Transcript of the start of the meeting:

Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon, Mr Kadyrov. Have you finished talking with the Ministry of Finance?

Ramzan Kadyrov: Yes, everything is excellent with the Ministry of Finance.

Vladimir Putin: Friendship?

Ramzan Kadyrov: Friendship, Mr Putin, thanks to you!

Vladimir Putin: No, thanks to your joint work with the Ministry of Finance. They told me yesterday that on the whole you have agreed on all parameters. I understand that considering the current difficulties, some projects will be a little delayed, but not a single one will be given up.

Ramzan Kadyrov: I'm increasingly confident that we'll overcome the crisis with positive dynamics. Owing to you, large banks have promised to give loans to our region, plus we have agreed with major companies on cooperation. The United Arab Emirates have also promised to make a large investment in our republic. We will channel it into agriculture, which has always been important for us, employing more than 75% of the population.

In the current situation, our people understand that the leaders are ready to shoulder all burdens and commitments.

Vladimir Putin: Do you have debts in paying salaries and wages? If you do, how big are they?

Ramzan Kadyrov: Absolutely all questions concerning the federal center have been resolved.

Vladimir Putin: Do you have any debts in paying salaries and wages?

Ramzan Kadyrov: No, we don't have any debts for the time being. Everything is normal. We'll endorse a budget in April.

Vladimir Putin: What about the level of employment?

Ramzan Kadyrov: We have high unemployment - between 50% and 60% - but the unemployed receive monthly social benefits. We are creating new jobs. Last year, we created about 15,000-20,000 jobs. This year we will have more jobs. I think that by the end of this year we'll have 40%-45% unemployment.

Vladimir Putin: Do you have a special plan? Have you drafted a plan to fight unemployment?

Ramzan Kadyrov: We have a special plan in the republic. The Government is dealing with it, and we have established a commission. We have always had this problem because for us, this is a postwar period. We are just starting to build the economy, and the crisis has not hit us badly. We are just recovering. We will continue to maintain the situation in the republic.

Vladimir Putin: What about the construction sector?

Ramzan Kadyrov: As we agreed, we have fully restored Grozny. There are almost no traces of war in the city. All social facilities, health centers, and the private sector have been almost fully restored. We are now paying compensations and, more importantly, in full.

Vladimir Putin: This was my next question. How many people have not yet received compensations?

Ramzan Kadyrov: Practically all funds for compensations have been allocated. We are paying them now. I think we'll complete these payments this year.

Vladimir Putin: You and I have seen the consequences of the earthquake. What has been done to eliminate them?

Ramzan Kadyrov: We have fully prepared a package of documents and given it to the Ministry of Civil Defence, Emergencies, and Disaster Relief. At the moment, our Government, the Ministry, and the federal Government are dealing with this. We have helped those who have sustained heavy damage by giving them building materials and sending construction teams. Plus, helping each other is our national tradition.

Vladimir Putin: Do you mean when families help each other?

Ramzan Kadyrov: Yes.

Vladimir Putin: But government support should also be provided.

Ramzanm Kadyrov: They have an ongoing back-and-forth with the energy system.

Vladimir Putin: They are evaluating the damage, aren't they?

Ramzan Kadyrov: Our regional commission has evaluated the damage, and now the federal center is dealing with this.

Vladimir Putin: What about the hospital that was destroyed?

Ramzan Kadyrov: We have fully dismantled the hospital in the Kurchaloy District, and are building it anew. The center you saw in Gudermes has been restored temporarily. We still have to change some things and complete its construction.

Vladimir Putin: But you should design and build a new hospital.

Ramzan Kadyrov: We have done all we could.

Vladimir Putin: Do you mean that you have a project?

Ramzan Kadyrov: Yes, we have.

Vladimir Putin: Where have you presented it? With whom have you discussed it?

Ramzan Kadyrov: We have submitted proposals to the Ministry of Healthcare and Social Development at the federal level.

Vladimir Putin: You need a modern hospital.

Ramzan Kadyrov: That goes without saying. It will be built in line with European standards.

Vladimir Putin: The one we saw is functioning but is already old and morally obsolete. We must build new and modern hospitals.

Ramzan Kadyrov: We have very good doctors. The main thing for us is your word. Only you can close the question.

Vladimir Putin: Good. We'll discuss this now in more detail. How is your mosque operating? I know you have already conducted major events there.

Ramzan Kadyrov: Thanks to you, we have built a mosque and hold religious events there. The people understand this. We celebrated the Prophet's Birthday. This was a beautiful event attended by people not only from our region but from the entire North Caucasus. We call this mosque the Heart of Chechnya. We have built it in honour of our first President, thanks to you.

Vladimir Putin: In other words, everything is functioning.

Ramzan Kadyrov: Everything is functioning. Many thanks.