Meeting with Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: How many colleagues have come?

Speaker of the Federation Council Valentina Matviyenko Matviyenko ValentinaChairwoman of the Council of Federation : Of the parliament speakers, 84 have come; the remaining five were unable to attend due to illness.

Mr President, first of all, I would like to thank you for your involvement in the work of the Council of Legislators, especially on this significant occasion: the 120^th anniversary of Russian parliamentarism. The principles established at that time have proven their worth through experience: the bicameral system, the framework for interaction between Parliament and the Government, and other key bodies.

Thank you as well for your address - it truly served as a guiding message. The audience's reaction clearly demonstrated how strongly it resonated. You raised pressing and substantive issues, and each time this consistently helps shape our agenda for the work ahead.

Vladimir Putin: I've postponed loan repayments - it would also be beneficial for the regions.

Valentina Matviyenko: This remark was met with warm applause.

As the financial year draws to a close, financial obligations become particularly pressing. If payments are deferred until March, it would significantly ease the burden.

Vladimir Putin: We will postpone them until a later date.

Valentina Matviyenko: And, of course, thank you for your consistent support of parliamentary institutions and the leadership of regional legislatures.

When speaking at the Federation Council, you said it was necessary to more actively engage the regions in shaping proposals for the national agenda. The Council of Legislators provides precisely such a platform, enabling us to work together on these priorities.

Today has been a busy day, with meetings of dedicated commissions, the Presidium of the Council of Legislators, and the Council itself.

Members of the Government also take part, and speakers of regional parliaments have the opportunity to ask questions directly. Of course, the central topic of discussion is the interethnic and interfaith accord in society, along with additional measures to support and strengthen it. Following your Executive Order declaring 2026 the Year of the Unity of the Peoples of Russia, these issues were examined in detail at the parliamentary level. A substantive draft resolution has been prepared to ensure that regions are actively engaged in this work.

Regarding the Presidential Council for the Implementation of State Demographic and Family Policy, I would like to note that we are working actively. The first meeting was held with your participation, working groups and experts, and the agenda is already resonating across society, generating a wide range of ideas and initiatives. Preparations are underway for the next meeting on June 1, International Children's Day. Should your schedule allow, your participation would be highly valued, as it significantly enhances coordination.

I would also like to raise another matter. We previously asked you about Kaliningrad, proposing to include April 9 in the national calendar of military glory and commemorative dates, marking the completion of the assault and capture of Koenigsberg. We are grateful for your support: you signed the law, and this year Kaliningrad celebrated the date in its new official status for the first time.

During my recent visit to Kaliningrad, I observed a notably excited atmosphere. Infrastructure development is ongoing: one bridge has already been opened, and the construction of a second major bridge is underway. Those I met with, including residents in the square, asked me to convey their sincere gratitude for the special attention given to the exclave, especially with NATO and the West behaving like that.

People remain calm and confident. There is a clear sense of reassurance that no one will be allowed to threaten Kaliningrad.

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