Television journalist Evgeny Popov
Photo: MOSCOW City News Agency
There are fools in the State Duma, traitors in the elites, and you are not tired of working with your wife every day in full view of the country? The popular host of the 60 Minutes program Evgeniy Popov spoke about this on Komsomolskaya Pravda radio. .
BANNING ABORTION WILL NOT SAVE THE COUNTRY
– Evgeny, are you first a journalist, and then a deputy of the State Duma?
– Good.
– So let’s start, as journalists usually do, with the official part: Putin’s statements at the Russian Council. The President asked the people to reproduce more actively…
– Reproduction is a big task and now it is being discussed out loud. For example, about the prohibition of abortion in private clinics. I have a special position: you shouldn’t get into anyone’s bed. We will achieve nothing by banning abortion, even partially. We will only increase the number of underground operations.
– One of the participants in the Russian Council told me a good phrase: it is necessary to complicate the availability of abortions. Using bureaucracy to force a woman not to kill a child. Bureaucracy is a lifeline here. How do you like this?
– No way. The responsibility of the child lies entirely with the parents. Our number of abortions is already gradually decreasing. Now it is no longer millions a year, but 400 thousand. Of course, and this is a terrible amount. But the situation is well dealt with by improving the standard of living and medicine (by the way, our infant mortality rate is one of the lowest in the world).
Of course, we can confuse this problem with spirituality and put pressure on morality. But let’s not forget: we have a secular State. And no one canceled this. A woman’s decision whether to keep the child or not should be approached very carefully.
ISRAELI REPATRIATION SCHEME
– In the cathedral there was a lot of talk about the Russian world…
– By the way, this was preceded by an event that few people paid attention to. After Putin signed a decree on November 22, the term “repatriate” finally appeared in the laws. Now Russians and other indigenous nationalities of Russia can return home in a simplified manner. In essence, we are arriving at the Israeli repatriation plan.
– The theme of the return of compatriots turns 20 years old. Why only now?
– Perhaps the financial consequences were calculated before. After all, a migrant has come and gone, budget money is not spent directly on him, and a returnee is a citizen who must be given guarantees… But now we have a huge shortage of personnel; We are only in YOU, a million people are missing! The medical system is only 70 percent staffed. We need builders and engineers. But, strange as it may seem, people who have a spiritual, national and cultural connection with us have been seeking citizenship for years. This is a terrible situation. You can’t do it this way. Thank God, the problem is getting closer to resolution.
THE UNITED STATES IS A TOUGH ENEMY
– Putin pointed out that the United States is a decrepit and collapsing hegemonic power. You worked in the United States for a long time, don’t you agree?
– Putin also said that the United States is a great power that keeps the entire world on alert. There is no discussion here. With the fact that the United States has also weakened its position. The United States built a global world and now they themselves are destroying it with sanctions and wars. The United States is only at the beginning of its decrepitude. This opponent is tough and strong. We will have to work hard.
– The beginning of decrepitude is not yet collapse.
– The American value system is falling apart. It was created as a liberal democracy according to Adam Smith. Now it is being devoured by leftist ideas.
– Don’t you miss America?
– (long pause) To answer directly – no. I am under all possible sanctions. I won’t say this is good, they say “yes, screw you!”, restrictions always entail some kind of inconvenience… But I myself wanted to leave the United States, they forced me to work there for another three years. Of course not. I am a man of the land in which I was born and live.
PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW WHAT’S ON THE FRONT
– Researcher at the Institute of the Russian Language Irina Levontina noted: “Sometimes I watch excerpts from television talk shows, it’s complete horror, hysteria, everyone screams, they don’t understand each other, arguments are replaced by pathos… But this is already It doesn’t impress anyone. Soon people will get tired of this and the value of normal conversation will return. “Even if it is a simple dinner, you will discuss everything properly.”
– The expert is absolutely right. In our program no one has shouted or interrupted for a long time. Yes, there are ways to attract the viewer with emotions, but with the outbreak of hostilities this became irrational. Now is not the time to fight and shout like before. The viewer wants to understand what is happening. That is why in half of our 60 minutes we show the situation on the front. We control what people want, because if the program is not popular, others will replace it. We see, for example, that they stop looking at the Middle East…
– What do people want to see?
– They want answers: where we are going, what the plan is. For example, the negotiations that, according to Western voices, seem planned. The word “negotiations” is interesting.
“US OR THEM”
– According to your measurements, people are not tired of SVO?
– Listen, none of us want to fight at all! People want security guarantees. Recently Orban (Prime Minister of Hungary – Author) said: for us Europeans, value is freedom, for Russians it is security. Orban, of course, needs to study us and understand us better: without security there is no freedom. Therefore, until we provide it, the country will be at war. Although there is definitely fatigue.
– Are you sure Orban is so wrong? Do Russians need freedom?
– We live in one of the freest countries. Look at the number of criminal cases for likes and reposts in the UK and here, and you will understand that we have much fewer. Look how people talk about military actions…
– Do you speak now as a deputy or journalist?
– As a citizen.
– Do you think that in Russia you can speak completely freely about military matters?
– This always and everywhere implies restrictions. In the United States, during Vietnam there was an anti-war movement, but there was no movement for the defeat of the United States, for the murder of American soldiers, for the dismemberment of the country. We too can advocate for peaceful negotiations. But according to the law, you cannot ask for the murder of your soldiers.
Listen, this is my personal view, but I’m sure it’s an us or them situation now, there’s no other option!
WHERE ARE THE “Z” ICONS?
– Regarding routinization, as sociologists say, SVO. I don’t see Z badges on passers-by and very rarely on private cars. Because?
– It’s not about the stickers, it’s about the people. We see a massive movement to help our soldiers. This is already the history of the country. What about the stickers? I don’t have them either, but I am in constant contact with the mobilized boys…
Once again: if we do not win, there will be no country like Russia. (thinks) Each of us will not exist from the point of view of a normal life. That is, life will change drastically and not for the better.
– The head of VTsIOM Fedorov recently sat in his place on the air of radio “KP” and said that the majority of the population had alienated the SVO from them. He says: “If we don’t win, it will be bad for everyone.” But people persist in not realizing this.
– We need to explain. Humanly, you can understand someone who wants to “disconnect” from everything. But this does not mean that they do not wish victory to our soldiers. It seems to me that already a large number of families in Russia are connected to the SVO through a handshake or two. People are involved in this. Although it is moral to live for a year and a half in such a way that you think about it every day, it is probably really possible to go crazy.
ARE THERE TRAITORS IN THE ELITES?
– What do you think of the word “propagandist”?
– When people like what I say, then for them I am a journalist. When not, he is a propagandist.
– I often hear: Why are we ashamed?! Let’s create a Ministry of Propaganda to explain everything correctly to the population.
“I tell my fellow deputies: do not interfere, leave the journalists alone.” They wanted to create councils with the media that would review the agenda. I am categorically against it. Our own editors have mustaches. I always say, “Keep your hands off journalists!”
– Zakhar Prilepin recently stated: “There are people in the management of many channels who hate SVO. But since this cannot be talked about, they are forced to show reports from Konashenkov and sometimes (in agony) from the heroes of the Northern Military District.”
– Zakhar is great, but I don’t know the people he’s talking about. At the beginning of the special operation there was one, I think, who left. Calm and silence now reign in our newsroom.
– Do you have any suspicion that there are also people in the Russian elite who wait and remain silent?
– Listen, it is not a person’s constitutional duty to approve the CBO. But if you are the head of a government agency, you are obligated to do everything you can to make our country win… You can think what you want, but if you are harming the country, it will quickly become clear.
IS CRITICISM NEEDED IN ELECTIONS?
– There will soon be presidential elections in Russia. Do they need a non-systemic candidate, for example one who criticizes the SVO?
– My comrade Borya Nadezhdin expressed a wish, and Yavlinsky – more or less. There are doubts with Borya, but Yavlinsky is a serious political force with small but strong positions in the electoral field. Although it is obvious that the overwhelming number of our citizens at this stage support the president.
– The question is not whether they support it or not. A person will appear on the screens who will say out loud that a) he does not agree with Russia’s policies, b) he wants to end the SVO. That is, scandalous things.
– In reality, people from the systemic opposition appear on television all the time.
– Boys who spank?
– Well, that’s how you are. When the Dozhd TV channel existed (recognized as a foreign agent – Ed.), do you think I went on the air with them as a child? Fuck them. On the contrary, he rocked them like children! As for elections, I think if you collect 100 thousand signatures, have no criminal record and are eligible according to the law, then do it, for God’s sake. But it would be strange if you run for president of Russia and want your defeat. Well, isn’t it stupid? Idiot!
LOAN TO CHASE FREAK MILOKHIN
– Should people be freed from the title of “foreign agent”? Once, you, Evgeniy, wrote to the Prosecutor General asking to release the blogger Khovansky, who sang a scandalous song.
– I did not defend Khovansky. I thought the preventive measure chosen for him was excessive… But a foreign agency is a completely clear procedure. If you receive financing from abroad and participate in political life…
– Now I wonder: is the musician Grebenshchikov, recognized as a foreign agent, involved in political life?
– No, well, he finances the enemy. That’s not true, is it? He wants our army to be defeated. Overthrow of power.
He’s probably a talented musician, but from the point of view of his political statements… Here, outside agency is a completely clear procedure.
– Good. But why does a state as respectable as Russia persecute insignificant phenomena like Charlotte and Milokhin?
– Putin said something interesting a few days ago: it is very important to take into account what people want at the moment. Of course, people are offended when you plow under sanctions, and then some idiots get government contracts and at the same time throw mud at Russia. This is hypocritical! And then, of course, well, let them dance if it doesn’t hurt the country.
“IN THE STATE DUMA IT IS COOL”
– You once said: “Some politicians are sure that bans are their main function; they can’t do anything else.”
– Yeah.
– This is usually said outside the State Duma. It’s funny when it rings inside.
– I don’t think it’s funny. Like all citizens, I thought that parliament was a strange puppet structure and I went there with the desire to change everything. But I came and saw that these are, in principle, intelligent and influential people who have political weight in their regions. Most agents work 24/7. Solve citizens’ problems. And that’s great. Out of 100 requests, 30 problems can be solved. It’s worth working for.
“I LOVE MY WIFE”
– What do you think of the family contract with your wife Olga Skabeeva on television? Pros and cons?
– Complete advantages. Thank God I see my wife often. What else to say?
– Well, working with my wife in the same office…
– I like it. I love my wife, work, family. And may God want everything to stay the same.
– How are you going to celebrate the new year?
– We will go to one of the Russian regions.
-Domestic tourism? What could be more beautiful in our time!
– We love skiing and snowboarding. Last year we went to Sochi. Lord, more 14! We climbed the mountains, barely finding a snowy slope and an hour and a half in line for the elevator. Now we have chosen a region where the probability of snow is higher.
– Do not “burn” the place. Otherwise, they will come in large quantities.
– (laughs) We have many places of this type in the country.
THE NAIS IS OFFICIAL EDITOR ON NAIS NEWS