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Meeting with Government members

Vladimir Putin held a meeting with Government members, via videoconference.

May 22, 2025
18:45
The Kremlin, Moscow

The main topic of discussion - tools for supporting investment projects in industry.

* * *

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Colleagues, good afternoon.

As you are aware, earlier this week, I paid a working visit to Kursk, to the Kursk Region. During this trip, I engaged with volunteers, heads of municipalities, and regional authorities. Our direct conversations addressed issues of utmost concern to residents of towns and villages affected by shelling, combat operations, and - frankly speaking - the terrorist methods employed and perpetuated by Ukrainian formations and foreign mercenaries.

We recognise that additional support is currently needed for residents of the Kursk Region and other border regions in close proximity to the line of combat engagement: the Belgorod Region and the Bryansk Region. Naturally, each of these regions presents its own unique situation and specific challenges, which we must consider when developing support measures. Nevertheless, there are common concerns shared by citizens. I would like to reiterate these priorities: the restoration of housing, social and transport infrastructure; compensation payments for lost property; and support for displaced persons who were forced to leave their homes and are now residing in temporary accommodation centres, with relatives, or renting housing.

A separate, critically important issue for ensuring safety and protecting people's lives and health is the demining of territories where combat operations occurred, including the elimination of unexploded ordnance, mines, and weapon caches left behind by militants.

I reiterate: this concerns the Kursk Region, the Bryansk Region, and the Belgorod Region, which have also suffered and continue to endure shelling. Moreover, the adversary typically targets objectives devoid of military significance: civilian infrastructure and people's homes.

The most recent events only confirm what I just said: drone attacks as well as sabotage and reconnaissance actions target civilian transport, including ambulances and agricultural machinery. Most of the casualties are women and children.

As I said, a decision has been made to create a buffer security zone along the Russian border. Our Armed Forces are working on this now. They are also effectively suppressing enemy firing points. At the same time, I would like to point out once again that, given the situation in the Kursk, Belgorod and Bryansk regions, we need to begin restoring and rebuilding everything that has been destroyed there right away. We need to help people return to their home towns and villages when it is safe enough, restore transport infrastructure and other facilities, ensure the sustainable operation of industrial and agricultural enterprises, and support entrepreneurs and their teams.

To achieve this, I instruct the Ministry of Economic Development as well as our colleagues from the Presidential Executive Office to prepare, as soon as possible, a programme for the comprehensive redevelopment of the affected areas in the Kursk, Belgorod and Bryansk regions. This programme should be backed with sufficient financial and material resources, additional equipment and specialists, including those from other regions.

I would also ask our colleagues from the ministries of Defence, of the Interior, Emergencies, Construction, Transport, Energy, Digital Development, Healthcare, and Education, and other agencies to actively contribute to the development and implementation of this programme.

Naturally, it is essential to establish smooth interaction between all levels of government, including the federal government, regional teams and municipalities. Furthermore, I ask you to keep in touch with volunteer and public organisations and take advantage of the feedback from those regions' residents, promptly responding to their requests and concerns.

Please keep me regularly informed on the progress of this comprehensive programme for the reconstruction of the affected regions.

We will hold a separate discussion on the subject at one of our future meetings. People have many questions there. We discussed all of this in detail at the meeting with the heads of municipalities. I will not go into detail now, but I want these details taken into account in the rebuilding programme.

Let's move on to today's agenda.

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