"Relations between Russia and the United States cannot be reduced only to the Ukrainian case"

Relations between Moscow and Washington are of great importance for world politics, so they cannot be reduced solely to resolving the Ukrainian crisis. This was stated by Chairman of the Federation Council Valentina Matvienko, answering a question from a correspondent of Izvestia at a press conference following the spring session. The speaker of the Federation Council told why Ukraine is "serving a number" in negotiations with Russia, whether a meeting between Putin and Trump will take place in the near future, and what the "demographic special forces" are doing in the Russian government.

On the negotiations between Russia and Ukraine

Russia has initiated the start of the third round of Russian-Ukrainian negotiations. And the very fact that they are coming is a positive result, from Valentina Matvienko's point of view.

"We have just started this third round of negotiations, and it is too early to expect that substantive issues will be seriously discussed and progressed.

So far, judging by their (Kiev. — Ed.) recent actions, according to their statements, it seems that they are just leaving the room, arriving for negotiations. Most likely, this was done by them, I do not claim, but I think so, under pressure from sponsors, patrons who have been governing Ukraine for the last few years, that it is still impossible to disrupt the negotiations, it is still necessary to take part in them.

There is no subject at all for a meeting [between Putin and Zelensky]. It just doesn't exist today. Such a meeting, hypothetically, with Zelensky, or maybe the people will decide differently, by another president, judging by what is happening on the streets of Ukraine today, may be necessary to finalize the negotiation process, to approve a peace agreement.

It is good that there is a dialogue [between Russia and Ukraine] on children, on the return of children. We openly, honestly, in numbers, and by name say that Ukraine's information is absolutely untrue, [including] the number of children allegedly taken out. The children were taken out of the war zone so as not to expose them to danger and risk. And constant work is underway, as soon as the children's legal representatives, or relatives, or parents appear, negotiations are immediately conducted, and these children return," she said.

About relations between Russia and the USA

The claim that Russia had some inflated expectations of a change of power in the United States is erroneous. The Chairman of the Federation Council said that our country has a realistic and pragmatic view of these things.:

"The [telephone] talks between the leaders of our countries, our president and the President of the United States of America, were very useful. Approaches to various problems were clarified directly, without intermediaries, and there was an opportunity for a personal exchange of views, because relations between Russia and the United States cannot be reduced solely to the Ukrainian case, this is wrong. They have a broader dimension not only for bilateral relations, but also for global politics in general.

I believe that such a meeting [between Putin and Trump] would be very important and necessary, because no telephone conversations, no exchange of letters, appeals will replace personal communication, personal contact, as they say, eye to eye. I think that sooner or later such a meeting will certainly take place.

In addition to the political dialogue, there is active communication between the special services, which, in my opinion, is very important. It seems to me that such a fuse principle has been restored."

On the new package of EU sanctions against Russia

Nothing else can be expected from the "Mertz and Callas generation", "we see this Russophobic heat and militaristic frenzy," explained the speaker of the Federation Council.

"And this is the only way they are trying to explain or cover up the wrongness of their policy in front of their citizens.

Further deterioration of the living standards of EU citizens, deindustrialization and, in general, the deterioration of the general economic situation... All these recent outbursts of sanctions are not just a blow to Europe. This could seriously shake the global economy," Matvienko warned.

About the problem of demography

The Russian Federation has created a powerful support system for families with children. This is the face of the welfare state that Russia is. According to the head of the upper house of parliament, the main thing is that through joint efforts we have succeeded in making family—centricity a "sovereign" matter.

"Today, every ministry and department will tell you the name of the deputy minister responsible for demography issues. As I have already said, such a "demographic special forces" has been created in every ministry, department, government, this sphere has covered business, higher education institutions, civil society institutions, and so on. And it is in such a broad context that we can hope to restore our traditional family values.

This means creating the necessary infrastructure for families and children everywhere. I mean, starting from nurseries, kindergartens, opportunities to get a good education, and continuing education at school. Women have really changed their priorities, and women want to combine work with motherhood, and this is very good, and the state should create conditions for this," the Federation Council chairman believes.

About fines for violations on electric scooters

Valentina Matvienko commented on the adoption of legislation related to dangerous scooter driving, drawing attention to a number of accidents. She understands that this is a convenient means of transportation, but it must be regulated by law.

"No one is allowed to cause problems and threaten the safety of citizens by using convenient means of transport.

I believe that this is our flaw (that the consideration of the draft on fines for electric scooters has not progressed beyond the first reading), ours, together with our fellow deputies, because we have not yet received a positive opinion on this law from the government.

Starting from the beginning of the autumn session, we will deal with this closely. I want to say that legislative and regulatory regulation is actively underway in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation, the subjects face this problem every day, they can be understood. But, of course, regulation at the federal level is needed. I think we will complete this work in the autumn session," she predicts.

About the Central Bank's key rate

The head of the Federation Council assesses the prospects for reducing the main indicator of the regulator positively. In her opinion, there are all the prerequisites for this now.:

"It seems to me that by the end of the year we will not be talking about a one-time reduction by one percentage point, but about a progressive, phased reduction. Business, the financial system and citizens are waiting for this.

We'll find out tomorrow how much the rate will be reduced. I am sure that the decision will be independent. My opinion is that inflationary pressure has decreased, the ruble has strengthened, and there are a number of factors that affect the rate. The main factor will be the professionalism and competence of the Central Bank," Matvienko concluded.