Prime Minister Vladimir Putin visits the regional clinical hospital while on a working visit to Smolensk

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin sees how construction work is progressing on the Smolensk Federal Medical Centre for Traumatology, Orthopaedics and Endoprosthesis

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin holds a meeting on healthcare modernisation

“Thanks to the Health national project we have managed to solve the most acute problems in healthcare. I repeat, only the most pressing problems. Now, under regional programmes, we must effect qualitative change in improving healthcare in the Russian regions. This is above all about upgrading the quality of medical help on offer, ensuring it is accessible and of course, it is about decent pay for medical professionals, medical workers.”

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin meets with Smolensk Region Governor Sergei Antufyev

The governor told Mr Putin about the current socio-economic situation in the region, highlighting a 1.8 billion rouble increase in regional enterprises’ earnings year-on-year. The prime minister, for his part, wondered how preparations for the new academic year are going and whether the region plans on further raise of school teacher pay any time soon to match the average wage for the regional economy.

Vladimir Putin meets with the winners of the Popular Front primaries in the Smolensk Region and receives members of the public at the community liaison office of the United Russia party chairman

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin visits Moscow State University of Civil Engineering

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin meets with active members of the Russian Rectors’ Union

“Quality, modern education is the guarantee of the sustained development of our country, the foundation for realising one’s potential and for expanding social and economic opportunities for all the country’s citizens, and a strategic resource of Russia that we must strengthen and make full use of.”

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting of the National Popular Front’s Federal Coordination Council to summarise the results of the primary elections

“The institution of primary elections [in Russia] is only in its formative stages, and there are sure to be certain kinks to smooth out. Of course, we need to work to streamline the process and we will certainly do so. But in general, <…> this has been a positive experience that has produced good results. <…> The most important thing is that inner party competition brings out talented people and original ideas.”

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin gives an interview on the 60th anniversary of birth of former Chechen President Akhmad Kadyrov

“Hajji Akhmad was very direct and honest and, most importantly, brave and courageous. Everything he did came from the heart and from his convictions. <…> He came to the conclusion that it was time to put an end to that fratricidal war, that civil war in Russia. He sincerely believed that Chechnya should remain with Russia.”