Putin says Russia's health-care system is unique in the world. Begins by answering the question "in comparison with the rest of the world," saying Russia's system worked best. Says at the beginning of the pandemic, Russia immediately closed its borders and won time to react. Putin says number of hospital beds was increased dramatically and 40 new medical centers were created. "This speaks of our capacity to quickly react to any situation," he said. Talks about efforts to increase the supplies of medicines. Says the situation is improving and that the main problems are "logistical." Says Russia is in the top three worldwide in testing. Says Russia is producing the necessary medicines on its own. Praises the Russian vaccine.
State news agency TASS quotes Putin as saying Russia is beginning to reduce its reliance on energy exports. Literal translation: starting to get off the oil-and-gas needle.
Next question is from state TV and radio in Moscow. Asks about the "state of the health-care system." "How well has it handled the crisis? How will further reforms be modified in light of the pandemic experience?"
- By Mike Eckel
Putin takes a hard-hitting first question from Magadan -- "Was this a good year, or was there anything bad?" -- and launches into 10-minute-long disquisition on the pandemic, interest rates, real growth in incomes and "the Russian identity." (among other things)
Peskov reminds everyone to change the microphone covers after each question as a sanitary measure.
Putin says that hard currency reserves have increased. The National Welfare Fund has also grown "very significantly." Says that 70 percent of the state budget is now independent of reliance on energy exports. Says Russia is finally ending its financial dependence on oil/gas exports. Says Russia marked Victory Day properly despite the pandemic. Thanks the citizens of the country for "once again showing the unity is the essence of the Russian identity." Thanks volunteers and medical workers and all of society for helping one another.
A wry remark on Putin's long time in power. This is his 16th annual press conference, and he has been president or prime minister of Russia since 1999. This year he secured constitutional changes that allow him to run for reelection in 2024 and 2030.
First question is from Magadan state TV and radio. Asks what was good and what was bad about the last year. Putin says 2020 had "pluses and minuses," mentions first of all the pandemic. Quickly points out that this is a problem not just for Russia, but the whole world. It affected every aspect of Russian life -- job losses, falling income, etc.
Then turns to the positive things. "We met these problems properly, perhaps better than most countries," he says. 3.6 percent fall in GDP, which he says is less than the U.S. and the European Union. Says agricultural production increased a bit. Says the banking sector is "in a very satisfactory condition." Says the financial system is "stable." Says that personal incomes are set to increase by 1.5 percent by the end of the year, even though individual people might not feel that increase. Unemployment has increased. "Everything we are doing to support the economy is aimed at preserving jobs," he says.