Andrey Kolesnikov about Putin’s participation in the Arctic Forum
On March 27, Russian President Vladimir Putin flew to Murmansk to participate in the Arctic Forum, and the special correspondent “Kommersant” Andrey Kolesnikov I finally found out for myself and for readers “Kommersant”, we will threaten the Swede, as well as Finn and even than. And looked at it. And it would be better not to see.
On the mountain, where the monument to the defenders of the Arctic is standing, where Alyosha was in a raincoat the size of a mountain on which he stands, the president of honor and the presidential orchestra were waiting for the president. For this, they came from Moscow. And it was cold in the March Murmansk wind, and minus three were perceived by some as minus thirty.
– Didn’t you freeze? – The organizers were interested in their order.
The soldiers were silent in an organized manner, and a mournful came from the ranks of the orchestrandants:
– And how much more? ..
“Two hours, or something …” the organizers joked, but only jokes they stopped understanding about thirty minutes ago.
The ceremony of laying flowers to the monument, however, was momentary, but, apparently, which is relevant to the history of the city of Murmansk. After it, Vladimir Putin went to the Palace of Culture and Folk Art. S. M. Kirova.
At a meeting on the development of the Arctic zone, Mr. Putin could not say, apparently, the main thing: that the Northern Fleet is based on here, in the Murmansk region, and immediately, in fact, the Northern Sea Route begins.
– Let me remind you that we have already discussed with the government the question of what needs to be determined in the details of the development model of the sowmorput, to ensure its cargo floods with infrastructure and the fleet. We agreed to work out all organizational points. Unfortunately, decisions on this subject are still not made, and the model has not been compiled! – the president said unexpectedly.
Mr. Putin rarely swears aloud, and it was just such a case.
– Of course, it is important to take into account today’s objective problems, difficulties and restrictions. But, despite this, we should not postpone the launch of development projects that are important for the Arctic, and for the whole of Russia!
Here, a dramatic leak occurred on journalistic sidelines: information agencies reported that the Perm atomic submarine, which was supposed to be launched on this day, the Zircon hypersonic missiles would be installed. Meanwhile, journalists of the BBC television company, who were also accredited for some reason to participate in the Arctic Forum, which at that time took place in the recreation center, did not even know that in the schedule of Vladimir Putin there was a point on visiting the launch ceremony of another atomic submarine, already here in the Murmansk region.
While the organizers of the event longed for journalistic blood, I met in the corridor of the assistant President Alexei Dyumin, who, having learned what was going on, shrugged: he shrugged:
– “Zircon” at “Perm”? ” So everyone has known this for a long time!
Well, Mr. Dyumin is known for his ability to make well -aimed remarks in time.
On the screen of a huge monitor in the Hall of a DC, an hour and a half participants in the Arctic Forum showed pleased with their lives, but some sleepy beavers and ducks, as well as white bears and red foxes, obviously saved by man from man. They wanted them to be shown Vladimir Putin, but no, it was early.
And I was afraid that it would be too late: it was already getting dark and the dull, as you know, was inevitably piled on Murmansk.
The music in the hall, accompanying the show of animals, was like in a SPA salon at a Thai massage session, that is, relaxing, and by the end of the first hour of waiting, of course, those who really relaxed, that is, slept. But after all, the president still did not come.
But they waited. Moreover, it was worth it, for the argument of Vladimir Putin about Greenland was redeemed by the expectation of a meeting with him.
Drawing attention to the fact that he degraded the Arctic Council created by interested countries several years ago, Mr. Putin shrugged his shoulders:
– Do not want – no need, we ourselves will work with those who want this!
And Vladimir Putin immediately after that spoke about the claims of the American president about Greenland:
-It only at first glance can surprise someone! .. And deeply mistakenly believe, these are some extravagant conversations of the new American administration. ” Nothing of the kind! In fact, the United States had such plans back in the 60s of the XIX century! .. Then these ideas did not receive the support of Congress … The proposals for Greenland failed …
Mr. Putin recalled that then Alaska seemed to be a standing acquisition in the United States and as soon as it was not called … And now …
– We are talking about US serious plans for Greenland! – the Russian president already defiantly supported Mr. Trump. “This is a question that concerns two specific states (USA and Denmark. -“ Kommersant ”) and has nothing to do with us …
So once the question of acquiring Alaska concerned relations only by the United States and Russia …
Vladimir Putin did not say anything about his attitude to the sale of Alaska, but one can easily guess: the development programs that he painted in his speech for the Arctic territories would undoubtedly be widespread if he had not happened to the next irreparable, and to Alaska.
So I see the Alaskan mortgage, affordable rental housing, the construction of supporting settlements in Alaska … Eh, what is it there …
Then Vladimir Putin scolded Sweden and Finland:
-For some reason, they create problems with their own hands (joining NATO.-A.K.) … Why? It is completely incomprehensible! Nevertheless, we will proceed from what is …
Those who did not see any warning in these words must apparently re -read them again.
When the “Kommersant” signed in the seal, Vladimir Putin, not suspecting this, was just going to consecrate the ceremony of the new atomic submarine “Perm”, close to the boat, and from afar so similar to the “little prince”, swallowed the elephant.
In this regard, Sweden and Finland do not relax.
