Putin says he is happy to be prime minister, ruling out the possibility of assuming the presidency before 2012.

　　Profile photo: A huge poster of Putin and Medvedev was set up in the center of St. Petersburg, Russia, which read: "We win together." Both Putin and Medvedev were born in this city, where they also studied and met, and successively entered the highest level of the Russian regime. China News Agency issued Tian Bing photo

　　China news agency, Moscow, December 4 th: Dialogue with Putin: "It is very happy to be the prime minister."

　　China News Service reporter Tian Bing

　　At noon on the 4th Moscow time, the Russian people began to "talk to Putin".

　　This is the seventh time that Putin has interacted with the public in the form of nationwide "TV Q&A". The difference is that this time he is the Prime Minister of the government and the leader of the "United Russia Party", and the first six times he was the President of Russia.

　　In three hours and eight minutes, Putin answered more than 70 people’s most concerned questions, ranging from the world financial crisis, foreign relations to wage reform, gasoline prices, etc. This is the most representative "test paper" selected from more than 2 million questions put forward by Russian people to the Prime Minister by telephone, internet and SMS.

　　Talking about People’s Livelihood Facing the Financial Crisis

　　Putin admits that due to the impact of the world financial crisis, Russia’s inflation rate reached about 13% this year, but this year Russia’s economy as a whole is in a benign state, with an economic growth rate of nearly 7%, a real pension increase of 12% and a further increase of 30% next year, with industrial and agricultural output values increasing by 4.5% and 8.8% respectively.

　　Putin said that Russia has all favorable conditions to tide over the economic difficulties at the lowest cost, and should make all preparations mentally, organizationally, financially and politically. Russia allocated 5 trillion rubles to support the banking system and provided funds to the real economy through banks. The state will inject capital into large companies on a large scale, and plans to use gold and foreign exchange reserves and various funds to stabilize the currency and prevent the ruble exchange rate from violently fluctuating. But he said that Russia will not restrict the free circulation of foreign exchange.

　　Putin assured the people that the government will fulfill all its obligations in raising wages and social payments, and in principle it is not prepared to reconsider plans to modify people’s livelihood and social infrastructure such as investment, housing reform plan, medical insurance system, education reform and pension system reform.

　　On diplomacy, improving relations between the United States and Russia

　　Putin said that Moscow expects the new US administration to improve the realistic relationship between Russia and the United States after taking office, and is willing to hold dialogue with Washington at any level "on the basis of considering Russia’s interests".

　　Putin believes that the NATO foreign ministers’ meeting did not accept Ukraine and Georgia’s "action plan for member States" to join NATO, and Russia has heard people close to Obama and his circle say at the expert level that relations with Russia should not be deteriorated and the suitability of deploying anti-missile systems in Eastern Europe should be reassessed. Putin said that Moscow has seen positive signals. If the US’s remarks turn into real actions, "we will respond accordingly, and our American partners will feel it immediately."

　　Putin believes that the EU is Russia’s largest economic and trade partner, and the cooperation between Russia and Europe in the economic and energy fields will enhance the transparency, reliability and stability of both economies. But at the same time, he hoped that the new EU member states would be far-sighted and not always dwell on historical grievances. In the past four years, the EU has added 12 new members, mainly the former Soviet republics and the former eastern bloc countries in Eastern Europe.

　　Putin also stressed that there is no need for Russia to establish permanent military bases in Cuba and Venezuela. However, when necessary, Russia can use the ports of Cuba and Venezuela for "warship replenishment of food and fuel".

　　Talking about being a prime minister is very happy

　　Regarding his feelings of being prime minister for more than half a year, Putin said: "Undoubtedly, this work needs to pay a lot, especially under modern conditions. But fate can give you the opportunity to serve the people, which is very happy. " He said that the most important thing is not the official position, but the responsibility given by the position.

　　Putin ruled out the possibility of returning to the presidency before the next presidential election, and he was very satisfied with the efficiency of his "golden partner" with Medvedev. "The next presidential election is in 2012, and everyone should do their part, instead of being busy thinking about what will happen in 2012. We’ll see then."

　　During the connection, "Uncle Varojia (Putin’s nickname)" invited Dasha, a little peasant girl living in Buryatia, and her sister and grandmother to Moscow for the New Year, and promised to realize a dream of the little girl: a new dress like Cinderella in fairy tales. At the same time, he encouraged the little girl to study hard and care for her family. "If you think not only about what you want, but also about grandma’s New Year gift, that’s right."

　　The last question for Putin is: "What is your favorite?"

　　"Russia." Putin replied.

Editor: Zhang Renhe