. Those areas, which are now part of ukraine, which are called ukraine today. Really proud, hed shouldnt really boast about it. Author was in the caucuses. He was moving from one part of russia to another part of russia. He did not actually believe russia. He is sending us a signal that he does not want to go anywhere and does it in a subtle way. Certainly, he needs to cater to the interests and the scoundrels who are running around with swastikas. That is why he is saying he has interests of his own in russia and doesnt want to leave. Maybe that is a subtle hint. That is my bold assumption. But he just wanted to demonstrate to the voters that he delivers on the pledge that he has given that he is moving , as peoplevilization say now that he is leading his country toward europe. Blueain, he wrote, uniforms and your obedient to them folks. Again, blue uniforms. There are so many blue uniforms he there in that world where is guiding his country. Many more blue uniforms. Does notot to need to rest on his laurels. He needs to look around and be alert. We dont have anything against him. I just want to say that i wish you love, i wish you everything. I wish you good luck, especially in those blue uniforms. We have nothing against you. Getting back to the roots of this issue again, we have that drop, we are hoping about it. Income, again, if you paid it to dollar and not the ukrainian currency, we had 540 u. S. Dollars. That was the average income in russia, and that was roughly the same in ukraine. 450, 460 for an average income. Situation is not extremely good here, but in april, we have 600 24 u. S. A month. That is the average salary. A ukraine, it is 251, threefold cap. Gas prices rose by three times, and there was a bigger increase for individuals and households. Water take heat, supplies, it was a 200 increase. Pensions dropped by 45 . If you take Living Standards and in ukraine might have real problems in terms of getting washed or unwashed. It would be a big question sometime in the future, which country is unwashed. Certainly, you can find lots of examples in russian and ukrainian literature that would be really, really hit, but i would not do it. I would not use the same kind of language in response to p oroshenko, to our shared history, shared religion. If you want to be a true opean, close your accounts closure offshore accounts first, and then talk about the benefits of the people. Ago, it was0 years said that ukraine has been fighting, and it has bought to the edge of extremity. It is ukraines own children who has been punished more than the poles. Hello, mr. Putin. I am in arizona, usa. I am your big supporter. Prorussian, and i wish you good health and success in your life. My question is as follows. As an american who is here in the racist russ ophobia, which is largely here in the u. S. , what kind of advice can you give me to help to clear things up . Theelp my compatriots, people of great america, to realize that russia is not an enemy . I reallyall, appreciate your call. Mr. Putin as head of russia, i know what the sentiments of our people we do not Treat America as our foe. Twice in history, when it was difficult, we joined our efforts and were allies in two world wars. The russian empire for a certain. Of time,certain period helped the United States to gain independence and supported the u. S. Right now, we are seeing c sentiment in the u. S. We believe this is due to the increasing political struggle. I do not want to give you any advice. I just want to thank you for your stance. Ofknow there are a lot friends out there in the u. S. , friends of russia. Me, andcolleagues told we also had opinion polls several months ago that say we have a lot of friends out there in the u. S. Unfortunately, we have a hysteric atmosphere in the media, which have an impact. But definitely, there are a lot respect tohat have the achievements of the American People and hope that eventually, at relations will go back to normal. The are very much interested in it, both us and the u. S. Have some more questions. Lets continue on that topic. With our guest, we realize that almost everyone here is worried about that, wants to know more. Many discussed international issues, even today. I would like to give the poor to the person who is not only worried about russia, but the whole world. So, the editor in chief. Talk aboutlike to the relations between the u. S. And russia. We have one trend, you mentioned the guest also mentioned ia, ands russophob sanctions against russia, but at the same time, we see a Global Demand not only for normal as it for normalizing relations between the two states, but for a major enhancement overall of those relations. Senate saidn in the that since he was appointed to that high position, each meeting with foreign colleagues save him, listening to him, they asked him to enhance relations the middle east, southeast asia, all say the same thing. Relations should be improved. He was referring to discussing the budget from the state department. There will be a meeting of the g 20 to meet with President Trump. Thewe say that you, in talks, you will put an end to the negative trend, laying the foundation for some positive developments . Maybe for some Major Overhaul of our relations which would take place in the future . Tive andblems is produc mutually beneficial to cooperate with the United States . And i think that these matters are of concern not only for us, but many other people in the world. Not only the u. S. Mr. Putin you are an experienced journalist. You know what youre talking about. You know well about these relations with the u. S. Control over nonproliferation, weapons of mass destruction, we are the Biggest Nuclear powers, and it is an extremely important area. It is not just about north korea. It extends to other regions, too. Fightingpoverty, we know theacts stance of the white house on the climate deal, but President Trump says he wants to negotiate a better deal. So, we shouldnt Just Exchange barbs. It is a dead end to start exchanging barbs, to offend each other. The u. S. Is one of the biggest countries that in its that emits gases, greenhouse gases. We also need to fight poverty together, as i said. Given you the figures in russia, but it is a disaster for some of the countries in the world. It is one of the causes for radicalization and for people to become extremists. We need to decide together what to do. We also need to talk to europe, togethera, ask for with the u. S. , we have worked to resolve the Iranian Nuclear issue. We did come to an agreement. There is a positive track u. S. D, and the Previous Administration has acknowledged our contributions. It means we can work together, yes, we can. As for the syria crisis, the middle east issue, it is obvious to everyone that you cannot achieve anything without close cooperation. There are other areas, and we hope the u. S. Can help to resolve the crisis in ukraine. We hope for a constructive approach, constructive contribution. So there are a lot of areas where we need to work together, but it doesnt depend on us solely. We see what is happening in the u. S. , and i would like to repeat this again. Sign of anparent intensifying political standoff. About it,do anything but we are open to constructive dialogue. I see there are some questions in your sector. From the also people machinery constructeion sector, and we have a guest here. Good day. You speak about the intensification of the domestic conflict in the u. S. And the world. Can you speak up, please . The whole world seems captivated with how the developments are unfolding. I mean the confrontation between President Trump in the former fbi chief, mr. Comey. Aboutdition, they speak some russian traces. So what is your assessment of the situation . What can be the consequences . Well, i didnt really the the details of testimony of mr. Comey, the former fbi director, but i am aware of some of the details he shared. What kind of impression do i have . Comey said that russia did that interfere into the election process. He doesnt give any evidence. Affected hearts and minds, but is it different in the world . The u. S. Always has its propaganda, it always supports s. s, u. S. Leaning ngo they have an impact on our hearts and minds, because that is an attempt to sway the public opinion, including during the election process. Can put globe, and you your finger on any region of the world, u. S. Interests are everywhere. I know this because i talk to leaders of other countries who want to have dont a row with the u. S. But everyone says the same. What do they want . Do they want everyone to bow down to them . Openly. Begin out it is not a secretive, covert operation. We just speak out. He says there is no evidence in us meddling with the count of the votes. Well, luckily, it is good that he doesnt go so far as to blame us for that. Of his he wrote a memo conversation with the president , and then he leaked it the a a friend of his to the press. It looks really strange when you were caught when you memorized your conversation with the Supreme Commander in chief and link it to the press. Does it make him any different to mr. Snowden . Mr. Snowden is a human rights activist who defends some kind of position. Is this some kind of persecution . We would be ready to offer political assignment asylum to mr. Comey if he was persecuted in the u. S. Many questions in our call center, and i am transferring to a tally of to italia. Center isl overloaded. We have 2 million calls coming in. One hundred video calls, social media is overloaded. We are being watched and oftened to by thousands people. I give up floor to one of them. Hello . Please, ask a question and introduce yourself also, please. Good day. From i am very much worried about the coal problems. When the coal is being loaded openly, it poisons the air. How can we live in that place . Mr. Putin there is nothing good about it. We just need to look toward what kind of procedure is used. We usuallyt is what do, loading and unloading is done somewhere inside the city or near it. Who theto understand owner is and what kind of technology is used. Please are peach or name and location . Repeat your name and location . In the per more ski permorsky region. Mr. Putin what is the name of the port . Nahartka. City of up we we will look will look into it. Interest ofre the the people and the environment to minimize the harm. What is your name . Andre, my name is. Re, together we will take a look and please share your contact information, and we will reply on whether any affects will be made, any measures will be taken. Thank you so much. Look atow, lets take a what people write on social media with the i amwatchingthedirectline. Please, put on your screen some of the most recent comments we have received. I am reading and watching it. It is so nice to see that people really care. Heard. Ortunity to be for that comment of yours. If we could put up one of the video calls. Our editors are trying to reach out to the live userws. S. For now, lets look up what people are writing on social media. Lets see the comments again. They have started to talk about the key events. I dont think that there is anything more important than the fight against corruption. That is something which is undermining the country in many questions. It is your turn. One more important topic that worries our audience, and it is the socalled optimization of the healthcare services. Questions that is being reached out, we are about to listen to him. We are in the course keep peninsula, immersed in the major mind. Say, the biggest problem today is the disability of healthcare services. The lack of healthcare services, and that is a good example. There is the building of the local hospital which was not finished. It was supposed to be filled of the newctors hospital, but it is now standing a bill standing of building standing abandoned like this. The locals complain that there are no doctors. She fights as, severe disease. She lives on painkillers. She asked us to present her question. Eye tod not turn a blind her, and we are here to give her an opportunity to ask the president. Good day, mr. Bruton. Mr. Putin. Daria, and i have been diagnosed with a four degree cancer. No one felt it was cancer. Now i do not have any more time. People were treating not my back , they were doing some massage, some injections, and that led me to come to hospital with severe bleeding, where the doctors told me that it was cancer. Enoughin, we do not have specialized doctors. Which would save people, make correct forecasts. Here,not have the nursery we do not have the cardiology center, we do not have anything. City another center in proximity. We have to go there if we need any medical help. Need some major operations, if we need any kind of diagnosis, we go there. It is the only place. It is difficult to do this. It is quite expansive, not affordable for many people. Do not ask for myself, i just want some help for my people, for the citizens of my town. Please, help us, help us to rebuild the hospital. Help us to restore what we used quite oftenulances fail to get people to the hospital in time. We have only one hospital, only one center. A friend of mine, her mother died because the ambulance failed to get her on time. And shea heart attack, was 50 years of age. People are truly worried about their lives. Not one case. Many times, we spoke to the hospitals officials. To live, wee, want to survive, we need your help. Please help us. We need our town to have everything it needs, and it should be restored. Thank you. , i do not talka about my personal matters or my personal life, but looking at you, i cannot say, the same happened to my father. He was diagnosed with back pain. Your father cries because of pain. Then i moved into a different hospital. He had the same what you had. Even at this stage, they found and that was a long time ago that they found an efficient medication. He died not because of the illness which he was diagnosed with. Hopefulou not to remain and certainly i will try to look into how we can help. As for health care issues, and i would like to tell you and all those who are present, all our russian citizens, we know that there are always selfcare issues and patients are critical of what has been done in health care. Again it happens everywhere. Taking the u. S. , it was because the former president did an overhaul of that area, he passed fire in theas under newly elected president and a repeal. The same happened in europe. In our health care, we have been and twoed to outpatient new centers. Institutions new in two years so we do have progress. There is a problem that we dont have specialists in specific nice areas. That is why we dont have those pews. These cues are not physical but they are electronic ones. It is no better. We need to switch it to a new and it hasistration to work. Most importantly, it needs to be accessible. It needs to be accessible to people. In your case, we will definitely look into it. I dont know the reason why they closed down the hospital. They used a major mining city, people were understood people work under different circumstances. They need special attention. They use some formal criteria that is not too far away, but we either need to restore the previous one or ion oftely construct this one and help he personally. Good luck to you. We wish you good luck, thank you. Get better. On all the questions we have some which read that people ask you to help to get to the military. They want to go and serve the country. That wasnt the case before. Well get back to that person later. Lets continue our conversation with the guest. Thank you in the studio we have young professionals. That is an organization that works from the standards for professional confidences. Is 19 years old but he he has already received a medal in the Hotel Business as one of the European Championship stages. I would like to thank you for supporting our moment i will like to thank you for supporting our movement. We will like to have circulation with small or mediumsized businesses. How desk can you give us advice can you gives advice . E care about our future are we going to see the increase of the assignment age . When . Mr. Putin i will reply to your first question. Issues that we talked about and there is the speaker who raised this earlier. It has still been moving forward and what is really good is we have a lot of hightech companies. Experts worth 7 billion. East b zero. It used to be zero. Fasteed to look at those growing companies. Our majors need to smes, as aork of network that would support them. They need to rely on our own hightech and not to look abroad hightech smes and not look abroad. You need to use these in an ort to strike prussian it Strike Partnership with smes. Going back to your previous question. It is thets believe the way for us to decide experience of other countries including our neighbors like ukraine and almost other countries like belarus, not to mention europe where we cant europe ourselves with because of life expectancy. Our neighbors stick to the decision while we dont. Yet be really cautious. We have to be billy cautious but has a decision been made echo been made . No it hasnt. It, the level of tension support will fall down. The pension size would go down. The structural changes the amount of people working who would have to pay for the shrink. System would the amount of nonworking population will increase. The amount of working population would shrink. This is the reality we are facing is we have to take into account, but again we need to take such a decision in a prudent way. Ive that to mention one more thing. Many of the retired people refuse to retire. They want to work. Even now, people find problems when a person is 52 years old and he is refused to be given a job. A woman, she is and no one wants to take her up and she is worried about her future. Issue. Different foreed to provide requalification of people that we need to retrain people could we need to ensure mobility so that people can move from one region to another, not just to move and live somewhere as bombs. We need to provide for housing. Denise to be Infrastructure Ready for this. Multilayer and multifaceted issue. We know this. We know that our special Company Towns where this issue is most important. We do have a blueprint but we need to step up our activities. The diamond problems to the age some people complain that they cannot go and serve because they are too old. One person had that kind of question. Many people want to go and serve want to go to the military. Eople now giving their all good afternoon. Here near the mother of russia monument. As we know, the remnants of 35,000 people. Today, people give their allegiance, those who are to tribune ite separate tribune unit. Is it very famous unit. It is an honor to serve in that unit. We see over the water help inple come and say the words front of the flags, the Russian Federation and of their unit. Their their parents, friends, their relatives coming from different parts of our country. For them, it is a bit sad but a wonderful moment. Can you please introduce yourself and your future soldier . Son takes today my th. Old oa im coming from the moscow region. The decision to serve was taken by my son, himself, after study for two years, Medical College in moscow. He decided to go and serve his homeland. Soldier and i can only say that i support his decision. This is in direct line with the president. You can ask any question, anything you want. Is an expansion, i am an officer retired officer and im interested to know more about our military. I would like to ask one thing. Lessons which our military have learned when working in syria . What are the future of our troops there . Both first of all i like to congratulate you and your son. That is a big occasion for every man, every russian citizen. Those whoally for decided on their own to serve the people of russia. Back to your question. What were the lessons . There are several aspects to it. It it is really good for our defense sector. We deploy stateoftheart seeems and we were able to how it works in practice. Then we used those lessons to adjust them. We knew these were effective weapons, but we needed to test theywhen we saw how performed, it is a different story. We had those Company Representatives out there in syria. They see how the equipment performs, they make adjustments and theres a lot of research. To perfect those weapons. That is for as for the Russian Troops, i would say this very positive. Invaluable experience. The Russian Troops have now achieved a new level of combat readiness. We have deployed newly set up units. For our plans, we want to ensure a peaceful lyrical process peaceful political process between all of the warring parties in the short term. We want to strengthen the combat ,eadiness of the Syrian Forces use the basis we have and the navy base so that the Syrian Forces themselves would operate on their own and achieve their goals. Aviationuse, thanks to , we can provide them air support to fight terrorist groups. That is the plans we have for syria. Landrieuday, mitch will toggle the Confederate Monument in his city in the future of Race Relations in the u. S. Live at the center for American Progress starting at 10 a. M. Eastern on cspan. You can follow live on cspan. Org or listen live on the cspan radio app. Ehouse task force on ending Sexual Violence will be holding a discussion friday on Sexual Assault prevention and assistance for victims. You can watch that live starting at 9 00 a. M. Eastern on cspan two. Cspan. Org or listen live on the cspan radio app. Next a hearing on the recent Global Ransomware attacks and strengthening the seven security. The hearing was held by two subcommittees. The attack begin on may 12 and affected more than 3000 users and 150 countries. This is an hour and 50 minutes