Putin: West Taking Russia's Red Lines Too Superficial

Western countries’ actions in the Black Sea go beyond boundaries, Vladimir Putin said on Thursday.

"As for the Black Sea, the latest developments go beyond certain boundaries: strategic bombers fly at a distance of 20 km from our state border and they carry quite serious weapons, as is known," the head of state said at a Foreign Ministry enlarged board meeting.

The Western countries’ actions that aggravate the situation can be seen not only in the Black Sea but also in other regions close to the Russian borders, Putin said. "Yes, we constantly express our concerns over these actions, talk about red lines but, of course, we understand that our partners are very peculiar and, to put it mildly, do not take all our warnings and talks on red lines seriously," the Russian leader said.

The Russian president recalled NATO’s expansion to the east. "Even though the relationships between Russia and our Western partners, including the United States, were just unique and these ties were almost at the level of allied relations, our concerns and precautions about NATO’s expansion to the east were absolutely ignored," Putin said, adding that "there were several stages of the expansion" of the military bloc.

"And now let us see where the NATO military infrastructure is: it is located right near to our borders while missile defense systems have been deployed in Romania and Poland and they can be easily employed, considering that MK-41 launchers stationed there can operate as strike complexes," the Russian president pointed out.

"It is just a matter of several minutes to change the software," he added.

Russia’s Defense Ministry reported on November 10 that US Navy ships arrived in the Black Sea to take part in the US European Command’s multinational drills in the region. According to the ministry’s data, the US guided missile destroyer Porter, fleet replenishment oil tanker John Lenthall and command and staff ship Mount Whitney entered the Black Sea for the multinational exercise. On November 15, the Mount Whitney departed for the Mediterranean Sea, following the completion of the exercise.

Russia’s Defense Ministry slammed these maneuvers as a destabilizing factor in the region intended to use Ukrainian territory for military goals. The Russian armed forces were closely watching the situation in the region, the ministry assured.

Putin Urges To Oppose US, EU Attempts To Dictate Climatic Agenda

Russian diplomats should more actively oppose attempts of the United States and the European Union to dictate the climatic agenda, Vladimir Putin said on Thursday at the extended board meeting of the Foreign Ministry.

"Our diplomacy should more actively oppose attempts of the European Union and the US to assume a right for themselves to dictate the climatic agenda single-handedly and form for itself standards on this topic," the Russian leader said.

Russia calls for searching for mutually acceptable solutions, the head of state noted. The country has recently taken "leading positions in green transformation, digital development of all branches of the economy and spheres of human life," Putin added.

Putin Says Risk Of New Pandemic Waves Exists

The coronavirus pandemic is far from being defeated and there is a risk of new waves, Vladimir Putin said on Thursday.

It’s impossible for any country to shield itself from these waves, he said at a meeting of the senior staff of the Russian Foreign Ministry.

"The coronavirus pandemic, it has to be mentioned, there’s no way around it these days, has seriously disrupted the familiar way of life around the world,’’ Putin said. "What I would like to stress is that despite the measures that have been taken, the pandemic is far from being defeated.’’

‘’There are possible risks that new waves of the disease will spread, and not a single country will be able to shield itself from them,’’ he said.

Moscow is calling for other countries to seek closer cooperation in fighting the coronavirus on an equitable basis, he said. Putin mentioned that he proposed at the Group of 20 summit in October that countries move fast to mutually recognize their national vaccination certificates, as that would help the return to normal life and boost business and tourism.

The World Health Organization needs support as it could do more for mass immunization, he said. The WHO could accelerate prequalification - or the endorsement of the quality, safety and efficacy - of new vaccines and medicines, Putin said.

Putin Shaping A Roadmap For Russia's MFA

Russia's agenda is focused on the implementation of RF’s foreign policy and priority tasks for the future, taking into account the adopted amendments to the Constitution, which also concern foreign policy, Vladimir Putin said on Thursday, at a Foreign Ministry enlarged board meeting.

"Importantly, our Fundamental Law has now sealed such basic ideas and values as loyalty to the homeland, respect for our native tongue, history, culture and traditions of our predecessors. This is everything that unites our people around common ideals and determines the vector for the development of the sovereign, independent and peace-loving Russian state, an active member of the international community," he said.

"We will also fix the specific areas of foreign policy, of our diplomatic work in today’s difficult international conditions in the new version of the Foreign Policy Concept that is now being drafted. This document, along with the National Security Strategy endorsed this summer, will, actually, become a roadmap for the Foreign Ministry and other ministries and departments,"Putin added.

Russia is committed to developing partnership and mutually beneficial constructive relations with all countries and regional associations. "We will proactively participate in international efforts to counter common challenges and threats which, unfortunately, still include terrorism and cross-border crime, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, poverty, inequality, climate change and environmental degradation,"President noted.

As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, Russia is set to continue to firmly uphold the fundamental principles enshrined in the UN Charter such as sovereignty and equality of states, non-interference in their internal affairs, fair settlement of disputes and of course, the key role of the UN in addressing international problems.

Zakharova Responds To British Truss's Anti-Russia 'Awkward' Statements

Moscow noted the anti-Russia statements by British Foreign Secretary Elizabeth Truss, which were published by The Sunday Telegraph. she tried to pin the migration crisis on the Belarus-Poland border on Russia and urged European countries to oppose the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project in a united front, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told a briefing on Wednesday.

"It would have been better if she had explained in this article how people are suffering from cold in her kingdom, what the statistics say about it and what warming-up measures are recommended to Her Majesty’s subjects, instead of verbally attacking Russia," she said.

London is deliberately ignoring the humanitarian backstory of the crisis that is taking shape at the Belarus-Poland border. nothing at all is said about the direct connection between the current events and the UK’s massive involvement in the armed interventions in Iraq, Afghanistan and events in Syria. these interventions not only killed people and destroyed the statehood of these countries, but also ruined their economies, forcing a substantial part of their population to go to other parts of the world, less in search of a better life than a chance of survival.

"London’s bellicose rhetoric on Nord Stream 2 is perplexing as well. How do the appeals of Elizabeth Truss tally with the persistent crises in the British fuel market and the plans to de-carbonise the economy? This is an interesting question. Maybe it is worth discussing this in the British press as well? It is nothing but double standards and unfair competition,"Zakharova noted.

It would be better if the British Foreign Office and its head tried to normalise relations with Russia rather than repeat the sad experience of their predecessors who stubbornly sought to dismantle them.

Zakharova: NATO Is A Colossus With Feet Of Clay

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told a briefing on Wednesday that NATO no longer being a defence alliance but rather a tool for advancing geopolitical interests and ensuring, or so they think, the collective West’s dominant position in international affairs, which has nothing to do with the genuine interests of strengthening security in Europe and the Euro-Atlantic region. It has nothing to do with actual dominance that is based on leadership. It’s a colossus with feet of clay.

"The North Atlantic Alliance continues its propaganda campaign on the European population, accusing Russia of interference into other countries’ affairs, but forgets to mention who is really to blame for the growing confrontation on the continent," Zakharova said.

"Unfortunately, the alliance continues its information propaganda on the population of Europe, convincing them that it is our country and its aggressive stance that is the source of instability on the continent. Recently, NATO Secretary General [Jens Stoltenberg] used a meeting of the 73rd session of the Northern Council for this, where he reiterated again the accusations of our country’s interference into the affairs of other countries, which has already become a bad tradition of his, while he did not provide any evidence or facts," she said.

According to Zakharova, the NATO secretary general just used "proven and well-tested cliches for agitation in favor of increasing NATO activity in the northern latitudes. Apparently, [its purpose is] for dragging Finland and Sweden into the militarization process of the Arctic region, turning it from an area of cooperation into a space for geopolitical competition," Zakharova added.

The diplomat drew attention to who is actually to blame for the increase in confrontation in Europe. "This is not Russia, but NATO allies have done everything to create dividing lines on the continent. The facts tell us that. They have destroyed the key elements of ensuring Euro-security," she noted.

Russia's MFA Publishes Lavrov's Correspondence With French, German Counterparts

The Russian Foreign Ministry has moved to publish Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's correspondence with the French and German top diplomats, Jean-Yves Le Drian and Heiko Maas, in order to prevent attempts to distort Moscow's position on a Normandy Four meeting on Ukraine, the ministry said on Wednesday.

According to the statement, Lavrov informed his German and French counterparts on November 16 that the correspondence would be made public.

In an October 29 message to Maas and Le Drian, Lavrov emphasized the importance of mediation efforts on the Normandy Four platform. However, he stressed that a possible ministerial meeting "should be well prepared," including the development of a thorough joint statement "with specific recommendations" for Ukraine and the self-proclaimed Donbass republics as the parties to the conflict. The Russian foreign minister sent a Russian draft document on the matter to his counterparts. However, Lavrov later noted that the response of France and German was "disappointing." He particularly pointed to statements by Le Drian and Maas who had said that Russia's draft document contained provisions "that cannot be accepted" on the Normandy Four platform.

At the same time, Lavrov slammed a draft document presented by France and Germany, particularly because of their interpretation of the Minsk Agreements. When commenting on his counterparts' proposal to meet in Paris on November 11, Lavrov noted that he had informed the French top diplomat on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Rome that he would not be able to participate as he already had a meeting planned for that day in Moscow.

Kiev Exploits 'Russian Threat' To Deflect Gaze From Minsk Accord Sabotage

The Kiev regime seeks to distract attention from its course towards dismantling the Minsk accords on settling the conflict in southeastern Ukraine by drumming up various sorts of scaremongering about the alleged Russian threat, Sergey Lavrov told a press conference on Wednesday. 

"As I understand it, it is also an obvious fact that the Ukrainian authorities and personally President [of Ukraine Vladimir] Zelensky have embarked on a course towards disrupting the Minsk accords and sabotaging all that they undertook to fulfill and they are implementing this policy with the outright connivance of their patrons in Berlin, Paris and Brussels," Russia’s top diplomat said.

"Considering the problems that exist in Ukraine today, we see the Kiev regime’s undisguised desire to distract attention from the course towards dismantling the Minsk Package of Measures by instigating various sorts of scaremongering, including the alleged Russian threat," Lavrov pointed out.

The Kiev regime turns to Berlin and Paris "with a call to protect" it and turns to NATO "with a request to send troops to defend a free and democratic Ukraine," holds talks with Great Britain to agree "on creating some naval bases," Russia’s top diplomat said.

"And some official, I do not remember his name, has claimed that the launch of the Nord Stream 2 [gas pipeline] will be tantamount to declaring Russia’s war against Ukraine," Lavrov went on to say.

"And all these thoughts and calls by the hot heads, unfortunately, find support, in particular, among Western participants of the Normandy format," he said.

As Russia’s top diplomat recalled, following the results of their meeting, the foreign ministers of Ukraine, France and Germany came up with a statement where they highlighted key points based "exclusively on Kiev’s stance" and threatened Russia "with some terrible consequences," if Moscow "continues creating a threat to Ukraine’s security."

"It is clear that Zelensky is not averse to provoking some incidents with the intent that, as Ostap Bender [the main character of the famous Soviet satirical novel The Twelve Chairs] used to say, abroad will help us," the Russian foreign minister said.

Russia’s top diplomat said, however, he was confident that Western experts "who are somewhat in the know and follow developments" understand the real situation well.

"And I sincerely think that our colleagues, the heads of diplomatic agencies in most EU countries also understand all this well. The point is that once they have taken part in this Russophobic project based on the anti-Constitutional coup d’·tat and supported it, they now find it difficult to depart for the positions of the truth and an impartial review of what is taking place," the Russian foreign minister said.

"The only ones who are actually ready to fulfill what was written in these documents and what was approved by the UN Security Council are the LPR, the DPR and Russia as a participant in the Normandy format and negotiations in the Contact Group where all these issues should be directly solved between Kiev, Donetsk and Lugansk," Lavrov stressed.

Lavrov: Russia, Moldova Set For Pragmatic, Mutually Beneficial Cooperation

Moscow and Chisinau have an interest in promoting mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation in a variety of areas, Sergey Lavrov said at a news conference on Wednesday after his talks with Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Nicu Popescu.

"We underscored our mutual interest in promoting our partnership in a variety of areas in conformity with those statements that the new president of the Republic of Moldova, Ms. [Maia] Sandu, has repeatedly made. Our mutual commitment to pragmatic, mutually beneficial cooperation in the interests of our peoples was fully confirmed today," Lavrov said.

According to the Russian foreign minister, today Moldova again reaffirmed its policy of maintaining a balance in its cooperation with Eurasian integration bodies and the European Union.

"We also proceed from, and we confirmed, our respect for the non-aligned status, the status of a neutral state, which is enshrined in the Moldovan constitution. We welcomed the spirit of developing our relations based, as I have already said, on pragmatism and mutual consideration of interests," Lavrov added.

The Russian foreign minister recalled that the Wednesday meeting had taken place just two days before the 20th anniversary of the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between Russia and Moldova.

"We shared the opinion that this document retains its full meaningfulness and serves as a reliable legal basis for the promotion of bilateral cooperation in all directions," he said.

Before the news conference, the ministers signed a joint statement marking the 20th anniversary of the treaty.

Additionally, the ministers touched upon trade and economic cooperation.

"We stated with satisfaction that after last year’s slump there has been a quite steady recovery in trade. We noted the importance of the October 29 agreements in the gas area," the Russian foreign minister said. "We believe that the regular, 17th, meeting of the intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation, which Nikolai (Nicu) Popescu chairs alongside Dmitry Patrushev, is meant to help enhance practical cooperation."

Lavrov and Popescu focused their attention on cooperation between the two countries’ foreign ministries.

 Before the news conference, they also signed a plan of inter-ministerial consultations for 2022-2023, which, in Lavrov’s words, "is quite meaningful and will help sustainably accelerate" bilateral contacts.

Putin Stresses Need To Clearly Define Limits And Standards Of Genetic Technologies

Vladimir Putin considers it necessary to clearly define the limits and ethical standards in the field of genetic technologies.

"It is quite obvious that legislation in the field of genetics should leave wide room for scientific research and creating innovations in medicine, veterinary medicine, breeding, and in other areas. At the same time, it is necessary to clearly define the limits in the use of genetic technologies," he said on Wednesday.

According to the president, the ethical norms in this area "must be understandable, recognized by researchers and business, and, which is fundamentally important, [must] be accepted by society, [must] have people's trust".

Putin recalled that a program was launched two years ago dedicated to developing genetic technologies. In this regard, the President proposed to evaluate its results, the problems that have emerged, and make additional decisions that will help move forward faster, taking into account the speed with which genetics is developing all over the world.

"I mean both fundamental science and the development of advanced industries, entire economic sectors that are associated with it. I propose focusing on the legal regulation of genomic research and the use of genetic technologies. Like in all advanced areas, humanity here is still walking an unknown path, there are many complex, controversial legal and humanitarian issues," Putin added.

Kremlin Says Decision On Certification Of Nord Stream 2 Operator Not Politicized

The decision to suspend the certification process for the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline operator is not politicized, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Wednesday.

"Absolutely, no. In this case there are indeed certain protocols, Europe’s legal regulations on that issue. And the operating company is ready to meet all requirements of the current legislation so that this project, important for all, will be launched as soon as possible," he said when asked a respective question.

"The certification of Nord Stream 2 is a fairly complicated process, it was clear from the very beginning. The operating company fulfills all requirements of the regulator. Yesterday we saw Nord Stream 2 company to be quite quick to respond. A new company will be founded to meet the requirements," Peskov added.

The energy crisis in Europe and the implementation of the Nord Stream 2 project do not depend on each other, according to the Kremlin spokesman. "As for the energy crisis, those are two processes, though in one area, which do not depend on each other," he said when asked a respective question. "It was clear from the very beginning that it is necessary to practice patience," Peskov stressed. "We are confident here that the project itself is important for Europe. It is important both for us and for European consumers," he said.

Germany’s Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur) announced the temporary suspension of the procedure to certify Nord Stream 2 AG as an independent transmission operator on Tuesday, saying that the certification of the operator would only be possible if that operator was organized in a legal form under German law. The certification procedure will remain suspended until the main assets and human resources have been transferred to the German subsidiary.

The regulator will be able to resume its examination in the remainder of the four-month period set out in law. Previously January 8, 2022 was mentioned as the deadline, after which the German regulator should submit its draft report for approval to the European Commission.

The construction of Nord Stream 2 was fully completed on September 10, 2021. Before pumping can commence, the operator of the project should be registered as an independent transport operator - the Federal grid agency is to issue certification by January 8, 2022. The agency cannot prohibit commercial gas pumping, but if it starts before the registration is finalized the operator will be fined. This registration is obligatory for meeting the norms of the EU Gas Directive.

Putin's Address To Russia-Uzbekistan Interregional Cooperation Forum

Vladimir Putin made a welcome video address to the participants and organizers of the Second Russia-Uzbekistan Interregional Cooperation Forum on Wednesday.

Lavrov Points To US Hypocritical Statements On Russia's Threat For Space Exploration

Instead of groundlessly accusing Russia of testing armaments in outer space, the United States should sit down at the negotiating table and discuss its concerns in this field, Sergey Lavrov told a press conference on Tuesday.

"We would prefer that the United States should sit down at the negotiating table at last, instead of making groundless accusations, and discuss its concerns with regard to the treaty, which Russia and China are proposing to prevent this arms race and which the US cannot accept. It would be very interesting for us to hear a specific and reasoned position and not pretexts. We are ready for that," Russia’s top diplomat said.

As the Russian foreign minister pointed out, Washington’s claims that Moscow is creating risks for peaceful space exploration are hypocritical. "No facts exist," Lavrov stressed.

The United States urges Russia to work out some universal regulations for space exploration but ignores the initiative put forward by Russia and China on drafting a treaty on preventing an arms race in outer space, Russia’s top diplomat pointed out.

"They [the United States] simply ignore that, insisting that some rules, universal regulations of conduct be drafted," he said.

In the meantime, the US is most actively unleashing an arms race in outer space, Lavrov said. "In 2020, they set up the Space Command and adopted a space strategy that stipulates creating an all-out military advantage in outer space as one of its basic goals," Russia’s top diplomat added.

"In order to implement this strategy, and such facts were registered even before it was approved, the Pentagon is testing without notifying anyone whomsoever combat strike vehicles in orbit, including delivering missile defense capabilities into orbit. The president of Russia repeatedly commented on this threat, stressing that this would create a completely different security situation when strike armaments would be constantly deployed over a particular country," Lavrov pointed out.

As the US Space Command reported earlier, Russia tested a direct-ascent anti-satellite missile on November 15 that struck a Russian satellite (COSMOS 1408) and "created a debris field in low-Earth orbit." As it also claimed, "Russia continues to pursue counterspace weapon systems that undermine strategic stability and pose a threat to all nations."

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that "the United States will work with our allies and partners as we seek to respond" to this act ascribed to Russia.

Lavrov Demands Poland Stop Arbitrary Treatment Journalists On Polish-Belarus Border

Moscow demands Warsaw immediately stop the arbitrary treatment of journalists working for the RT France TV channel, who were detained on the Polish-Belarusian border, Sergey Lavrov told a news conference on Tuesday.

According to Lavrov, the Polish side’s goal right now is to hide its actions from the public. "Journalists aren’t just let in there. Reporters from CNN, the BBC and other Western newspapers and TV channels are working on the Belarusian side and are voicing serious misunderstanding over the fact that they are just not allowed to the Polish side," he said.

RT France’s reporters "were detained and taken somewhere where they were charged and fined," Lavrov said. "We demand this arbitrary treatment stop immediately."

Vucic Plans To Focus On Gas Price, Increased Supplies At Talks With Putin

Aleksandar Vucic plans to discuss the gas price and increased supplies with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Vucic said in an exclusive interview with the YouTube channel SolovyevLive on Saturday.

"This time we will have plenty of practical issues to touch upon. In addition to political issues, I can say something, and I also leave something for the one-on-one conversation. I would say that the top issue here, in Serbia is gas," Vici said.

"I am convinced that we will find a solution to three things related to gas. They are the price of gas and its amount, as we need more and more gas. we are spending more and more. if we used to spend 1.1 billion cubic meters of gas, now we use 2.7 [bln]. We should reach an agreement on increased gas supplies, as our economy is the fastest growing in Europe," he said.

Vucic said that Putin had always shown an understanding of Serbia’s dire circumstances.

"I hope that this time he will also understand us in regard to the gas price and amounts of supply," he added.

On October 7, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov said at a meeting of the Russian-Serbian intergovernmental committee that he hoped a long-term contract for Russian gas supplies to Serbia would be inked by the end of 2021.

Serbia is ready to continue implementing interconnector pipeline projects with the Russian gas holding Gazprom, President Vucic said.

"I want that people in Russia know that Serbia successfully resisted pressure and we have never been a problem: neither when the South Stream was built [the project was not implemented] nor when the TurkStream and the Balkan Stream were built. We constructed the 400-km long gas pipeline together with Gazprom and gas is already flowing now over the gas pipeline. We are ready to continue expansion of interconnectors of this gas pipeline [the TurkStream gas pipeline] in the region," Vucic said

Serbia is the only European country that has never introduced any sanctions or measures against Russia, Vucic said. "We have never allowed ourselves anything that can influence on our relations with Russia," the President of Serbia added.

On January 1, Vucic gave a start to operation of the Balkan Stream gas pipeline. The segment in Serbia is the extension of the TurkStream main gas pipeline delivering Russian gas.

Putin Greets Young Talents - Finalists Of Bolshaya Peremena Contest

On Saturday, Vladimir Putin greeted the finalists of the Bolshaya Peremena contest, who gathered in the Crimean Artek, via video communication.

"I sincerely congratulate the contest winners. You have shown what you are capable of, your talents, your best character traits, and coped with all the assignments admirably. Well done!" he said. The President also congratulated all the finalists.

"You have also achieved great results. Some of you lacked just a little bit to achieve victory but it will make fighting for it next year even more exciting,"Putin said.

Bolshaya Peremena is much more than a contest: it is a closely-knit team which unites hundreds of thousands of young people across the country, a true community of like-minded people which appreciates everyone, helps to believe in yourself and your energies and to find your way in life.

"Bolshaya Peremena is also making progress, including thanks to your ideas and suggestions. Thus, new tracks appear in the contest, regional teams are being set up, while earlier this year The Good Saturday volunteer campaign was launched. It is great that you can take part in an interesting and much needed effort and also be its co-authors," he noted.

"You now have every opportunity to succeed in any profession you choose, to fully display and realise your abilities. And this is very important because the achievements of today’s school students and young people determine our country’s future,"President stressed.

Putin On Normandy Format: EU's Insane Сlaims Against Russia, US Supports Ukraine's Sabotage

Russia is not a party to the conflict in eastern Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in an interview with the journalist of the Rossiya-1 TV channel Pavel Zarubin.

"The Minsk agreements do not say that Russia is a party to the conflict, we have never agreed with this and will not agree, we are not," the Russian leader stressed.

As the President noted, the Western partners "are trying to push Russia to implementation of the Minsk agreements."

"But when we ask our partners, in particular in the Normandy format, what exactly Russia does not observe under the Minsk agreements and what Russia should do under the Minsk agreements - there is no answer. They say directly: "We cannot word it". I am not joking, the dialogue is exactly like this," Putin said.

According to him, no one can formulate what exactly the Lugansk and Donetsk people's republics allegedly do not fulfill under the Minsk agreements either.

Putin recalled that it was the Ukrainian authorities who made the decision to use the armed forces to resolve the conflict in Donbass. First, it was done by acting President of Ukraine Aleksander Turchinov, then President Pyotr Poroshenko made the second attempt to solve the conflict by force, "despite attempts to convince him not to do this."

"How it ended, what tragedies it led to, we know very well. It was them who started it," Putin stressed. Russian President Vladimir Putin believes that there are still no other settlement mechanisms in Donbass, except for the meeting of the Normandy Four.

"I believe that we have no other mechanisms, and no matter how difficult it is today, no matter how difficult it is to solve this problem, but this mechanism must be used," he said, answering the question about the settlement in Donbass and whether it makes sense to convene a summit in the Normandy format.

Putin stressed that the mechanism of the meeting in the Normandy format should be used "at least for approaching the solution of the problems" in the east of Ukraine.

The Russian leader noted that he had not heard "persistent proposals in this regard" from Russia’s partners. "Although we are discussing it," he noted.

Publications that Russia is allegedly preparing a "military invasion of Ukraine" are alarmist, Putin said. "I haven’t seen these alarmist statements yet, though. But I proceed from the fact that it is what you said," the head of state said responding to the host's request to comment on such publications by Western media.

Earlier, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the reports in the Western media about "the plans of the Russian Federation to invade the territory of Ukraine" as groundless escalation of tension.

He drew attention to the fact that this is "not the first publication, not the first statement by the United States that it is concerned" about the movement of the Russian Armed Forces on its territory. Russia repeatedly said that the movement of its armed forces on its own territory should not cause concern to anyone, since it "poses no threat to anyone," the Kremlin spokesman noted.

Putin Rejects MoD RF Proposals For Retaliatory Maneuvers To NATO Drills In Black Sea

Vladimir Putin finds it inappropriate for Russia to carry out its maneuvers in the Black Sea in response to NATO exercises there, there is no need to escalate the situation. He said it in an interview with Pavel Zarubin, the host of the Moscow. Kremlin. Putin program.

"I should say that our Defense Ministry also came up with a proposal to hold its own unplanned exercises in this water area, but I believe that this is inappropriate and there is no need to further escalate the situation there. Therefore, the Russian Defense Ministry does not go further than escorting aircraft and ships," he said.

He drew attention to the fact that now the United States and its NATO allies are now conducting unplanned exercises in the Black Sea.

Moreover, "not only they formed a fairly powerful naval group there, but they also use aviation, including strategic aviation, in the course of these exercises," Putin noted.

"This is partly the answer to your previous question of where and how our strategic missile carriers fly," Putin told the host of the program.

"B-51 are used, which is rather old aircraft, but it not the carriers that matter, the matter is that they carry strategic weapons. This is a serious challenge for us," Putin said.

Putin: Lukashenko May Block Russia's Gas Transit To Europe

Mr Lukashenko, as president of a transit country, can issue an order to cut off our deliveries to Europe even though it will violate our transit contract, Vladimir Putin said in an interview with host of "Moscow. Kremlin. Putin" Pavel Zarubin.

"I hope it will not come to that. But on the other hand, sanctions are imposed on him and there is a threat of new sanctions. However, it would do more damage to Europe’s energy sector and would not contribute to the development of our relations with Belarus as a transit country,"he added.

The Russian President recalled that such a precedent has already taken place in recent history.

"In 2008, there was a crisis when we were unable to agree on the basic contract parameters among incessant arguments over the price of gas and transit. It came to the point that Ukraine blocked our gas bound for European consumers. They simply, as specialists say, turned off the tap and closed off the transit of Russian gas to Europe. This did happen," Putin noted.

"I spoke with Mr Lukashenko twice recently and he never told me about that, not even a hint. But he can probably do that. Although there is nothing good about it and I will certainly talk to him about this issue, unless he just said it in the heat of the moment,"he said.

Putin: Migration Crisis Were Created By Western Countries Themselves

The Western states created migration crises themselves, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in an interview with host of "Moscow. Kremlin. Putin" Pavel Zarubin.

"It is important to remember where the migration crises came from. Is it Belarus that discovered such problems? No, there are reasons that were created by the Western countries themselves, including European countries. They are both of military and economic nature," Putin said.

Elaborating on the military causes, Putin mentioned the conflict in Iraq. "Because everyone took part, say, in operations in Iraq, and now there are a lot of Kurds from Iraq. They [the West] fought in Afghanistan for twenty years, and now there are more and more Afghans there," the Russian President explained.

According to him, "Belarus has nothing to do with it." "Migrants went through other channels as well. The fact that now they have gone through Belarus is not surprising, because Belarus has a visa-free entry to the country from the countries of exodus, as Alexander Grigorievich Lukashenko explained to me," Putin went on.

Speaking about the economic reasons for the migration crisis, the head of the Russian state recalled that in Europe there are very high social benefits for migrants. "For example, a person who works well amid high unemployment in the Middle East, including in oil producing countries, even a worker in the oil industry, earns much less than a social allowance a non-working migrant receives, say, in Germany. Of course, people are heading there," Putin concluded.

Instead of working in turbulent conditions where no basic safety rules are observed migrants prefer to move to Europe, not to work and get two to three times more with their families, Putin noted. "Because they pay for both adults and children, and education is free, and, as a rule, medical care is free. I repeat, this is the policy of the leading European countries," the Russian leader summed up.

Putin's Remarks At The Artificial Intelligence Conference

Vladimir Putin delivers remarks at the AI Journey 2021, the international conference on artificial intelligence and data analysis, on Friday.

Vladimir Putin's APEC 2021 Video Address

Vladimir Putin participates, via videoconference, in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit on Friday.

Russia supports the plan for the long-term development of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation that runs to 2040, Russian President said. 

There are two documents prepared for approval as a result of the summit: a statement by the leaders of the group’s member economies and the plan for APEC development to 2040, according to Putin.

"Russia of course supports them,’’ Putin said. ‘’We believe that both documents are a good foundation for the further development of cooperation as part of the forum in search for collective answers for the most pressing challenges and threats facing the Asian Pacific region.

Kremlin Vows: Russia To Enhance Security Measures Amid NATO’s Assertive Actions

NATO’s assertive actions near the Russian border are compelling Moscow to take additional security measures, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Friday.

"If necessary, we will take measures to ensure our security if there are provocative actions by our opponents near our borders,’’ he vowed. "I’m referring to NATO and NATO forces that are taking rather active and assertive actions in close proximity to our borders, be it in the air, on water, or on land.’’

"We should stay alert,’’ Peskov went on to say. "We should safeguard [our security], and hedge any risks. And that’s what we are doing.’’

Peskov commented on US media reports that Russia allegedly plans to invade Ukraine, saying they weren’t the first publications and the first statements by the US that it’s concerned about Russian troops moving around Russia’s territory.

"We have repeatedly said to this that the movements of our armed forces on our soil shouldn’t be of anyone’s concern. Russia poses no threat to anyone," he said. "These headlines are nothing more than empty and unsubstantiated fomenting of tensions."

The Kremlin spokesman said the West is stepping up its provocative actions to create tension with Russia.

"You are seeing the situation in the Black Sea, the active aerial recon activity by NATO aircraft, the recon aircraft, including those of the US,’’ he said. ‘All of this cannot leave us indifferent.’’

"They aren’t our friends,’’ Peskov went on to say. ‘’These aircraft belong to those who state as their key purpose deterring and countering Russia. Those that call Russia an enemy."

Russia makes statements and steps of a preventive nature every day, he said.

Lavrov Responds To Western MSM Worried About Russian PMCs In Mali

Reporting by Western media outlets on the actions of Russian private military companies (PMCs) in Africa won’t damage Russia’s image since Moscow has nothing to do with the services they provide, Lavrov said at a press conference on Thursday.

"If somebody thinks that putting a spin on this contrived topic damages the image of the Russian Federation, I don’t think so. <...> As for the phenomenon of private military companies in general, we have nothing to do with the activity of any such structures that were created by Russian citizens," he said.

Speaking of Western countries’ concerns over the plans of Mali’s government to use the services of a Russian PMC, the Russian top diplomat stressed that this issue is the exclusive purview of the republic’s government. "As for the reports of the Malian government’s plans to use the services of a private military company from the Russian Federation that Mali’s prime minister openly mentioned during a session of the UN General Assembly, this issue is the exclusive purview of Mali’s legitimate government," the foreign minister said.

As Lavrov reported earlier, Mali’s government turned to a Russian private military company for help in fighting terrorism. Against this background, a number of Western countries, above all, France, began to accuse Russia of establishing its influence in West Africa with the help of "mercenaries" allegedly connected with the state.

Lavrov Reminds French Counterpart Of Manners Before Serious Conversation On Ukraine At 2+2 Meeting

Moscow and Paris will need to have a serious discussion of Ukraine-related issues at a meeting between the Russian and French foreign and defense ministers set to take place in Paris on November 12, Sergey Lavrov said at a press conference on Thursday.

"I consider France's warning of its plans to raise the Ukraine issue as proof that our French colleagues realize that tomorrow - and in general - they cannot avoid responsibility for what their proteges in Kiev are doing, I mean Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky's regime," Lavrov pointed out. "We will have a very serious conversation on the matter," he said, adding that France and Germany allowed Kiev "to undermine and openly and consistently ignore all advice" and the Minsk Agreements.

"When our French colleagues said that Russia had refused to participate in a November 11 Normandy Four meeting at the level of foreign ministers, we explained everything to them in detail in written form," Lavrov went on to say. He emphasized that when the initiative to hold a Normandy Four meeting on November 11 had been announced at his meeting with his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian two weeks back, he had informed the French top diplomat that he was scheduled to hold talks with a counterpart from another country on that day.

The foreign and defense ministers of Russia and France will hold another 2+2 meeting of the Russian-French Cooperation Council on security and strategic stability issues in Paris on November 12.

Putin, Merkel Again Discuss Refugee Crisis On Belarus Border

On Thursday, again, Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with Acting Federal Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel.

The leaders continued their discussion of the situation on the Belarusian borders with the European Union and confirmed the importance of settling the acute migration crisis as soon as possible in accordance with international humanitarian standards.

Vladimir Putin supported the restoration of contacts between the EU states and Belarus with a view to resolving this problem.

During an exchange of views on the domestic conflict in Ukraine, President Putin noted Kiev’s destructive policy, which is relying increasingly on force. Thus, it is using assault drones in violation of the Minsk Package of Measures. The destabilising and dangerous provocations by the armed forces of the United States and other NATO countries in the Black Sea was also noted.

Putin Visits Moscow’s Dostoevsky Museum In Honor Of Author’s 200th Birthday

Vladimir Putin took part in the opening of the Dostoevsky Moscow House Museum Center dedicated to the writer's life and works marking the author’s 200th birthday on Thursday.

Russian Minister of Culture Olga Lyubimova accompanied President Putin during the excursion. The head of state looked over the memorial along with historical and literary exhibits dedicated to the author, the highlights of his biography and his prominent works.

The writer’s family lived in the building until 1837. The Fyodor Dostoevsky Apartment Museum opened on the first floor of the building in 1928, and has remained the center of the renovated museum. The second floor exhibits information on the writer’s works, including his main novels Crime and Punishment, The Gambler, The Idiot, The Possessed (or Demons), The Adolescent, The Brothers Karamazov and others. The third floor is dedicated to readers’ reactions to Dostoevsky’s works. Large-scale multimedia installations were created there specifically for the new exhibit.

After the tour of the museum, Putin had a meeting planned with Russian literary figures and specialists on Dostoevsky’s works.

Russian Tu-160, Belarusian Su-30 practice Interaction In Belarus

On Thursday, two strategic missile carriers Tu-160 of the Russian Aerospace Forces performed a patrolling in the airspace of the Republic of Belarus and practiced the support from Su-30SM of the Belarusian Air Force.

The pilots have successfully accomplished the task and demonstrated an excellent aeronautic skills and mastery. At the same time, there is an increased level of interaction between the Russian and Belarusian crews throughout the entire flight.

The flight had lasted 4 hours and 36 minutes. The strategic missile carriers have passed a distance of more than 3,000 kilometres.

These activities have been performed in order to ensure the military security of the Union State and are not directed against other countries.

All the planes have returned to their air bases.

Russian Knights Сrews Arrive In Dubai To Participate In International Air Show

The crews of the aerobatic aviation group Russian Knights on multipurpose Su-30SM fighters moved to the United Arab Emirates to participate in the international air show Dubai Airshow 2021, the press service of the RF Ministry of Defense reported on Thursday.

The flight from Kubinka near Moscow took place with two intermediate landings. The Il-76 military transport aircraft delivered specialists of the engineering and aviation service and engineering and technical property to the venue of the international exhibition.

Before the demonstration, which will be held at the Al Maktoum airfield  in the United Arab Emirates, Russian pilots will conduct two qualifying  flights and aerial training.

During the airshow, Aerospace Forces’ crews will conduct flights as part of squad and demonstrate supermaneuverable possibilities of the newest Su-30SM fighters.   The pilots of the aerobatic team Russian Knights will show group aerobatics such as Nesterov's loop, Barrel, Bend at set intervals and distances, as well as doubles, single and oncoming aerobatics.

Dubai Airshow 2021 international airshow will be held in Dubai from 14 to 18 November.

Russian Defence Recorded Increased Military Activity By US, NATO In Black Sea

The Russian Defence Ministry has recorded increased military activity by the US and its NATO allies in the Black Sea region. Above all, the intensity of naval, air and maritime reconnaissance and strategic aviation activities has increased, Major General Igor Konashenkov, official representative of the Russian Defense Ministry report on Thursday.

Four NATO reconnaissance aircraft have been detected and escorted by Russian Aerospace Forces anti-aircraft radars in the past 24 hours.

The U-2S, RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft and two P-8A "Poseidon" base patrol aircraft flew over the northwestern and central Black Sea airspace.

Between 12pm and 3pm, a British Air Force RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft attempted to approach the state border of the Russian Federation near the south-western part of the Crimean peninsula. A Russian Aerospace Force Su-30 fighter jet was lifted from the duty force to monitor its action.

At a distance of about 30 kilometres from the Russian border, a Russian Su-30 fighter jet approached the reconnaissance plane, after which the British plane changed course away from the Russian border.

The USS "Porter" and the staff ship "Mount Whitney" are now continuing to the west of the Black Sea.

The US ships are monitored by the cruiser "Moskva" and the frigate "Admiral Essen" of the Black Sea Fleet.

The Russian Defence Ministry regards the military activity of the US and its allies in the Black Sea region as a study of the anticipated theatre of war in case Ukraine prepares a power solution to the conflict in the southeast.

This unscheduled exercise near our borders is a completely unprovoked aggressive action by the US, which poses a threat to regional security and strategic stability.

Russia's New State Armament Programme: Emphasis On Hypersound, AI and Robotics

Russia’s new state armament program should be based on the latest hypersonic, cognitive and other breakthrough technologies, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting of the military-industrial commission on Wednesday.

"It is obvious that it is important for us in the process of drafting a new state armaments program to take into account all the basic world trends in developing military hardware and armaments," the Russian leader said.

"First of all, this relates to introducing advanced information and bio-cognitive technologies and to promoting hypersonic systems and weapons based on new physical principles, the latest reconnaissance, navigation, communications and control systems," Russia’s supreme commander-in-chief said.

The Russian leader also stressed the need "to raise functionality and combat sustainability of military products, in particular, through the use of artificial intelligence." "And, of course, this relates to the broad use of robotics," Putin said.

As the head of state said, "these are the areas that will basically shape the Russian Armed Forces and their combat potential in the future."

Natalia Oreiro Handed Russian Passport At Country’s Embassy To Argentina

South American singer and actress Natalia Oreiro took an oath of citizenship of the Russian Federation and received a Russian passport at the country’s embassy in Buenos Aires on Wednesday.

"Thank you very much! I love you all in Russia very dearly," she said later in Russian.

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin granted Russian citizenship to Oreiro and her son. The singer called it a great honor and thanked all of Russia.

In June 2020, Natalia Oreiro said in an interview with TASS that she was in the process of obtaining Russian citizenship and had already applied for it.

Natalia Oreiro was born on May 19, 1977 in the Uruguayan capital Montevideo. At the age of 16, she moved to Argentina where her career took off. In the early 2000s, Oreiro found global fame and admiration after appearing as Milagros in the Argentine soap opera Wild Angel. The actress is also a singer and has released four studio albums.

In 2001, Oreiro came to Russia on her first-ever visit, and felt spiritually close to the country right away, as she said later. Since then, the singer has been on tours to Russia almost every year. She has a big fan club in the country. Oreiro is learning Russian, and has even performed Russian-language versions of her world hits. She also recorded the United By Love song in three languages (English, Spanish and Russian) for the 2018 FIFA World Cup hosted by Russia.

Russia Сondemns US, EU Statements On Non Recognition Of Nicaraguan Elections

Russia condemns the statements made by the United States, the European Union and some other states that they do not recognize the November 7 election in Nicaragua, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a briefing on Wednesday.

"We condemn the comments made by the United States, the European Union and a number of other countries concerning the non-recognition of the results of the election [in Nicaragua]. It is clear that these statements have no legal validity for Nicaragua. We will be still fully supporting the Nicaraguans in defending their right to sovereign and independent development," she said.

"We will be boosting and enhancing the Russian-Nicaraguan strategic partnership, and will be working towards implementing socially-oriented cooperation projects," the diplomat added.

On Sunday, Nicaragua held general elections. More than 4.5 million voters turned up to the polls to elect the president, vice-president as well as the members of Nicaragua’s National Assembly (unicameral parliament) and the Central American Parliament. Incumbent President Daniel Ortega has secured about 75% of the vote, with half of the ballots counted.

US President Joe Biden bashed the election procedure in Nicaragua, labeling the elections as "neither free nor fair," and the European Union echoed that it would not recognize their results. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov referred to the West’s policy towards Nicaragua as unacceptable and worthy of severe criticism.

NATO Aircraft Intensify Flights Near Russian Black Sea Borders Over 24 Hours

The Russian Armed Forces continue to monitor and track the situation in the Black Sea region.

Over the past 24 hours, NATO reconnaissance aircraft have substantially increased their flights near Russia's borders in the Black Sea region, Major General Igor Konashenkov, official representative of the Russian Defense Ministry report on Wednesday.

We recall that on 9 November, an E-8C US Air Force ground target reconnaissance and strike control aircraft was escorted over the Black Sea by the anti-aircraft missile forces of the Russian Aerospace Force.

Also during the past 24 hours, Russian anti-aircraft missile forces escorted three reconnaissance aircraft of NATO member states over the Black Sea:

a US Air Force RC-135 strategic reconnaissance aircraft flying from an airbase on the island of Crete, Greece, approaching the Russian Federation state border at a distance of 30km.

a US Navy P-8A "Poseidon" base patrol aircraft took off from an air base on the island of Sicily, Italy, approaching the Russian Federation state border at a distance of 70km.

a C-160G "Gabriel" reconnaissance aircraft of the French Air Force departed from an airbase in Romania and approached the Russian state border by 30km.

Another US Air Force U-2 strategic reconnaissance aircraft, flying from British territory, was detected and accompanied by radar reconnaissance over Ukrainian territory, approaching the border of the Russian Federation at a distance of about 60km.

Russian ships: the missile cruiser "Moskva" and the frigate "Admiral Essen", which have been performing routine tasks in the southeastern Black Sea since 30 October, are monitoring US naval activities in the Black Sea as they arrive to conduct an unscheduled multinational exercise.

The USS "Porter" guided-missile destroyer left the Georgian port of Batumi this morning at 8.56am Moscow time.

At 9.20 a.m. Moscow time, the USS "Mount Whitney", a staff ship of the US Navy, departed Batumi. The USS John Lenthall tanker is in the southwestern part of the Black Sea.

The actions of the US Navy, together with reconnaissance and strategic aviation in the Black Sea, confirm the true purpose of the unscheduled multinational exercise: to master the anticipated theatre of war and, in particular, Ukrainian territory in case Kiev prepares a power solution in the southeast.

Lavrov: Policy Towards Containing Russia, Belarus Reflects NATO’s Long-Term Strategy

Moscow and Minsk have serious grounds to believe that NATO’s policy towards deterring Russia and Belarus reflect the bloc’s long-term strategy, Sergey Lavrov told a press conference on Wednesday.

"We have serious grounds to believe that the continued policy towards the so-called deterrence of our countries and NATO’s practical measures to move its military infrastructure to the borders of the Union State reflect the long-term strategy of that military and political alliance," Russia’s top diplomat said, following the results of a board meeting of the Russian and Belarusian Foreign Ministries.

"We have common positions repeatedly outlined by our presidents as to how we will react to such utterly unfriendly actions that disrupt all previous agreements," Lavrov said.

As Russia’s top diplomat pointed out, Russia and Belarus agreed on continued and deeper coordination both within the UN and the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). "And also with regard to our joint approaches towards the unfriendly activity that both Washington and Brussels are carrying out towards Russia and Belarus," Lavrov said.

Putin, Merkel Discuss Refugee Crisis On Belarus-Polish Border

Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with Acting Federal Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel, on Wednesday, at the German side’s initiative.

The parties discussed at length the refugee crisis on the Belarusian border with EU countries and expressed concern over its humanitarian consequences.

The President of Russia proposed establishing direct dialogue between representatives of the EU member states and Minsk to discuss the problems that have emerged in this respect.

Vladimir Putin and Angela Merkel agreed to continue discussing this topic.

The day before, Putin discussed this topic with President Lukashenko.

Two Russian Tu 22M3 Bombers Patrols Belarus Airspace

Two Russian Tu-22M3 long-range bombers practiced interoperability with command posts of the Russian and Belarusian armed forces and checked the Union State’s air defenses, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported on Wednesday.

As the ministry specified, the two Tu-22M3 bombers of the Russian Aerospace Force conducted a patrol in the Belarusian airspace.

"During the flight, the aircraft practiced interoperability with the ground command posts of the armed forces of Russia and the Republic of Belarus," the statement says.

"The Russian planes participated in a check of operations by the combat teams on air defense combat alert in the Union State’s integrated regional air defense system," the ministry said.

The air defense check was conducted under the direction of the Belarusian Air Force and Air Defense commander, it said.

"All the assigned tasks were accomplished in full," the Russian Defense Ministry stressed, noting that the Tu-22M3 long-range bombers had returned to their home airfield in Russia.

Kremlin Slams Polish PM’s Statements Blaming Russia For Migration Crisis As Unacceptable

Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the statements by Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki that Russia is allegedly responsible for the situation at the Belarusian-Polish border were unacceptable.

"We consider the words by the Polish prime minister that Russia bears responsibility for this situation as absolutely irresponsible and unacceptable. That statement is absolutely irresponsible and unacceptable,’’ the spokesman told reporters.

Morawiecki, speaking on Tuesday at a special session of the Sejm (the parliament’s lower house) dedicated to the situation at the Belarusian-Polish border, said the current events at the border are part of Russia’s policy, which allegedly controls the actions of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. The Polish prime minister said that Belarusian authorities intentionally brought thousands of migrants to the country and marched them to the border en masse.

Putin Сongratulates Russia's Police Officers On Their Professional Holiday

On Russia's Interior Ministry Personnel Day, Vladimir Putin congratulated current officers and veterans of Interior Ministry bodies on their professional holiday.

Russia law enforcement officers should continue improving their fight against crime, particularly in cyberspace, as well as efforts aimed at tackling illegal migration, drug trafficking and extremism, Putin said in a video address on Wednesday.

"We need to raise the efficiency of work even further, to improve approaches to tackling crime, including in the sphere of information technologies and efforts against extremism, illegal migration and drug trafficking," Putin said in his video address on the occasion of the Day the employee of the internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, marked on November 10.

Among other areas that require systematical work, Putin mentioned protecting citizens against unlawful actions and improving road safety.

The president also emphasized the need for "crime prevention, first and foremost among young people and minors."

Russian Defense Tracks US Navy Action In Black Sea

Russia's warships are continuously monitoring the activities of the US Navy in the Black Sea, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.

Some time ago, the American missile destroyer Porter entered the Black Sea, as well as a tanker and a command ship. And just the other day, two bombers flew near the Russian border.

According to the official version, it is connected with preparation for drills. Russian Ministry of Defense emphasized that this is precisely the unscheduled actions of the United States, which are creating a multinational grouping of armed forces in the Black Sea in the immediate vicinity of Russian borders.

"Such actions are a destabilizing factor in the Black Sea region, one of the goals of which is the military development of the territory of Ukraine. Taking into account the fact that, in addition to the American Navy, the exercises are planned to involve tactical, patrol and strategic aviation, as well as the contingent of the Armed Forces of Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, Turkey and Ukraine, this is a clear study of the alleged theater of military operations in the event that Kiev prepares a military solution for southeast," said the official representative of the Russian Defense Ministry Igor Konashenkov.

Vladimir Putin has repeatedly said that the military development of the territory of Ukraine is a matter of deep concern to Russia. The Russian leader, in particular, touched upon this topic during the Direct Line. Putin stressed that this activity creates significant security problems and concerns the real vital interests of Russia.