- Coming back to the problems in the economy. Many people relate the difficulties to the Western sanctions. By the way, the European Union is going to renew them today. Some appeal to get along with everyone. What if we imagine that Russia fulfilled all of the West's demands, agreed on everything, would it benefit our economy somehow?
Vladimir Putin: First of all, what do you mean by saying "get along"? We quarreled with no one. We don't even want to. Secondly, about benefits and losses for us. See, according to expert data, the restrictions have resulted in Russia losing about $50 billion since 2014, while the European Union has lost $240 billion. The USA lost are about $17 billion. We don't have a huge amount of trade. Japan lost $27 billion. It influences job opportunities in these countries, including the EU. They're losing our market. So, we know our losses. They're approximate, but let's say we agree on them.
But we got something in return. What exactly? First of all, we had to, and we did actually, realize what we need to do in high-tech sectors. Our import substitution program is worth $10.5 billion. It made us develop the spheres that we weren't competent in. I've said it already but I can repeat it. For instance, in the USSR, and even in modern Russia, we never had a marine engine-building industry. We used to buy all of it abroad. It turned out that it's not enough to know how to build engines in general. Marine engines are a whole different story. It's a separate field of science, a separate industry, a separate competency. We built it in a few years. Now we have our own engines. And they're even better than many Western engines. Also, there are many other fields, like the transport machine building, the power engineering industry, let alone agriculture. If 10 years ago someone told me and everyone in this room that we would export agricultural products like we did last year, $25.7 billion worth, we would laugh at the person. We would have shaken their hand and said: "Thank you for your good, but unrealistic, intentions". Now, it's a fact. Even more than that, we're striving to have agriculture exports amount to $45 billion by 2024. I think it's quite possible. Well, it's not for sure, but we should strive for it. It's a realistic plan. It actually mobilized us in many aspects.
Now, about what you've said, it's not reconciliation, but if we gave up and stopped caring about our fundamental national interests, would there be any changes? Maybe there'd be some external signals, but there wouldn't be any cardinal changes. See, China has nothing to do with Crimea and Donbass. Well, we're accused of occupying Donbass, which is nonsense and lies. But China has nothing to do with this. But the U.S. keeps increasing tariffs, which are sanctions in a way, on Chinese products. Also, there was an attack on Huawei. Why did it happen? What's the point? There's only one reason for all of this — to hold back the development of China, which has become a global rival for another global power — the United States. The same thing is taking place concerning Russia and it will keep going on. If we want to find a place under the sun we deserve, we should become stronger, first of all in terms of economic power.
- Now Europe is being more vocal that they should put an end to this.
- But nevertheless…
- Excuse me, but it's so just because no one really likes it. We lost $50 billion, Europe lost $240 billion. It has an impact on many economic fields in European countries. There's nothing good about it. Despite having some benefits from these restrictions, I think it's better to live in normal economic conditions and observe some generally accepted and respected rules.
- Nevertheless, the EU has the sanctions issue on the agenda without consideration. The issue is raised for approval only.
