The agenda includes includes the president's instructions given during the Direct Line conference, the action plan for implementing the Strategy for Action for Senior Citizens, and the implementation of the Concept for the Scientific and Technological Development of the Transport System.
Mikhail Mishustin’s opening remarks
Meeting with deputy prime ministers on current issues
Meeting with deputy prime ministers on current issues
Meeting with deputy prime ministers on current issues
Tatyana Golikova at the meeting with deputy prime ministers on current issues
Vitaly Savelyev at the meeting with deputy prime ministers on current issues
Meeting with deputy prime ministers on current issues
Mikhail Mishustin: Good afternoon, colleagues.
Last week the president gave the Direct Line news conference, where he answered questions from Russian people and journalists in detail.
The Government ‘s Coordination centre also reviewed them promptly in order to prepare effective proposals to resolve them.
The head of state assessed the current state of the economy. Over the last three years, gross domestic product growth is expected to reach nearly 10 percent. Public debt remains among the lowest levels seen in developed countries. The Government has succeeded in balancing the budget, which makes it possible to continue implementing national projects, advance technological development goals, and meet the needs of the Armed Forces. Most importantly, this ensures the fulfillment of the state’s social obligations to citizens.
The president placed a special focus on the support for the participants in the special military operation stressing that it was important to continue helping those who wish to build careers in civilian sectors. This requires the creation of broad opportunities, including access to education.
An entire block of questions was dedicated to families with children. A new measure will come into effect starting next year: working parents with two or more children whose income is below one and a half times the subsistence minimum will be eligible for an annual payment.
Other support mechanisms, including the unified benefit, will remain in place. As a reminder, during the news conference, large families appealed to the President with a request to retain their right to receive this benefit even if their income slightly exceeds the established threshold.
Ms Golikova, you reported that, together with the Ministry of Labour, possible changes to the regulatory framework have been developed in line with the president’s instructions. These proposals must be promptly coordinated with the relevant agencies and submitted to the head of state so that the necessary legislative amendments can be introduced as soon as possible.
It is also necessary to develop options for additional support for parents of children over one and a half years of age, when childcare benefits are discontinued. This includes improving access to kindergartens and ensuring that, during construction and renovation, the creation of nursery groups is addressed from the outset.
The Government will continue creating conditions necessary for more children to be born in the country. We will expand the system of social guarantees for families at all stages from pregnancy through a child’s upbringing, so that, as stressed by the head of state, parents do not experience a decline in their standard of living with the birth of a child.
During the Q&A session, there were requests to strengthen transport connectivity and develop the road network.
Mr Khusnullin, we need to explore options for improving the road going from Syktyvkar to Naryan-Mar. This is important both for residents of the Komi Republic and for ensuring reliable supply deliveries to the northern territories.
The President instructed not to extend the moratorium on fines for developers for delays in commissioning shared-equity construction projects. This decision has already been made.
Mr Grigorenko, the issue of combating telephone fraud was also raised during the direct line. The head of state noted that the measures previously adopted had produced tangible results. We must continue to do everything necessary to comprehensively protect citizens from digital crime.
Next, difficulties related to monitoring glucose levels in children through glucose monitoring systems due to unstable internet access were discussed. This is an extremely important issue, as it directly concerns children’s health.
Mr Grigorenko, I would also like to ask you and Tatyana Golikova to prepare necessary documentation to support decision-making on this matter.
Colleagues,
Please, keep all key areas discussed during the President’s Q&A session under special control. All instructions must be carefully and thoroughly implemented. Please, closely monitor their implementation within the areas under your responsibility.
All questions asked during the conference have already been processed by the Government response centre and are currently sent out to ministers, heads of federal executive bodies, and deputy prime ministers.
One more issue: the president noted that increasing life expectancy and promoting active longevity are among the key priorities of state policy. The Government is undertaking all necessary measures to address this objective, covering a broad range of areas, including comprehensive support for senior citizens.
An action plan for implementing the relevant strategy over the next five years has been approved. Further increases in pension benefits are envisaged. The adjustment of pensions for working citizens, which resumed this year, will continue.
Improving the organisation and accessibility of medical care remains a constant priority. We will expand opportunities for medical examinations in both outpatient clinics and hospitals. A greater number of elderly people in need will be able to receive medical care at home.Wwe are developing a long-term care system for those who find it difficult to take care for themselves, so that by the end of 2030, it will be accessible to 500,000 people, as instructed by the head of state.
We will also expand scientific research aimed at combating chronic diseases. Of course, we will continue creating conditions for healthy longevity, including the promotion of a healthy lifestyle and physical activity. It is essential that people of the so-called “silver age” have broad opportunities for active participation in society. They can join volunteer movements and projects, serve as mentors for children and teenagers, share their knowledge and experience, and, if they so choose, pursue further education and training.
Ms Golikova, please tell us how this work is progressing. Please, you have the floor.
Tatyana Golikova: Mr Mishustin, colleagues, good afternoon.
Today, more than 35 million senior citizens reside in Russia, and over the next 15 years, this number is projected to increase by approximately 9 million. It is imperative that each of them feels valued and cared for by the state and society.
The strategy implementation plan, which you have approved, is primarily aimed at enhancing the longevity and quality of life for older citizens. Its execution involves federal and regional authorities, non-profit and public organisations, as well as development institutions.
Allow me to briefly outline the key areas of focus within this plan.
First. This involves reinforcing the societal value of multi-generational families and fostering a respectful attitude towards the older generation. It entails working with children, young people, and middle-aged citizens to overcome stereotypes and discriminatory behaviour towards seniors. As you have already noted, we plan to engage “silver” volunteers in mentorship projects for children and adolescents, to strengthen the institution of the family, and to safeguard traditional spiritual and moral values.
The second focus is the protection of senior citizens’ health and the improvement of access to medical care.
Here, we intend to focus on four areas. The first area is the early detection of age-related physiological changes that may lead or have already led to disease.
Under the state-guaranteed free medical care programme for the coming period, i.e., 2026, we have included initiatives to develop medical science for healthy longevity and modernise health centres.
We will expand the coverage of preventive check-ups, medical examinations, and ongoing observations. In 2024, nearly 25 million senior citizens underwent medical examinations, with over 90 percent of those diagnosed with associated conditions receiving follow-up care. We aim to maintain this level until 2030.
The second area is home-based medical care, bringing services closer to individuals. Last year, 13.5 million home visits were conducted, and we anticipate doubling this figure by 2030.
We will enhance the transportation of senior citizens in rural areas to medical facilities, increase the availability of geriatric beds, and expand telemedicine consultations in gerontology.
Third is the pursuit of scientific research, as you mentioned. These studies are part of the New Health Saving Technologies national project, and by 2027, we expect the first results on slowing the ageing process.
Fourth involves raising awareness among the older generation about healthy longevity, as well as the prevention and treatment of age-related diseases. Here, we receive significant support from the regions, volunteer organisations, and NGOs.
The third focus area of the plan is creating conditions for senior citizens to realise their personal potential. Notably, active longevity programmes, which have been adopted in all regions, are directed towards this goal. Currently, 14.6 million seniors participate in these programmes, and we aim for 42 percent engagement by 2030.
The fourth focus area is the development of social services for senior citizens. You have already mentioned long-term care.
We anticipate that by 2030, 100 percent of seniors in need of social services will receive them. This is an exceptionally important issue for relatives and guardians.
Additionally, we plan to establish a service of social coordinators in hospitals to assist elderly patients and their relatives from admission to discharge.
The fifth focus area is improving the quality of life and financial wellbeing of senior citizens.
As you highlighted, we will continue to ensure pension growth at least matching inflation, develop home-based, temporary, flexible, and remote employment opportunities for seniors, and create appropriate conditions for those who wish to work.
We will promote educational initiatives to enhance financial literacy, cyber literacy, and cybersecurity.
Special attention will be paid to identifying cases of elder abuse.
Finally, the plan includes measures to develop infrastructure for a comfortable and safe environment for senior citizens. This encompasses improving urban environments – a priority of Mr Khusnullin – and ensuring accessibility to socially significant facilities, including in remote and rural areas.
Monitoring will be conducted by the Ministry of Labour in collaboration with regional authorities, with annual reports submitted to the Government.
Mikhail Mishustin: Thank you very much. It is instrumental that NGOs and volunteer organisations, as well as regional government bodies join these efforts. This way, the elderly can receive all the support they need no matter what they face in their lives.
I would now like to say a few words about a decision which has systemic importance and is designed to foster the development and help introduce breakthrough solutions in the transport sector. This domain has a direct bearing on how people live their lives. The fact that the President received questions on the situation in this sphere during his call-in programme was not a coincidence.
In fact, the President has tasked us with a far-reaching agenda to enhance connectivity throughout our national territory, launch high-speed railways, build international logistics routes, enable more people to travel by air, and also ensure that Arctic sea shipments operate year-round.
To achieve all these objectives, we need comprehensive approaches when carrying out fundamental research projects. The Government has approved a ten-year research and technology development concept for the transport system.
This is the first document of this kind for this sector. It defines the key tracks for building innovative infrastructure, making new materials and equipment, including unmanned and autonomous devices, communications devices, smart systems and other kinds of advanced hardware, as well as perspective energy sources.
Mr Saveliev, could you please share some details on the main challenges and priorities for transport-related research in Russia. Go ahead, please.
Vitaly Saveliev: Mr Mishustin, colleagues.
As you have already noted, the Concept for the Transport Sector’s Development in Research and Technology has been adopted and became the first document in this sector to be drafted in execution of the Russian Federation’s Strategy for Scientific and Technological Development, as approved by the President.
This strategy describes smart transport systems and various technology (with applications at sea, on land and in the air), including unmanned and autonomous systems, as priority objectives. Under the strategy, these solutions are recognised as critical technology in terms of scientific and technological development.
This sectoral concept aims to facilitate the adoption of a comprehensive scientific framework for developing the transport sector and fulfilling the main technological objectives, while also defining the corresponding priorities.
The key tracks in terms of promoting research and new technology include developing technology, infrastructure and the rolling stock for high-speed train service; developing new kinds of transport machinery, technology, highly-automated and unmanned means of transportation; using new energy sources, new materials and technology when building and operating transport infrastructure. The Ministry of Transport intends to work with the Russian Academy of Sciences to establish an inter-sectoral research centre by 2035, while also setting up nine centres and 50 laboratories in the leading universities for working on the main challenges we face in terms of our research and technology agenda.
By bringing the provisions set forth in this concept to fruition, we can overcome the technological challenges and achieve the objectives we have for creating an effective transport system.
The Ministry of Transport is currently drafting a plan of action for carrying out this concept. It is expected to be approved by the ministry before the end of the first quarter of 2026.
Mikhail Mishustin: Thank you, Mr Saveliev.
At this stage, it is essential that this effort gets underway, primarily by switching to a centralised management model for sectoral research projects. This way, our innovators and researchers can focus on solving the most complex technological tasks the country is facing. This will inject positive momentum into efforts to build new markets and will help promote competitive services based on non-conventional engineering principles. This should pave the way for a better quality of life for the people of our country.
