“Priorities around the individual and family”: the main thing from Putin’s speech in Davos

Vladimir Putin spoke at the economic forum in Davos for the first time in 12 years, albeit remotely. As promised by Dmitry Peskov, the speech turned out to be “quite lengthy” (40 minutes) and was very peaceful. Putin several times stated the need to cooperate with other countries, called Russia a part of Europe and a country whose interests are built around the individual and the family. Highlights from the President's speech:

• The situation in the world is comparable to the 1930s. The strengthening of social stratification, the polarization of public views, the growth of populism, radicalism, the tightening of domestic political processes destabilize international relations and destroy the global security system. Therefore, the extension of the START-3 treaty is a step in the right direction, Putin stressed.
• The world community faces three key challenges. The first is socio-economic. According to Putin, despite the crises of 2008 and 2020, the last 40 years have been extremely successful for the global economy. The main problems are the gap in the incomes of citizens (especially in developed countries) and unemployment caused by the pandemic: 250 million jobs were lost in a year.
• The last 20 years of development have laid the foundation for the fourth industrial revolution, which is based on artificial intelligence, automated and robotic solutions. But this means structural changes in the labor market - and the increased role of the state: otherwise, many people risk being left without work.
• The second challenge is socio-political. The growth of economic problems and inequality split the society, give rise to public discontent. “For people, the reasons for being unhappy lie in the real problems that affect everyone, no matter what political views a person really adheres to. Or how he thinks he adheres,” Putin said.
• A separate problem is digital giants that are already competing with states, because their audience is in the millions. “Where is the line between a successful global business, in-demand services and services, the consolidation of big data, and attempts to roughly, at their own discretion, manage society?” Putin asked.
• The third challenge is the aggravation of international problems. Unresolved and growing internal problems may prompt a search for someone on whom "everything can be blamed," Putin said: "the degree of foreign policy propaganda rhetoric is growing."
• At the end, Putin listed four priorities for Russian policy. 1) A person should have a comfortable environment for life - housing, affordable infrastructure (transport, energy, utilities) and environmental well-being. 2) A person must be sure that he will have a job that will give a steady growing income and a decent standard of living. 3) A person must be sure that, if necessary, he will receive high-quality effective medical care. 4) Regardless of family income, children should be able to receive a decent education and fulfill their potential.
• Answering a question about relations between Russia and Europe, Putin stressed that Russia is part of Europe, both geographically and culturally. The interests of Russia and European countries, in his opinion, are in returning "to a positive agenda."

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Putin spoke in Davos immediately after a major foreign policy victory. The day before, Moscow and Washington exchanged notes on the extension of the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START-3) for five years. The essence and meaning of the treaty, which limits the number of warheads and deployed carriers on both sides, was explained by The Bell. Read more about the conversation between Putin and Biden here .