Transcript of the beginning of the meeting:

Vladimir Putin: Mr Trutnev, how old is this water? Or rather how many years has it not been in contact with the Earth’s atmosphere?

Yury Trutnev: For more than a million years, Mr Putin.

Vladimir Putin: As far as I've heard, there are different opinions. Some experts think that this period may be shorter.

Yury Trutnev: No, nobody has that opinion. Experts believe it may be from a million to 30 million years. Mr Putin, on February 5 our researchers reached a relict lake at the Vostok station.

Vladimir Putin: Have you drunk this water?

Yury Trutnev: By no means.

Vladimir Putin: But wouldn’t it be interesting? Dinosaurs drank it and Mr Trutnev, a member of the Russian government, did as well.

Yury Trutnev: I have no intention to join the dinosaurs right now. I’d like to report to you that our researchers worked at the cold pole in temperatures under 80 degrees below zero Celsius in the winter, with a deficiency of oxygen and very strong winds. In general, our Antarctic expedition is one of the world’s strongest. Nobody has their drilling technology, nobody works at such depths. 

Vladimir Putin: What was the depth?

Yury Trutnev: 3,769.3 metres.

Vladimir Putin: I understand our researchers have also obtained these drilling samples that make it possible to analyse retrospective climatic changes on the planet.

Yury Truitnev: Exactly. They took samples all along the bore hole and their analysis will make it possible to recreate our planet’s history across hundreds of thousands years, and thereby predict how it will change in the future. Mr Putin, I’d like to send you the best regards from our polar team.

Vladimir Putin: It is we that should be sending them our regards. How many people work on the team?

Yury Trutnev: There are 33 people at the Vostok station. It will soon be winter there. When we visited them it was still warm – minus 44 degrees Celsius. Now it is already under 50 degrees below zero, and in winter the temperature will drop below negative 80 degrees. Only thirteen people will remain at the station during the winter. They will continue their work, which will be followed by extensive research. Under pressure the water rushed 30 metres up in the bore hole. Now this pile will have to be drilled again, samples will be taken and analysed in labs. Russian experts will present all necessary reports to the international scientific community.

Vladimir Putin: This is a major event and we should think of how to recognise the people who have achieved such results.

Yury Trutnev: Thank you, Mr Putin. We will submit proposals to you on this score. (Takes a flask containing water out of his case and displays it.) These are the first samples, Mr Putin. The Academician Fyodorov ship will bring other samples that will also be analysed. This is the first point.

Vladimir Putin: 3,769.3 meters.

Yury Trutnev: Exactly.

Vladimir Putin: Yes, this is great. The flask is made of stainless steel, isn’t it? Let’s show it to the press – come and have a look but don’t drink. Come on, don’t be shy.

Question: Can I copy this?

Vladimir Putin: Sure, of course.

Yury Trutnev: This is the first water that dates back to this period on our planet. Nobody else has anything like it.

Vladimir Putin: Has it been analysed yet?

Yury Trutnev: No, this water only arrived in Russia last night.

Vladimir Putin: Thank you.