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Untitled Document Talk with the personnel of the “Moscow” cruiser President Vladimir Putin The Kremlin August 30, 2003
Good evening, comrades.
I am happy to welcome you all. This is my first meeting with the personnel of the “Moscow” cruiser. In 20 years of service, your ship has done a great deal of useful things for the Russian Naval Fleet, for the Russian Armed Forces. It has taken part in difficult campaigns, tried out the newest types of equipment, and even taken part in diplomatic activity. International meetings of the highest level have been held on board. I would like to thank both you and the previous generation of soldiers who served here. This is the first visit in recent Russian history of Russian military ships to Sardinia. Although generations of Russian sailors probably know and remember that in their time, Russian sailors took an active role in saving Italian citizens during an earthquake in 1909. But today we must not talk about what happened a long time ago, but also about what is happening today.
Today, unfortunately, a tragedy has taken place in the Barents Sea. A submarine from the Northern Fleet sank which has being taken to be scrapped. It is already clear that there are fatalities among the sailors. This shows once more that the sea requires discipline in the strictest sense of the word. The sea never forgives any negligence, and certainly not mistakes. Of course, it still remains to ascertain the reasons for this tragedy, but what I just said is an old truth – the sea never forgives mistakes. This always has to be paid for dearly. There will be a thorough investigation in connection with this. The commander-in-chief of the Naval Fleet is already there. I think that the Defence Minister will go there this evening as well. And sad as this may be, you have your own service, and it is no less responsible or dangerous. I greatly hope that you and your commanders will perform your duty and represent the Russian naval fleet with dignity, in both Italy, and, as the commander told me, in Greece, and then at the base in Sevastopol, where you will have a complex training programme. I wish you success.
Question: Will Russia have the opportunity in future to have military boats permanently at sea?
Vladimir Putin: Of course it will. If you had noticed, the fleet has become much more active that it was in previous years. Training has just finished in the Far East, and quite recently training was held in the Indian Ocean, and we are planning training here with our Italian partners, in the Mediterranean, with the participation of submarine and surface vessels. One of the main training sessions will be developing sea rescue procedures. Work will be done with the surface and submarine vessels of Italy and Russia. You have already arranged similar training with the French naval fleet. We will definitely plan and carry out this training.
I agree with you absolutely that a boat that stays in port loses it military readiness. Specialists do not gain any skills, they even lose them, and this situation is unacceptable, of course. The fleet will perform the tasks the Defence Ministry gives to it, and the leadership of the country. For any state, especially for a naval state, the significance of the fleet is very great. It is not just a sign of active foreign policies, in modern conditions it is a significant part of the state’s security. We will definitely work in this direction in future. We will also continue to work on a programme to revive the Russian fleet. There is an according programme which includes construction of surface and submarine vessels. In 2004, the funds planned for these goals in the country’s budget will be allocated.
Thank you for your attention.
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