“It is no accident that I mention our American friends, as they are always influencing our relations with our neighbors either directly or behind the scenes. Sometimes you don't even know who to talk to - the governments of certain countries or directly to their American patrons.” KnowsCountrySometimesGovernmentCertainBehindsInfluenceSceneRelationAccidentsNeighborBehind The ScenesPatron Author:Vladimir Putin
“Easter celebrations are evidence of the increased benign influence of the Russian Orthodox Church and other traditional churches in our country on society.” CountryChurchInfluenceEvidenceTraditionalOur CountryOrthodoxCelebrationEasterBenignOrthodox Church Author:Vladimir Putin
“Russia can offer state-of-the-art technology, .. For example, we can help other countries launch space devices such as satellites.” ArtCountryStatesHelpingSpaceTechnologyExampleOffersHelping OthersRussiaDevicesOther CountriesSatellites Author:Vladimir Putin
“We are ready to build large underground gas storages in Turkey, to participate in the privatization of Turkey's gas-distribution networks, to use the existing and participate in the construction of new pipelines in order to supply our energy resources through Turkey to third countries, including in southern Europe” CountryUseOrderEnergyReadyResourcesEuropeThirdsIncludingGasSouthernConstructionParticipationDistributionTurkeysStoragePipelinePrivatization Author:Vladimir Putin
“People in the eastern regions [of Ukaraine] are talking about federalisation, and Kiev has at long last started talking about de-centralisation. Order in the country can only be restored through dialogue and democratic procedures, rather than with the use of armed force, tanks and aircraft.” PeopleLongCountryUseLastsOrderForceTalkingDemocraticDialogueRegionsEasternProceduresTanksAircraftArmed ForcesKiev Author:Vladimir Putin
“We do believe the current Ukrainian authorities are illegitimate. They cannot be legitimate as they do not have a national mandate for running the country, which speaks for itself. At the same time, we do not refuse to deal with them. We stay in touch at the ministerial level.” BelieveCountryRunningSpeakLevelsDealsAuthorityCurrentsRefuseMandatesUkrainian Author:Vladimir Putin
“One must not allow oneself to skid down to isolationism and unbridled economic egoism. ... The second possible mistake would be excessive interference into the economic life of the country. And the absolute faith into the all-mightiness of the state.” CountryStatesWould BeMistakeResponsibilityHistoryPowerEconomicHonestyCapitalismEconomicsAbsolutesOneselfDebtSocialismTaxationEgoismInterferenceIsolationism Author:Vladimir Putin
“Our anti-crisis policy is aimed at supporting domestic demand, providing social guarantees for the population, and creating new jobs. Like many countries, we have reduced production taxes, leaving money in the economy. We have optimised state spending.” CountryStatesJobsSocialResponsibilityHistoryPowerSupportEconomySecurityHonestyPolicyCreationCitizensDemandTaxesEconomicsCrisisInvestingProductionsDebtSocialismInternalsExpensesOther CountriesSocial SecurityTaxationReducingNew JobInvesting Money Author:Vladimir Putin
“Not everyone likes the stable, gradual rise of our country. There are some who are using the democratic ideology to interfere in our internal affairs.” CountryDemocraticAffairLikesOur CountryIdeologyInternalsStableInterfereInternal Affairs Author:Vladimir Putin
“We have spoken on many occasions of the need to achieve high economic growth as an absolute priority for our country. The annual address for 2003 set for the first time the goal of doubling gross domestic product within a decade.” NeedsFirstsCountryGoalGrowthEconomicAchieveProductsFirst TimeAbsolutesDecadesPrioritiesOur CountryOccasionsAddressesGrossEconomic GrowthAnnualsGross Domestic Product Author:Vladimir Putin
“I'm convinced that democracy cannot be exported from one country to another, like you cannot expert revolutions, ideology.” CountryDemocracyLike YouRevolutionConvincedIdeologyExperts Author:Vladimir Putin
“Democracy is an internal subject of the developing society. There are fundamentals of democracy, and they should be understood universally in different countries.” ShouldDifferentCountryDemocracySubjectsUnderstoodFundamentalsDevelopingInternalsDifferent Countries Author:Vladimir Putin
“If you aspire to be a leader of your own country, you must speak your own language, for God's sake.” IfsCountrySpeakLanguageLeaderSakeAspire Author:Vladimir Putin
“The fact that the union of different nationalities and denominations resulted from the liberation, this is particularly symbolic and important for our multinational country, As long as we feel this unity inside us, Russia will be invincible.” FeelsLongImportantDifferentCountryFactsUnionsUnityRussiaLiberationSymbolicNationalityInvincibleDenominationsMultinationalsDifferent Nationalities Author:Vladimir Putin
“In relations between the states ... the interests of the country should be correlated with the interests of other countries, and compromise is to be found when resolving the most complex issues.” ShouldCountryStatesFoundInterestIssuesRelationComplexesCompromiseOther Countries Author:Vladimir Putin
“It is wrong to make anyone into an enemy; it is wrong to scare the people of one's own country with that enemy and try to rally some allies on that basis.” PeopleTryingCountryEnemyBasesScareAllies Author:Vladimir Putin
“Problems between countries always exist, especially between such big countries as Russia and the United States. There have always been some issues, but I don't think we should go to extremes.” ThinkingShouldCountryStatesProblemBigsUnitedUnited StatesIssuesExtremesRussia Author:Vladimir Putin
“Russia is the biggest country in the world. It would be very difficult to surround it, and the world is changing so fast that it would basically be impossible, even in theory.” WorldCountryWould BeDifficultImpossibleTheoryRussiaSurround Author:Vladimir Putin
“I have great love and respect for Russian history and culture. But the world is changing and Russia is too. Russia is part of the modern world, not the world of the past but the modern world. And I believe it has an even greater future than some other countries that can't take care of their young people, of the new generations, of their children, and believe that they can just let things slide.” PeopleWorldBelieveChildrenCountryCarePastYoungCultureI BelieveGreaterGenerationsModernTake CareRussiaOther CountriesModern WorldSlidesGreat LoveNew GenerationLove And RespectRussian HistoryHistory And Culture Author:Vladimir Putin
“Boris Nemtsov, left his mark on the history of Russia, in politics and public life. He worked on important positions in the difficult transition period for our country. He always openly and honestly stated his position, defended his point of view.” LifeImportantCountryPoliticsLeftDifficultViewsPositionPeriodsMarkPoint Of ViewHonestlyRussiaOur CountryTransitionPublic Life Author:Vladimir Putin
“I am convinced that a multi-faceted dialogue between Russia and Egypt will continue to deepen and expand for the benefit of the peoples of our countries, for the sake of peace and stability in the Middle East and North Africa.” CountryPeaceMiddleBenefitsSakeEastConvincedRussiaDialogueOur CountryStabilityMiddle EastEgyptNorth Africa Author:Vladimir Putin
“Where in the world have you seen construction people who do everything on time, with good quality and at minimal prices? Just give me one country like that. A country like that doesn't exist in the world, you know. There's not one such country anywhere in the world.” PeopleKnowsWorldGivingCountryQualityGive MeConstructionGood Quality Author:Vladimir Putin
“If you want to lower the significance of Russia in the world, you actually just want to elevate your own country. That is a mistake.” IfsWorldWantCountryMistakeRussiaSignificance Author:Vladimir Putin
“It is only up to the Syrian people living in Syria to determine who, how and based on what principles should rule their country, and any external advice would be absolutely inappropriate, harmful and against international law.” PeopleShouldCountryWould BeLawPrinciplesAdviceInternationalDetermineSyriaInappropriateInternational Law Author:Vladimir Putin
“60 percent of Syria is controlled either by ISIS, Jabhat al-Nusra or other terrorist organisations, organisations that have been recognised as terrorist by the United States, as well as other countries and the UN. It is them and not anyone else who have control over 60 percent of Syrian territory.” WellsHas BeensCountryStatesUnitedUnited StatesPercentTerroristAlsControlledTerritoryOther CountriesSyriaIsisOrganisation Author:Vladimir Putin
“Russia will not take part in any field operations on the territory of Syria or in other states; at least, we do not plan it for now. But we are thinking of how to intensify our work both with President al-Assad and our partners in other countries.” ThinkingCountryStatesPresidentPlansFieldsPartnersRussiaOperationsAlsTerritoryOther CountriesSyriaAssad Author:Vladimir Putin
“The issues of political nature should be solved in any country, including in Syria, primarily by its people.” PeopleShouldCountryPoliticalIssuesIncludingSyria Author:Vladimir Putin
“I think that all countries of the region should join their efforts in the fight against a common threat - terrorism in general and ISIS in particular. It concerns Iran as well, it concerns Saudi Arabia (although the two countries do not get along very well, ISIS threatens both of them), it concerns Jordan, it concerns Turkey (in spite of certain problems regarding the Kurdish issue), and, in my opinion, everybody is interested in resolving the situation. Our task is to join these efforts to fight against a common enemy.” ThinkingShouldWellsTwoCountryProblemCertainFightingCommonEffortSituationOpinionEnemyIssuesParticularConcernTasksThreatTerrorismSpiteRegionsIranTurkeysIsisJordanArabiaSaudi ArabiaSaudisTwo CountriesCommon EnemyKurdish Author:Vladimir Putin
“I am proud of Russia and I am sure that the vast majority of Russian citizens have great love and respect for their Motherland. We have much to be proud of: Russian culture and Russian history. We have every reason to believe in the future of our country. But we have no obsession that Russia must be a super power in the international arena. The only thing we do is protecting our vital interests.” BelieveCountryReasonCultureInterestProudCitizensMajorityInternationalRussiaObsessionOur CountryBe ProudArenaGreat LoveLove And RespectMotherlandRussian HistorySuper Power Author:Vladimir Putin
“The point is that in any country, including the United States, may be in the United States even more often than in any other country, foreign policy is used for internal political struggle.” MayCountryStatesPoliticalUsedUnitedUnited StatesStrugglePolicyIncludingInternalsForeign PolicyOther CountriesPolitical Struggle Author:Vladimir Putin
“Russia, as well as any other country, does not need dictators, but it needs equitable principles of organizing the state and society: just, effective, flexibly responding to changes inside and outside the country - that is what Russia needs.” NeedsWellsDoeCountryStatesPrinciplesRussiaDictatorOther CountriesRespondingEquitableInside And Outside Author:Vladimir Putin
“Look, there is parliamentary democracy in most European countries, there is parliamentary democracy in Japan, there is parliamentary democracy in many countries, but in the United States, for some reason, the State is organized differently, there is quite a stringent presidential republic.” LooksCountryStatesReasonUnitedUnited StatesDemocracyPresidentialOrganizedJapanRepublicEuropean CountriesParliamentaryParliamentary Democracy Author:Vladimir Putin
“Each country has its own particular features, its own traditions that find their reflection today and will find it in future. There are such traditions in Russia but it is not a question of a strong figure, although a strong figure is needed in power, it is a question of what is implied by this term. It is one thing if it is a person with dictatorial tendencies. But if it is a fair leader, who acts within the law and in the interests of a vast majority of society, who acts coherently and is guided by principles, it is a completely different matter.” IfsPersonsDifferentCountryMatterTodayLawStrongTermInterestLeaderPrinciplesOne ThingFiguresParticularNeededReflectionFairsTraditionMajorityRussiaTendenciesFeaturesImplied Author:Vladimir Putin
“It is not what your supporters, friends or your political adversaries call you that matters. What is important is what you think you must do in the interests of the country, which put you in such position, such post as the Head of the Russian State.” ThinkingImportantCountryMatterStatesPoliticalInterestPositionPostsSupporterAdversaries Author:Vladimir Putin
“I want everyone to know that Russia in general and the Russian leadership, it is something effective and properly functioning. That the country itself, its institutions, leaders are represented by healthy, capable people who are ready for cooperation with our partners in every single area: sports, politics, fight against modern threats. I have nothing but a positive feeling about it.” PeopleKnowsWantCountryFeelingsFightingSportsLeaderModernReadyHealthyCapableAreasInstitutionsThreatPartnersRussiaCooperationPositive Feelings Author:Vladimir Putin
“America's creative approach to solving the problems the country is faced with, its openness and open-mindedness which make it possible to unleash the potential of the people. I believe that largely due to these qualities America has made such tremendous strides in its development.” PeopleBelieveMadeCountryProblemAmericaI BelieveQualityCreativeDevelopmentApproachDuesOpennessStrideOpen Mindedness Author:Vladimir Putin
“Ukraine is the closest country to us. We have always said that Ukraine is our sister country and it is true. It is not just a Slavic people, it is the closest people to Russia: we have similar languages, culture, common history, religion etc.” PeopleSaidCountryCultureLanguageCommonRussiaEtcClosestUkraineLanguage Culture Author:Vladimir Putin
“25 million of Russian people suddenly turned out to be outside the borders of the Russian Federation. They used to live in one state; the Soviet Union has traditionally been called Russia, the Soviet Russia, and it was the great Russia. Then the Soviet Union suddenly fell apart, in fact, overnight, and it turned out that in the former Soviet Union republics there were 25 million Russians. They used to live in one country and suddenly found themselves abroad. Can you imagine how many problems came out?” PeopleCountryStatesFactsProblemUsedFoundMillionsImagineUnionsRussiaFormerBordersRepublicSovietSoviet UnionSoviet RussiaFederation Author:Vladimir Putin
“Nowadays, there are plans to separate the Baltic states from the common power system of the former Soviet Union and to integrate them into the European system. What does it mean for us in practice? In practice, it means that a number of zones will emerge between several regions of the Russian Federation, where we will have no power transmission lines, since previously we used to have a loop transition through the Baltic countries.” MeanDoeCountryStatesUsedLinesCommonNumbersPracticePlansUnionsFormerZoneRegionsTransitionSovietSoviet UnionIntegratingLoopsTransmissionFederation Author:Vladimir Putin
“We all are interested in an open development, without any prejudice; this refers particularly and, perhaps, primarily to the Baltic countries, for them it is more important than for Russia.” ImportantCountryDevelopmentPrejudiceRussia Author:Vladimir Putin
“Take, for example, Lithuania. Do you know, what was its population in the Soviet times? It was 3.4 mln people. It was a small country, a small republic. And what is it now? I have looked though the recent statistics, today the population of this country is 1.4 mln people. Where are the people? More than half of the citizens have left the country.” PeopleKnowsCountryTodayLeftHalfExampleCitizensPopulationStatisticsDo You KnowRepublicSovietSmall CountriesLithuania Author:Vladimir Putin
“Sanctions against such country as Russia are unlikely to be effective.” CountryRussiaUnlikelySanctions Author:Vladimir Putin
“The period of my service will depend on two conditions. Firstly, of course, there are rules stipulated by the Constitution, and I surely will not infringe them. But I am not sure whether I should take full advantage of these constitutional rights. It will depend on the specific situation in the country, in the world and my own feelings about it.” WorldShouldTwoCountryFeelingsCoursesMy OwnSituationRightsConditionsDependsPeriodsAdvantageConstitutionNot SureConstitutional Rights Author:Vladimir Putin
“Brazil is one of the biggest Latin American countries, the biggest, no doubt, and, more importantly, it is a country with immense development potential.” CountryDoubtDevelopmentNo DoubtLatinImmenseLatin AmericaBrazilLatin American Author:Vladimir Putin
“It is well known that Russia has many interesting and promising developments in the military-technical sphere. We are ready to deliver the needed equipment and ready for joint cooperation in arms production with Brazilian specialists. This is an area that is very closely linked to high technology in general. In this respect, we hope to develop closer cooperation between the scientific communities in our two countries.” WellsTwoCountryCommunityInterestingKnownTechnologyMilitaryReadyArmsDevelopmentNeededAreasProductionsRussiaCooperationSpheresEquipmentWell KnownLinkedJointsSpecialistsTwo CountriesHigh Technology Author:Vladimir Putin
“The sooner the Iraqi people are able to take their country's destiny in their own hands and establish their own control over it and its national resources, the sooner the process of pushing the forces of international terrorism out of Iraq will be able to begin. And the sooner the process of consolidating Iraqi society itself will also be able to begin.” PeopleCountryHandsAbleForceProcessDestinyResourcesInternationalIraqTerrorismPushingOver ItInternational Terrorism Author:Vladimir Putin
“Russia itself is a European country, and not just because our major political and economic centres are in Europe, but because Russian culture is primarily European culture.” CountryPoliticalCultureEconomicMajorsEuropeRussiaCentreEuropean Countries Author:Vladimir Putin
“Russia is probably one of the first countries to have been confronted with this problem of terrorism. It took some time before the international community realised the danger terrorism poses.” FirstsHas BeensCountryProblemCommunityDangerInternationalTerrorismRussiaRealisedInternational Community Author:Vladimir Putin
“Some countries have a parliamentary republic, some are presidential republics and some are still monarchies, but no one sees them as not being democratic. In some countries regional leaders are appointed from the centre and in others they are elected. In Russia, the president is elected through direct secret ballot, and in the United States, the president is elected through a system of electoral colleges.” StillsCountryStatesPresidentUnitedSecretLeaderUnited StatesCollegeDirectDemocraticRussiaPresidentialRepublicCentreMonarchyBallotsParliamentaryElectoral College Author:Vladimir Putin
“The basic principles of democracy should be observed whatever the country - principles such as civil liberties, a free market, a free press, the priority of the individual over mythical state interests, a state which serves the interests of ordinary people and defends their rights and interests. This is all easy to say but hard to make reality.” PeopleShouldCountryHardStatesRealityIndividualEasyInterestLibertyPrinciplesDemocracyRightsOrdinaryPressesPrioritiesFree MarketOrdinary PeopleCivil LibertiesBasic PrinciplesFree Press Author:Vladimir Putin
