A storm has erupted on the Runet after LifeNews published this video of Vladimir Putin allegedly berating Medvedev‘s cabinet ministers. He talks about last year’s May directives, letting his audience know in no uncertain terms that he is unhappy with their work and he threatens to fire them. While LifeNews maintain that Putin was talking to ministers, the Kremlin press secretary Peskov has claimed that the threats were aimed at regional governors rather than the higher echelons of Russia’s political system.
LifeNews responded to this by threatening to release the entire ten minute video clip, which they claim makes it clear that Peskov is lying. Regardless of the veracity of LifeNews’s claim, their correspondents were denied entrance to a Kremlin press conference after the leak, following Medvedev‘s address to parliament. It would appear to be a retaliatory strike, and Peskov has said that he has not ruled out severing all Kremlin links with LifeNews, and has vowed to track down the person who passed on the video.
Meanwhile, there is speculation about the timing of the leak, which completely overshadowed Medvedev‘s address. Some see it as a potential power play by Putin to undermine Medvedev, while others believe the video was deliberately leaked to show a strong Putin ruling an underperforming government with an iron fist, in an attempt to bolster voter confidence.
From LifeNews:
Vladimir Putin threatens to dissolve government
In conclusion, I’m going to finish this session. I want to say the following. We all understand that the 2012 directives should be given our particular attention. I was hoping to be able to say this just in terms of the emergency fund, but now, I’m going to say it in terms of the entire package. Of course, it’s complicated. You think I don’t understand that it’s complicated? The problems are complicated, difficult to solve, even, but they’re solvable all the same. But we won’t solve them if we do what we’ve just been talking about. It’s no coincidence that we’re gathered right here right now. It was no coincidence that I asked for this meeting to be organised right now.
I have just said, while the TV cameras were running, ‘how are we going to fulfil these agreements?’. How are we working? The quality of our work is appalling. Everything is being done superficially, you understand me?! And if we’re going to carry on working like this, then not a damn thing will get done. But if we work harder, more professionally, with an understanding of what needs to be done, then we’ll do it. If we don’t do this, then we need to acknowledge that either I am working ineffectively, or all of you are working badly, and you need to go. I would like to point out that today, I’m leaning towards the second option. I think that you understand that we need to be frank with one another so that there are no misunderstandings …
Comments from Life News:
Александр:
We need to work so the work is done! And if you don’t work, then the work won’t be done … work well! Don’t work badly!
Валерий:
It’s a leak though, designed so that we all say “Well done, respect!”
Дмитрий:
It’s time to give ministers ties with bombs and timers on – if they’re not successful then boom! and no-one needs to say anything :)
Евгений:
Well done Vladimir Vladimirovich [Putin], it’s long overdue!
www:
Great, demonstrative performance!
шукур:
Vladimir Vladimirovich [Putin], I would like you to lead the country for the next hundred years. Thank you. You are truly the father of the people …
Максим Терский:
Vladimir Vladimirovich [Putin], I support your decisiveness. If you are even more firm in the future, it’ll be even better.
пословица:
Embezzling is sweet, idleness is nice, work is hard!
Янок Нивидим:
As always, VVP is great!!! Respect!!!
Андрей:
That’s how they need to be spoken to … well done!
Cherny Monax:
Put the snickering bureaucrats up against the wall!
Kapmak:
That’s all well and good, but you can’t say “nice one” to the president, that’s just decent manners. But seriously though, NICE ONE and TAKE A BOW!
