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The Russian President, Vladimir Putin gave his annual public Q&A address on Thursday (December 19) with him fielding questions from across Russia, including the general public and journalists. In Part One we focussed on Q&A that were asked relating to the Russian economy, and the development and purpose of the BRICS. In Part Two, we take a lighter touch as regards Putin’s views of world leaders and how he arranges his finances. The complete transcripts of what was said during the event, including military issues about Ukraine and other conflicts, can be accessed here.
Q: Who would you like to have a cup of tea with from among currently living or deceased people?
VP: “Considering the living, I would like to meet with my friends and relatives more often, to have tea and talk with them. As for the deceased world leaders, I was in touch with German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, though not very personally, but for a long time. He was a person of the global scale, and not just because he was a big man but because of his actions and convictions. He came to visit me right after our first meeting in 1993 and continued to do so for a very long time, not very often but regularly, even after his term ended. I had the pleasure – let me stress this – to talk to him.
He was a big political figure of that time, as they used to say in the Soviet Union. He did a lot for his country and for the Germans. He was a major European and global politician. I vividly recall many of our conversations. They were very useful for me; I am saying this without exaggeration.
The President of France, Jacques Chirac was a very interesting person, too. You know, he was something of an encyclopedist, or an academic: he knew everything you could ask about. He had an opinion about everything, and he always stood for it. He was a very tactful and courteous person. I learned a lot from him, too, to be honest, just as I learned a lot of things from Kohl and made a mental note of them. I noted this in Chirac too: his behaviour, and his intelligence among other traits.
Berlusconi was slightly different, but also very pleasant to talk to, he was active and very tenacious. Just like Chirac, he did a lot for the development of Russian-Italian relations. Despite what is happening today, we feel that that there is a certain affection for Russia in Italian society, just like we feel affection for Italy.
All of them made a significant contribution to the development of bilateral relations and world politics. Their company was always interesting. They had strong personalities and their own opinions. It was all focused on achieving the maximum result for their countries and strengthening the sovereignty of their states.
I still have many friends in Asia, such as China and India. I have very warm relations with Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India. I have many people I can talk with. However, like any person, I would like to say once again that these are my family and some friends I have had since childhood, and I treasure that a lot.”
RPA: Putin deliberately not mentioning any European politicians currently in office, while at the same time praising their predecessors. In doing so he infers that today’s European politicians are weak and prefers to deal with the more pragmatic Asians such as Modi and Xi.
Q: Mr President, Do you have bank deposits? If so, in which banks?
VP: “Initially, I had a deposit in Sberbank. Then, when Rossiya Bank was the first financial institution to be sanctioned, I demonstratively transferred my money there. My salary is also transferred there.”
RPA: Both Sberbank and Rossiya Bank have been heavily sanctioned by the West and cut off from SWIFT global connectivity. Rossiya Bank has come under extensive sanctions due to it being perceived as ‘Putin’s Bank’. It has an ACRA rating of A+.
Further Reading
