Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has had an interview with Irada Zeynalova of Channel One, Sergey Brilyov of VGTRK, Alexey Pivovarov of NTV, Marianna Maksimovskaya of REN TV and Editor-in-Chief of Dozhd TV Mikhail Zygar.
They discussed the corruption scandal around Oboronservis, anti-tobacco law and alcohol law for drivers, failure of the pension reform.
Commenting on murder of journalist Kazbek Gekkiyev in Kabardino-Balkaria, Medvedev said that it was a threat to stability in the North Caucasus, because militants had started attacking civilians. The PM added that some radicalization in religious had happened.
Regarding the Pussy Riot scandal, he reminded that religion was separated from the government in Russia.
Medvedev clarified that there was nothing strange with increase of military expenses and that Russia was not planning a war. He compared budgets of other structures. Defenses will receive 2.1 trillion rubles, education and healthcare will get 4.7 trillion rubles.
The prime minister expressed readiness to run for president in the future if the population wants him to. He noted that his decision not to run for president the second time and give way to Vladimir Putin was the right decision.
