Annual News Conference in moscow. This portion of the 4 1 2hour event included questions about russias relationship with ukraine. His opinion of british Prime Minister boris johnson. And the Impeachment Vote against president trump. Hello. My question will be about sports and mainly about the situation, complicated situation that the National Sport has found itself in. Recently on the night in december, the executive comedy has taken unprecedented decision to ban all russians rom all the major sport events that include Olympic Games, paraOlympic Games and winter both winter and summer. And the reason for such a ecision was failure to correspondent to the demands to the road map for the moscow dumping agency and of the information they handed over to he world Antidoping Agency. So they were deprived of their rights so they were basically isqualified too. And the country that suffered from the sanction, the people who suffer the most are our innocent athletes. What must needs to be done . What do athletes need to do and how the National Russian sport is going develop in such a complicated and tough situation. Thank you. President putin ill respond to your question but ive chotted down some things that i saw the gentlewomanned down jotted gs that i down some things that i saw. First i want to say a few primary care. He e will allocate additionally to on top of what we have 550 billion rubles on top of what we have in the National Project dedicated to health care. So these 550 billion will help to purchase new transport, new. Quipment 10,000 medical facilities will be built. 37,000 vehicles will be purchased. And up to 30,000 let me consult my notes. Up to 10,000 pieces of equipment. So i very much hope that it wont take long before we can implement these plans and eople will feel that change. Now, the National Projects would also provide some investment into primary care. But definitely the key investment will go to treat cancer diseases. We do have some success in. Erms of heart diseases. 6 , 12 on d. B. , Child Mortality went down sickly. Thats where we would need to move. These are the avenues that we want to go further. Now, going back to waga and its decision. Well, its not fair, first of all. But it doesnt make sense. And it runs counter to international law. Take doping rule violations. Were taken ions before the previous Olympic Games and now its happening again. Thats never happened in the history of humanity, to be punished for the same crime twice. And again, every punishment should be individual. If you find someone responsible for violating doping rules, then thats natural, then thats fair. But if the vast majority of our athletes are clean, how can you slap a ban against them . Take a young figure skating stars. Do they have any relation to those scandals . No. So they are geniuses, they can do what others cannot. Ok, so thats an attempt to get rid of competitors. Yes, you can do it. But will it help the world sports . No. I spoke about that during the press conference in paris. Olympic team an from any country cannot compete under a neutral flag, if there e no complaints against or allegations made against the particular olympic committee. If there are no allegations, then the team russia should compete under the russian banner, under the russian flag. Thats what it says in the olympic charter. And actually something was set up in close contact with our lleagues and we even elected the [indiscernible] of the Antidoping Agency in russia at their request. So we have all the grounds to believe that this is a political decision. Lets no go to the national media. Now go to the national media. Questioner thank you, good afternoon, mr. President. A little louder [indiscernible] so, first of all, i would like to thank you on behalf of the First Channel journalists, maybe of some other Russian Media outlets, for your words at the press conference in paris, after the end of the press conference, we overheard it a little, you talked to president macron and chancellor merkel and you played is to them the problems of the russian journalists who are working in ukraine. And maybe we will be able to work there as secure as ukrainian journalists who are working here in russia. I have a question in this regard about ukraine, after paris, after everything that has been said in these two weeks by your partners, by ukrainian party. So do you think it makes sense to meet again, as it was agreed, and what are the prospects of the normandy format and how do you think the minsk agreements will be sustained in the next four months . And in the future, in general, what are the fate of [indiscernible] ideally and to all of us, the journalists, your meeting with zelensky was something that weve been awaiting for a long time and what are the prospects now to settle the russianukrainian relations . What are the problems, what probably is the progress due to the change of administration and the last thing, mr. Zelensky has already talked about you back in paris, so what do you think about president Vladimir Zelensky . Thank you. President putin well, lets start with the final question. I try to evade questions like this. I dont think it is appropriate , characterize my counterpart even if a person has left label i try not to people, to characterize them. We may talk about some historical figures, but i try not to pass judgment on people who are in power. Some might have, you know, certain disadvantages but if people have been elected, it means that these are extraordinary people, they have passed the test. As for the mince accords, there is no minsk accords thrrks no alternative to them, as simple as that. Ive been alarmed by the tatement by president zelensky fter he left paris. He said we could revise it. Dead end, ched a complete impasse. The special statement of the did you know bass that has to be embedded in the constitution is minsk erpiece of the accords and extended for on year. We and members have said it has to be a permanent fixture and mbedded in the constitution. The Previous Administration nor the existing one wanted to do that, but you cannot avoid it. Nd you need need dialogue. They said there will be changes. Thats good. Ut we will be instead of the minsk in the special state us of the did you know bass . According to the minsk accords, you have to get approval from those two regions and no request to get approval and that is alarming. Future meeting in april, it will be relevant if there are any positive changes. Do we have any positive changes . Yes. Thats true. Ands the law on the dunbas we have the foundation for the settlement and second, we saw disenengagement. The pullout of the troops from several areas. However, our troops dont want to pull out the troops from the entire front line. But thats their stance. The number of shelling and ombings has decreased, but there are still incidents like that. There are positive changes, there are some alarming news, but i think it makes sense to work as the normandy format and you mentioned colleagues from ukraine. Do we have anyone from ukraine . Mic. T him have the i represent ukranian agency and me personally, our agency doesnt have any problems orking n russia and maybe if we had tanks, maybe it will be different. President putin do you mean the key 702. 264, manufactured. Key 64. Thats a soviet one. Fine. Fine. If you allow regarding the minsk accords, can you give you give a date because you called them republics and the minsk accords and nothing about them and gas wars because there is understanding that you arent going to give it to the decision of the arbiter. You are talking about the cheap gas and doesnt matter for ukraine. President putin you said to natural gas supplies. What else . 3 billion. Fine. Ok. He minsk accords and dismantling the administrations n the nonrecognized republics, lets go back to minsk. Insice cysted to have signatures by the heads of those two unrecognized republics. And put a knife to my neck the heads of those republics said we dont want to do it. O thats a sneak peek but we convinced them to put their signatures and ukraine ecognized these authorities in dunbas. They are shaken ahead of the next election. They went and voted. This is a democratic way to vote people in power. And the accords have a direct reference on what is the right land to epublics language, local police, everything is possible with the minsk accords. Now going to some of the africa shons. There is nothing to hide. I will be honest with you with e russian and republic and ukraine republic and there is a provision that they have to be pulled out and the border should be closed and the border will be closed on day two after the election and that will end overwhelming and comprehensive political settlement and that includes changes to the ukranian constitutions and granting the rights that is all spelled out in the accords. When thats done, then the border will be sealed. Of the he pullout foreign troops. You have the local police, the local defense troops and they consist of the local residents, local residents, period. Now, i have been asked, where do they get tanks. And tanks are hostile around the worlds. You might see it and tanks, where do they take them . Who from other countries are on their size. But thats their own hardware, foreign hardware. As for mercenaries. There are french and germans and m told about it in paris. But there is a armed forces. What is the key issue and i will be honest with you. We still dont have any desire any political will to have that in communities. And again, we dont want to use any use of action or tanks or artillery. The president of ukraine said, have we used aircraft to bomb people. Yes, they used aircraft to bomb people. Once the ukranian authorities get wind of that wrong approach and get that dialogue thats when the issue will be resolved. The accords will have to restore the economic. Blockade. Impossess a hope there will be changes. As you know the least of these improvements, there are demining efforts. Thats not enough. We need to improve lives of people who are there. If we proceed from that position, if we go from that position, it will resolve and se action and use force to strange you late people, then it will be resolved. You know, there are people who care about the dignity, who care about their pride. And so, any use of force should be excluded, should be put on the table. Ow 3 billion we have the National Wealth fund and part of it has been invested n the ukranian securities. 3 billion and we have a decision by the court in london and its not been implemented. On talks, it is very sensitive issue. We want to resolve the issue. And im convinced as a lawyer by profession that the Stockholm Arbitration Court passed this decision which is not legitimate. Its a political decision. One of the reasons for that decision by the Stockholm Arbitration Court due to the difficult Economic Situation in ukraine, thats nonsense. President putin not made that stupid remark. We have a decision and we have a ruling and we will look for a way, acceptable ways that will be accessible for ukraine, too. And despite new infrastructure turkish e building will continue to transport natural gas by ukraine. What about the size of that transit and the term of the deal . Theres a question there. And again, we are interested in continuing our supplies through ukraine and actually the kranian route is longer gee ag graphically and more expensive extreme routes but to transport gas through eastern rope and give a 25 discount or supplies to ukraine directly. And the prices have been decreased for the households. The average price of gas will be yond 00 including individuals, including households and all the subsidies will be removed. But which are removing towards those arrangements and ukraine would be satisfied with those arrangements too. We dont want to have the Energy Sector or to have an impact on the situation in ukraine. Our interest is for ukraine is to get energy and our European Partners to get gas and they need to be assured that we have normal relations with our neighbor and everything will be according to plan. The russian intervention, there was clution with russia. No clution, now pressure, no quid pro quo, with you quain, well its up to your congressmen and on the decisions here in russia, on the decisions against russia, its not executive power but the legislative branch. They passed a judgment on russia. That will have an impact on the level of our ties between the u. S. And russia. We know the u. S. Wants to work with us in those areas where we have shared interests and will continue to contain russia to deter russia in other ways. We know that approach will use the same approach, but nothing good about it. This is an unfriendly move. They want to help ukraine. I told the ukranian counterparts we are getting natural gas. They have more money. Why dont they give money to ukraine and them ukraine would subsidize those gar tariffs. Thats true. Though dont give any money and guarantees for potential loans, but thats not real money. No real support. Take the i. M. F. The u. S. Runs it. And it removes all the tariffs or gas and the households will have to pay higher tariffs. Others in the west want to export timber. Nothing going to be remaining if they take out all the timber. They support the authorities. But they are also dealing very hard blows and now they want the land. They want the land to be sold. The land in ukraine has a sacred meaning. Its just gold. Startedopposition, they o hand blows against zelensky. E are accused. They want us to finance ukraine. They can help themselves. They can provide longterm h, nada. , but zilc nevertheless, we are are continuing to do this regardless who is in the white house or who controls the chambers of congress. Are there any prospects . I think there are. You mentioned one of the pillars, one of the areas which we can use. Global security. We submitted our proposals and told the u. S. About that. We are ready to extend it, to tend the treaty if they send us by mail their proposal or we are ready to sign it and send it to washington. If they are ready. If they are committed. So far, no response. We made our proposals and no response from them. No new star treaty, there will be nothing in the world that will contain the Nuclear Arms Race and that is bad. Lets go to the first row up there. Thank you, so much. The heads of states are meeting, it is said that the celebration of the Second World War would be and you said this victory concerns every one of us, every one of us who lives in the soviet union. You proposed to the leaders to come to moscow that day to celebrate together and you said there was some ceremonial to commemorate the day. My question is, mr. Putin, dont you regret that the column of georgia, rs and ukraine, will not be represented . President putin ful someone is not ready to come due to our current relationship, that would be a mistake on their part. Dont uld mean that they show respect for the people who gave their lives for the independence of their nation. Heres what i would like to remind you of. Well, thats actually nazi germany wanted to do. They wanted to use the islamic p. M. For labor and people should be sent off to the north and beyond the yuta mountains and wanted everyone to die. It was slaffic group, russians and ukranians. When some people say its ok, i want to say, are you stupid enough. None of you would be here alive if that took place. There was a parade here in moscow and the nations that have helped us to survive and it would be a symbolic gesture and happy to see those who accept our invitation. Minsk saw someone from who will talk about iran later on. This is the ministry channel. I have a question of my own. Oes the illegal actions by gorbachev, many people have suffered from these actions and can we give a legal response to and what happened in 1991 it will be easier to solve these ssues with the belarus and latvia and you responded to the question of the constitution and the articles and said this is for the public to discuss and decide upon. But as we all know, all across he country, civil activism are Gathering Signatures and 200,000 signatures have come back for the other bodies to assess this question. Do you think it has been discussed enough or do we need Something Else . Assessmentstin the the rbachevs impacts, all issues have been resolved. I dont know what legal judgment we can pass and how it can help. And the constitution and the ideology. As i said earlier, the soviet constitution had a lot of provisions on the ideology and just have one eyedology, the eyedology of the communist party. It was one of the triggers behind the collapse of the soviet union. The party cracked and the country collapsed in the aftermath. Just one eyedology in the modern rld, patriotism and in the positive sense should be depoliticized, but the goal is to be a framework of the russian states. You are sitting right here. We are talking about deploying such missiles in japan and on the other hand, in japan, you have told us that you are accusing china in coming up with the unique system of warning and hence we have the situation on our hands. That its not a military alliance and at least its a closed relations as you described it in the Military Area between the countries. So could you say that in the. Rtheast asia there are blocs on the other side and in this situation that we have now . Is it possible to us to japan and russia to meet halfway to reach Mutual Understanding to gain mutual trust so in the future we could sign the peace treaty . President putin first on the u. S. ,etween japan almost to reply to your question. The u. S. Is in talks with japan be trained to missiles. We have to take into account, including, including in regard to the islands. What are they going to achieve there so these islands will not host these missiles. In the near future. It makes sense. Its logical. We are trying to find out a solution. E have very good trustworthy relations with the Prime Minister. Do we have a solution . Not yet. However, more important is that we want to find that solution. There are different op shops. As i once said, it should be a winwin, a draw and my japanese judo gues, if you use the language [speaking foreign language] can we find a solution that is sufficient for the republic . We have not found one but ready to move on. On the alliances, we dont plan to set it up. There are other countries who tried to set it up in south korea, japan and the u. S. , they are trying to set up the alines. This is counterproductive to any positive but we have china in defense. China is a hightech country. M sure china is capable of building its Early Warning system but we will build faster. A major will help in way our strategic partner. This is the Early Warning system of a missile attack against you. O thats a defensive element true, its only the u. S. And russia that have those defensive capabilities, mind you, but it doesnt push you towards an aggression but only helps you to defend your territory. You have the floor. Anticipating your question. Johnson talked about you differently. Sometime ago, he was calling you a tie rapt and compared you with a character, toby from the harry porter book and what impression has he made on you. And on brecks it, how do you think the relations between our countries will be between Great Britain and russia and now that Great Britain is smecting to have the report about the lleged interference and we are awaiting and maybe you could tell us. Russia interfering in the them . There are statements by politicians about me, about ussia. Im used to it and heres how i do it. What is my attitude. I know what the interests of my country are and no matter who says what about me, it has nothing to do compared to the fundamental goals that my country is facing. We do follow these remarks. And take into account. And heres one point i would like to make. One thing when people say this when they want to become when they want to get into office but a quite different thing when they are in office they are response i will for the economy and defense and the brexit story, the u. K. Is interested in developing ties with russia and their businessmen have been telling us that same thing and they believe they are just friends and not just some investors. President putin we appreciate their efforts to create jobs and feel at home here. We discussed with some European Partners. The. K. Could join discussion of some of the issues, international issues, that we have mentioned here in the audience. The u. K. Interested in taking a more active part in those issues including with russia. Regarding noninterference, the countriesin different including from the u. K. , have made statements of what is happening in russia and establish interference or not. You pass your judgment of what is happening here. We can he reserve the right to do the same visavis your country. If you think it is interference, you can think like that, but i dont think it has anything to do with the real interference and what is happening where i can congratulate mr. Johnson. He emergeses as awinner. Felt the sentiment of the British Public in a more sophisticated way than his opponents and came out as a winner and wants to deliver on the plans concerning brexit. Thank you for this opportunity. Work for the bbc russian service. Four years ago when you were asked this question about your younger daughter, you said, and i quote, my children do not do business or politics. But we know it has changed. And headed by indiscernible] they are being supported by your old friends. These two women are appearing on tv right now. Everyone knows their names and there is no secret to anyone. My question is, when will you say that they are your daughters and one will be open as daughters of the world leader . Putepute well, you said some business deals. You mentioned one woman and the other lady and maybe you missed something. Have you mentioned the sides of the business . Have you mentioned their shares . You mentioned the fact this business and whether they do have any business, who owns what and who is helping who. [indiscernible] that is an initiative by the head of moscow. And since imthe chairman of the oard of trustees of moscow state university. And that is a desire by our higher educational establishments to marry signs and research with and requirements of or producers and the end consumers. We often buy abroad and often the u. K. , where we can produce on our own. We need to marry where we can roduce ourselves and wra our enterprises and what she is doing, what this is doing is exactly this. Thats a matching and that first applied to moscow state university. There are talented people to come up with innovations but need to make them known. Our beneficiaries or businesses need to be aware of them so that is one of liverages of research and the real sectors of the economy. And i wish them success and may achieve hem to tangible results. As for medicine. Again, its high tech and medicine, the very promising area. We are losing 260,000 people this year. At population declined and unacceptable. So medicine, age, one of the priorities for russia and i think we need to welcome these efforts. National question. Just stand up then. Where is the mic . Good afternoon, mr. Putin. First russian channel that was created on the initiative on the president ial council on International Relations. My question is as follows. Seven years ago, your article was published and called russia the National Correction and over the seven years, has anything changed in terms of this National Question . What do you think about the International Relations inside russia . What about the relations within the regions . And one year ago, when having the press conference or right fter, supporting the first Russian National channel and we again, e to ask you done a lot and the governor has been helping us a lot. The supporters have done a great job and want to go to other regions and want to expand to grow. And we think the regional sources could help us with that. People suffered back then. That was the results of adverse developments between ethnic groups. This was true for the caucuses and for other nations and how they were transported and in died. Cars, so many people you will remember that. And that was due to decisions made earlier. We need to avoid that. We should avoid tragedies like this. And thats important for the nation of russia of politicians. The Public Opinion of the country will not allow them to take indecisions that will destroy the unity of different ethnic groups. Now we will also support any ublic organizations, any media that will help us to smooth over in sharp quarters to resolve any dispute, any africa shons. Life is complicated. It is diverse. We have a very vast country. So many ethnic groups. We have dispute with ukraine. You have ukranian identity. And it was established. Who was behind it. A major researcher. And a writer. He was the first one to talk about a separate ethnic group and there were other polish studies that said that ukranians said slaffic and ukranians come from some nomads. This is complete rubbish and we need to know the truth and we need to understand that at a certain stage, indeed, real identity is established. We have been doing that. Particularly inside the country. Justice will be talked about that there is an issue with chools and other issues. Ishes related to ethnic languages and right youals. We dont pay much attention to it. The people in russia feel that is home to themselves and dont have another home. Thank you. Appy new year. [captions Copyright National cable satellite corp. 2019] captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. Visit ncicap. Org book tv features three new two new books. I have the fartives she wrote and the emails and i have the tape recordings of her lawyers and nobody reading this book to come away with any doubt whatsoever that this woman made up this story and i never met her. Out of her own mouth. At 7 15, in her latest book the truth will set you free gloria stein emthrough a collection of essays. It is hopeful to see what ame before because now the me too movement and thanks to technology and the web is all over the world. But its a process and now it is a majority consciousness. County m, baltimore president on his book the empowered university and interviewed from wes moore. We are working through our work in the humanities and looking at ways to help students to learn to ask the hard questions and read critically but to appreciate the value of evidence in a society that is bottom barreding us with information and different points of view with things being confused of what is truth and what is not. Educated people should have the skills to ask the questions to lead to the evidence that can determine what is truth. Watch book tv this week weekend and every weekend on cspan 2. Sunday night, American History tv on cspan 3 looks back of the Senate Impeachment trial of president bill clinton. We are here today the president suffered a terrible moral lapse. Marital infidelity. Ot a breach of public trust. I recommend it to you before you vote. It was a breach of his marriage vows. Breach of his family trust. It is a sex scandal. Explore our nations past, watch the clinton impme