“It is well known, widely known that the US President-elect [Donald Trump] has publicly spoken in favour of normalising Russian-American relations. We cannot but support this. Of course, we understand that it will not be an easy job, taking into account the degree to which Russian-American relations have degraded. But we are ready to cover our part of the way.” WayWellsJobsCoursesEasyPresidentKnownSupportReadyTrumpDegreesAccountsRelationWell KnownFavourUs President Author:Vladimir Putin
“In the area of international security, taking into account that the United States and Russia are the largest nuclear powers: We are ready to jointly work to strengthen the non-proliferation regime for weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery. We are ready to work together, and much closer than before, on the problem of fighting terrorism, international terrorism, and here we certainly have vast opportunities.” MeanStatesProblemTogetherFightingOpportunityUnitedUnited StatesSecurityReadyWeaponsMassAreasDestructionAccountsInternationalTerrorismNuclearRussiaWorking TogetherRegimesNational SecurityWeapons Of Mass DestructionMass DestructionDeliveryNuclear PowerProliferationFighting TerrorismInternational Terrorism Author:Vladimir Putin
“If we had joined efforts some time ago [with U.S], we could have avoided many problems the world is facing now, I believe.” IfsWorldBelieveProblemI BelieveEffortAvoided Author:Vladimir Putin
“At any rate, those problems [ non-proliferation regime for weapons of mass destruction ] would not be so acute, with numerous terror attacks and victims of those attacks in many areas of the world - in Europe and in the United States. We also never would have had such an urgent problem with refugees, I have no doubt about it.” WorldStatesProblemUnitedUnited StatesDoubtWeaponsMassEuropeAreasDestructionVictimRateTerrorNo DoubtRegimesRefugeeUrgentWeapons Of Mass DestructionMass DestructionProliferationTerror Attacks Author:Vladimir Putin
“Then there is another area of activity - economic interaction between Russia and the United States. Right now, for example, it has already been made public that we signed a large deal to privatise one of our biggest oil and gas companies, Rosneft. We know for sure that US companies, as well as Japanese ones, by the way, are keenly interested in cooperation in Russia's oil and gas sector, in joint work. This has immense significance for world energy markets and will directly affect the whole world economy.” KnowsWorldWayWellsMadeStatesWholeEnergyUnitedDealsCompanyUnited StatesEconomyEconomicExampleRight NowActivityAreasOilRussiaWhole WorldGasSignificanceCooperationInteractionImmenseJointsWorld EconomyOil And Gas Author:Vladimir Putin
“We believe that we could do a great deal to neutralise regional conflicts. Also, for example, to continue joint activities in space, for peaceful civilian purposes.” BelievePurposeSpaceDealsExampleActivityConflictPeacefulJointsCivilians Author:Vladimir Putin
“By the way, Japan is also known to be actively engaged in manned space flights as part of the International Space Station.” WaySpaceKnownInternationalFlightEngagedJapanStationsSpace FlightInternational Space Station Author:Vladimir Putin
“There are many other areas. And I am confident that each of them is of interest to both the people of the United States of America and the Russian people.” PeopleStatesAmericaInterestUnitedUnited StatesAreasUnited States Of America Author:Vladimir Putin
“All we need is good will, and we have to start working in a way that considers each other's interests [with U.S]. In my view, this is a mandatory condition.” WayNeedsInterestViewsConditionsGood Will Author:Vladimir Putin
“As far as I understand, the president-elect of the United States [Donald Trump] is ready for such joint work. We do not know yet what it will be like in actual practice. We have to wait for him to take office and form his administration.” KnowsStatesFormWaitingPresidentUnitedPracticeUnited StatesReadyTrumpOfficeAdministrationJointsWait For Him Author:Vladimir Putin
“We have seen very clearly over these past years that there are quite a few people who are sceptical, or let us put it another way, are cautious about the development of Russian-American relations, but the underlying fundamental interests of the United States and Russia demand that our relations be normalised.” PeopleWayYearsStatesPastInterestUnitedUnited StatesDevelopmentDemandRelationFundamentalsRussiaAnother WayCautious Author:Vladimir Putin
“We were also going to develop relations with the current administration [of Barack Obama], but somehow they did not work out well in key areas and, I believe, not through our fault. I will not list all the problems that emerged in the past few years.” YearsBelieveWellsProblemPastI BelieveKeysAreasRelationFaultsCurrentsWork OutListsAdministrationBarack Author:Vladimir Putin
“Here is an example: while resolving current issues, our American colleagues made a proposal on the Syrian settlement but then suddenly declared at the UN that they were not going to discuss anything with us. It is necessary to understand what people want in one department versus another department of the United States. Do they have a common position? And this happened many times on very many areas of our cooperation.” PeopleWantMadeStatesUnitedCommonUnited StatesIssuesHappenedExamplePositionAreasCurrentsDepartmentCooperationColleaguesVersusProposalSettlement Author:Vladimir Putin
“There are also fundamental issues related to what the current leader, President [Barack] Obama, said. I am referring to his idea about American exceptionalism. I am skeptical about this idea.” SaidIdeasPresidentLeaderIssuesFundamentalsCurrentsBarackRelatedSkepticalPresident Barack ObamaReferringExceptionalismAmerican Exceptionalism Author:Vladimir Putin
“No doubt, the United States and the American people are a gear country and a great people. Nobody disputes this, but talking about exceptionalism is way too much, and this is creating certain problems in relations, and not only with Russia, as I see it.” PeopleWayCountryStatesProblemCertainUnitedTalkingUnited StatesDoubtToo MuchCreatingRelationRussiaNo DoubtDisputesGearsGreat PeopleExceptionalism Author:Vladimir Putin
“As for the President-elect [Donald Trump], he has his own views on things, and this is also fairly natural.” PresidentNaturalViewsTrump Author:Vladimir Putin
“I must admit that we have yet to understand how [Donald Trump] will develop his idea, his pledge to make America great again, but I hope this will not hinder the development of our cooperation.” IdeasAmericaDevelopmentTrumpCooperationPledgeHinder Author:Vladimir Putin
“As for meetings, I think the President-elect [Donald Trump] should be given an opportunity to first form his administration and assume office. Meetings will come next.” ThinkingShouldFirstsFormNextOpportunityGivenPresidentTrumpOfficeAssumingMeetingsAdministration Author:Vladimir Putin
“We are ready to meet [with Donald Trump] at any time, this is no problem for us, but I believe we should be patient and wait for the complicated process of forming the new administration to be complete.” ShouldBelieveProblemI BelieveWaitingProcessReadyTrumpPatientComplicatedAdministrationNo ProblemBe Patient Author:Vladimir Putin
“This is not only a matter of relations between Russia and the United States. In my view, any restrictions in the economic sphere that are dictated by considerations of political expediency are extremely harmful for the world economy as a whole. This destroys unity and the rules of the game.” WorldMatterStatesWholePoliticalGamesUnitedViewsUnited StatesEconomyEconomicRelationUnityRussiaConsiderationSpheresRestrictionExpediencyWorld EconomyRules Of The Game Author:Vladimir Putin
“We spoke about economic sanctions only recently in Lima, within the framework of APEC. Almost all the leaders represented at APEC (the Asia Pacific region), Pacific countries, spoke about the same thing, namely, that we are going through a very acute crisis in world trade, international trade, related, among other things, to restrictions on the markets of certain countries.” WorldCountryCertainLeaderEconomicCrisisTradeInternationalRelatedRegionsSpokesAsiaFrameworkRestrictionSanctionsPacificWorld TradeInternational TradeEconomic Sanctions Author:Vladimir Putin
“However, crisis in world trade is, among other things, the result of using political tools in competition or simply for achieving political objectives with the help of economic restrictions.” WorldHelpingPoliticalResultsEconomicAchieveToolsCrisisTradeCompetitionObjectivesRestrictionWorld Trade Author:Vladimir Putin
“[Economic restrictions] is one of the elements that is destabilising the world economic order that was at one time created largely by the United States itself at the dawn of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade that was later transformed into the World Trade Organisation.” WorldStatesOrderUnitedUnited StatesEconomicElementsTradeDawnAgreementOne TimeTransformedRestrictionOrganisationWorld TradeTariffsEconomic Order Author:Vladimir Putin
“Take the creation of the Pacific partnership or the creation of the Atlantic partnership. We are somewhat concerned because this is being done bypassing the World Trade Organisation, since it has proved impossible to reach compromise solutions with developing economies within the framework of that organisation. Is that good? Not really, in my opinion.” WorldDoneOpinionEconomyImpossibleCreationSolutionsConcernedTradeCompromiseDevelopingPartnershipFrameworkOrganisationPacificBeing DoneWorld Trade Author:Vladimir Putin
“If the world economy is divided into isolated economic blocs of this kind, it will be rather difficult to achieve the same interpretation and application of international rules of economic activity and world trade.” IfsWorldKindDifficultEconomyEconomicAchieveActivityTradeInternationalInterpretationDividedApplicationIsolatedWorld TradeWorld Economy Author:Vladimir Putin
“If regional associations are created, they should work on the basis of WTO norms, on the WTO basis.” IfsShouldBasesAssociationNorm Author:Vladimir Putin
“After all, China is our largest trading partner. As I said, country-wise, Russia trades the most with China. That is my first point.” FirstsSaidCountryWiseTradeChinaPartnersRussiaTradingTrading Partners Author:Vladimir Putin
“We have wide-ranging joint projects in the nuclear energy sphere, logistics, machine building and trade as a whole [with China].” WholeEnergyBuildingProjectsMachinesTradeChinaWideNuclearSpheresJointsLogisticsNuclear Energy Author:Vladimir Putin
“We have good joint projects in the helicopter and aircraft manufacturing industry. We are considering cooperation and are actively cooperating in space. There are good prospects there [with China].” SpaceIndustryProjectsChinaCooperationConsideringJointsManufacturingProspectsAircraftHelicoptersCooperating Author:Vladimir Putin
“The level of our political trust [with China] is also very high. We have similar positions on major international issues or even, as diplomats say, our views are identical. We often have shared positions on key issues of the modern international agenda.” PoliticalLevelsViewsIssuesModernPositionKeysMajorsInternationalChinaAgendasIdenticalDiplomats Author:Vladimir Putin
“We have very close humanitarian contacts [with China], wide-ranging youth exchanges, educational and regional contacts, and all of them continue to develop.” YouthEducationalChinaWideHumanitarianContact Author:Vladimir Putin
“We are expanding and improving the infrastructure of our relations. You must have heard about China's plans to participate in building a high-speed railway line between Moscow and Kazan in the Volga region, in central Russia. And then we plan to extend it to Kazakhstan and on to China.” LinesPlansHeardBuildingRelationChinaSpeedRussiaRegionsImprovingExpandingInfrastructureMoscowRailwayHigh Speed Author:Vladimir Putin
“Under our regional cooperation projects, we are building roads and bridges. The scope of regional cooperation [with China] is constantly growing.” GrowingBuildingProjectsChinaBridgesCooperationScopeBuilding RoadsRegional Cooperation Author:Vladimir Putin
“We have every reason to say, and I note this with great satisfaction, that a truly friendly relationship has evolved with China, and in many key areas these relations, without any exaggeration, have a strategic character. As we say, the strategic character of privileged partnership.” ReasonCharacterKeysAreasRelationNotesSatisfactionChinaFriendlyPartnershipPrivilegedStrategicExaggeration Author:Vladimir Putin
“Political populism always poses a great danger because it disorients people, creates excessive expectations or, on the contrary, prioritises objectives that are clearly not priorities or are simply impossible to achieve.” PeoplePoliticalImpossibleAchieveDangerExpectationsContraryPrioritiesObjectivesPopulism Author:Vladimir Putin
“This work is either useless or harmful, because there is nothing good about populism. If you wanted to hear my opinion on this issue, that is what I think.” IfsThinkingWantedOpinionIssuesUselessPopulism Author:Vladimir Putin
“As a rule, [populism] is done for the sake of political expediency by those who do not care about the consequences, who do not think even one step ahead, who do not want to think and do not intend to honour their commitments.” ThinkingWantDoneCarePoliticalStepsCommitmentConsequenceSakeHonourPopulismExpediency Author:Vladimir Putin
“I think that people are able to see that I am working hard, that I am striving openly, honestly and sincerely to achieve the results the results our country needs. I think that they are also able to see that not all goes well. Our people are smart and sharp-sighted. Yet, I believe that the main thing is to sincerely aspire to achieve the maximum, so that the country feels more secure and people live better. That's precisely how I am trying to go about my work.” PeopleThinkingNeedsFeelsTryingBelieveWellsCountryHardAbleI BelieveResultsAchieveSmartStriveHonestlyOur CountrySecureAspireMaximumSincerely Author:Vladimir Putin
“I am very grateful to our people who appreciate my work and for their support, as without that support it would have been impossible to get anything done.” PeopleHas BeensDoneSupportImpossibleAppreciateGrateful Author:Vladimir Putin
“I have several portraits of Jigoro Kano and a bust too, a very beautiful one.” BeautifulPortraitsVery Beautiful Author:Vladimir Putin
“I keep [portraits of Jigoro Kano and a bust] at home, in my residence, where I live permanently. It's a very good, high-quality work by a Russian sculptor, depicting not just a strong-willed but also thoughtful and kind man.” MenKindHomeStrongQualityVery GoodThoughtfulPortraitsSculptorsHigh QualityResidenceStrong WilledQuality WorkKind Man Author:Vladimir Putin
“I would like to say, you know, that, unfortunately, we have many unresolved problems. But a great number of people in Russia know Japan and love Japan, and I am sure that eventually we will resolve all our problems.” PeopleKnowsProblemNumbersAnd LoveRussiaJapanResolve Author:Vladimir Putin
“Irrespective of when this may happen, it would not be an exaggeration to say that today millions of people living in Russia and, I am sure, millions of people living in Japan have an urge to get to know each other, cooperate and exchange useful information, as well as a sincere desire that all problems that still remain unresolved be resolved.” PeopleKnowsWellsMayStillsProblemHappensTodayDesireMillionsInformationRussiaJapanUrgesSincereExaggerationUseful Information Author:Vladimir Putin
“Donald Trump is a brilliant and talented person, without a doubt.” PersonsDoubtTrumpBrilliantTalented Person Author:Vladimir Putin
“Russia always has been, and I hope always will be, one of the leading international sports countries. Our athletes still produce great results in international competition, set new records and win gold medals. Yes, like any country, we might have experienced certain ups and downs with regard to results, but in no way does this cast any doubt on Russia's status as one of the leading countries in sport.” CountryWinningSportsDoubtGoldCompetitionAthleteMedalUps & Downs Author:Vladimir Putin
“I always had a problem when someone was trying to place sport in social and political context. Sport is a separate and unique kind of human activity, which functions under its own rules and principles. It has nothing to do with the political agenda, and neither it should. When politics interferes with sport, unjust things happen.” TryingKindProblemPoliticalSportsUniqueThings HappenInterfere Author:Vladimir Putin
“Russian culture is multifaceted and diverse. So if you want to understand, to feel Russia, then of course you need to read books, Tolstoy and Chekhov and Gogol and others. Listen to music. Tchaikovsky. Watch our classical ballet. But the most important thing is that you need to talk with people.” PeopleImportantBookCultureBalletDiverseListening To MusicGogol Author:Vladimir Putin
“When you start to meet with ordinary people you understand that a Russian person, really any person from Russia, a Tatar, a Mordvin, a Chechen, a Dagestani, they are very open people, even a little naive. But there's one defining trait that probably all peoples have, although it comes out especially strongly in us. That's a drive toward fairness. It's one of the dominating, I think, traits in the mentality of a person from Russia, a Russian person.” PeopleThinkingMentalityTraitsFairnessOrdinary PeopleDominating Author:Vladimir Putin
“In the soul of a Russian person there is always a drive toward some kind of lofty moral ideal, lofty moral values. That definitely sets us apart, and I'm certain it's in a good way.” KindSoulValuesMoralMoral Values Author:Vladimir Putin
“I have always tried to sense the mood of the people, their needs, their attitude toward ways to solve problems, their priorities. That's mainly what I go by. And I think that's the most important thing in any person's work, in the work that the people of Russia entrusted in me.” PeopleThinkingImportantProblemAttitudePrioritiesMood Author:Vladimir Putin
