“I thought the man was going overboard” and other bright sayings in PMF. “I thought the man was going overboard” and other bright sayings at the PMF Welcome to working together in Russia

Megyn Kelly, a 46-year-old stunning blonde, previously worked for Fox News for 12 years and is now an anchor for NBC. At the end of May, she announced her new weekly show, “Sunday Night with Megyn Kelly.” Published on her microblog Twitter In the promotional video, she promises that viewers will "laugh and cry." In the first episode of the program, which will be released on June 4, Kelly plans to show an interview with Putin, recorded on the sidelines of SPIEF.

Got sick with digital

The theme of the digital economy ran like a red thread throughout the forum, including Putin’s keynote speech. First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov said at one of the sessions that the head of state was “sick” with this issue and even held meetings on it until late at night.

“The digital economy was first born as something that was the responsibility of Nikolai Anatolyevich (Nikiforov, head of the Ministry of Telecom and Mass Communications - ed.) and his smart colleagues. And today this, of course, is the task of everyone. And I can tell you that our president is a small group of government members "I just left at the beginning of one in the morning. And we discussed exclusively new technologies and the digital economy. And without embellishment, I can tell you that the president is completely sick of this and understands that this gap and significant growth rates are based on the digital economy and technological leadership," Shuvalov reported.

President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin spoke at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF-2017) with the participation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Federal Chancellor of Austria Christian Kern and President of Moldova Igor Dodon. The heads of state discussed various aspects of the Russian and world economy, as well as the most important geopolitical issues. The moderator of the meeting was the presenter of the American television channel NBC Megyn Kelly.

The work of SPIEF 2017, like any major economic forum, is based on various discussions during business breakfasts, panel sessions, round tables and other debate formats; many different contracts and agreements are concluded at the forum.

However, the speech of the President of Russia at the plenary session of the SPIEF is traditionally a key part of the forum, setting the further agenda, plans for the country’s development, assessments of what is happening in Russia and in the world for representatives of business and government (both Russia and other countries).

In Vladimir Putin’s speech at SPIEF 2017, held under the motto “Seeking balance in the global economy,” the main emphasis was on the more active use of digital technologies in the Russian economy. The President noted that in Russia it is necessary to form a fundamentally new regulatory framework for the introduction of digital technologies in all spheres of life.

Vladimir Putin also stated that Russia intends to several-fold increase the production of specialists in the field of the digital economy and increase digital literacy in the country: “In essence, we have to solve a broader task, a task at the national level - universal digital literacy.”

The President also stated that the Russian economy is entering a new phase of growth; at the moment, investments in Russia are growing at a faster pace than the country's GDP. He, in particular, noted: “We need to support and accelerate all these positive trends in order to reach faster rates of economic growth, higher than the world’s, already at the turn of 2019-2020.”

It is worth noting that during the discussion at the plenary session, many questions were devoted to geopolitics, which in fact also became part of the SPIEF. Invited moderators representing foreign media, in the last few years, against the backdrop of worsening relations between Russia and Western countries, often continue to ask questions in line with anti-Russian rhetoric.

In addition to questions about the difficulties in relations between Russia and NATO, as well as accusations of Syrian President Assad of using chemical weapons, the current moderator of the plenary session, NBC anchor Megyn Kelly asked Vladimir Putin a number of recurring questions about “Russian interference in the US presidential election”:

Vladimir Putin: Dear ladies and gentlemen! Dear friends!

I am glad to welcome all participants of the XXI St. Petersburg Economic International Forum: heads of international organizations, heads of state, government representatives, business leaders from dozens of countries around the world.

We sincerely appreciate your interest in Russia and dialogue aimed at partnership. We are open to working together, implementing mutually beneficial projects, and cooperation in solving the most important strategic issues of global development.

Only together, by joining forces, can we overcome current imbalances and ensure sustainable growth of the world economy, develop fair rules of trade and fair competition, reduce poverty, solve pressing social problems, cope with threats such as terrorism, regional conflicts, the spread of ideas of nationalism and xenophobia .

We are not just standing on the threshold, but are already facing major, essentially civilizational challenges. The load on the planet's ecosystem is increasing both as a result of human actions and as a result of natural processes. These issues require in-depth study, research and analysis.

But it is obvious that when developing our policy and joint line of action, we must be responsible and consistent. This is the only way to implement the necessary decisions in the interests of harmonious global development.

I will add to this that new technologies are rapidly changing the usual way of life, forming new industries and professions, opening up fundamentally different opportunities for development, but also giving rise to new threats. I know that you all worked actively yesterday, meeting at various sessions and discussion platforms. All this has, of course, already sounded.

But I would like to repeat: we are facing systemic, long-term challenges, all the consequences of which are still difficult to even calculate and predict. And we should not, we do not have the right to waste our time and energy on squabbles, feuds, and geopolitical games.

We need wisdom and responsibility, a joint search for non-standard solutions, new formats for interaction between states, regional integration associations, business, and the scientific community.

It is necessary to make maximum use of the potential of such a unique, universal organization as the United Nations. We have the Secretary-General of the United Nations here. I know that he came to us, I want to thank him for this and ask him to greet him.

We propose to create a special international youth section at the St. Petersburg Economic Forum, because it is the young generation that is heading into tomorrow. These are the people who will build the future and who will live in it. Participants in this section could together analyze, form, and construct an image of the future of their countries and civilization as a whole.

Dear Colleagues! Ladies and Gentlemen! Russia is already making and is ready to increase its contribution to solving global problems. We are implementing large-scale environmental programs, including in the Arctic, increasing the supply of quality food to world markets, and expanding participation in the programs of the World Health Organization. To find answers to big challenges, we are ready to more actively use the powerful potential of Russian fundamental science.

Thus, thanks to excellent schools in the field of mathematics and theoretical physics, we are able to achieve leadership in a number of areas of the so-called new economy, primarily digital. Russian IT companies are certainly globally competitive. Domestic specialists not only offer the best unique software solutions, but, in fact, create a new field of knowledge, a new environment for the development of the economy and life.

Taking this opportunity, I would like to congratulate, by the way, the students of the St. Petersburg University of Information Technologies, Mechanics and Optics, who this year again, for the seventh time, won the World Programming Championship. Our presenter spoke about the people who live in St. Petersburg, she is right, it is true, these are worthy people, and the young residents of St. Petersburg confirm this in the best possible way.

And in order to increase our personnel, intellectual, and technological advantages in the digital economy, we intend to act in areas of systemic importance. What I mean?

First, it is necessary to create a fundamentally new, flexible regulatory framework for the introduction of digital technologies in all spheres of life. At the same time, all decisions must be made taking into account ensuring the information security of the state, business and citizens.

Secondly, the state will provide support to those companies that are carriers of developments and competencies in the field of digital technologies, which have a so-called end-to-end cross-industry effect. These are: processing and analysis of large data sets, artificial intelligence and neurotechnology, virtual and augmented reality technologies and a number of others.

Third, with the participation of the state and private business, we will create the supporting infrastructure of the digital economy, including secure communication lines and data processing centers. By the way, please note that this should be an infrastructure based on the most advanced technologies and developments.

Fourth, we intend to multiply the production of specialists in the field of the digital economy, but, in fact, we have to solve a broader task, a task at the national level - to achieve universal digital literacy. To do this, we must seriously improve the education system at all levels: from school to higher education institutions. And of course, develop training programs for people of all ages.

On my instructions, the Government has prepared a program for the development of the digital economy. I would like to draw your attention to the need to clearly define the sources, mechanisms and volumes of its financing. We will discuss all these issues at the next meeting of the Council for Strategic Development and Priority Projects.

Dear Colleagues! I repeat, the digital economy is not a separate industry, in fact, it is the basis that allows you to create qualitatively new models of business, trade, logistics, production, changes the format of education, healthcare, government, communications between people, and therefore sets a new paradigm for the development of the state , economy and society as a whole.

In this logic, we will build our economic and technological policies, industry, infrastructure, create an open, free business environment and a flexible labor market, and solve problems that will ensure long-term growth. We can already say that a new phase of recovery has begun in the economy.

Russia's GDP has been growing for the third quarter in a row. According to preliminary estimates, in April the increase was already 1.4 percent, car sales and the volume of mortgage loans are increasing. Why am I talking about this - because, experts know, experts all over the world consider these, precisely these, indicators to be important signs of economic revival and rising consumer demand.

So, for reference, we can say that in January-April 2017, car sales increased by 2.6%. Already today we have almost reached the inflation targets, we expect that by the end of the year it will be below the target, that is, below 4%. Thanks to this, the Bank of Russia is gradually reducing the interest rate.

By the way, during the meetings held on the sidelines of the forum, international investors and business representatives noted the high quality of Russian macroeconomic policy. Yesterday, my colleagues from around the world and representatives of the world’s largest investment funds spoke about this. For them, this is a powerful argument in favor of working on the Russian market.

At the end of the first quarter, the influx of foreign direct investment into the domestic, Russian economy amounted to seven billion dollars. I note that this is the best indicator for the corresponding period over the past three years. Overall, investments in the first quarter increased by 2.3%.

Is there a way that you would like to note and emphasize? Today, a situation is emerging where investment growth exceeds GDP growth - this is another evidence of what I have already said: the economy is entering a new phase of growth, and the basis for its future development is being formed. It is necessary to support and accelerate all these positive trends so that already at the turn of 2019-2020 we can reach faster rates of economic growth, higher than the world ones.

The key factor here is the increase in investment activity, primarily from private businesses. We have already done a lot to update federal legislation, to remove administrative barriers, and to optimize control and supervisory procedures and functions.

According to international experts, over five years Russia has demonstrated better dynamics in improving the business climate than other countries. We immediately moved up 80 positions on the well-known Doing Business scale.

It is important that our regions have already actively participated in the formation of an open and favorable business environment. Such examples today are shown by the Republic of Tatarstan, Chuvashia, the city of Moscow, Tula region, Kaluga region. This year they became leaders in the national investment climate rating. You can congratulate them. (Applause.)

A number of subjects of the Federation, such as the Moscow and Kaliningrad regions, St. Petersburg, have achieved a sharp qualitative improvement in the business environment. It is pleasant to note that for the first time, our Far Eastern regions - the Khabarovsk Territory and the Amur Region - are among the leaders of changes, changes for the better. I appeal to all the heads of Russian regions: here we need to constantly increase our efforts, open up new opportunities for businesses to work successfully and freely.

The most important and fundamental importance for entrepreneurs and all citizens is the effective protection of their rights, their business, and their property. In this regard, I would like to say that a package of proposals to improve the judicial system has already been agreed upon. It was discussed and worked out with experts, with the leadership of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation.

We are talking about strengthening the independence of judges and improving the training of judicial personnel, optimizing the judicial process and reducing the unreasonable burden on judges. The point of all these measures is to create additional guarantees for fair, objective proceedings.

First. It is necessary to put the project financing mechanism on a solid systemic basis, to minimize risks for investors at all stages - from project preparation to their implementation, including through the partial provision of government guarantees, and so that funds from different types of investors can be attracted to projects: banks, investment companies , pension funds.

I ask the government and the Bank of Russia to speed up the passage in parliament of amendments to legislation that will make the syndicated loan mechanism more flexible. We just discussed this with our colleagues yesterday, quite late in the evening, and this, of course, needs to be done as quickly as possible. All this will ensure a significant increase in the volume of private financial resources allocated to launch new projects in the real sector of the economy.

Second. To ensure rapid economic growth, we need to significantly increase investments in transport, energy, communications, and other infrastructure. Private capital should become a source of additional investment. However, here too the high level of risks remains a limiting factor.

Therefore, it is important to establish clear, stable rules that protect the interests of investors. It is proposed that the return on their investments be made through regular payments that will come from the main beneficiaries, the beneficiaries of infrastructure facilities. These are budgets of different levels, infrastructure monopolies, and other infrastructure users.

The mechanism of government guarantees can also be used to ensure payments. That is, we are talking about introducing a kind of infrastructure mortgage, when an infrastructure facility is actually purchased with a loan received from private investors, and the user of the facility gradually repays this loan.

To launch such a model, I would ask the government to develop an integrated approach to infrastructure development with the involvement of private capital. It must cover all stages: preparation, financing and implementation of these projects.

Dear Colleagues! We are interested in investments coming specifically to high-tech industries. A few days ago, the promising Russian medium-range aircraft MS-21 made its first flight. I have already spoken on the phone with the management of the plant, I want to thank and congratulate everyone who participated in the implementation of this project.

Both in aviation and in other areas that are critical for the development of Russia, we need our own developments and competencies. They need to be restored or created anew. These are advanced production technologies and materials, energy and energy storage systems, transport and logistics management, information security systems, Arctic and shelf development technologies, modern diagnostic and treatment tools, agricultural and food technologies.

Obviously, we can untie these technological knots only by attracting large private investors who are interested in both new technological solutions and diversification of their own business. In order for them to be actively involved in such work, they certainly need to be provided with attractive, understandable conditions. This can be done using a special so-called investment contract. At the same time, I propose to think about how to improve this mechanism.

In principle, it works for us, but it needs to be improved. We need to make it an effective tool. For example, it is possible to increase the term of special investment contracts from the current 10 to 20 years, to provide for the possibility of flexible participation in them not only by federal authorities, regions and investors, but also by development institutions, banks, natural monopolies and other structures.

We are talking primarily about critical areas and critical industries. We are talking about where the investor himself, without the support of the state, without a clear and understandable system of support, is unlikely to come at all, because the benefits and profits from such projects do not come immediately, this is not quick money.

It is also necessary to expand guarantees of demand for products created within the framework of special investment contracts both from the state and from companies with state participation.

And one more thing is very important. For the entire duration of the contract, it is necessary to ensure that the investor remains unchanged in tax and other conditions related to government regulation. As for taxes, I propose to extend the already provided income tax benefit for the period after 2025.

I would like to emphasize that exclusively targeted solutions related to the creation of critical technologies, which I just mentioned, are exactly what we are talking about; they should not lead to the destruction of the competitive environment in the economy as a whole. I ask the Government to analyze all these issues and present specific proposals. At one of the upcoming meetings with business representatives, we will discuss in detail the directions of our joint work to solve the problems of technological development.

Further. Today, the carriers of breakthrough innovations are very often small companies - the so-called startups. As a rule, they are created by young research teams. I am confident that they are capable of becoming effective partners of large Russian businesses, and we will expand such partnerships and create the necessary infrastructure. We intend to begin the formation of innovative scientific and technological centers on the basis of our leading universities. Here, education, a research base, and high-tech and venture capital companies will be concentrated in one territory. All of them will be closely integrated with each other.

I appeal to the management of our largest companies - to the management of Rostec, Roscosmos, United Aviation Construction Corporation, United Shipbuilding Corporation, Rosatom, and other domestic high-tech companies - actively use the emerging opportunities.

We need to create divisions that will work substantively with startups and small innovative companies, as well as venture funds to finance such projects. I ask that this not remain just an empty phrase. I ask you to do this practically and as quickly as possible.

In turn, large businesses must have a clear legal mechanism for purchasing or entering into the capital of small innovative companies. I ask the government and the State Duma to prepare and adopt the necessary amendments to the law.

Dear friends! We are going through a difficult, contradictory, but very interesting period, full of new ideas, discoveries, projects, and rapid changes. And to meet the challenges of the time, perseverance and will are required, because this is participation in the creation of the future, and it has always been determined by daring, smart, purposeful, effective people. Those who are ready to translate their intellectual abilities and entrepreneurship into bold innovative ideas and deeds useful for the country.

It is precisely such people, including very young ones, who today achieve success in science, create modern businesses, and implement civic and social initiatives. Therefore, we will increase our human capital and, I am sure, we will be able to ensure sustainable long-term growth - a new quality of the Russian economy, we will be able to transform Russia, change the lives of our citizens for the better.

We have a lot of creative work ahead of us, and we invite everyone to partnership. I am convinced that it will be interesting and mutually beneficial.

Welcome to working together in Russia!

I thank you for your attention. Thanks a lot.

There are two weeks left before the opening of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. It will take place in our city from June 1 to June 3. The motto of this year's forum is: “In search of a new balance in the global economy.” SPIEF 2017 guests will include representatives of many states and large corporations. In particular, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern confirmed their participation. For India and Austria, the forum will become a platform where problems that are important for both states and for Russia can be resolved.

Russia and India: prospects for cooperation

India and Russia intend to expand cooperation in the fields of railways, inland water transport and the production of civil aircraft. These topics will be discussed during the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to St. Petersburg.

According to Indian media, the discussion will also focus on new topics - technologies for deep-sea research to use rare earth elements in the Indian Ocean, the IT sector (robotics and big data) and cooperation in the Arctic region in the field of natural resources.

Russia's vast territory is crisscrossed by rivers, suggesting the possibility of faster and more efficient inland water transport, and India wants to learn from our country's experience. This experience, experts believe, can be replicated on the Ganges River, along which it is planned to transport goods to reduce the load on roads.

Likewise, cooperation in the railway sector is of great importance to both parties. It is known that Russia has developed and uses technologies for high-speed railways. Delhi and Moscow are negotiating the introduction of Russian technologies to increase the speed of railway communication between the Indian cities of Secunderabad and Nagpur to 200 km/h.

Another area of ​​cooperation is aircraft manufacturing. According to the Indian press, Delhi would like to develop and produce civil aircraft jointly with Moscow. It is assumed that the Sukhoi concern will be involved in this.

In the Indian Ocean there are unexplored areas with rare earth elements. As the largest country in the region, India is keen to harness these resources. Russia has vast experience in the field of deep-sea exploration technologies, therefore, according to the Indian press, the department of biotechnology and other departments are negotiating with the relevant authorities in Moscow in order to take advantage of these technologies.

The central Indian Ocean is rich in nickel, copper, cobalt and rare earth minerals, which are highly lucrative and widely used in electronics manufacturing, such as mobile phone batteries.

Rare earth elements are found on the deep sea floor. The push for deep-sea exploration is significant for India as it aims to curb China's dominance in the field.

The IT sector is also seen as a very important area of ​​cooperation. “Russian technologies in robotics, artificial intelligence and big data, as well as Indian knowledge in software and marketing, will provide a win-win for both sides,” Indian media quote experts.

Prime Minister Modi will be the guest of honor at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. This will be Modi's third visit to Russia since 2014.

Russia and Austria: searching for new solutions

Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern will also take part in SPIEF 2017. His visit will take place against the backdrop of a government crisis. There have been several high-profile resignations in the Austrian cabinet, and officials say new elections are inevitable. In this situation, confirmation of Kern’s intention to come to St. Petersburg takes on special significance. Due to the government crisis, the Austrian delegation did not go to China for the One Belt, One Road summit. Perhaps, at the economic forum in St. Petersburg, issues between Austria and Russia related to large transport projects will be resolved.

"One Belt - One Road" is a project of a network of roads, railways, pipelines and sea routes. Austrian infrastructure minister Jörg Leuchtfried was scheduled to attend the Chinese summit along with a delegation of businessmen. But this did not happen.

For the Austrian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the cancellation of the visit was a cause for concern as such a move could represent a serious blow to relations between Austria and China. “The Chinese place great importance on trust and harmony, so it is a matter of politeness. It is impossible to cancel visits in such a short time,” says Walter Koren, head of the department of foreign economic activity of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

For countries where the government has a significant influence on the economy, like China, visits from foreign government delegations are extremely important. “The function of politicians is to open doors,” they say in the PRC. The Chinese even keep statistics on which politicians and from which countries often visit their country.

Koren hopes that, despite the turmoil surrounding possible upcoming elections, at least the planned visit of a business delegation led by Chancellor Christian Kern to Russia will go ahead as planned. Austria at the forum in St. Petersburg, in his opinion, will play an important role as a link between Russia and the West.

Canceling the trip to China is an "overreaction", says lawyer Georg Zanger, chairman of the Austrian-Chinese Business Association. No one was ready for such a step, as well as for resignations in the Austrian government. Austrian politicians, according to Zangger, still do not understand the importance of the economy. So the Silk Road can bypass Austria and pass, for example, through the neighboring Czech Republic. “Prague has become the European center of economic relations with China,” Zanger said. In fact, everything is even worse: the Chinese are creating a coalition with 16 countries of Eastern Europe to develop the Silk Road infrastructure, and Austria only has observer status in it.

The Chinese Ambassador to Austria very diplomatically answered the question of why the Silk Road bypasses Austria. “The initiative is open to everyone,” he said. And he added that Austria is “well located” in the space between East and West in Central Europe.

Indeed, there are now many maps of the new “Silk Road” circulating in the media. In fact, it is not a strictly fixed route. Rather, it is the participants who contribute to its construction. Therefore, Austria's refusal to visit China could have a negative impact on its participation in the project.

However, Austria is one of the founding states of the Asian Investment Bank created by Beijing. In addition, a feasibility study was recently carried out for the construction of a Russian broad-gauge railway from the Slovak city of Kosice to Vienna.

Trump critic will moderate discussion

The plenary session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum will be moderated by American journalist Megyn Kelly. She will be on the same stage with the Russian president. In addition, the American TV channel announced Kelly’s interview with Vladimir Putin.

Discussions at the forum's plenary session will cover a range of global political and economic topics, including international trade agreements, cybersecurity and the implications of rising military tensions.

Kelly's participation in SPIEF 2017 was supported by the head of the NBC News channel, Andrew Lack, who at the end of April traveled to Russia and met with Putin.

This year's forum will be held against the backdrop of partisan investigations ongoing in the United States: the American intelligence community is trying to prove that Russia interfered in the American elections for the benefit of President Donald Trump, and the FBI continues to look for connections between Trump campaign officials and Russia.

Megyn Kelly is very popular in the USA. Her name is associated with a well-known scandal during the presidential election campaign. It was Kelly who asked Trump a question about his attitude towards women, and also reminded the American politician of his own unflattering statements about the fairer sex. Trump even demanded that Kelly be taken off the air. However, this request was denied to him.

NBC News officials hope Kelly's participation in the forum as a plenary moderator will provide an opportunity for a one-on-one interview with the Russian president.

Lana VLADIMIROVA,

especially for the online magazine "Interestant"

Based on materials from The Economic Times, Kurier, Hollywoodreporter, published in May 2017

The plenary meeting of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum was held for the most part in a serious and business-like atmosphere, but there was also some sarcasm. Russian President Vladimir Putin succinctly greeted the assembled forum participants:

"At ease!"

When the conversation turned to the US withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement, Vladimir Putin noted that there was a chill in Russia from Trump and American imperialism:

"Trump and American imperialism are so cold"

"The question is whether we are able to prevent climate change. What are we talking about there? About preventing the temperature from rising by two degrees. Somehow, we here do not yet feel that the temperature is rising much. But, by the way, we must be grateful to President Trump. Today in Moscow, they say, there was even snow, here it was raining, it was so cold.

Now you can blame everything on him and American imperialism, that it’s all their fault. But we won't do this. ".

The moderator of the meeting, NBC presenter Megyn Kelly, learned that she would also be entitled to maternity capital if she were a Russian citizen:

“And you would have been paid the family capital” [To NBC Moderator]

“We have a lot of such instruments, for example, supporting families with low incomes in paying housing and utility bills - these are, at first glance, boring things, but they are very important for people - this is the so-called maternity capital, which we pay to families with two or more children. I know you have three of them. If you were a Russian citizen, we would pay you the family capital too."

Shortly after this, a representative of the American media began asking Vladimir Putin whether Russia interfered in the US presidential election or not. "Are the pockets sewn on? What about the buttons?"

V. Putin: Have you read these reports? M. Kelly: I read the public, public version, which is not classified.

V. Putin: The public, public version, that is, none. “Who made the suit? - Are the pockets sewn well? - Fine. - Are the buttons okay? - Fine. - Any complaints about the buttons? - No, they are sewn tightly. But it’s impossible to wear a suit.” It happens? One of our satirists Arkady Isaakovich Raikin had it.

The question of the “Russian trace” arose again and again. Vladimir Putin asked whether the United States has real evidence of Russia's accusations, and not conclusions made based on assumptions. “Addresses, appearances, names” - I used to work in the same organization

“And now you also tell me: “Public version.” I read these reports. Even in these reports there is nothing concrete, there are only assumptions and conclusions based on assumptions. That’s it! You know, if something is concrete, then there will be a subject for discussion. As in one organization where I used to work, they said: “Addresses, appearances, last names.” Come on, where is all this?”

The President of Russia noted that at the current stage of technology development, cyber attacks can be carried out under the guise of other IP addresses.

Portal “Vesti. Economics,” previously noted information about similar actions by the US CIA, which was published by Wikileaks.

"Hoof prints, horns. Whose prints are these?" M. Kelly: That is, one of the reasons why the question is relevant is because the Americans believe that they have their own national sovereignty to consider this issue in this way, just like the United Kingdom, France, Germany. And this question comes up again and again. They say, in response to the question where is the evidence, that this is disinformation, the disinformation campaign was deliberately launched. And it is said that it is difficult to find evidence in this campaign. And experts say that these factors cannot be made up. There are hundreds of facts against Russia: there are IP addresses, fingerprints, some kind of codes - all this points to Russia, and no other evidence points to anyone else except Russia.

V. Putin: What fingerprints? Hoof prints, horns. Whose prints are these? IP addresses - you can actually make them up. Do you know how many such specialists there are? They will make it so that it is from your home address, your children sent it, your youngest child is three years old, so they will organize everything that it was your three-year-old girl who carried out this attack. There are such specialists in the world today in the field of these technologies that they will come up with anything for you, and then blame anyone.

Vladimir Putin also paid tribute to the effectiveness of the presidential campaign of Donald Trump, who managed to find a common language with American voters:

“Trump is a man” (“Sometimes I thought: a man is going through too much, honestly”)

“Trump’s team turned out to be more effective during the election campaign. I myself sometimes thought: the guy is going too far, honestly. It’s true! But it turned out that he was right, that he found an approach to those groups of the population and to those groups of voters who he made a bid and they came and voted for him.

At the same time, Vladimir Putin also noted that the logic of representatives of the US Democratic Party, whose candidate lost the presidential election, does not stand up to criticism. The president said that it is easier for Democrats to blame the Russians than to admit their mistakes.

“He’s an idiot himself, he can’t do anything, and the Jews are to blame!”

“And the other team miscalculated. I don’t want to admit this mistake. I don’t want to say that it’s us who are like that, sorry, we didn’t catch up with something, didn’t think through something. It’s easier to say that we’re not to blame, it’s the Russians who are to blame, they interfered in our elections, and we are good. This anti-Semitism reminds me: the Jews are to blame for everything. He himself is an idiot, he can’t do anything, and the Jews are to blame!”

In response to another statement by Megyn Kelly that Russia allegedly interfered in the American elections, Vladimir Putin said that the US authorities have long been using soft power against Russia, interfering in its internal affairs. “They sat on our heads, dangled our legs and chewed gum.”

M. Kelly: Yes, I think he said, “I think Russia did it, but I don’t think it will do it again.” V. Putin: That’s what she thinks! Listen, these are very serious issues of world politics, but it seems to you. It’s not just about conducting an interview or writing an article in a newspaper.

As for interference, you should look at what your colleagues are doing with us. Yes, they just got into our internal politics with their feet, sat on our heads, dangled our legs and chewed gum. Just having fun! This is a systematic, over many years, rude, absolutely unceremonious, including even at the level of diplomatic departments, interference directly into our internal politics! Finish it, and it will become easier for you, and for us.

Excessive fixation on the “Russian trace” in the US presidential campaign on the part of the moderator of the plenary session led to several more responses from Vladimir Putin

“Here it is!”

M. Kelly: Even President Trump said that he believes Russia is behind this. That is, these are not those who do not want Trump to lead the country...

V. Putin: Here it is. "Give me some pill"

“What, you don’t need to think about how to build relationships? Do everything out of the blue, generally thoughtlessly, or what? Nothing concrete, just zero, zero, nothing at all. Surprisingly simple. It’s just some kind of hysteria, and you can’t stop. I need to give you some kind of pill. Does anyone have a pill? Give me some kind of pill. (Laughter.) Honestly, it’s just amazing."

Visiting session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) “Regions of Russia: new points of growth. Development Infrastructure" took place on December 10, in Chelyabinsk as part of the party project "Locomotives of Growth".

The event was organized by the Roscongress Foundation together with the Russian Export Center and the Agency for Strategic Initiatives. The session was the final event in 2018 aimed at expanding investment opportunities, developing the export potential of regions and promoting specific territories.

“New growth points” in Chelyabinsk aroused great interest among government officials and entrepreneurs in the region. The discussion participants included leading experts in the field of economics, business, public-private partnerships and investments, employees of public organizations and representatives of the media.

The central event of the business program was a plenary session, which was attended by: Deputy Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation Vadim Zhivulin, Minister of Economic Development of the Chelyabinsk Region Sergei Smolnikov, Director of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum Alexey Valkov, Director for Regional Projects, Head of the Center for Attracting Investments in the Regions of the Russian Federation RDIF Alexander Malakh, General Director of the Ural High-Speed ​​Railway Sergey Brevnov and partner at the international law firm Squire Patton Boggs Alexander Dolgov. The moderator was the executive director of the National PPP Center Maxim Tkachenko.

The meeting was also attended by: Vice-President of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of the Chelyabinsk Region (SPP) Mark Leyvikov, who spoke during the session, as well as the executive director of the SPP and the regional curator of the “Locomotives of Growth” direction of the United Russia party project Pavel Kiselev.

Participants in the plenary session discussed the process of creating institutions and mechanisms to support industrial development in Russian regions. During the discussion, issues of developing regional infrastructure and improving measures to support investors were considered.

The business program continued with the presentation session “Promising PPP projects in the region.” During the event, participants got acquainted with the stages of development of the public-private partnership system in the Chelyabinsk region at the present time.

Vice President of SPP Mark Leyvikov presented the successful implementation of the PPP project for the construction of the Gorny greenhouse complex (agricultural park). The investor is the company Agrocomplex Churilovo (Chelyabinsk). The total area of ​​the greenhouses will be 25 hectares. In addition, it is planned to build a logistics center with an area of ​​10 thousand square meters. m. and a complex of light greenhouses. 720 jobs will be created in the agricultural park. The annual revenue of the enterprise will be about 3 billion rubles. The total cost of the project is almost 7.5 billion rubles, of which 1.7 billion will go to infrastructure. The project is being implemented in the city of Ust-Katav, which has the status of a single-industry town, with financial support from the Russian Single-Industry Town Development Fund (MFD).

According to Pavel Kiselev, the speech aroused wide interest among the event participants, since “the Gorny agricultural park project is so far the only one implemented in the PPP format in the region.” The remaining presentations are at the “project hypothesis” level.

Summing up the results of the event in Chelyabinsk, Director of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum Alexey Valkov noted the importance of holding SPIEF visiting sessions in the regions: “ Over the three years of the existence of the “New Points of Growth” project, more than 15 events have already been organized in different regions of our country. We see great interest from both government officials and business circles. Free communication on current topics of cooperation and the format that we adhere to during SPIEF off-site sessions allow us to achieve maximum synergy among event participants. In June next year, we will be glad to see all the guests of our visiting sessions at the key event - the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, where we will be able to sum up the results and make plans for the future.".

The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum will take place in St. Petersburg on June 6–8, 2019. The SCO and BRICS summits will be held in July 2020 in Chelyabinsk.