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

The discussion began with current issues. Emergencies Minister Alexander Kurenkov reported on forest fires in various Russian regions. Agriculture Minister Oksana Lut briefed the participants on the progress of the spring sowing campaign and the provision of material, technical and financial resources to farmers. Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev took over to report on the supply of fuel to agricultural producers and the prices of fuel and lubricants. Minister of Industry and Trade Anton Alikhanov answered the President’s question about the growing prices of agricultural equipment.

Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko reported on preparations for the summer tourist season and children’s recreation. He said that more than 48 million tourist trips were expected to be made from May to September, with the number of foreign tourists expected to grow by 15 percent. About 900,000 foreign tourists visited Russia in January to March. As for children’s recreation, over 40,000 children’s camps will open this summer to provide relaxation and health improvement services to about six million children, which is 200,000 more than last year.

Education Minister Sergei Kravtsov reported on the main stage of the national final school exam (EGE), which begins on May 23, as well as on the provision of modern equipment to schools and the children’s growing interest in natural sciences. He noted that Russia is one of the world’s top three countries in terms of winners at international Olympiads in natural sciences. The Minister also spoke about the growing prestige of secondary vocational education. He added that the task of training at least one million workers for key industries by 2028, as formulated by the President, would be exceeded, with an additional 300,000 professionals trained.

Economic Development Minister Maxim Reshetnikov reported on the development of autotourism. He said that the number of road travel routes listed on the national tourism website had increased from 35 last summer to 82 this year, totalling 27,000 kilometres, with another 117 routes being discussed with the regions. There are 750 roadside facilities and 117 multiservice zones on these routes, where tourists can refuel their cars, eat and take a shower. Nearly 3,000 hotels and 1,200 tourist attractions, including museums, churches, theatres, parks and nature reserves, are located near these roads.

At the President’s request, Minister of Science and Higher Education Valery Falkov reported on preparations for the upcoming university admission campaign, as well as on preferential admission terms for participants in the special military operation and their children. The Minister said that there would be over 619,000 state-funded university places this year, with nearly 43 percent of them designated for engineering and modern technology fields, including information science, mechanical engineering, construction, chemical technologies, aircraft and aerospace equipment, as well as computer and information technology. He also spoke about the growing attractiveness of Russian education for foreigner students. The Government quota for them is 30,000 places, which is an unprecedented number. People from 180 countries want to study in Russia. For the first time this year, the Government’s quota has been complemented with a new mechanism of grants for foreign students. It is based on the competitive admission of the most talented and enthusiastic applicants. The 2,000 winners will not only receive free education but also scholarships, and their travel and accommodation expenses, as well as medical insurance will be covered. This mechanism will help achieve the goal of attracting at least 500,000 foreign students by 2030, as set by the President.

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Opening remarks at a meeting with Government members

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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