“If you are a Christian, you are in danger. If you decided to abandon your faith and become an atheist, you also are to be liquidated according to their concept. You are in danger if you decide to become a Muslim. It is not going to save you anyway because they believe traditional Islam is hostile to their goals.” IfsChristianReligionConditionsDangerIslamAtheistTerroristObjectivesTraditional Author:Vladimir Putin
“If NATO troops walk in Crimea, they will immediately deploy their forces there. Such a move would be geopolitically sensitive for us because, in this case, Russia would be practically ousted from the Black Sea area. We'd be left with just a small coastline of 450 or 600km, and that's it!” IfsWould BeMovingLeftForceBlackWalksCasesSeaAreasRussiaSensitiveTroopsNatoCrimeaCoastline Author:Vladimir Putin
“Berlusconi is being tried because he lives with women. If he was homosexual, no one would have lifted a finger against him.” IfsFacesGayLaysFingersTrialsBeddingBerlusconi 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
“I hope that the responsible figures in the Ukrainian leadership will not hinder soldiers in the Ukrainian army from putting down their weapons, if they aren't capable of taking that decision themselves and giving that order, then I hope that they won't prosecute people who want to save their lives and the lives of others.” PeopleIfsWantGivingOrderLeadershipDecisionFiguresWeaponsCapableArmyResponsibleSoldierHinderLives Of OthersUkrainian 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
“If Russia's interests and security are threatened, Russia will resist. Everyone needs to know that.” IfsKnowsNeedsInterestSecurityRussiaThreatened Author:Vladimir Putin
“Even if states sometimes have problems with each other, arts and sports should not suffer from that. Arts and sports are there to bring the people together - and not to divide them.” PeopleIfsShouldArtSometimesStatesProblemTogetherSufferingSportsDivides Author:Vladimir Putin
“The UN platform was created precisely for this, to seek compromise, to communicate with one another. So it will definitely be nice if we make use of this platform.” IfsUseNiceCommunicateCompromisePlatformsBeing Nice Author:Vladimir Putin
“How long has it taken the democratic process to develop in the United States? Since it was founded. So, do you think that as regards democracy everything is settled now in America? If this were so, there would be no Ferguson issue, right? There would be no other issues of similar kind, there would be no police abuse. Our goal is to see all these issues and respond to them timely and properly. The same applies to Russia. We also have a lot of problems.” IfsThinkingKindLongStatesProblemWould BeAmericaProcessGoalUnitedUnited StatesDemocracyIssuesTakenAbusePoliceRegardDemocraticRussiaTimelyDemocratic ProcessFerguson 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
“I assume most people trust me, if they vote for me in elections. And it is the most important thing. It places great responsibility on me, immense responsibility. I am grateful to the people for that trust, but I surely feel great responsibility for what I do and for the result of my work.” PeopleIfsFeelsImportantResultsResponsibilityVoteElectionGratefulImportant ThingsAssumingImmenseTrust MeI Am GratefulGreat ResponsibilityVote For Me Author:Vladimir Putin
“How can I be a gangster, if I worked for the KGB? It is absolutely ridiculous.” IfsRidiculousGangstersKgb Author:Vladimir Putin
“It is well known that homosexuality is a criminal offense in the United States, in four US states. If it is good or bad, we know the decision of the Constitutional Court, but this problem has not been dealt with yet, it is still being addressed by the legislation of the United States. This is not the case in Russia.” IfsKnowsWellsStillsStatesProblemDecisionUnitedKnownCasesUnited StatesFourCourtCriminalsRussiaOffenseHomosexualityLegislationWell Known Author:Vladimir Putin
“Personally, I think that children should be left alone, they should be given an opportunity to grow up, to become aware of themselves and decide themselves who they are: men or women, if they want to have a traditional or homosexual marriage.” IfsThinkingMenWantShouldChildrenOpportunityLeftGivenGrowsGrowing UpTraditionalHomosexualLeft AloneHomosexual Marriage Author:Vladimir Putin
“Do you think that it is possible to have a dialogue with the representatives of Lugansk and Donetsk if they all are being prosecuted and subject to criminal proceedings? That is exactly why the Minsk Agreements establish to adopt an amnesty law. However, it has not been adopted.” IfsThinkingLawSubjectsCriminalsDialogueAgreementRepresentativesAdoptedProceedingAmnesty Author:Vladimir Putin
“The Baltic republics have invented something totally new. Do you know what? They use the word 'non-citizens' for people who have been living for decades in the territory of Baltic states and have been deprived of a number of political rights. They cannot participate in the election campaigns; they have limited political and social rights. Everybody keeps quiet about it, as if this is the way it should be. Of course, this cannot but cause a certain reaction.” PeopleIfsKnowsWayShouldHas BeensStatesUsePoliticalCertainCoursesSocialCausesNumbersRightsCitizensQuietElectionDecadesCampaignsReactionsDo You KnowRepublicTerritoryDeprivedPolitical Rights Author:Vladimir Putin
“If somebody prefers to work by means of sanctions, he is welcome to do so. But sanctions are a temporary measure. Firstly, they contradict the international law. Secondly, tell me where this policy of sanctions proved to be effective. The answer is nowhere.” IfsMeanLawAnswersPolicyInternationalWelcomeTemporarySanctionsInternational Law 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
“This, for instance, is what Egon Bahr said on June 26, 1990: "If we do not now undertake clear steps to prevent a division of Europe, this will lead to Russia's isolation."Bahr, a wise man, had a very concrete suggestion as to how this danger could be averted.” IfsMenSaidStepsClearWiseDangerEuropeRussiaInstanceIsolationDivisionConcreteSuggestionsJune Author:Vladimir Putin
“[Egon] Bahr even said: If Russia agreed to the NATO expansion, he would never come to Moscow again.” IfsSaidRussiaExpansionNatoMoscow Author:Vladimir Putin
“We have made mistakes! We were too late. If we had presented our national interests more clearly from the beginning, the world would still be in balance today.” IfsWorldMadeStillsTodayInterestMistakeBalanceLateToo LateMade A MistakeNational Interests Author:Vladimir Putin
“Even if we do not always agree on every aspect, nobody should take this as an excuse to declare us as enemies.” IfsShouldEnemyAspectAgreeExcuse Author:Vladimir Putin
“I'm asking : if the Kosovars have the right to self-determination, why should people on Crimea not have it? I would say: everyone should comply with uniform international rules and not want to change them any time one feels like it.” PeopleIfsWantFeelsShouldSelfDeterminationAskingInternationalSelf DeterminationUniformsCrimea 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
“A very interesting and promising cluster has formed here [in the Russian Far East ], and we would be happy if our potential investors, our counterparts from abroad, first of all those from the Asia-Pacific region, knew more about it.” IfsFirstsWould BeInterestingEastRegionsInvestorsAsiaVery InterestingPacificCounterpartsClusters Author:Vladimir Putin
“Notably, it was only possible [ negotiating on the Tarabarov Island], and this is very important, due to the high level of trust Russia and China reached in their relations by that time. If we reach the same level of trust with Japan, we might be able to reach certain compromises.” IfsImportantMightAbleCertainLevelsRelationChinaDuesRussiaCompromiseIslandsJapanHigh LevelNegotiating Author:Vladimir Putin
“If someone is willing to reconsider the results of World War II, let us discuss this. But then we will have to discuss not only Kaliningrad, but also the eastern lands of Germany, the city of Lvov, a former part of Poland, and so on, and so forth. There are also Hungary and Romania on the list.” IfsWorldWarResultsCitiesLandWillingListsFormerWar Of The WorldsGermanyWorld War IiWorld War IEasternPolandHungaryRomania Author:Vladimir Putin
“If someone wants to open this Pandora's box and deal with it, all right, go for it then.” IfsWantDealsBoxesPandoraPandora's Box Author:Vladimir Putin
“If I said that oil production would collapse I was wrong.” IfsSaidProductionsOilCollapseOil Production 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
“The G20 was established as a forum to discuss, first and foremost, world economic issues. If we load it with... Of course, politics affects economic processes, this is obvious, but if we bring some squabbles, or not squabbles, rather, some matters that are really important but relate purely to world politics, we will overload the G20 agenda and instead of addressing such issues as finance, structural economic reforms, tax evasion and so forth, we will engage in endless debates concerning the Syrian crisis or some other global challenges, of which there are many, or the Middle East problem.” IfsWorldFirstsImportantMatterProblemCoursesProcessChallengesIssuesEconomicMiddleTaxesCrisisObviousEastDebateEndlessFinanceReformRelateAgendasMiddle EastLoadForumsEvasionOverloadEconomic IssuesSquabblesWorld PoliticsEconomic ReformsTax Evasion Author:Vladimir Putin
“If we speak about fundamental things, regulation of the rate is actually the function of the main regulator, namely the function of the Central Bank. And it should think of how the economy and industry react, but also of its fundamental tasks in order to ensure the stability of the rate.” IfsThinkingShouldOrderSpeakEconomyIndustryTasksFunctionFundamentalsRateStabilityRegulationCentral BanksRegulators Author:Vladimir Putin
“If everything stops functioning our level will be able to ensure our trade turnover using its gold and foreign currency reserves for at least six months or more, which is more than enough.” IfsEnoughAbleLevelsMonthsSixGoldTradeCurrencyReservesSix MonthsTurnover Author:Vladimir Putin
“All issues - purchasing and selling of currency - are related to the regulation of the national currency market. However, it is still difficult to say what will be the reaction of the Central Bank and if it would lead to increasing the gold and foreign currency reserves.” IfsStillsDifficultIssuesGoldReactionsSellingRelatedRegulationCurrencyReservesCentral BanksPurchasing Author:Vladimir Putin
“If anybody,wants to get rid of us, then this is a different approach. However, we will get over it; you never know who is going to lose more with such an approach.” IfsKnowsWantDifferentLosesApproachOver ItGet OverDifferent Approach Author:Vladimir Putin
“We will work with any Administration and with any President in whom the American people have placed their trust. That is, of course, if they wish to cooperate with Russia.” PeopleIfsCoursesWishPresidentRussiaAdministration Author:Vladimir Putin
“You too would prefer that Russia maintained good relations with both the United Kingdom and the United States, wouldn't you? I would prefer it as well. If anybody in the U.S. or in the United Kingdom says: "I would like to establish good partnership relations with Russia", then both of us, you and me, should welcome that. So should people like me and people like you. However, we have no idea yet what would actually happen after the elections [2016]. That is why I am telling you that we will work with any President designated as such by the American public.” PeopleIfsShouldWellsIdeasStatesHappensPresidentUnitedUnited StatesLike YouRelationElectionRussiaKingdomsLike MeWelcomeNo IdeaPartnershipUnited Kingdom 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
“If Britain pursues a more independent foreign policy, it might be possible then. And if it is guided by commitments to its allies and considers this to be of a bigger national interest than its cooperation with Russia, so be it.” IfsMightInterestPolicyCommitmentBiggerIndependentRussiaPursueBritainAlliesCooperationForeign PolicyNational Interests Author:Vladimir Putin
“The last time I was in Japan as President of Russia was 11 years ago, if memory serves. I later visited in my capacity as Prime Minister.” IfsYearsLastsPresidentMemoriesCapacityYears AgoRussiaMinistersJapanPrimeLast TimePrime Minister Author:Vladimir Putin
“Honestly, I do not even know whether this is on the visit itinerary, but if there is time, I would be pleased to go to Kodokan. For anyone interested in judo, who loves judo, Kodokan is a special place.” IfsKnowsWould BeSpecialHonestlySpecial PlacesJudo Author:Vladimir Putin
“Kodokan is, to a large degree, a trendsetter in the sport. This school trained outstanding masters and is a kind of Mecca for all judokas. Certainly, I would be pleased to visit, if time permits.” IfsKindWould BeSchoolSportsMastersDegreesPermitOutstandingMecca Author:Vladimir Putin
“You recalled the 1956 declaration, and this declaration established the rules that should be followed by both sides and that should be put into the foundation of a peace treaty. If you carefully read the text of this document, you will see that the declaration will take effect after we sign a peace treaty and the two islands [Kunashir and Shikotan] are transferred to Japan. It does not say on what terms they should be transferred and what side will exercise sovereignty over them.” IfsShouldDoeTwoSidesTermEffectsExerciseFoundationIslandsJapanDocumentsDeclarationBoth SidesSovereigntyTreatiesIf You CarePeace Treaties Author:Vladimir Putin
“I believe it is no secret that I like Japan very much - Japanese culture, sport, including judo, but it will not offend anyone if I say that I like Russia even more.” IfsBelieveCultureI BelieveSportsSecretIncludingRussiaJapanJudoJapanese Culture Author:Vladimir Putin
“I wish that in the course of my visit to places the Prime Minister [Shindzo Abe] calls home, all of a sudden, we would reach a clear understanding on how we can resolve the matters. We will be very glad if that happens. Are there any chances? Perhaps.” IfsMatterHomeHappensCoursesWishUnderstandingChanceClearGladMinistersResolvePrimePrime MinisterAbe Author:Vladimir Putin
“If we do it, if we work to achieve all this [cultural exchange with Japan], we can and should talk about joint efforts toward ensuring international security, and not only in the Far East.” IfsShouldEffortAchieveSecurityInternationalEastJapanNational SecurityJointsCultural ExchangeJoint Efforts Author:Vladimir Putin
“If we act together along these lines, we will create conditions, the conditions for trust that Shinzō Abe speaks about, so as to take another step and conclude a peace treaty on certain terms. However, first, it is essential to cover this part of the way and then agree on the terms for signing a peace treaty. Both are challenging tasks but they are feasible.” IfsWayFirstsTogetherCertainSpeakTermChallengesLinesStepsConditionsEssentialsTasksAgreeTreatiesSigningAbePeace Treaties 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
“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
