An unexpected dialogue triggered an This Wednesday, Vladimir Putin finally announced that he would run for the presidency in March 2018. It happened at the Gorky Automobile Plant in Nizhny Novgorod. He said it plainly and clearly: "I will run for the Russian presidency".
The announcement was both unexpected and long-awaited. It was announced at the end of the work shift though there had been talks about it earlier that day.
Our political observer Pavel Zarubin has the details.
Vladimir Putin: Will you support me?
- Yeaaah.
Young volunteers:
- I was cheering for him.
- From distant stands to the front seats everyone was screaming.
- We actually want him to become our President. We'll be cheering for him.
- We love and trust him.
- I'm sure Russia's in good hands with Putin.
Only one thing was known before the ceremony: Putin would come to the Sports Palace at the volunteering awards ceremony.
The announcement: "The President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin".
Thousands of young faces but each of them here is an individual. Never in their lives have they said: "not my problem." The volunteers work at hospitals search for missing people clear the trash from lakes and rivers and even cheer up those who are on the brink of despair.
Vladimir Putin: "A brilliant quote by Anton Chekhov: 'so many good people in Russia.' He was referring to you as well".
It's in the Russian history, in its soul. All together we come to aid when a person or even a country requires help.
Vladimir Putin: "I remember my father, Vladimir Spiridonovich Putin. In 1941 he had an opportunity to work behind the lines but still volunteered for the front line".
And now, in the new Russia civic impulses, compassion, and empathy become much more frequent, says Putin.
Vladimir Putin: "Thousands, millions of sincere and heartful actions build trust, respect, and mutual support in the society. And that means we can face the toughest challenges. In this regard, I suggest proclaiming the year 2018 Year of Volunteers. It will be…"
All together: Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Vladimir Putin: "It will be your year. The year of all the citizens whose will, energy, generosity is Russia's main power. Thank you".
Maxim Tokarev, Russian Volunteer of 2017, head of the Save Baikal project: "My friends, it's so great that the next year was proclaimed Year of Volunteer! Volunteers have big plans for the future and many things need to be done. And our nation has big plans for the volunteers! Mr. Putin, please tell us — are you with us next year?"
Vladimir Putin: "It's a very big decision for every person because one can only be motivated by the aspiration to improve the lives of our people to make the country more powerful secure and future-oriented. There's only one way to reach these goals: you must be trusted and supported by your people. In this regard, I have a question to you. If I make the decision will you and the like-minded people support it?"
Young volunteers:
- Of course, I said yes. He will do whatever it takes to protect the interests of the country and the people.
- I think he's really cool — as a person and as a president. Russia's with Putin. I see it only with Putin.
- Putin is actually our leader.
Vladimir Putin: Thank you very much."
- Thank you so much, Mr. Putin.
- Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
The young people especially appreciated the fact that Putin asked their advice:
- Everything was honest and open.
- We'll support Mr. Putin. We'll vote for him.
- A unanimous decision.
There are 15,000 volunteers here but there are millions of people nationwide who help their friends and other people. They are constantly growing in number. Volunteers help all of us become better people.
- How's it going?
- Everything's great, perfect. We hope Putin is going to run for the presidency. The Russian Airborne Troops say 'no-one but us.' This time it's 'no-one but Putin.' Let's vote for Putin. Thank you.
At that moment Putin hadn't announced his decision yet.
Of course, the workers of the Gorky Automobile Plant saw the broadcasting. The legendary auto-giant was celebrating its big anniversary. Later that day, the President visited the plant. There, Putin was reminded of the words he had said during the meeting with the volunteers about running for the presidency.
Andrey Kuznetsov, GAZ Group: "You said you would if people supported you. Today, everyone in this hall supports you. Mr. Putin make us a present — announce your decision. Because we stand behind you".
Vladimir Putin: "Indeed there's no better place and no better occasion to announce that. Thank you for your support. I will run for the Russian presidency".
Thank you so much, thank you for your response. First of all, thank you for all your work. Thank you for your approach towards your work, your plant, your city, and your country. I'm sure everything will work out well. Thank you".
Plant workers:
- He's among his people and it's clear that grassroots support him. Everyone sees that. That's what makes us so powerful.
- We have a frame of reference. Our lives have dramatically improved. GAZ has advanced as well.
Despite turning 85, GAZ looks noticeably rejuvenated: new production facilities, a varied model line-up. The local workers see Putin's announcement as purely logical. Nizhny Novgorod has a rich history that in many ways defined the course of Russia's history. A plant with thousands of employees whose work is being constantly monitored by Putin.
- Putin has always been thinking about the people. He always takes our perspective and supports us. And we can see that.
Vladimir Putin: "People are at the heart of everything. The toilers like you. Toilers in the broadest sense of the word be it workers, scientists, engineers, designers, teachers, or doctors. Every working person. It's not just the foundation of our nation. It is our nation. It is Russia. And thanks to your active engagement thanks to the active engagement of the like-minded people we'll face any challenge, even the most difficult ones. Russia will move only forward. And nothing will ever stop us. Happy anniversary".
Putin's decision is being widely discussed across Russia. It's obvious why.
The Republic of Crimea. Reunification with Russia that the locals had been dreaming of became reality in 2014. The bridge that couldn't be built for 100 years is now being coated with asphalt.
Ravil Dolgoarshinnykh, Crimea Bridge project leader: "The facility is strategic. I think everything is decided by the will of a single person. It's going to be fantastic: 5 minutes — and you're on the other side".
The Zabaikalye Territory A road between Western and Eastern Russia was built for the first time in our history.
- Do you remember the previous road?
Drivers:
- Sure, there was none.
- We were constantly slipping off that road.
- And now?
- Now it's always a smooth ride.
They still remember the time Putin drove the yellow Lada Kalina because many villages had never seen a head of the state because many other sites are either being constructed or already constructed here. Everything meets with his promises.
Vladimir Putin: "There's plenty of work to do. It's hard but interesting".
The Republic of Khakassia.
A resident of Khakassia:
- We have our old well here.
- After the fire?
- Yes, after the fire.
- So we built a bathhouse here.
Two years ago, it seemed an Armageddon. In late fall, hundreds of houses in Khakassia simultaneously burned down. People had nothing left.
Burned-out tenants:
- We're waiting for help!
- They aren't rebuilding the burnt village.
- No one's coming here.
Vladimir Putin: Where is it?
- Bologradsky District. Please, even Zimin hasn't showed up here.
Vladimir Putin: We'll discuss the issue. That's why I came here.
In summer and fall of 2015, Putin visited Khakassia three times.
Tatiana Solodyankina, resident of Ust-Byr: "It astonished me that he actually heard us, listened to our complaints, listened to what we were trying to convey. It made me even more sure that everything was going to be alright that there would be a house for us to live in."
Valentina Popovskaya, resident of Ust-Byr: "The new house is so warm. These houses were built in three months. We could have never built them with our own money. I'm so thankful."
Sochi, the Krasnodar Territory
Hockey team coach: "Everything depends on you. The victory is in your hands."
Now, everything actually depends on them because kids here have all what they need.
Sirius Center in Sochi. Shortly after the Olympics Putin designed the project, started it and is constantly supervising its work.
Vladislav Tretiak, President of the Ice Hockey Federation of Russia: "We've never trained in an environment like this. I'm happy and jealous in a good way".
The Moscow Region Tatiana Pokrovskaya, head coach of the Russian synchronized swimming team: "A rare president is as athletic as our Mr. Putin. A real man, a macho. That's really important. He likes sports and we like him".
The public address announcer: "The puck is delivered by Vladimir Putin, 11".
On their Japanese tour, Denis Matsuev and Valery Gergiev discovered the news about Putin deciding to run for president.
Denis Matsuev: "Together with maestro Gergiev we're traveling from Kumamoto to the city of Hiroshima".
Valery Gergiev, People's artist of Russia: "Dozens of millions of people pin high hopes on him. He doesn't want to frustrate them. His enormous experience and charisma allow him to achieve great goals. Under very tough circumstances".
Zakhar Prilepin, author: "Russia placed a claim. It might not yet be justified but it already amazed and astounded the whole world some people even got scared of it. A claim to its dignity and independence".
Timati, musician: "Previously we had to conform and cringe but now we have an actual leader whose words meet with the actions and who is being listened to".
Moscow. Everything is done so that these small patients facing a deadly disease aren't afraid of anything.
Dmitry Rogachev Center. Parents who are petrified with horror after reading their child's horrible diagnosis don't just receive a new hope here but the confidence that everything's going to be alright. The best equipment and doctors dozens of thousands of saved children from all over the country.
A patient’s mother: "They saved our kid three times here. We're immensely thankful".
Putin opened the Center six years ago. Before that he'd been supervising the construction meeting doctors and ill children.
Emilia Rosinova, patient's grandmother: "He invested a bit of his soul in here because this clinic is better than the foreign ones".
Doctors had been asking the officials to create such a center for 30 years. Sighs and promises were their answer. No one went beyond the words.
Galina Novikova, Dmitry Rogachev Center: "Everyone was so compassionate, saying that children must be helped. Putin actually helped us. That's why we trust him".
Dmitry Pushkar, lead urologist of Russian Ministry of Health: "We know how many things have been created across our country. And we know how the medicine has changed."
Republic of Ingushetia.
Marem Bogatyryeva, Hero of Labor: "He cares about us as if we were his own sons. I thank him for everything."
Hero of Labor Marem Bogatyryeva from Ingushetia cries every time remembering the awarding ceremony in the Kremlin. She couldn't believe that a milkmaid with a forty-year experience who brought up six kids on her own would receive such an esteemed award.
The Kaliningrad Region.
Galina Gromova, teacher, Hero of Labor: "He traveled to every corner of the country. He remembers us. He remembers the names of those who addressed him. He keeps them all in his head. It means a lot".
Putin's signature style is keeping himself and his subordinates on their toes.
Pavel Zarubin, Andrey Melnikov Alexander Balitsky, Sergey Vyngazhev Olga Armyakova, Yulia Brilyova and Natalia Gubina for Vesti — News of the Week.
