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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon,

This is what I wanted to ask you to begin with. You have a very large scope of work. First, how is the Infrastructure for Life project progressing? How is it unfolding? And, of course, I would like to hear about road construction.

Please.

Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin: Mr President, this year, as per your instruction, we launched the Infrastructure for Life national project. It is important to note that, together with the governors, we promptly refined it, reorienting our focus from previous national projects.

Based on the results of the previous periods, all planned targets are being met. The central element of our national project has been the completion of housing. The groundwork we laid earlier, over the past few years, allows us to state with confidence that we will build more than 100 million square metres of housing, even though we are currently slightly behind last year’s pace. This is a positive indicator, and millions of families will see their living conditions improved.

The next point. We have essentially built the entire supporting housing infrastructure: utilities, social facilities, and transport. Today, we see that, despite everything, the urban development potential of these territories is growing. We have received more urban planning solutions than last year. The volume of housing under construction remains fairly stable. We have a very positive result: non-residential real estate development has increased by 17 percent – this includes factories, hotels, and tourism infrastructure. So, in principle, our position here is also strong.

We estimate that, as a result, the quality of life will improve by 30 percent in 2,160 core communities, for which we have signed agreements with each governor, outlining what will be delivered by 2030 and 2036. Overall, 75 percent of our country’s population resides in these communities.

We continue to ensure transport accessibility, and much remains to be done regarding road infrastructure. This year, we are exceeding last year’s pace in road construction and repairs by 21 percent, which guarantees the fulfilment of all annual road construction plans. I would like to note that we are engaged in both routine road maintenance and the continuation of all our major infrastructure projects.

Mr President, you are well aware of the key projects. This year, we opened the Dyurtyuli – Achit section, the final segment of the route from St Petersburg to Yekaterinburg. Some 7,000 people use it daily, making it a highly sought-after route. In the first three months, 6,000 to 7,000 vehicles used it consistently, including 2,500 lorries. This has a significant, positive impact on logistics.

We are continuing work on the Rossiya motorway from St Petersburg to Vladivostok – expanding it section by section where necessary. Work is underway on the North – South corridor, and we are progressing with the Azov Ring. This year, we reached Mariupol and began construction of the Mariupol bypass. By the way, very good progress has already been made, and we are expanding sections to ensure a full-fledged four-lane road along the Azov Ring.

Vladimir Putin: Does the Mariupol bypass run from the north?

Marat Khusnullin: Yes, we are bypassing Mariupol from the north, heading south. It is a completely new road. I was there recently, and the work is in full swing.

We plan to implement your instructions regarding the Coastal Ring Road in the Kaliningrad Region within the six-year programme.

Overall, Mr President, I would like to express our gratitude for the six-year programme. When the 89 regions signed the memorandum and are aware of what the federal centre and the regional and municipal authorities are doing, we gain a clear view of our road network development. That is why this work is proceeding so well. We can see what we will finish in Kaliningrad.

Vladimir Putin: You will not finish in Kaliningrad, of course.

Marat Khusnullin: Mr President, you have issued many instructions, which is why we remain focused on this issue.

Vladimir Putin: What about St Petersburg?

Marat Khusnullin: We are currently at the design stage and working on land rights transfer for part of the Ring Road. In other words, we are proceeding as agreed, and have begun work on this project.

We continue to build roads on the Black Sea coast as planned, including the Adler bypass and the third stage of the Sochi bypass. The last time we met, you asked about the coastal road towards Novorossiysk. We are currently at the design stage. This project is underway.

I would like to mention an important fact. Although the number of vehicles on our roads has increased by 9 percent over the past five years, cargo traffic by 36 percent, and population mobility by 30 to 100 percent in some areas, the accident and death rates have decreased by 9 percent. This is thanks to our systemic efforts, which you always note, to renovate roads in accordance with the approved standards, and due to our accident prevention cooperation with the Interior Ministry. We have been working on this, which explains the decline in the accident and death rates.

Vladimir Putin: Of course, much in this sphere depends on the quality of roads.

Marat Khusnullin: I would like to point out that we continue to develop the new regions. They have become comprehensively integrated into the Russian economy and have started implementing projects in accordance with our standards in 2025. Some regions have even achieved the country’s average in this regard. In particular, the Lugansk People’s Republic ranks 29th out of 89 regions in this respect.

We have overfulfilled our road construction programme this year. We have formed detailed six-year plans for the renovation of every motorway, every access road to every residential area, and even roads within them, and the people have access to this information.

We can report a substantial increase in the financial sector. Your decision on the contribution of large banks has given a powerful boost to this work. Our loan portfolio in the regions’ economy has increased from 10 billion rubles to 175 billion rubles. The group of 246 enterprises working in the free economic zone has increased by several new residents this year. More importantly, 2.5 million people receive pensions and social allowances in these regions. This process has been fully streamlined. As soon as the contact line moves further away, we enter the liberated territories and start working there in accordance with our plans.

I am sure that we will fulfil all the tasks you have set for us. We have streamlined this process over the past three years.

Vladimir Putin: What about mortgages?

Marat Khusnullin: Mr Putin, the key issue in this sphere is that support for preferential mortgages has kept the market from sliding. We subsidise the interest rate for millions of people. This comes at a cost to the budget, but it is the main support measure thanks to which we can preserve the construction business. Those who have invested their money in flats must receive them. We hold conferences with the governors every week to maintain stability in this market. People must be confident of preserving their investments.

Vladimir Putin: The decision on preferential mortgages has both social and economic aspects.

Marat Khusnullin: Yes, Mr Putin.

Vladimir Putin: We must support the construction sector.

Marat Khusnullin: We will continue to do this. We are working towards this end.

You have issued instructions regarding the secondary housing market. We are in the final stage of drafting a relevant resolution for the Far East. That is, we are also continuing to work in this sphere.

Vladimir Putin: Good, thank you.

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