“The less administrative pressure, the better”: Putin met with representatives of United Russia

Vladimir Putin held a meeting with representatives of United Russia, during which he commented on the change of power in Afghanistan, the vaccination strategy in Russia, and also gave several instructions to party members.

The President proposed to pay this year a one-time payment of 10,000 rubles to all pensioners, and 15,000 rubles to military personnel. He supported the idea of ​​introducing a moratorium on scheduled business inspections in 2022, and also announced his intention to convene the State Council on Budget and Taxes.

“The less administrative pressure, the better. But, of course, the only issue is related to ensuring consumer safety,” he said.

Putin said that banks would have to return the funds written off to repay loans that the state gave to citizens as support. He instructed party members to develop the necessary legal act protecting social payments.

The President also opposed the imposition of vaccination against coronavirus on citizens. According to Putin, the strategy should be based on an explanatory program. However, he also stressed that vaccination is the best tool to fight the pandemic.

As for the situation in Afghanistan, according to Putin, it is directly related to Russia's security. He opposed the idea of ​​"Western partners" to place refugees in the countries of Central Asia before obtaining visas from the United States or other countries. Such actions, according to him, will be a "humiliating" solution to the issue and pose a threat to Russia's security, since "militants" may appear in the country under the guise of refugees.

“They [refugees] can be thousands, or even hundreds of thousands. Or maybe millions. And we do not even have visa restrictions with these our closest allies and neighbors. Yes, what is the border? A thousand kilometers. I sat on anything, even a car, even a donkey, and drove across the steppe, ”Putin said.

The president also commented on the intentions of the European Union to introduce an environmental tax, calling such a plan contrary to the principles of the WTO. The EU strategy, in particular, implies the introduction of a border carbon tax on imports, which will affect the supply of steel, aluminum, pipes, electricity, and cement from Russia.

“This is a tax on individual countries, including us. I mean our competitive advantages, including in the area of ​​our natural resources and energy resources,” Putin said.

The meeting took place a month before the elections to the State Duma, and the President expressed the hope that the party "will retain its positions and will be able to make the necessary decisions at the legislative level in the interests of the country." According to Putin, United Russia managed to get through the pandemic "much more effectively and better than in many other developed countries of the world." He also said the economy was "virtually completely" back to pre-crisis levels.

Cover photo: Administration of the President of Russia