Putin: I do not see any opportunity to establish good relations with Turkey

On the economic crisis

Previous forecasts about exiting from the crisis were based on the assumption that a barrel of oil would cost $100. <...> Nevertheless, the peak of the economic crisis, even at the current price of oil, is behind us. The peak, but not the economic crisis itself.

Despite all the difficulties, Russia fully complies with all its obligations to international lending institutions.

Will the operation in Syria boost or drain the Russian economy?

I hear that that over there, across the pond, the interest rates are lower. Of course, they are lower, but the problems there are different as well. We have the threat of inflation, and there – they have a problem with deflation – the manufacturer produces, but cannot sell their products. For us to be able to lower the interest rates, we should not be snapping at the Central Bank, but helping the government to reduce investment risks.

On relations with Turkey and the downed plane

With the current Turkish leadership, for us it is difficult, and virtually impossible, to negotiate. When we say that we agree, then they stab us in the side or in the back. I do not see any opportunity to establish good relations with Turkey at the government level.

If someone in the Turkish leadership has decided to lick the Americans in a certain place, I do not know, was this the right way to go about it or if the Americans need this.

The actions of the Turkish authorities – this was not an unfriendly act, but a hostile one. <...> What, was it difficult to pick up the phone or use communication channels and make a call. No one said anything. And what did they achieve? Did they think that we would run away? Russia is not such a country. We increased our military presence – the S-400s are there now.

If earlier Turkey was constantly flying and violating Syrian airspace, then let them fly there now.

About the Islamic State terrorist organization

It was necessary to attract cannon fodder under Islamic slogans, which actually protect economic interests. That is how ISIS was born.

What’s behind John Kerry’s festive goodwill to the Kremlin?

This is how I look at all this: it seems to me that ISIS – this is already a peripheral thing. At one time, they went into Iraq, destroyed the country – was this a good thing or a bad thing? It’s not important.

We do not think that this coalition [an anti-terrorist coalition in the Middle East recently established under the auspices of Saudi Arabia] will have an anti-Russian character. <...> We have a different approach to resolving the crisis in Syria, but there are also common points of view.

On economic relations with Ukraine

We sought to maintain economic relations with Ukraine. However, Ukraine, operating in a unidirectional mode, left this regime and joined the EU. This is not the way to do things. <...> Ukraine will not enjoy privileges and preferences in its trade with Russia. However, this is not our choice. We tried hard.

We are not going to introduce any sanctions with respect to Ukraine; I want people to clearly understand this. We will just switch to the most-favored-nation trading regimen.

On Donbass

First of all, we have never said that there are no people involved in military issues there. However, this does not mean that there are regular troops. Do you see the difference? Secondly, the exchange [of Ukrainian soldiers] should be equal.

We need to liberate people who are being held, from one side, and from the other. It is no secret that the Ukrainian authorities consider those that they have detained in the Donbass are exchangeable. Those arrested in Kiev and sitting in prisons, they leave out of the equation.

On the high-profile cases involving the government and influential business circles

We are obliged to take action. If we are talking about the children of the Prosecutor General, we need to understand whether they had violated the law. Is there, in the work of the Prosecutor General, any element associated with a conflict of interest? It is necessary to take a closer look, including clearing up the information appearing on the internet.

The results [of my 15-years of governing the country] are a significant increase in the incomes of the population, GDP growth, a strengthened national defense system and a fight against terrorism. And such things of this character [scandals around the Prosecutor General, a governor’s involvement in the beatings of journalists, etc.] are found practically everywhere.

On the corruption scandal in FIFA

No country has the right to extend its jurisdiction to other states. We need to fight corruption. However, this practice of grabbing foreign citizens here and there, and dragging them into an inquiry – is unacceptable.

Is there corruption in FIFA? The investigation will determine this. Blatter is respectable man, and he did a lot for the development of world football. His contributions in the humanitarian sphere in the world are colossal. <...> This is a person that should be given the Nobel Peace Prize.

Let us wait for the end of the investigation, and see who is to blame there. We are against all forms of doping. It destroys people’s health. It is poison. If anyone has used banned drugs, they must be appropriately punished.

Read more: What can we expect from Russian foreign policy in 2016?

All rights reserved by Rossiyskaya Gazeta.