The meeting was held in preparation for the Government’s annual report to the State Duma.
Mikhail Mishustin’s meeting with deputies of the LDPR faction in the State Duma
Mikhail Mishustin’s meeting with deputies of the LDPR faction in the State Duma
Mikhail Mishustin’s meeting with deputies of the LDPR faction in the State Duma
Leonid Slutsky and members of the faction at the meeting between Mikhail Mishustin and LDPR faction deputies in the State Duma
Mikhail Mishustin’s meeting with deputies of the LDPR faction in the State Duma
Mikhail Mishustin’s meeting with deputies of the LDPR faction in the State Duma
Mikhail Mishustin’s opening remarks
LDPR faction head Leonid Slutsky’s opening remarks
Excerpts from the transcript:
Mikhail Mishustin: Colleagues, Mr Slutsky, deputies, good afternoon.
In just two weeks, the Government will present its annual report to the State Duma on its performance over the past year.
We will discuss how the national development goals set by the President are being achieved, as well as the specific measures we are taking to attain them. Naturally, an important part of this process is dialogue with parliamentary factions, including one of the most experienced parties – the LDPR, which has been represented in the Duma in all convocations.
Your contribution to our country’s development is significant. You owe much of this to the efforts of your founder, Vladimir Zhirinovsky. He was a talented analyst, a distinguished deputy, and until his last days, he championed Russia’s interests.
At the end of April, we will mark the 80th anniversary of his birth. This date offers another opportunity to reflect on his unique political legacy, which continues to inspire liberal democrats in the State Duma to this day.
This includes the pursuit of diplomatic solutions and interparliamentary contacts. The faction – and you, Mr Slutsky, as Chairman of the Committee on International Affairs – have done much to foster such engagement, which is essential for building relations with friendly nations and for adopting legislation that strengthens our country’s standing. I am confident that the LDPR will continue to succeed in this critical endeavour.
One of the key issues your deputies have prioritised is support for veterans of the special military operation. These young men often require practical, targeted assistance.
To enable them to continue their education or acquire a profession, a series of legislative amendments have been introduced. Members of your faction, alongside senators, co-sponsored these changes. The results of the Unified State Exam for these young men remain valid for the entire duration of their service in the Armed Forces, until they return to their studies.
The same deferral has been granted to winners of academic Olympiads. Previously, their right to enrol in higher education without exams, earned through such achievements, could expire during their service. Now, talented young people retain this privilege if they intend to resume their studies.
I would also like to highlight the deputies’ proposal to grant veterans of the special military operation – from law enforcement agencies – additional leave. They will receive an extra 15 days of paid leave.
Taking your initiatives into account, the mechanism for social contracts has been expanded. Participants in the special military operation can now use these contracts, including to start their own businesses. Mr Slutsky, you raised this issue at our meeting last year, emphasising the need to support veterans in reviving their entrepreneurial activities.
Overall, the LDPR faction has successfully adopted a targeted approach in its work, preparing proposals for support measures. It is clear that many such proposals emerge from direct engagement with people in Russia’s regions, reflecting the feedback the President always stresses.
This was the case with improving employment opportunities for citizens with health limitations. Regions can now introduce quotas (ranging from 2 to 4 percent of a company’s workforce) for each corporate department. This will create more tangible job opportunities for those who need special attention.
The Government has also issued a positive conclusion on another draft law aimed at assisting mothers with young children returning to work after maternity leave. Deputies and senators proposed extending the ban on probationary periods for women with children under three (currently, the limit is 1.5 years). This measure will help protect mothers’ rights in the labour market.
The Liberal Democratic Party has always been highly active in sporting events. With your support, alongside colleagues from other factions, amendments were introduced to regulate relations between professional leagues, athletes, and coaches across a broad spectrum of personnel matters – from contract rules and player transfers to the formation of national teams.
I have mentioned only a few of the significant initiatives – most of which have already come into force. We anticipate that our dialogue will continue to be as open, effective, and productive as ever.
Thank you.
Mr Slutsky, the floor is yours.
Leonid Slutsky: Mr Prime Minister, colleagues,
A little less than a year ago, we held a meeting in this very hall ahead of the Government’s report to the State Duma.
What can I say now? The year 2025, which we have just seen out, was not an easy one. But Russia is a strong country. We are weathering the storm. We have rallied around the President of Russia, and we support Vladimir Putin. Today, as has always happened in moments of truth – and now, perhaps, we are facing the defining moment of truth in our modern history – the citizens of this country have united around the President, regardless of age, faith, place of residence, or even the party card in their pocket.
However, to support does not mean to conceal problems, manipulate figures and statistics, or turn a blind eye to ordinary people – the very people for whom we exist as a political party.
The LDPR stands shoulder to shoulder with the President and the Government. Never before, Mr Prime Minister, colleagues – and for this, I thank you – have we had such close and, I believe, effective communication. Never before have so many of our legislative proposals received the Government’s backing. This means we are on the right path in supporting those who are enduring difficult times today. This very moment of truth will determine the future of our country, the future of the Russian world, and indeed, more than that. Today, a new global majority has formed – precisely around the President of Russia.
More to be posted soon…
