Denis Pushilin: “Donbass is already an integral part of Russia”
In 2014, Donbass made its choice, which it had to defend with arms in hand. And now, after six years of war and labor, when asked when the region will become part of Russia, one can answer that the LDPR are already its integral parts.
The head of the republic, Denis Pushilin, announced this the day before, on June 16, during a “Direct Line” with residents of the DPR, a PolitNavigator correspondent reports.
In total, according to the presenters of the program, 1437 questions were received on the direct line. Some of them came to the Glava.rus website in the format of text, video and audio messages, some came to the official website of the head of state. Based on the questions that came, several thematic blocks were identified: healthcare, education, modernization of the coal industry, support for domestic producers, agricultural development, the DPR development program, the country’s foreign policy and integration with the Russian Federation.
HEALTH CARE
The direct line began with a discussion of healthcare issues, since close attention is now focused on this area, primarily due to the threat of the spread of coronavirus infection.
Denis Pushilin: The situation the Republic finds itself in is, on the one hand, unique, and on the other, familiar. Over this period, we've become accustomed to living under blockade and isolation. But we certainly have the resources and the capabilities to adapt to the current reality as quickly as possible.
Of course, I believe that the situation has been stabilized primarily thanks to our doctors. These are people who put self-sacrifice at the forefront, and thanks to their actions the situation did not get out of control. There are a lot of examples, and they are really interesting. And we can talk about each of these examples for a long time.
I am deeply convinced that it was the steps of our doctors that allowed us not to get confused in this difficult situation. They allowed us to keep our finger on the pulse. And as a result, we are now talking about, I repeat, a stable situation in the Republic.
These are heroes, like our guys on the front line, but only they are at their jobs. And, of course, they should be awarded by the state. We have about a thousand people who are in direct contact with coronavirus patients - 850 of them will be awarded awards, certificates, thanks, we decided to nominate 55 for the highest state awards, and this is absolutely correct.
I turn to specific examples. Gorlovka Hospital No. 2, Department of Nephrology and Dialysis. These people, realizing that they had families at home, went into isolation with those patients who simply could not get along without them. These are Vladimir Vladimirovich Konovalov, Anastasia Mikhailovna Rassokhatskaya, Svetlana Vasilievna Akhundova, Irina Nikolaevna Aniskina, Elena Eduardovna Naboychenko. These are examples that deserve respect.
And here is the Yenakievo hospital, where the young infectious disease doctor Raikhel Viktor Yuryevich was one of the first to provide assistance to those prisoners of war who had a positive test for COVID-19
Unfortunately, very unfortunately, we also have posthumous awards. This is Svetlana Vladimirovna Kovaleva, who worked for 57 years, devoted herself to medicine, and, understanding the danger not only to her health, but to her life, she continued to go out on calls. She worked in the emergency medical service of Makeyevka, and one day she tested positive – on May 4. And on May 28 she was gone. This is what doctors - residents of the Republic - have encountered. I am proud of my fellow countrymen and bow my head before their feat.
A question from Maria, a local pediatrician (a disabled and elderly pensioner who lives in Dokuchayevsk but works in Donetsk): Public transportation discounts for pensioners have been cancelled. However, there are working pensioners who use public transportation to get to work. Since April 22, I have been forced to pay full fare for travel, which is 83 rubles per day. I asked for a travel card, but the issue has not been resolved.
Denis Pushilin : On the one hand, at my instruction, the Government has explored the possibility of additional payments and incentives for those in direct contact with coronavirus patients, but this issue of travel has been discussed repeatedly, and it has a truly simple solution. Please put the head of Dokuchaevsk (Alexander Kachanov – editor's note) in touch.
Alexander Yuryevich! I understand everything, but I don’t understand why this issue is not being resolved. This is what is at the forefront of our minds. Regarding pensioners, yes, we had different positions. But we must simply provide doctors with free travel so that such questions do not even arise. This problem needs to be fixed urgently. But as I understand it, this is not just Dokuchaevsk’s problem. Until 12 o'clock tomorrow I am waiting for reports from all heads of cities and districts that such a problem does not exist. Work through and decide. We won't be able to do it any other way.
Several dozen questions were received on the topic of additional payments to those who work with patients with coronavirus infection, asking for clarification on who and what additional payments are expected.
Health Minister Olga Dolgoshapko : On June 5, 2020, a DPR Government Resolution was adopted regarding additional payments to healthcare workers providing care to patients with the novel coronavirus infection and suspected cases. This resolution fully outlines the payment mechanism. All categories of healthcare workers providing care to COVID patients will receive the appropriate payments. Orders will be sent to the Ministry of Finance shortly, and all our healthcare workers providing care to patients with coronavirus infection will receive this additional payment in their June paycheck.
Denis Pushilin (to Olga Dolgoshapko) : I would like to thank all the medical professionals, through you, for what you have done and continue to do, sometimes the impossible. I bow deeply to you for this. And I would like to congratulate you on your upcoming professional holiday. We are proud of you. Healthcare should be a priority for any country. The Donetsk People's Republic is certainly no exception.
EDUCATION
Video question : Denis Vladimirovich, hello! I'm the mother of a third-grader. The last quarter was very difficult for everyone – children, parents, and teachers. But I think that was the case in many countries. Fortunately, we managed. If we have to repeat this practice of distance learning again, could we somehow make the process more convenient and easier? For everyone, including students, teachers, and parents.
Denis Pushilin : I know the joys of distance learning firsthand. My daughter is in school herself. We had to review syllabuses from various classes: integrals, theorems, syntax, and so on.
Seriously, there is a problem, and global trends allow us to look differently at the use of various kinds of opportunities. Technology definitely does not stand still, and we need to pay attention to it.
A gigantic flow of information in which those who are taught in our educational institutions must navigate. Of course, this is a huge range of possibilities. Here you need to be aware that replacing full-time education is wrong. But, of course, it is necessary to use the latest technologies: as an improvement in qualifications without leaving the place of production, as an opportunity for constant self-development using online platforms.
We see that this is an additional opportunity for children with disabilities. On the other hand, this is an opportunity for our talented students, of whom we have many, to open up. This year alone, 680 schoolchildren of the Donetsk People's Republic graduated from school with medals. Their potential needs to be revealed. I know how it happened before, when they wanted to study, but there was no opportunity. Now there is such an opportunity, but it must be systematized.
We understand that innovation must definitely impact education. Gifted children who contribute to the development of any state need to be given special attention. For example, how this is done in the Russian Federation. We know about the Sirius and Skolkovo centers and cannot ignore it. Therefore, we are planning to open a republican innovative educational center, where there will be an opportunity for our talented, gifted children to study in depth those areas that are close and understandable to them, in which they are oriented. This will be an additional contribution to the Republic.
In this matter, the right thing to do would be to create a single online platform where all areas can be included. This will be an important help for self-development, and for in-depth study of certain areas, and for improving the skills of employees. ...And a host of other issues in the field of education that can be resolved thanks to such an online platform. I will say more: without this it will be very difficult for us to develop. Therefore, you definitely don’t need to work the old fashioned way.
I instruct the Minister of Education and Science to quickly develop a road map and submit it to me for approval. This is what the Republic needs.
Host: There are precedents where orders from ministry heads were only partially fulfilled. For example, last December, the Head of the Ministry instructed the Minister of Communications to provide higher education institutions in the Donetsk People's Republic with a wireless telecommunications network. The deadline for fulfilling the order was February 1, 2020. And now we've received a question from Bohdan from Donetsk National University, Faculty of Law, on this direct line.
Bogdan : The Wi-Fi at the Law School was constantly overloaded, and it was impossible to connect at all during the day. If we managed to connect, it was only after numerous attempts. And even if we did manage to connect, the speed was so slow that it was impossible to find any information. It would have been possible to connect to Phoenix Internet… However, in the building on the lower floors, 3G and 4G coverage is practically nonexistent.
Denis Pushilin: We're talking about Sirius, Skolkovo, the latest technologies, but we can't handle Wi-Fi. (Addressing Acting Minister of Communications Igor Khalepa) Igor Nikolaevich, I don't want to explain to you why instructions must be carried out and why you must bend over backwards to accomplish any task set by management. This situation is unacceptable. All universities must have free Wi-Fi by August 30th. I'll check it out myself. I know all the difficulties and complexities, but I also know what tasks the Ministry has handled and continues to handle. So, you can handle this too.
Acting Minister of Communications Igor Khalepa : We will do it, Denis Vladimirovich.
Denis Pushilin : Okay, I'll check.
MODERNIZATION OF THE COAL INDUSTRY
Host : Questions came from both ordinary miners and collective requests from manufacturers of complex mining equipment. Coal industry workers inquired about wage arrears, working conditions, future pensions, and social security. What are the prospects for repaying the outstanding arrears, and what are the prospects for the coal industry's further development? What are the prospects for resolving specific issues related to wage arrears, and what are the prospects for the coal industry's further development?
Denis Pushilin : We were, are, and will be a mining region. It's probably not entirely accurate to call it a "region," since we're already a state, but that makes us even more responsible. It's no secret that the Donbas's industrial foundation is made up of two industries: coal and metallurgy. The Donbas emerged because we had coal deposits here. In two years, if I'm not mistaken, it will be 300 years since Peter the Great signed the decree authorizing coal mining in the Donetsk Ridge.
It would be incorrect for us not to pay attention to this. At the same time, we can ask any miner, and here it becomes obvious that over the years of Ukraine’s existence, the coal industry was simply used by oligarchs for personal enrichment. All other issues, be it safety or social support, were carried out on a residual basis. This is wrong, unacceptable, but it happened. Our task now is to use the opportunities that we have. You know, sometimes it is very difficult to realize that we are a coal region, and at the same time we do not use the technologies that we should use - modern technologies.
We understand perfectly well that Donbass has always been famous for the legendary heroic personalities of miners. Everyone knows Alexander Fedorovich Zasyadko, who, having started his work as a mechanic, rose to become the Minister of the Coal Industry of the Soviet Union. It was he who initiated the “Miner’s Glory” award. We know about Yegor Trofimovich Abakumov, who restored the mines after the Great Patriotic War, we know Ivan Ivanovich Strelchenko - twice Hero of Socialist Labor, honored miner. We know a lot of mining dynasties, and it’s even common for us that the total length of service of some of them in the mines is 150 years. But what I'm getting at is that they really were the founders and to some extent the pioneers.
Now simple calculations show that our anthracite coals are in demand, but highly processed products cost one and a half to three times more. Let's rebuild, let's use these technologies. This will be an opportunity to develop our coal industry, an opportunity to make these enterprises profitable. I had the opportunity to communicate with our scientists - their position was that we acted incorrectly in some way, that we did not use scientific developments. There are certain calculations that give us the opportunity and prospects to achieve enterprise profitability, which we really lack.
Initially, there was a blockade, sanctions and other things related to the war, everything that Ukraine did and continues to do. Then there was an unfavorable global environment related to metal and coal prices. The situation has been worsened by the pandemic. We are stubborn. If we analyze the past period, we launched 54 new longwalls. During this difficult period. But that’s not all, we need to increase profitability, work with high added value, we need to use our minds. We have it - let's do it!
This is Oleksandr Yakovlevich Anoprienko, Rector of Donetsk National Technical University . Please tell me more about our current capabilities.
Alexander Anoprienko : Good evening, Denis Vladimirovich! The mineral processing research school at our university is practically the same age as ours, over 90 years old, and has quite a significant track record. It must be said that throughout this time, research and development has never ceased. It's worth noting that in the 1990s and recent years, these developments were more in demand in the Russian Federation, as well as in Kazakhstan and other countries, but were of very little use in the Ukrainian context. Today, we can begin implementing a number of existing developments at our mines and processing plants. This relates to dry enrichment and a range of other technologies.
As you know, our anthracites are among the best in the world in many respects. And deep processing: first enrichment, then deep processing - promises very interesting results here.
Understanding the national importance of this task, we can get some results in the near future with minimal investments, and in the future we can count on significant ones. You correctly noted that coal should be the main wealth of Donbass for the next decades, and perhaps even centuries. Because, according to the most serious estimates, we still have at least 200-300 years of coal reserves for profitable mining. We are already actively working with the Ministry of Coal and Energy, and we have already outlined a roadmap for how we will optimize all existing technologies and introduce new technologies that will allow us to obtain products of much higher value and begin to rebuild the technological process.
Denis Pushilin : Thank you, Alexander Yakovlevich. You can count on my support. Keep working on this. Your work is certainly in demand right now. Overall, we're interested in development and modernization. But there's also a very broad range of issues that come into play here—and that includes, of course, occupational safety. Let's recall the years of Ukraine's existence: in 23 years, 2781 miners died. That's a horrific figure! This shouldn't happen! We live in a modern world, and we must ensure safety using technology. We also value a social package, which should be available to both mining employees and their families. This requires a whole layer of work, but no one else can do it.
I would like to put in touch the Minister of Coal and Energy, Ruslan Mikhailovich (Dubovsky – editor’s note), so that he can talk about plans for the development and modernization of the coal industry.
Ruslan Dubovsky : Good evening, Denis Vladimirovich! According to the enterprise development program for 2020, nine longwalls are scheduled to be commissioned. The longwalls are currently operational and operating as planned. These are the Zasyadko mine, the Progress mine, and two longwalls at the Komsomolets Donbassa mine. Work is currently underway at the Yasinovskaya-Glubokaya mine.
In 2019, we put nine longwalls into operation, and in 2020 we also plan to put nine longwalls into operation. That is, production volumes are not reduced. We completed work on the Skochinsky mine - we brought the enterprise to the prepayment mode, which allowed us to sell 47 thousand tons of coal and receive 220 million (rubles - editor's note). This allowed the May wages to be paid by 42%.
The threat to the Yasinovskaya-Glubokaya mine was also lifted because the coke chemists of the VTS company and the Istek company abandoned coal due to its high sulfur content. We found a solution - we conducted a trial combustion of coal at the Zuevskaya power plant, and received the go-ahead. And the lava that is now being prepared will be burned in a volume of 20 thousand tons at the Zuevskaya power plant.
Denis Pushilin : Ruslan Mikhailovich, you certainly need to utilize technology, modern technology, now more than ever. You need to carefully develop a development program in collaboration with Alexander Yakovlevich (Anoprienko – editor's note). We have prospects and opportunities.
We still have one more important issue: wage arrears. How are things now?
Ruslan Dubovsky : Regarding wages, I'll repeat: the Skochinskogo mine has paid 42% of the May wages. The Zasyadko mine has paid 18% of the May wages, the Torezantratsit and Komsomolets Donbassa mines have paid 60% of the April wages, and the Makeyevugol mine, which is lagging behind, has paid 50% of the April wages.
Denis Pushilin : Ruslan Mikhailovich, I just want to remind you about Article 151 of the Criminal Code, which deals specifically with late payment of wages. I ask you to convey this to all company managers. We must make every effort to pay wages on time, so I expect a report from you on what you are doing personally, what company managers are doing, and their personal responsibility. We understand that wages must be paid on time. This is part of the complex of tasks we discussed.
We need to develop, modernize, use the experience of other countries, and we need to realize that we are a mining region. We must understand that we have proven coal reserves for 300 years. Let's make it profitable and leave it for our descendants. But we must leave not some destroyed component, which will be very difficult to restore, but something that they can use for their development. This is very, very important for us. Ruslan Mikhailovich, please pay special attention to this!
MANUFACTURER SUPPORT
Host : A large number of questions came from entrepreneurs operating in challenging conditions. First, there was the war, and then the pandemic. Are there plans for government support for domestic producers?
Denis Pushilin : Indeed, COVID-19 has left its mark here, and many businesses have been forced to restructure their operations. But despite all the difficulties, the lockdown, and even the pandemic, we have seen some growth in production indicators, both in manufactured and sold products, in recent years. Compared to last year, the total volume of products sold has increased by 25,9%.
This does not mean that all enterprises were able to rebuild and were able to find markets during such a difficult period, but some enterprises did this. They probably did the impossible.
There must be government support measures. This includes protection of local producers and protective duties, if necessary. This also includes the formation of a positive investment climate. We see that a number of enterprises are able to do this and are even able to increase exports. Such enterprises as DonFrost, Aviatech, and the Khartsyzsk rope plant Silur made a certain breakthrough during this period. This does not mean that you need to calm down on this. Continuous and thorough work is important here; adjustments to regulatory legal acts are needed, which would simplify and make the work of enterprises more transparent. This is a lot of questions that are related to verification activities.
Here it would be correct to involve the Minister of Revenue and Duties to touch more deeply on this topic. Therefore, I ask you to get him in touch with us.
Evgeny Evgenievich , please tell us what steps are planned to accommodate entrepreneurs and our businesses. What measures have already been developed, when will they be implemented, and what exactly are they?
Minister of Revenue and Duties Yevgeny Lavrenov : The Ministry of Revenue and Duties is currently developing tax support measures, particularly for investment programs. We already have a number of examples that we can share with our people today. Recently, we have successfully developed not only trade but also our industry, particularly mining.
Today, tax incentives for the mining industry are under consideration and approval by the Government in order to support its further development and guarantee its high-quality work for the coming period.
We also implement support measures regarding customs legislation. The abolition of all import duties has now been submitted to the Government for consideration in order to ensure the competitiveness of our enterprises and increase domestic production. We have been quite successful in using protective duties to protect our markets, as well as to guarantee the development of our industrial enterprises.
We have paid serious attention to the protection of entrepreneurs in order to minimize the damage that COVID-19 has caused to date. Thus, the possibility of temporarily suspending its activities as part of the implementation of your decree of April 15, 2020 on the introduction of a high alert regime has been implemented. During this period, 743 subjects took advantage of this right.
In order to limit contacts with taxpayers, events requiring direct contact have been suspended. We have also limited inspections related to pricing.
AGRICULTURE
Host : I have a question regarding the development of agriculture in the Donetsk People's Republic. We invite you to listen to a video message sent to us by Stepan Polyakov.
Video question from farmer Stepan Polyakov : Our main wish and request is for loans, more loans. These include leasing programs, if possible, with state guarantees, with our guarantees... It would be a huge help for us if people had fast, efficient, good, and economical equipment... Then everything would develop faster. In a year or two, the results will be immediate. It's the same in Russia. They started doing this 10 years ago, but after the sanctions, they became stronger—that's it, the results are completely different!
Denis Pushilin : A very important question. And we must understand that ensuring food security is absolutely a very important task for us. And we must recognize that we are capable of providing our citizens with high-quality, 100% locally produced goods, and we have the resources to do so. Because we have fertile land and agricultural workers who are also heroes: they went out into the fields under fire, simply doing the impossible. Now we need to meet them halfway.
Some work has been done, I was the initiator and participant in many meetings with the participation of our plant growers. We first met them halfway and made it possible to choose a taxation system. This is still experimental, this is just testing. Because there are many variations. Inspection bodies want more opportunities, more powers, but agricultural producers just want to work. They don’t mind paying taxes, they don’t mind being audited, but they don’t mind being disturbed. Absolutely obvious and understandable things.
There were a lot of discussions, and the plant growers were more or less sorted out. Again, there are still a number of adjustments that need to be made, and this is an ongoing job. As for livestock farmers, it’s more complicated; the discussions were more lively. There were different options, but we agreed and found the optimal compromise option. We made a zero tax rate on profits, while with turnover we decided that it would be 1,75%. It’s not an ideal option, it’s a compromise, but it makes it possible not to be burdened with unnecessary unnecessary reporting, that is, you don’t need to hire a large number of accountants just to submit reports, this is wrong. That's absolutely it. You need to concentrate on your work.
But there must be comprehensive support, and this also applies to the possibility of updating the fleet, because this has never been good. Over the years of blockades, restrictions and other things, this situation has become even more complicated, so we could not just sit and wait. In April, the People's Council adopted a law on leasing, and it comes into force on July 1. I hope that the ministries will not get bogged down in bureaucracy, but will simplify, make everything transparent and possible so that our agricultural producers can receive equipment on lease. This is necessary, this is the very support of the state, this is the opportunity that they were deprived of for a long period of time.
They want to work, we have everything for this. Let's just take it and do it. There is no possibility of making excuses, there is no possibility of some kind of time frame. This is just what needs to be done, I repeat that this is very important and correct.
That is, food security must be ensured 100%. And now we can only talk about chicken meat, flour, eggs - we are 80% self-sufficient. This is one of the good indicators, but this is definitely not what you should strive for in the end.
Host : We also have the opportunity to speak with Artem Kramarenko, Minister of Agro-Industrial Policy and Food of the DPR. We see Artem Aleksandrovich is on the line. Good evening!
Artem Kramarenko, Minister of Agro-Industrial Policy and Food of the DPR : Good evening, studio! Good evening, Denis Vladimirovich! The issue of updating the machinery and transport fleet is one of the most pressing issues today. As you already mentioned, the Law "On Financial Lease (Leasing)" will come into force on July 1st, providing for the creation of a state-owned enterprise that will act as the lessor. The Ministry has already determined the current equipment needs based on requests from agricultural producers and the projected needs for 2021-2022, and has also prepared a procedure for the transfer of agricultural machinery to agricultural producers.
Denis Pushilin : We're having trouble with our connection. I want to thank you very much.
Hosts : We're having some problems with our connection. Yes, thank you very much, Artem Alexandrovich.
Let's hope that the Ministry of Communications will take this into account and still establish communication. And next time you will clearly hear what the minister says. And here, as Artem Aleksandrovich and Evgeniy Evgenievich (Lavrenov) said, quite serious measures are being taken, and various tax breaks are visible.
Denis Pushilin : We need to be able to get the information out, so I'm appealing to the Minister of Communications once again: Igor Nikolaevich, pay attention. If we're talking about some kind of development, about high technology, and we can't establish communications, that's bad. Something needs to be done.
DPR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
Host : Denis Vladimirovich, this month you were presented with the DPR development program for 2020. What criteria were used to select the areas the government decided to fund? Questions were received during the hotline regarding checkpoint modernization, building facade restoration, and road repairs in the cities of Horlivka, Debaltseve, Yenakiyeve, Makiivka, Torez, and Komsomolske.
Presenter : And why is there almost four billion for housing and communal services alone?
Denis Pushilin : For us, this is truly a kind of achievement: this year we managed to plan this program and find funds for it, which was not easy.
Of the total funding for the housing and communal services sector, three billion were allocated to pay off the difference in tariffs. Now our prices for housing and communal services are approximately eight times lower than in Ukraine. At the same time, we understand that nothing comes out of thin air. At the moment, the cost is approximately twice as high as the tariffs. And utility companies suffer from this, as they do not have the ability to carry out all the necessary repairs on time, not to mention major repairs. There are also difficulties with wages. Of course, compensation from tariffs should have been included in this program.
If we talk about how priorities were set in general, then this is all thanks to citizens’ requests. Appeals were collected through public receptions of the Donetsk Republic public movement, receptions of ministries and departments, and my receptions. All requests were collected and analyzed. It was necessary to set priorities correctly. And they were arranged. This includes healthcare, housing and communal services, roads, as well as a number of other issues that were included in this program.
Why housing and communal services? We all know very well that the legacy from Ukraine is very bad, nothing was done or repaired. Over the years of Ukraine's existence, the resource that was laid down during the USSR has been used. But nothing will be built, restored, or repaired. This requires funds. And we, understanding certain difficulties with the incomes of our citizens, kept tariffs as much as we could, but it is impossible to do this forever. And this program closes certain such gaps.
Here it is also necessary to take into account that the consequences that war brings are also a very significant factor. There is a lot of destruction and damage. Therefore we will work. We have plans for this year and for subsequent years. And I'm sure everything will work out.
Host : We know that this program will include the restoration of apartment buildings, heat, and gas services. Regarding the residential sector, we'd like to know what exactly will be restored. We also have a question that was submitted to glava.rus: "We live in building No. 7 on Dmitry Medvedev Street in Donetsk. Our building was damaged by shelling. Can we expect any repairs to be carried out in our building?"
Denis Pushilin : The topic of housing restoration is a very pressing one and is constantly on the agenda. We have many examples of the same buildings being restored multiple times. This primarily concerns those buildings located near the contact line. Nevertheless, it is our task to restore. The current program includes the restoration of 50 apartment buildings, and all technical documentation is being prepared for another 200, and it will soon be clear when we will see them.
In general, this is a program that must work and must be consistent with the realities on the contact line. I would like to ask the Minister of Construction and Housing and Communal Services to provide more details.
Minister of Construction and Housing and Utilities Sergey Naumets : Good evening, Denis Vladimirovich! You rightly said that the Ministry of Construction and Housing and Utilities' biggest challenge is the ongoing fighting. Some facilities have been restored two or even three times. Over the years, republican construction workers have restored more than 12,5 of the 29 destroyed facilities.
Regarding the address at which you were asked the question. Residents of this house applied to the Ministry of Construction and Housing and Communal Services back in 2019. The house was inspected and the types of work that needed to be done to ensure it was fully restored were determined. To implement these activities, we were waiting to determine the source of funding. On June 5, by Government Decree, these measures were approved, a source of funding was determined, and this address was included in the implementation of the restoration program for 2020. This facility will be restored by the end of the year.
Denis Pushilin : Okay, Sergey Sergeyevich. I want to warn you personally that I won't be the only one keeping an eye on you. This should become a kind of revealing moment, when every citizen can check on how the restoration is progressing. A considerable amount of money has been allocated. Therefore, it's important to understand both personal responsibility and some element that will give our citizens hope that everything will be restored and everything will be done.
I appeal to all our citizens; all restoration, all construction will take place before your eyes. We need to observe, and if there are any violations, then my public reception centers are in every city and region, please contact us and report them. There is also the media. Everything should be transparent, understandable, and no one should have any doubt that every penny will be spent exactly on what was planned for in this program.
Sergey Sergeevich, thank you!
Host : We've received questions about water shortages in the towns of Snezhnoye and Torez. We also have a question from residents of Shakhtyorsk. Quote: "There hasn't been any water in the village of Gornoye for several months. There are no wells, and there's nowhere to get water. The water truck delivers once a week at different times—usually when everyone else is at work. How many more years will this torment continue?"
Denis Pushilin : Please put the mayor of Shakhtyorsk (Alexander Shatov – editor's note) on the line. Alexander Vasilyevich, are you familiar with this problem? What is being done, and why is it being allowed, especially now, with this weather?
Shakhtyorsk Administration Head Alexander Shatov : Good evening, Denis Vladimirovich! Indeed, the situation in the village of Gornoye is very acute. This problem has been going on for 15 years, especially in the summer, when the irrigation season begins. The village of Gornoye is located within the city of Shakhtyorsk, but its water supply comes from the city of Torez, from the "Obyedinennaya" water pumping station. This is the last point served by the city of Torez. Naturally, the water reaching the village of Gornoye is only in slack.
In this regard, the administration of the city of Shakhtersk and the municipal enterprise “Water of Donbass” ensures the supply of water by road. In the summer, we double this schedule. There is a public figure working there, a local resident, who is trying to regulate this issue.
We will pay attention to this problem and will definitely solve it. At the moment, water supply has been doubled. We understand that water is important to people. However, the solution to supplying water is not the most basic one. Since 2014, the administration of the city of Shakhtersk and the municipal enterprise “Water of Donbass” have prepared design documentation for the repair and construction of the Yuzhnaya water pumping station and the construction of a water pipeline to the city of Shakhtersk, the village of Gornoye. In 2018, a positive expert opinion was received from the State Construction Expertise Service of the Donetsk People's Republic. And in 2020, the construction of a water pipeline to the city of Shakhtersk, the village of Gornoye, was included in the list of objects as part of the measures for the construction of water supply and sanitation systems and facilities. At the moment, budget funds have been allocated for the implementation of this project. The administration of the city of Shakhtersk handed over the documentation according to the invoices of the Republican Directorate of Capital Construction. We expect to resolve this situation this year.
Denis Pushilin : This problem needs to be solved this year. I understand it's complicated, but let's do it. I'll come see you. I want to make sure the problem is solved this year. If you need my help, please contact me. But you can't bully people! As far as I understand, this problem has been going on for years, and it needs to be fixed.
Presenter : We also had questions related to power outages in the cities of Shakhtyorsk and Makeyevka.
One of the questions came to us from Stanislav from Novoazovsk. He asks why so much money was allocated for the repair of the power unit (at Starobeshevskaya TPP in the village of Novy Svet - editor's note)? We have power, there are no rolling blackouts. Is there really such an urgent need to repair the 8th power unit?
Denis Pushilin : This is a matter of energy security. We don't have any visible problems right now, but we understand perfectly well that to avoid them in the future, we need certain investments in this area. We know that the Starobeshevskaya TPP and the Zuyevskaya TPP provide the entire Donetsk People's Republic with electricity. We also supply electricity to the Luhansk People's Republic—so this is actually the energy security of both republics. And here we need to understand our capabilities; we need to understand and carry out repairs in a timely manner… As far as I know, repairing a power unit isn't a very quick process. It's an expensive process, but it's absolutely necessary, because the situation could reach a point where it becomes irreversible. Naturally, we can't allow that to happen.
But let’s talk better with a specialist, with the director of Starobeshevskaya Thermal Power Plant. He will tell you about the repair in more detail. As far as I know, renovations have already begun.
Starobeshevskaya TPP Director Valery Bekerov : Good evening, Denis Vladimirovich! Starobeshevskaya TPP supports the Energy of Donbass's management decision to allocate funds. We did indeed begin repairs on November 18th. This includes preparatory work to dismantle the boiler units, which has already been largely completed. A significant amount of work has been completed to dismantle and prepare the generator turbine. However, as always, we lack the funds to order equipment in a timely manner.
I would like to answer a question that was asked to me as a leader. I completely agree with you. Our independence is energy supply. The sustainable operation of enterprises is, first of all, the reliability of the operation of the Starobeshevskaya TPP enterprise. And the allocation of funds for timely repairs is a one hundred percent guarantee that we will repair the remaining units and adequately pass the autumn-winter peak - this is additional power that will allow us to consume the thermal coal that is mined in the DPR. This is about 1,5-2 thousand tons per day, which is a good workload for our miners. And this, in turn, will create additional jobs.
Presenter : Valery Ametovich, we must nevertheless assume that all repair and restoration work will be carried out taking into account state support.
Denis Pushilin : Repairs need to be done, so we're moving forward and keeping our finger on the pulse to ensure the work is completed on time. As for support in terms of timely delivery of spare parts and other things, you can count on us. But you, too, must understand your responsibility for your repair work. It's a considerable amount of money, and people have rightly pointed this out; it must be spent on what it was allocated for.
FOREIGN POLICY COURSE OF THE COUNTRY
Viktor Volodko , a resident of Spartak: In 2015, my house was hit, and this year, my house was hit… I'm fed up with this constant shelling, this constant bombing. I'm not the only one. I'd like to address the Head of the Republic: Denis Vladimirovich, when will this all end? When will we be able to drive away this evil spirit?
Denis Pushilin : That's a very good question. We really saw what was happening... Poroshenko left, and many were hoping the situation would change. He (Zelensky – editor's note) ran on a platform of peace, he promised peace. I'm deeply convinced that's precisely why so many people voted for him. He deceived.
Unfortunately, we saw that the situation has worsened in quantitative terms. If under Poroshenko shelling was on average three times a day from heavy weapons, then under Zelensky it was five times a day. If we say that over the last year (of Poroshenko’s reign – editor’s note) four people died and 55 were wounded, then during the year of Zelensky’s rule, 6 people were already killed, 73 people were wounded, and most recently, five children.
This is indeed an issue that is constantly on our agenda, which we are obliged to solve and, of course, with the help of our army, the People's Militia. That is, I think the decision we made was absolutely correct: the order was given for “full” combat readiness. Why? Because, according to our data, there were still threats of some kind of no longer provocative actions, shelling, but the possibility of an offensive. Our intelligence reported that the concentration of enemy forces pointed precisely to this. Now at this stage we can say that the situation has not yet stabilized, it has returned to the period when there is a positional confrontation. But again, despite the cancellation of that level of combat readiness, our military personnel have orders to return fire. That is, enemy firing points that fire on the territory of the Donetsk People's Republic will be destroyed.
You know, now this is not only a war, but also a complex negotiation process. We see here and there some specific provocations. That is, there is not even a hint of any desire for peace. It is very difficult for our negotiators. On the other hand, everything becomes obvious to many, many people. The most important thing is that this finally reaches the guarantor countries - France, Germany, which should and should have influenced Ukraine.
We hear the correct political statements, the correct reaction to establish peace only from the Russian Federation. Apart from us, only Russia is interested in our having peace. Unfortunately, all the other participants in this complex negotiation process, geopolitical confrontation, whatever you want to say, no one is interested in the situation being fully stabilized, in order for the shelling to stop. Therefore, we still have a lot of work to do here. In any case, we very much count on adequate responses from our military personnel in the event of any threat.
Host : We're all well aware of how Ukrainian representatives are conducting themselves at the Minsk negotiating platform. Today, we have the opportunity to speak directly with ministers and department heads of the Donetsk People's Republic. Foreign Minister Natalia Yuryevna Nikonorova is already in direct contact with us. How is the Ukrainian side conducting itself at the negotiating platform? Can you tell us more?
Natalia Nikonorova : Denis Vladimirovich is absolutely right. We are witnessing a dishonest approach to negotiations and a destructive approach on absolutely every topic under discussion. I can give you an example. In particular, a pressing issue that is currently on the agenda: opening humanitarian corridors for crossing checkpoints from Ukrainian-controlled territory into the Donetsk People's Republic and vice versa.
We have already communicated our position to the Ukrainian side several times and our proposals for organizing such corridors. The first time was back on May 8th. But, unfortunately, we have not received an answer yet. At the meetings themselves, which are now being held in videoconference format, Ukraine simply, under any pretext, in every possible way avoids discussion on this topic. The last time on June 10, even for technical reasons, they allegedly lost communication on this very topic. Therefore, unfortunately, we do not see anything constructive yet. And literally at the last meeting, the representative of Ukraine expressed doubt that the Set of Measures is, in principle, a binding document. This means that he, accordingly, doubted the mandatory implementation of the UN Security Council resolution, which approved this Set of Measures. And in general, the entire world community has been saying for five years that this is the only and unalternative way to peacefully resolve the conflict. But, unfortunately, five years later we suddenly hear such theses from the Ukrainian side. We hope that appropriate pressure will be applied and their position will change by the next negotiations.
Host : As we've already mentioned, there have been a lot of questions about opening the borders. As far as we know, Ukraine opened them on June 10th, but we haven't taken any action.
Denis Pushilin : Let me clarify, and then Natalya Yuryevna will add to this if she has anything to add. The issue here is simple: we have no right to completely open our borders with Ukraine. We have no right to risk the lives of our citizens. Why? Because the coronavirus situation in Ukraine raises many questions and concerns. Since June 11th, they've been setting record highs day after day. There are 700 to 800 new cases daily, and dozens of people are dying. Therefore, we don't have the right to simply open the borders now. It would be a serious oversight for any state to take such steps. On the other hand, we clearly understand that there are certain humanitarian needs, humanitarian goals for people, a host of reasons for which they approach both my administration and the headquarters for combating the spread of coronavirus infection. In other words, people who need to leave or enter.
But for this purpose, an absolutely clear mechanism has been built - humanitarian corridors. Our proposals were all sent through the OSCE, they have already been discussed or there have been attempts to discuss them at the Minsk negotiating platform. And here we see that when all that remains is to simply set a day and agree on a mechanism, Ukraine, instead of agreeing, simply goes for a provocation and opens the border. Moreover, it opens in the heat, without any thought, knowing that we won’t open it.
Our position was clearly stated at the Minsk site. Why are you opening? What are you doing? A certain number of people left, we saw this too. But the situation is such that we, for our part, are ready to open exit from the territory of the Republic to everyone, and entry, taking into account the situation on the territory of Ukraine, we are ready to work through the lists. These are the people who will be quarantined. We have prepared the places where they will undergo this two-week quarantine and are provided with everything necessary.
Yes, there are still a lot of nuances, all of this has been worked out, but only unilaterally. Natalya Yuryevna, if you have something to add, add it.
Foreign Minister Natalia Nikonorova : You've clearly outlined our negotiating positions, Denis Vladimirovich, but given all these factors, I'd like to add that the lists compiled by the Interdepartmental Headquarters for Combating Coronavirus Infection—that is, the lists of people who will be entering the Donetsk People's Republic—are based primarily on humanitarian considerations. These include categories of people who, for example, need medical care, family reunification, or care for close relatives. Or other crisis situations. Incidentally, the Ukrainian side also has certain categories that need to be discussed. They believe these are priorities, but they don't discuss them.
I can only add that our position is supported by mediators, both the Russian Federation and the OSCE. We are only waiting for Ukraine's position. To resolve this issue as quickly as possible, we are ready for an extraordinary conference. As soon as the Ukrainian side forms its negotiating position, we are ready to hold a video conference on the same day at any time.
Host : Questions continue to come in. Those that don't make it to air don't mean they weren't addressed. All questions will be considered.
And we will move on to the topic of opening borders, but with Russia. We have a question about this. Arina asks us from Moscow: “When will the Russia-DPR border be opened? I want to go to my grandmother for the holidays and celebrate my birthday there.”
Denis Pushilin : The situation in the Russian Federation is exactly the opposite; there's a positive trend, in the best sense of the word. The number of cases is declining, and the number of recoveries is increasing. We're currently working on ways to mitigate the situation. We plan to allow travelers to obtain a Russian passport in the very near future.
There is, again, an issue that had to be suspended, that is, put on some kind of pause - railway communication, which we talked about on the last direct line. This task stands, it didn’t go anywhere, the deadlines were simply postponed for objective reasons. This is a direct opportunity to get to the territory of Crimea, Moscow and St. Petersburg - the first directions that are being developed. I keep my finger on the pulse on this issue. This is important for us, this is important for our people.
As for other mitigations that will be made, they are being worked on. This is all daily work associated with a lot of issues. First of all, related to the safety of the health and lives of our citizens. But I think that from July 1 it will be possible to talk about mitigation, and then the issue with grandma’s holidays will be resolved.
INTEGRATION WITH THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Host : Denis Vladimirovich, this year we celebrated Russia Day at the state level for the first time. We, like all residents of the Donetsk People's Republic, are concerned about the question: when will we finally join the Russian Federation?
Denis Pushilin : In 2013-14, when we witnessed everything that happened in Kyiv, on the Maidan, when we witnessed the frenzy of people with strange views, who thought it was normal to get tattoos with fascist symbols, who were willing and continue to march under the Reichstag banners, this was definitely a challenge for us. We realized that with such a Ukraine, we could not follow our path.
We have an absolutely clear understanding that we need to make our choice, and we made it. Donbass has always been Russian. We are Russians. And now, if we talk about the question of when will we join the Russian Federation, I will answer: we cannot join there, of which we are already an integral part. For example, what currency do you have in your wallet?
Presenter : Ruble.
Denis Pushilin : The ruble, that's absolutely obvious. What language do our children study in?
Presenter : In Russian.
Denis Pushilin : In Russian, it's absolutely simple. Where did our universities receive certification? In the Russian Federation. We are synchronizing our legislation with the Russian Federation. Our people participate in various international forums in the Russian Federation. Finally, what kind of passport do you have?
Presenter : Russian passport.
Denis Pushilin (to the presenter): And you?
Presenter : I don’t have Russian yet.
Denis Pushilin : Why?
Presenter : I just recently submitted my documents.
Denis Pushilin : I see. Well, that's all obvious. But I'll tell you about one more important event. This is the participation of everyone who received Russian passports in the vote on amendments to the Constitution (of the Russian Federation – editor's note). I had the opportunity to officially contact the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation and received an official response regarding how our citizens will be able to participate in this process. So, in my opinion, everything is clear.
When we go out into the street, what flags do we see there?
Presenter: Russian.
Denis Pushilin : Well, there you have it. For us, I think it's all clear. The only thing worth emphasizing is this: to defend our right to be Russian and to feel Russian, we must defend this right with arms in hand. That's the only way. But this is our conscious choice. That's it, period!
* * *
Closing remarks by the Head of the DPR Denis Pushilin
Thanks to the activity of our citizens and their interest in political participation, we have identified the issues that dictate the agenda. Availability of education and healthcare services, modernization of the coal industry, support for producers, the country's foreign policy and integration with the Russian Federation. Hundreds of questions and suggestions that we must respond to!
I appeal to all government employees. You are people who are in the service of the state, and the state is every person living on its territory. Your direct responsibility is to work for the benefit of society, to improve the quality of life of each individual resident.
All problems can be solved if they are solved. Every day, every hour you need to think about what has already been done, what has not been done, what needs to be done to get the final result. Summarize, analyze and do it again! All efforts, all energy should be aimed at protecting the interests of people! Nothing is impossible, you only need the desire and desire to move on!
We are working!
Denis Pushilin: "Donbass is already an integral part of Russia"