Soon in Simferopol, a multi-disciplinary clinic, one of the best in the country, will be completed. Today, Vladimir Putin discussed some regional development projects with residents of Crimea. Foreign guests were also surprised by the way that the peninsula had changed. The ones, who in contrast to their governments, saw the regional development first-hand.
See Evgeny Rozhkov's report.
All of those who gathered in the hall of the Crimean library remember very well how Crimea returned to Russia five years ago. There were doctors, teachers, soldiers, businessmen, sportsmen, and clergy. That's why Vladimir Putin decided to ask them what had changed and what else could be done for life in Crimea. That's what he said: "Your chance to speak."
“My mom asked to bow to you. For everything that you did in terms of supporting our vote in 2014. And for your personal participation in the reunification of Crimea and Russia.”
There's a problem of housing for retired military. The state, as promised, allocates money at the rate of $5 per square foot. But in reality, a square foot costs about $7. They had to add their own money.
Dmitry Ovsyannikov, Governor of Sevastopol:
- In this case, it was more like a subsidy for the military rather than recovery of the full cost of housing. If in case of dangerously run-down housing, we're obliged to provide residential accommodation. Here, we cover only part of the $7 cost of a square foot. We can allocate more money if we adopt regulatory changes in federal law because, in fact, we're going to receive money from the Ministry of Finance of Russia.
Vladimir Putin: How much money do you need in order to solve this problem?
- About $6.2 million. I think we can allocate the sum, we'll find a source. A journalist from Yevpatoria came to Crimea from Siberia inspired by the "Crimean Spring".
- I came to Crimea from Siberia in 2014. I was escorting children, diagnosed with cerebral palsy, from Kuzbas. We flew to Yevpatoria in order to receive special treatment. I saw Crimea, saw Yevpatoria, and I fell in love with it. I also met my future husband here.
Vladimir Putin: Whom did you fall in love with first — Crimea or your husband?
- It was Crimea first. Then I found my love here. This is how the Crimean Spring changed fates, connected people, and created families.
Another question concerns every tourist — Is it possible to make airline tickets here cheaper?
Vladimir Putin: “Our leading airlines use the global pricing system, which is calculated by computer. Not me, but specialists in the industry, aren't sure that the computer does fair calculations. People adjust it, so it calculates in a way profitable to the companies. And they say "it's not our fault, it's calculated by computer". The supply and demand thing. You have demand, so be so kind and pay us. The Ministry of Transport is working on the issue.”
As for tourism... During the "Russian years", 170 hotels have been repaired. But it was no easy task to force hotel owners to do it, as Vladimir Putin recalled.
Vladimir Putin: "I don't want to besmirch anyone, but when we asked some hotel owners how people could live in their so-called hotels, where everything was falling apart, I was surprised by their answer. They said: "It's for miners. They start drinking in the morning and they don't care about accommodation". But you can't treat people like that! In general, we have a lot of problems in Russia. But we haven't seen such an attitude to people and the industry for a while. Well, maybe there are some separate cases. But it was a common thing here. The basis for tourism and recreation wasn't renewed for a long time".
Crimean Muslims talked about how the peninsula's main mosque is being built. It's been talked about for at least 50 years.
The synagogue is also being completed in Sevastopol. But representatives of the Jewish community said that it can't be completed quickly.
“I think the construction of the synagogue can be finished by the end of the year. We currently have a delay due to financial problems. But I think it'll be settled.”
Vladimir Putin: "Jews having financial problems. A thing possible only in Crimea. Toda Raba [Thank you]".
The big, promising topic of wine-growing. A businessman said that there's enough sun and grapes in Crimea. But it isn't easy to produce one's own wine. Foreign materials don't allow our business to develop.
Pavel Shvets, winemaker: "In Russia, the wine origin indicated on the bottle is the place where the wine was bottled, not the place where the grapes were grown. The world knows Chianti, Chablis, Medoc, Beaujolais. When we read the names, we understand there's a wine of a certain type and nature produced in the indicated territory. In Russia, the word "Crimea" can be written just about anywhere. One can bring a tank of wine from anywhere and bottle it in Crimea and call it "Crimean wine". The same is for "Sevastopol wine" or "Kuban wine". This is a serious issue that prevents the industry from developing".
Vladimir Putin: "It should be fixed, of course. It doesn't happen anywhere else in the world. They have the practice of naming wine after the place the grapes are grown. I'll ask the administration and State Duma deputies, when drafting the bill about winegrowing and winemaking, to take into the interests of domestic producers, like you, into account, so that the market will protect your interests, but not those who bring wine here, providing jobs abroad, and bottle it here. We should act carefully not to undermine the market and consumers' interests subsequently. But we should move in this direction".
There was a separate question from Crimean Ukrainians who proposed to invite Poroshenko to Crimea so that he could see for himself how people live there and tell his people to stop lying.
Vladimir Putin: "I'm 100% sure that Ukrainians don't feel oppressed in Russia at all in any way. I'm sure this is applicable to Crimea as well. The Russian and Ukrainian peoples have never had quarrels. In my deepest conviction, they're not currently in a quarrel now either. We have misunderstandings with the leadership of Ukraine. We barely can develop our relations with them. Sometimes, I'm shocked by what they do. Sometimes, I want to ask them, in Ukrainian: “Are you crazy or what?” That's why when they show any sign of common sense we'll start developing our relations at the highest level. I hope that the wave of pre-election situations and schemes that we can see in Ukraine right now, mixed with Russophobia, will fade away and at least some conditions will be created for the development of inter-state relations. People are just afraid. They're afraid to call their relatives in Russia. The SBU can eavesdrop on them and there'll be problems. I can understand that. Here, this problem is even worse. But time heals. I am sure that the deep roots of our common history, culture, and faith will prevail over all of today's political rubbish".
Today guests from France shared their impressions. A delegation, headed by Thierry Mariani, has visited the peninsula several times over the past five years, despite the Western sanctions. They haven't noticed any impairment of rights there.
Vladimir Putin: “If someone calls it an annexation then the people living in the "annexed" territory have nothing to do with this. They aren't responsible for that. If it's true, that it was done against their will... If it was done against their will, then why are their rights are restricted? Why aren't they allowed to go where they want? I mean crossing the border, receiving international passports. Why are they being punished if they have nothing to do with that? But if they did it, if they did vote, then they should admit that the declaration of will is the most important democratic principle. They declared their will and they can't punish them for this. Or those who did it don't understand, don't know, and don't respect the democratic principles.”
Instead of imposing made-up sanctions, Vladimir Putin proposed to Western politicians to combine efforts in fighting terrorism — An issue crucial for everyone.
Vladimir Putin: "Didn't France suffer from terrorism? Don't we understand that terrorism is a common threat that we can fight only by combining our efforts? There's no other way. Otherwise, terrorist cells will find a place for themselves anywhere in the world and attack anyone they want. We should fight together to protect our people".
The president ended his conversation with Crimeans with words about what Crimea means to Russia.
Vladimir Putin: "This is a new milestone in the history of Russia because it showed to ourselves and to the whole world that Russia can love itself and protect its interests. At the same time, we start with the interests of our people. This is the most fundamental thing. For me, it was making relevant decisions. I want to reveal a secret to you. During the years of my work, I've thought many times about what decision I should make in different areas. When you make a decision in favor of national interests, abstracting from possible negative consequences, for me personally and for the people around me, caring only about long-term interests of our people, usually, such a point of view wins. I think that's what happened this time".
And most importantly, as Vladimir Putin noted, we must achieve a nationwide result so that the inhabitants of the peninsula could feel it as soon as possible.
Evgeniy Rozhkov, Victor Prikhodko, Alexandra Terpugova, Oleg Soloviev, Vesti, Simferopol, the Republic of Crimea.
