“I firmly believe that the reputation of any country which is capable of defending the life and dignity of its citizens, and can conduct independent foreign policy will only improve in mid- and long-term perspective.” BelieveLongCountryTermPolicyPerspectiveCitizensCapableDignityIndependentReputationLong TermForeign Policy Author:Vladimir Putin
“The reputation of those countries which cater to the foreign policy interests of other states at the expense of their own national interests will go down regardless of how they explain their actions.” CountryStatesActionInterestPolicyReputationExpensesForeign PolicyNational Interests Author:Vladimir Putin
“I believe that a country, Russia in this case, which can defend the honour and dignity of its citizens, protect their lives, and fulfill its international legal commitments under the peacekeeping mandate, will not find itself in isolation, no matter what our partners in Europe or the United States may think, expressing their bloc mentality.” ThinkingBelieveMayCountryMatterStatesI BelieveUnitedCasesUnited StatesCitizensProtectCommitmentEuropeDignityNo Matter WhatInternationalPartnersRussiaIsolationHonourMentalityMandatesPeacekeeping Author:Vladimir Putin
“If European countries want to cater to U.S. foreign policy interests, I don't think that they stand to gain anything.” IfsThinkingWantCountryInterestPolicyGainsForeign PolicyEuropean Countries Author:Vladimir Putin
“Nowhere is it written that NATO had to accept certain countries. All that would have been required to refrain from doing so was the political will. But people didn't want to.” PeopleWantHas BeensCountryPoliticalCertainAcceptingWrittenRefrainNatoPolitical Will Author:Vladimir Putin
“After the demise of the Soviet Union, we had many problems of our own for which no one was responsible but ourselves: the economic downfall, the collapse of the welfare system, the separatism, and of course the terror attacks that shook our country. In this respect, we do not have to look for guilty parties abroad.” LooksCountryProblemCoursesPartyEconomicResponsibleUnionsTerrorGuiltyOur CountryWelfareSovietCollapseSoviet UnionDownfallDemiseTerror Attacks Author:Vladimir Putin
“Of course Germany's media are heavily influenced by the country on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean.” CountryCoursesSidesMediaOceanGermanyAtlantic Ocean Author:Vladimir Putin
“Concerning our possibilities on the international financial markets, the sanctions are severely harming Russia. But the biggest harm is currently caused by the decline of the prices for energy. We suffer dangerous revenue losses in our export of oil and gas, which we can partly compensate for elsewhere. But the whole thing also has a positive side: if you earn so many petrodollars - as we once did - that you can buy anything abroad, this slows down developments in your own country.” IfsCountryWholeSufferingEnergySidesLossDangerousPossibilityDevelopmentFinancialInternationalHarmOilRussiaGasElsewhereDeclineSlow DownRevenueSanctionsFinancial MarketsOil And Gas Author:Vladimir Putin
“In general, Gazprom is doing well and is increasing export in its traditional partner countries.” WellsCountryPartnersTraditional Author:Vladimir Putin
“We understand that the Iranian position is very bad because of the well-known sanctions against that country, and it would be unfair to leave it on this sanction level.” WellsCountryWould BeLevelsKnownPositionUnfairWell KnownSanctionsIranian Author:Vladimir Putin
“Looking at the map of the Russian Federation, one can see a country covering mostly northern areas; today more than 70 percent of our territory is or can be referred to as northern, if not the Far North. We have a rather small warm Black sea strip in the South and - to tell the truth - quite a few regions with a hospitable warm climate.” IfsCountryTodayBlackSeaPercentAreasSouthClimateWarmTelling The TruthRegionsMapsTerritoryCoveringFederation Author:Vladimir Putin
“As far as I know, Russians are the first among tourists going to Turkey; last year three million Russians visited that country, although its climate zone is almost the same as the one of the Black sea region. Therefore, we have had an important task to develop an infrastructure in this region of the Russian Federation.” KnowsYearsFirstsImportantCountryLastsThreeBlackMillionsSeaTasksClimateZoneRegionsLast YearInfrastructureTurkeysTouristsFederation Author:Vladimir Putin
“I have criticized it [Europe], but I repeat: we keep 40 percent of our gold and foreign currency reserves in euros, we are not interested in the collapse of the Eurozone, but I do not rule out the possibility of decisions being made that would consolidate a group of countries equal in economic development and this, in my opinion, will lead to a consolidation of the euro. But there can also be some interim decisions in order to keep the present number of members of the Eurozone unchanged.” MadeCountryOrderDecisionNumbersOpinionGroupsEconomicPossibilityDevelopmentEqualMembersPercentEuropeGoldRepeatsCollapseNot InterestedCurrencyReservesEuroEconomic DevelopmentConsolidationEurozoneInterim Author:Vladimir Putin
“There are a lot of hackers today, you know, and they perform their work in such a filigreed and delicate manner and they can show their "tracks" anywhere and anytime. It may not even be a track; they can cover their activity so that it looks like hackers operating from other territories, from other countries. It is hard to check this activity, maybe not even possible. Anyway, we do not do that at the national level.” KnowsLooksMayCountryHardShowsTodayLevelsActivityTrackChecksTerritoryDelicateOther CountriesHackers Author:Vladimir Putin
“The Central Bank should take into account other things as well: the stability of the bank system in the country, the increase or decrease of money supply in the economy, its influence on inflation.” ShouldWellsCountryEconomyInfluenceAccountsIncreaseStabilityInflationDecreaseCentral Banks Author:Vladimir Putin
“This is the political culture of the United States, which one should accept as is. The United States is a great country and it deserves non-interference and no third-party comments.” ShouldCountryStatesPoliticalCultureUnitedPartyAcceptingUnited StatesDeserveThirdsCommentInterferenceGreat CountryThird PartiesPolitical Culture Author:Vladimir Putin
“If the United Kingdom considers it necessary to start a dialogue on certain issues, we are ready for that, we are not going to pout or sulk. We take quite a pragmatic approach towards cooperation with our partners and we believe that it would be beneficial for both our countries.” IfsBelieveCountryWould BeCertainUnitedIssuesReadyApproachPartnersKingdomsDialogueOur CountryCooperationBeneficialPragmaticUnited Kingdom Author:Vladimir Putin
“You have made a very good point: both the Prime Minister [Shindzo Abe] and I enjoy a fairly high level of trust among the citizens of our countries.” MadeCountryEnjoyLevelsCitizensVery GoodOur CountryMinistersPrimePrime MinisterHigh LevelAbe Author:Vladimir Putin
“I believe there are a lot of questions today that require expert analysis by various agencies: political agencies, foreign ministries, economic agencies and security agencies. We need to assess everything and understand what we can agree on and what the implications will be both for Japan and for Russia so that both the Russian people and the Japanese people come to the conclusion that these compromise solutions are acceptable and are in our countries' interests.” PeopleNeedsBelieveCountryTodayPoliticalI BelieveInterestEconomicSecuritySolutionsAgreeVariousRussiaConclusionCompromiseOur CountryAnalysisExpertsAgencyJapanAcceptableMinistryImplications Author:Vladimir Putin
“If there were any in China and Russia in this connection, though we both made some compromises. But these were compromises between friendly countries. I think it is almost impossible to achieve such compromise in other ways.” IfsThinkingWayMadeCountryImpossibleAchieveConnectionsChinaRussiaCompromiseFriendly 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
“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
“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
“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
“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
“Any country is hard to govern, even a very small country. It's not a question of whether the country is large or small. It's a question of how you relate to the work, to what extent you feel responsible for it. Russia is also hard to govern. Russia is at the development stage of both its political system and the creation of a market-based economy. It's a complicated process, but very interesting. Russia, actually, is not just a large country, it's a great country. I mean its traditions, and its cultural particularities.” MeanCountryPoliticalInterestingEconomyCreationTraditionResponsibleComplicatedVery InterestingGreat Country Author:Vladimir Putin
“America is a powerful country and it has earned the right that nobody from the outside can interfere with it or comment on it. We will work with any administration, with any president who will win the support of the American people, if of course they are ready to cooperate with Russia.” PeopleCountryWinningPresidentPowerfulSupportCommentInterfere Author:Vladimir Putin
“In the near future, despite the development of alternative energy, when you look at the economics and environmental standards, then there's no other source of primary energy in the world than natural gas. Well, perhaps there is nuclear energy but there are also a lot of issues there and there are opponents of nuclear energy. Gas doesn't have those opponents. But there is a country that is, obviously, the world leader in gas reserves. That's our country, the Russian Federation.” WorldCountryEnergyNaturalLeaderEnvironmentalGasWorld LeaderNatural GasAlternative Energy Author:Vladimir Putin
“I am deeply convinced that no interference from the outside, in any country, even a small one, let alone in such a vast and great power as the United States, can influence the final outcome of the elections. It is not possible. Ever.” CountryInfluenceElectionInterferenceGreat Power Author:Vladimir Putin
“I don't want to offend anyone, but the United States, everywhere, all over the world, is actively interfering in electoral campaigns in other countries. Is this really news to you? Just talk to people but in such a way (to the extent it is possible for you) so as to convince them that you're not going to make it public. Point your finger to any spot on the world's map, everywhere you'll hear complaints that American officials interfere in their political domestic processes.” PeopleWorldCountryPoliticalConvinceInterfere Author:Vladimir Putin
“I do not think I have the right to determine the political future of Syria, be it with or without al-Assad. This is for the Syrians themselves to decide. Nobody has the right to claim the rights that belong to the people of another country.” PeopleThinkingCountryPoliticalDetermineSyria Author:Vladimir Putin
“I want to say that Russia is developing along a democratic path, this is without question so. No one should have any doubts about that. The fact that, amidst political rivalry and some other domestic developments, we see things happen here that are typical of other countries, I do not see anything unusual in it. We have rallies, opposition rallies. And people here have the right to express their point of view. However, if people, while expressing their views, break the current legislation, the effective law in place, then of course, the law enforcement agencies try to restore order.” PeopleTryingCountryPoliticalBreakPathDoubtDemocraticPoint Of ViewThings HappenUnusualLaw EnforcementRivalry Author:Vladimir Putin
“It is a fact that the US defence budget is larger than the defence budgets of all other countries taken together. This is why I understand the US President when he says that his NATO allies should take over part of this burden. It is a pragmatic and understandable approach.” CountryTogetherPresidentTakenBurdenPragmaticNatoUs President Author:Vladimir Putin
“Russian police force, fortunately, so far, do not use batons, tear gas or any other extreme measures of instilling order, something that we often see in other countries, including in the United States. Speaking of opposition, let us recall the movement Occupy Wall Street. Where is it now? The law enforcement agencies and special services in the US have taken it apart, into little pieces, and have dissolved it.” CountryTakenSpecialTearsWallPoliceGasLaw Enforcement Author:Vladimir Putin
“Our economy has become completely different, on the whole. The size has changed. The economy has almost doubled in size. And the quality is changing, not as fast as we would like it to, but the structure is changing. Our Armed Forces are completely different today from what they were, say 15 years ago or so. All of this, including our great history, great culture, all of this, not just what we see today, is what makes the vast majority of Russia's citizens feel proud for their country.” DifferentCountryTodayCultureQualityEconomyChangedProudArmed Forces Author:Vladimir Putin
“If one looks at the map of the world, it's difficult to find Iraq, and one would think it rather easy to subdue such a small country.” IfsThinkingWorldLooksCountryEasyDifficultIraqMapsSmall Countries Author:Vladimir Putin
“Our aims are absolutely clear: They are a high living standard in the country and a secure, free and comfortable life.” CountryClearComfortableStandardsAimSecureProvocativeComfortable Life Author:Vladimir Putin
“I see that not everyone in the West has understood that the Soviet Union has disappeared from the political map of the world and that a new country has emerged with new humanist and ideological principles at the foundation of its existence.” WorldCountryPoliticalExistencePrinciplesUnderstoodFoundationUnionsWestMapsHumanistSovietSoviet UnionIdeological Author:Vladimir Putin
“No one wants the United Nations to suffer the fate of the League of Nations, which collapsed because it lacked real leverage. This is possible if influential countries bypass the United Nations and take military action without Security Council authorization.” IfsWantRealCountryActionSufferingNationsUnitedFateSecurityMilitaryLeagueUnited NationsCouncilInfluentialBypassSecurity CouncilMilitary ActionLeague Of Nations Author:Vladimir Putin
“We ask that (other countries) do not interfere in our regulation.” CountryAsksGayRegulationOther CountriesInterfere Author:Vladimir Putin
“Today, it is imperative to end this hysteria, to refute the rhetoric of the Cold War and to accept the obvious fact: Russia is an independent, active participant in international affairs. Like other countries, it has its own national interests that need to be taken into account and respected.” NeedsWarEndsCountryFactsTodayInterestPowerfulAcceptingTakenColdAccountsIndependentAffairInternationalObviousActiveRussiaOther CountriesRhetoricCold WarImperativesParticipantsHysteriaNational InterestsCrimeaInternational Affairs Book:VLADIMIR PUTIN: Munich Source: VLADIMIR PUTIN: Munich
“All civilised countries should unite in the fight against international terrorism.” ShouldCountryFightingCrimeInternationalTerrorismCivilisedInternational Terrorism Author:Vladimir Putin
“Representatives of the American intelligence agencies - and I hope they won't be angry - but they could have been more professional, and the diplomats as well. After they found out that he was flying to us, and that he was flying as a transit passenger, there was pressure from all sides - from the Americans, from the Europeans - instead of just letting him go to a country where they could operate easily.” WellsHas BeensCountryFoundSidesGayPressureAngryFlyingAgencyRepresentativesSyriaCould Have BeenPassengersGay RightsDiplomatsIntelligence AgenciesLet Him Go Author:Vladimir Putin
“We still have a great amount of work to do in social development, including resolving one of the biggest challenges we face in this area, namely, reducing the gap between high-income earners and people, citizens of our country, who are still living on very modest means indeed. But we cannot, of course, adopt the solution used 80 years ago and simply confiscate the riches of some to redistribute among others. We will use completely different means to resolve this problem, namely, we will ensure good economic growth.” PeopleYearsMeanStillsDifferentCountryUseProblemFacesUsedCoursesSocialGrowthChallengesEconomyRichEconomicDevelopmentAmountCitizensSolutionsAreasYears AgoEconomicsIncludingRichesIncomeOur CountryResolveGapsModestEconomic GrowthReducingLiving OnSocial DevelopmentChallenges We Face Author:Vladimir Putin
“An increase of two or three degrees wouldn't be so bad for a northern country like Russia. We could spend less on fur coats, and the grain harvest would go up.” TwoCountryThreeDegreesIncreaseClimate ChangeRussiaGrainCoatsHarvestFurFur Coats Author:Vladimir Putin
“Russia is an ancient country with historical, profound traditions and a very powerful moral foundation. And this foundation is a love for the Motherland and patriotism. Patriotism in the best sense of that word. Incidentally, I think that to a certain extent, to a significant extent, this is also attributable to the American people.” PeopleThinkingCountryCertainPowerfulMoralTraditionFoundationHistoricalProfoundAncientSignificantRussiaVery PowerfulMotherland Author:Vladimir Putin
“But if the U.S. were to leave now and abandon Iraq without establishing the grounds for a united country, that would definitely be a second mistake.” IfsCountryUnitedMistakeIraqAbandonSovereign Author:Vladimir Putin
“A country in which the people are not healthy physically and psychologically, are poorly educated and illiterate, will never rise to the peaks of world civilization.” PeopleWorldCountryCivilizationHealthyEducatedProvocativeIlliterate Author:Vladimir Putin
