Putin: Russia's accession to the EU is not realistic, but we should seek ways of rapprochement

Today, at a meeting with the discussion club "Valdai", Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke about his views on the further development of relations between Russia and the European Union.

First, Putin noted that Russia's accession to the EU is not realistic - "neither concerning the territory, nor by economic means," adding that ways of rapprochement are still needed. "We have a highly-educated population, there is a good foundation in the basic sciences, we have a lot of mineral resources, human resources, which are prepared or can be prepared in a short time," Putin listed the basis for this approach.

Also, the Russian president said he was surprised by how long Russia has not been able to agree with the European Union on the abolition of visas. "We cannot agree on visa-free travel - it's just ridiculous," RIA Novosti quotes Putin.

"And I do not even know what the reason for it is," Putin admitted, recalling that the EU has a visa-free regime even with some Latin American countries. "Is the criminal situation there better than in Russia? Of course not," he said.