We'll show you the first building of the Kremlin. This is unique footage of Russian President Vladimir Putin's office. Apparently, the plaque is rather big. In this office, Putin makes landmark decisions.
Right now, the president is away. He's currently at the other end of Moscow, attending an event. But in an hour or so Vladimir Putin will be back at his office, and take this corridor to enter the Security Council meeting hall. The lights are currently off, but the last-minute preparations are about to begin. The president's meeting with the cabinet is going to discuss key issues pertaining to national development.
Every minister's chair has an ID number as they are state property. The tables have a radio set built in with the inscription "Sound Equipment." One may use earphones but, as a rule, nobody does. In the outer office, the president's aids receive calls and keep abreast of the latest news. We can hear the news channel Rossiya 24.
"President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin".
Soon, it will broadcast the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Russia Congress.
"Everybody must be here at 1:30 PM".
Trade unions outline changing the minimum wage to be equal to the subsistence level as an example of effective interaction with the president. They urge to raise it further.
Vladimir Putin: “We do have common tasks and common goals, I can speak for myself at least. It is to improve the well-being of the Russian people. So thank you very much for your cooperation.”
Mikhail Shmakov, Russian Trade Unions: "Mr. President, I would like to convey a message from the town of Pikalyovo, where on June 4th, 10 years ago, you held certain employers to social accountability. Those entrepreneurs have treated their staff well ever since. Here is a note of thanks to you".
Vladimir Derbin, head of the Leningrad Federation of Trade Unions:
- It's been 10 years since you headed a meeting in the monotown of Pikalyovo, Leningrad Oblast.
Vladimir Putin: Is it your note?
- Yes.
10 years ago. the head of the local federation of trade unions sent Putin a note, too. But back then, it looked more like a call for help. In 2009, the monotown of Pikalyovo was on the verge of unrest. All of the major enterprises were halted because their owners were sorting things out. Not only were the people not paid their wages, but they also had no hot water or central heating. Putin came to the town and made the owners of the enterprises come along.
Vladimir Putin: "I didn't just want to see empty workshops — it's not the best sight. I wanted those who did it to see it with their own eyes. I wanted them to come and see. And, speaking to these people, I can say that I think you took thousands of people hostage to your ambitions, unprofessionalism, and simple greed. It's absolutely unacceptable. And what about the social responsibility of business? Where is it? We keep exploiting this phenomenon at every event. Nobody can persuade me that the regional and local authorities did their best to help the people. What did you tell me when I said I was going to come here? "Please, don't, we'd better see another newly-built enterprise." Of course, it's good that you've built another enterprise. Why were you like fussy cockroaches before my arrival here? Why were there no people to make decisions here until recently? You broke process chains. Instead of improving cooperation, the owners are mired in endless squabbles, disputes, mutual claims. They deprived each other of raw materials, broke the common infrastructure".
The footage of that meeting went viral. Major businesspeople, who'd been reluctant to make concessions, suddenly reached an agreement and even signed the necessary papers.
Vladimir Putin: Did you sign this contract?
- Yes.
- And Mr. Deripaska? I don't see his signature. Come here and sign. Come here. Give me back my pen, please.
Then, Putin urged them to pay out wages immediately.
Vladimir Putin: The deadline is today!
And made it clear to the owners that they had no option but to launch the plants.
Vladimir Putin: If you can't agree, we'll do it without you.
- Will the plant work?
Vladimir Putin: Yes.
- Thanks!
Of course, there have been both easy and hard years for the plants, but, most importantly, they work.
- Production is growing.
- Thank you.
The Congress of the Federation of Trade Unions wasn't only to celebrate common achievements. There are many problems, the main one being the stratification of society and capital outflow.
Vladimir Putin: “Money has indeed flowed away, and the outflow continues, but it's also flowing in, more and more, and in large amounts. I once said, so I don’t want to repeat it now, I have warned our entrepreneurs against counting too much on the reliability of their deposits abroad; I told them that hard times could come. So, it's practically here. It's noteworthy that the largest investments in Russia come from such countries as Cyprus and the Netherlands. Well, this is just the repatriation of assets, that's all.”
After the Trade Unions Congress, which took place in Izmailovo, Putin returned to the Kremlin by helicopter. Putin has been moving around Moscow by helicopter when the weather is fine for several years already. So, traffic jams in the capital's downtown, if there are any, are for other reasons. The country's major helipad is just some meters behind the famous dove-tail castellation of the Kremlin wall. This is where the president's helicopter lands. Putin goes from the helipad to the first building of the Kremlin for a meeting with the cabinet members by his Aurus.
The Minister of Health's phone is ringing off the hook. The Minister of Economy is always talking, too. The Minister of Labor is preparing to report to the president. Kutikov has written an outline by hand.
"Just the plan of the speech?"
Topilin printed his text and highlighted the key points.
"In case I lose my train of thought, I'll glance at the red highlights and remember it".
However, Putin frustrated the plan at once. He reminded them of his dialogue with a Sevastopol resident at a recent All-Russia People's Front forum who said that the promised health care centers weren't built in her city.
Margarita Pronina, journalist:The work to design these centers hasn't started yet.
Vladimir Putin: Has the money been allocated?
- Yes.
- But no projects yet?
- No, they can't find providers.
- Can't find providers?
- No.
- I know that the money has been allocated, the decision has been taken. Where are the facilities? When will they be built?
Dmitry Kozak, Deputy Prime Minister:
- We will provide an explanation for every facility. There's no reason for not doing it. The governor again expressed his commitment to starting the construction of these hospitals.
- The governor has expressed his commitment?
- Yes, the governor. And the money, of course, wasn't spent.
- It wasn't spent and was returned to the budget?
- Yes, of course.
- So, the money has been returned to the federal budget.
- Yes, it was returned to the federal budget.
- In a couple of months, you'll report to me on that.
- Of course.
When minister Topilin started to report, the camera captured his text with red highlights. Every word mattered. It was about social support for the disabled.
- Did you manage to launch the system which allows the disabled to avoid bureaucracy to get a certificate?
Maksim Topilin, Labor Minister: It's being launched, it's just that not all of the entities have the opportunity yet. But we've set the ball rolling.
Vladimir Putin: Social support for the disabled isn't a short-term or run-of-the-mill issue. It's not only because it affects millions of people... What are the most recent statistics?
- 11.9…
- Almost 12 million people. It affects all of society. The attitude towards the disabled is a major indicator of the maturity, consolidation, and sustainability of a society. A healthy society will never accept neglect of the disabled.
According to the ministers, electronic document flow between hospitals and the social security medical assessment board is expected to be fully operational within two years.
While the Russian president was saying goodbye to the Congolese president, the guests from the Congo were extremely active behind them. A lady signaled someone to take a photo of her.
“May I take a photo with you?”
Then, all of those who came to the Kremlin waited in line to have a separate photo with Putin, which happens quite rarely. Every next handshake was tighter, white smiles were bigger. Even the Congolese president's personal cameraman finally stopped filming as he wanted somebody to take a photo of him, too.
But in global politics, every such moment is translated into a certain achievement. As a continent, Africa has huge potential. In October, Sochi will see the first Russia-Africa summit.
