Don’t play the fool, government – Newspaper Kommersant No. 4 (7449) of 01/12/2023

On January 11, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with members of the government via video conference. The conversation, which began with compliments to the government, continued with an appeal to one of its members: “What are you really playing the fool for?” With details about who played the fool, – a special correspondent of “Kommersant” Andrei Kolesnikov.

Vladimir Putin began this year’s first meeting with members of the government with the main thing that worries him first of all:

— Firstly, I want to thank you for your work in 2022. None of what our enemy predicted for us happened!

For the main thing is to prevent anything from happening that the enemy predicts.

Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin, after the New Year holidays, seemed to be happy with the people:

“And this was done thanks, of course, primarily to the citizens of Russia, their composure, all of our composure, readiness for challenges, readiness to work in difficult conditions! But last but not least, this is the result of the work of the government! Mikhail Vladimirovich (Prime Minister, Mr. Mishustin.— A.K.) managed to assemble an effective, modern team of interested people – interested in the results of the work, to build all this activity technologically well!

Optimism seemed to be brought to life by outstanding reasons:

— We know… just this morning we were discussing with colleagues from the administration… — that we have additional budget revenues, and they are connected not with oil or gas revenues, but just with non-oil and gas revenues: preliminary additional revenues of 200 billion. This gives us the opportunity to solve all the tasks that we set for development … We must, of course, in the near future absolutely achieve the solution of issues related to sovereign – namely, sovereign, independent development in spite of any external pressure and threats! ..

It looks like there is enough money for everything:

“I would like to emphasize that we reliably guarantee the security and interests of the country, we will increase our defense capability, and we will certainly solve all the problems related to the provision of the armed forces and units involved in the special military operation. And at the same time, we will continue to implement large-scale socio-economic programs and plans…

And then Vladimir Putin asked Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov to talk about “how the instructions for the implementation of long-term programs for updating the fleet of aircraft and the water transport fleet are being carried out.”

Mr. Manturov, accustomed to speaking before the president, began confidently:

– In 2023-2025, Aeroflot is scheduled to deliver 63 aircraft, meaning 34 imported SuperJets, 18 MS-21s and eleven Tu-214s. This year, 175 billion rubles will be allocated from the National Wealth Fund for the implementation of the program…

It seemed that the meeting would roll where it was necessary for all its participants, that is, towards the end, but after a few minutes it was already rolling, one might say, downhill.

– Denis Valentinovich, did you receive the paper that I painted for you? It was sent to me signed by the governor of St. Petersburg and the head of the company that produces the Meteors, in my opinion,” Mr. Putin asked. “There is a rather financially capacious project there.

– I confirm, Vladimir Vladimirovich, – the vice-premier nodded.

It seemed that without this weighty statement, everything that was said about a financially capacious project could not be considered valid.

In addition, Denis Manturov added:

— St. Petersburg is also one of the leaders in the renewal of maritime passenger transport, so we are constantly working with our colleagues. They actively use support measures, including for Meteors and electric ships. By analogy, as Moscow is already buying, work is also underway for St. Petersburg. And also for ships on natural gas fuel.

“They just need to work out the financial instruments, you have already mentioned them, so that they have an order in a timely manner,” Mr. Putin explained in his turn.

He wanted to move on to the next topic, but apparently something was stopping him. And it seems that it was Denis Manturov’s demonstrative confidence either in the future, or in himself.

“We use both the current subsidy, which has traditionally been working for many years and provides a preferential rate, and those funds of the National Welfare Fund, which will reduce the effective rate for consumers, including for the subject,” the Deputy Prime Minister considered it necessary to explain.

“Look… Until 2030, as you just said, 700 aircraft, including helicopters, and 260 civil water technical equipment will be delivered: ships, support vessels, and so on,” Mr. Putin warned. “These 700 aircraft, including helicopters, it is necessary to work out together with the Ministry of Defense so that it is clear, understandable and clear how much the military department will order, and how many civilian ships will be ordered. Some enterprises still do not have an order, even for 2023!

He finally identified the cause of his anxiety, which at first, perhaps even wanted to hide. But Denis Manturov did not give a reason to do this.

– As for the Ministry of Defense, – the Deputy Prime Minister replied, without losing self-confidence, and even gaining such an impression, – we reported to you in Tula about the number of aviation equipment (that is, he made it clear that up to this moment Vladimir Putin had no idea about this, and it was only when Denis Manturov told him that he was armed.— A. K.). This is done with a civil order, bearing in mind the production capabilities of finishers, pickers, including, most importantly, engines.

– For a long time! Too long! – the dissatisfaction of the Russian president has already burst out and boiled on the surface. – Enterprises must understand their prospects, orders! They have to hire labor, they have to keep or expand the production capacity, you know? They need to understand how much the military department will order, how many civilian ships will be ordered. Some enterprises do not even have an order for 2023!

This already categorically contradicted Mr. Manturov’s report. But it’s too late: the cards were on the table.

“In general, for all enterprises we have for this year, the Ministry of Defense has confirmed the number,” meanwhile, the Deputy Prime Minister did not agree. “Moreover, as I reported to you, loans were taken by Russian Helicopters enterprises … about helicopters… in order to launch all the cooperation of the second, third, and fourth levels. Therefore, we have all the capacities set up both for the current and for the next year!

Mr. Putin, who, by all indications, not only planned in advance (and this happens most often), but on a bright day at the beginning of the working year, did not want to swear at all with anyone here, now he wanted to explain the difference between “made up” and “available”:

– Denis Valentinovich, while there are no passports, which you yourself spoke about, but they are not, and there are no firm contracts, they have no understanding of what they will do and will have to do … For a long time, too long! Please, I ask you to expedite this work. There are no contracts at the enterprises for 2023, you see, what can I say! Passports, you said yourself, no! When will they be? And no contracts yet!

– Here is the order, Vladimir Vladimirovich! – Mr. Manturov continued to persist. – We have contracts, and, as I reported, for the Ministry of Defense, and for the civilian line, and GTKL (State Transport Leasing Company. – “b”), and other leasing companies – this is in terms of helicopters. And for the planes, we have everything laid out! This is taking into account the technical tests, certification and import substitution programs of SuperJet and MS-21. Everything is completely set up!

– Denis Valentinovich, you have made up, but there are no contracts! – finally losing patience, the president said. – I’m telling you! Let’s finish the meeting now! What are we going to dive here with you? I know that there are no contracts at the enterprises, the directors told me. What are you really playing the fool for?

Denis Manturov has just been a member of an efficient, modern team of people who are interested. And now he was, in fact, playing the fool.

– When will the contracts be? the President continued. “That’s what I’m talking about!” Directors of enterprises tell me: there are no contracts! And you have “everything made up”! When will the passports be available? When will the contracts be? Here are the questions to answer!

From the outside, it might seem that Mr. Manturov answered the president in this way with only one purpose: he decided to leave gracefully. But in fact, most likely, it was not so. Whereas?

– As for the passport of the aircraft, which I just reported on: the order is strictly in accordance with your instructions, – it seems that the Deputy Prime Minister realized that a couple more phrases, and he will not even have anything to choose from in the future. – As for other passports , this will be done during the quarter based on the opportunities that are formed by the budget, including under the preferential program of the National Welfare Fund.

– So that within a month, I ask you, within a month everything should be done. Some quarter. What we are talking about? Do we not understand the conditions in which we live? the Russian president asked. “I ask you to complete this work within a month. Okay?

“We will try to do everything possible with our colleagues from the economic bloc,” Denis Manturov reassured him. “Thank you.

That “thank you” was definitely quite superfluous. So subordinates are thanked for their performance and at the same time remain not very satisfied with it.

Now, it seemed, even almost three years of daily work in the framework of wars … feet, a special operation to combat coronavirus, would not go into the credit for Mr. Manturov.

– No, do not try to do your best, but please do it within a month. This must be done within a month, not later. Good? – Mr. Putin asked again quite badly.

“Yes,” the vice-premier finally found the right word.

But even this was not enough.

Do you understand why I said this? I noticed some of the wording! Mr. Putin exclaimed. “You said: “We will do it in the near future.” What is “in the near future”? It must be clear, clear, understandable! I’m not taking this from the ceiling, right? Directors of enterprises say: there are no contracts. Okay, let’s talk to you again… We talk to you every day anyway… We’ll talk today and again tomorrow.

Perhaps it will cost.

After all, Denis Manturov is not a stranger to Vladimir Putin. He probably even appreciates them.

There are just such cases.

Andrey Kolesnikov