Meeting with Government members

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Colleagues, good afternoon,

We are holding this meeting in late December to sum up our annual performance and discuss the results we have achieved in terms of promoting economic and social development, as well the overall development of our country. Of course, we will discuss matters which require more attention and additional efforts from the federal Government, as well as our colleagues in the regions, both in the near future and within a larger planning horizon.

Let me note that the Government has been quite effective and professional in its actions and has been carrying out a wide-reaching agenda with a focus on making a positive and tangible impact on the way our people and the country in general live. Russia is moving forward and developing, despite all the challenges it faces. Our key macroeconomic indicators have been stable, and the national economy is gradually evolving by giving an increasingly prominent role to sectors offering high added value. Inflation has slowed down, while unemployment remains at an all-time low.

It is a matter of principle that the Government has succeeded in ensuring a balanced budget and guaranteeing stability within the national financial system. We have fulfilled all our social commitments, including decisions dealing with supporting families with children. The state financial system in its current state enables us to meet all spending needs in terms of defence and security, while also generating even more momentum along key development tracks as part of the new national projects. Their launch in 2025 can be viewed as one of the main and most important events of the year.

In this regard, I would like to reiterate that we are doing a lot of hard work as part of these national efforts together with the regional teams, businesses and NGOs. Achieving long-term development goals is our common objective.

This primarily involves overcoming demographic challenges and improving the birth rate in a sustained manner. We must reach a whole new level of excellence for the national economy and the technology sector, while improving healthcare and education, addressing systemic infrastructure challenges, making our cities and villages more people-friendly and improving the quality of life for the people of Russia.

Let me reiterate: we have an ambitious agenda. But this is what the times demand, and this is what our people expect of us. It is only by working together and by demonstrating full dedication and the utmost sense of responsibility and engagement in everything we do that we will succeed.

I would like to encourage you to work in this constructive manner next year and in the future, with a focus on achieving results.

To be continued.