We're going to tell you the breaking news of the day. Vladimir Putin is taking part in the G20 summit that's opening today in Japan. Shortly before his trip to Osaka, the president had an interview with Financial Times.
Alexey Petrov with the most important details of the interview.
The conversation with the Financial Times reporters about trade wars sabotaging the world economy and that vital international deals that are being broken. Putin reminded how Moscow was trying to persuade Washington to not withdraw from the missile-defense deal and offered cooperation in a new USA-Russia-Europe format that included technology exchange and working out decision-making mechanisms. But it all was in vain. Now, another vital deal, New START, is in danger.
Vladimir Putin: "It expires in 2021. If we do not begin talks now, it will end, because there will be no time for even formalities. Our previous conversation with Donald showed that the Americans seem to be interested in this, but they aren't making any practical steps. So if this treaty ceases to exist, there won't be any instrument in the world to curtail the arms race. And this is bad".
While the West pursues a policy of sanctions and attacks, Russia and China are being naturally drawn together. Many are disturbed about that, to say the least.
- Russia and China have definitely come closer. Are you putting too many eggs in the China basket?
Vladimir Putin: "First of all, we've got plenty of eggs and there aren't too many baskets for us to place them in. This is the first point. Secondly, we always assess risks. Thirdly, our relationship with China is not motivated by political time-serving or any other considerations. We do not have to join anything, and we do not have to direct our policy against anyone. We're not against anyone, we're for ourselves".
In order for the state to pursue its own policies, the state must be resolute, capable of making decisions and calculating risks.
- After 20 years at the top, has your appetite for risk increased?
Vladimir Putin: This is not a case when one can use the popular funny saying: "He who doesn't take risks, never drinks champagne.
- How big was this Syrian risk in terms of your decision to intervene?
- It was sufficiently high. However, of course, I thought about this carefully well in advance, considered all of the circumstances and all the pros and cons. In the long run, I decided that the positive effect from our active involvement in Syrian affairs for Russia and the interests of the Russian Federation would far outweigh non-interference and passive observation of how an international terrorist organization grew ever stronger near our borders.
Putin reminded that only the Syrian people may decide the future of their country.
Vladimir Putin: "When we discussed it recently with the previous U.S. administration, we said, "Suppose Assad stepped down today, what would happen tomorrow?" Your colleague did well to laugh because the answer we got was amusing. You cannot even imagine how funny it was. They said, "We don't know".
Interstate relations must not be jeopardized by baseless allegations. The "highly-likely" formula launched by London during the notorious Skripal case is a universal tool of Western diplomacy.
Vladimir Putin: The issues concerning interstate relations are measured in billions and the fate of millions of people. How can we compare one with the other? They say, "You poisoned the Skripals." Firstly, this must be proved. Secondly, the average person listens and says, "Who are these Skripals?" And it turns out that Skripal was engaged in espionage against us. So this person asks the next question, "Why did you spy on us using Skripal? Maybe you shouldn't have done that?" You know, these questions are infinite. We need to just leave it alone and let the security agencies deal with it. As a matter of fact, treason is the worst crime possible and traitors must be punished. I am not saying that the Salisbury incident is the way to do it. Not at all. This gentleman, what was his name again?
- Skripal.
- Skripal has already been punished. He was arrested. For that matter, he was off the radar. Why would anybody be interested in him? He was punished. He was detained, arrested, sentenced, and spent five years in prison. Then, he was released and that was it.
Another question was about globalization and social stratification. Putin reminded of the so-called liberal idea that has basically transformed the idea of good and evil and is often used as an excuse for inaction.
Vladimir Putin: One may criticize Trump for his intention to build a wall between Mexico and the USA. It could be going too far. Yes, maybe so. I am not arguing about this point. But he has to do something about the huge inflow of migrants. Those who are concerned about this, ordinary Americans, they look at this and say, "Good, at least he's doing something, proposing ideas and looking for a solution." Migrants must respect the laws, customs, and culture of the country. But the liberal idea presupposes that nothing needs to be done. You see, that's the problem; that migrants may kill, mug, and rape with impunity because their rights as migrants must be protected. What rights? You violate the law — you get punished. So, the liberal idea has become obsolete. It has come into conflict with the interests of the overwhelming majority of the population.
Or take traditional values. I am not trying to insult anyone, we have been condemned for our alleged homophobia as it is. We have nothing against people of non-traditional sexual orientations. God bless, let them live as they wish. But some things do appear to be excessive to us. Excessive. The thing with children, the five or six genders they've come up with. I can't say exactly what those are, I have no idea. Let everyone be happy, we have no problem with that. But this must not overshadow the culture, traditions, and traditional family values of the millions of people that make up the core population. Deep inside, there must be some fundamental human rules and moral values. In this sense, traditional values are more stable and important for millions of people than this liberal idea, which, in my opinion, is slowly ceasing to exist.
- Isn't religion the opium of the masses?
- No, it is not. But I get the impression that you are not a religious man because it's already 12.45 AM Moscow Time, and you're still torturing me. As we say here, there is no fear of God in you, is there?
- This is history. I've waited a long time for this.
Moreover, the domination of the liberal ideology has resulted in any idea that doesn't fit the framework becoming politically incorrect.
Vladimir Putin: Dictate can be seen anywhere, you see, both in the media and in real life. It is deemed unbecoming to even mention some topics. But why is that so? For this reason, I am not a fan of quickly shutting, tying, closing, disbanding everything, arresting everybody, or dispersing everybody. Of course, not. The liberal idea can't be destroyed either; it has the right to exist and it should even be supported in some things. But you should not think that it has the right to be the absolute dominating factor. That is the point.
- You've seen many world leaders. Whom do you most admire?
- Peter the Great. But he's dead. He will live as long as his cause is alive, just as the cause in each of us. We will live as long as our cause is alive. If you mean any present-day leaders from different countries and states, of the people that I've had a chance to communicate with, I was most seriously impressed by former President of France Mr. Chirac. He is a true intellectual, a real professor, a very level-headed man, as well as very interesting. When he was president, he had his own opinion on every issue, he knew how to defend it, and he always respected his partners' opinions.
The conversation was coming to an end when Putin was asked the question that foreign journalists rarely omit in interviews with the Russian leader.
- Great leaders always prepare succession. So, please, share with us what would the process be by which your successor will be chosen.
Vladimir Putin: I can tell you without exaggeration that I have always been thinking about this since 2000. The situation changes, certain demands on people change as well. In the end, and I will say, without theatrics, exaggeration, or boasting, that in the end, the decision must be made by the Russian people. No matter what and how the current leader does, no matter who or how he presents, it is the voters who have the final word, the citizens of the Russian Federation.
