“At no time in the past, now or in the future has or will Russia take any part in actions aimed at overthrowing the legitimate government. I'm talking about something else right now - when someone does this, the outcome is very negative. Libya's state is disintegrated, Iraq's territory is flooded with terrorists, it looks like the scenario will be the same for Syria, and you know what the situation is in Afghanistan.” KnowsLooksDoeStatesGovernmentActionPastTalkingSituationRight NowNegativeIraqTerroristRussiaOutcomesTerritoryAfghanistanSyriaScenariosLibyaLegitimate Government Author:Vladimir Putin
“I think that both Russia and other international actors, including those who are more actively engaged in the resolution of the Ukrainian crisis (that is the Federal Republic of Germany and France, the so-called Normandy Quartet, certainly, with close involvement of the United States, and we have intensified our dialogue on this issue), we should all be committed to the full and unconditional implementation of the agreements that were achieved in Minsk. The Minsk Agreements have to be implemented.” ThinkingShouldStatesActorsUnitedUnited StatesIssuesCrisisIncludingInternationalCommittedRussiaDialogueFranceEngagedGermanyAgreementResolutionRepublicUnconditionalInvolvementImplementationQuartetsUkrainianNormandy Author:Vladimir Putin
“Somebody is always suspecting Russia of having some ambitions, there are always those who are trying to misinterpret us or keep something back.” TryingAmbitionRussia 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
“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
“Sanctions against such country as Russia are unlikely to be effective.” CountryRussiaUnlikelySanctions Author:Vladimir Putin
“Russia should be an effective and competitive state with a sustainable economy, developed social and political system flexible to changes domestically and globally.” ShouldStatesPoliticalSocialEconomyRussiaFlexiblePolitical Systems Author:Vladimir Putin
“Russia should be competitive, be able to protect its own interests and influence the processes that are important to it.” ShouldImportantAbleProcessInterestInfluenceProtectRussia Author:Vladimir Putin
“It is my greatest desire, I want the people in Russia to be happy and I want our partners around the world to seek to develop relations with Russia.” PeopleWorldWantDesireRelationPartnersRussiaAround The World 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
“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
“The fight against terrorism is something very real and practical for us. This is a fight to preserve our territorial integrity, and in this sense we need to have the instruments and create an environment in Russia that would make it impossible for the international terrorist organisations to achieve the aims they have set for themselves here.” NeedsRealFightingEnvironmentImpossibleAchieveIntegrityAimInstrumentsInternationalTerrorismTerroristRussiaPracticalsPreservesOrganisationTerritorial Author:Vladimir Putin
“It's not considered polite in Russia to count the money in someone else's pocket.” RussiaPocketsPolite 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
“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
“After the unlawful decision to recognize Kosovo, everyone expected Russia to respond by recognizing the independence and sovereignty of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. This is true, this is how it was. Everyone was waiting for Russia's decision. And we had the moral right to make it but we did not. We were more than restrained. I don't even want to comment on it. In truth, we "swallowed" it.” WantWaitingDecisionMoralIndependenceSouthExpectedRussiaCommentSovereigntyRecognizingUnlawfulKosovo Author:Vladimir Putin
“Russia has long recognized the borders of today's Ukraine. By and large, we have completed our talks on the border. Now we have to deal with the demarcation, but this is a technical issue.” LongTodayDealsIssuesRussiaBordersUkraine Author:Vladimir Putin
“Speaking seriously, Russia does not want to aggravate relations with anyone. We don't want any tensions. We want a good, friendly partnership with everyone.” WantDoeRelationRussiaTensionFriendlyPartnershipGood Friend Author:Vladimir Putin
“A foreign threat is useful to put things in order in one's own camp, to make one's allies follow the bloc discipline. Iran does not fit this role too well, and it is very tempting to revive Russia's image of the enemy. But nobody in Europe is afraid anymore.” WellsDoeOrderEnemyRolesDisciplineFitEuropeThreatRussiaIranAlliesCampsTemptingRevive Author:Vladimir Putin
“Russia is a very reliable and big market. I don't remember the figure but, for example, the German machine-building industry has been increasing its supplies to Russia every year. These supplies are huge. Does someone want to discontinue these supplies? We'll buy from somebody else.” WantYearsDoeHas BeensBigsRememberFiguresExampleBuildingHugeIndustryMachinesRussiaSupplies 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 had a very good situation in 2005. The common budget had a volume of 80 billion dollars per year. Thousands of jobs were created in Germany by Russian investments. At the same time, a large number of German companies invested in Russia. There were countless cultural and social contacts.” YearsJobsSocialCommonNumbersCompanySituationDollarsInvestmentVery GoodBillionsRussiaContactBudgetsGermanyVolumeLarge Numbers Author:Vladimir Putin
“In the referendum - which was still decided to take place by the Crimea's old parliament - the majority of citizens voted for belonging to Russia. This is democracy, the people's will.” PeopleStillsDemocracyCitizensDecidedMajorityRussiaBelongingParliamentReferendumsCrimea Author:Vladimir Putin
“Napoleon once said that justice is the incarnation of God on Earth. I'm telling you: the reunification of Crimea and Russia is just.” SaidEarthJusticeRussiaIncarnationCrimeaReunification Author:Vladimir Putin
“The West's sanctions are not aimed at helping Ukraine, but at geo-politically pushing Russia back. They are foolish and are merely harming both sides.” HelpingSidesWestFoolishRussiaPushingBoth SidesUkraineSanctions 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
“The constitutional reform is supposed to give autonomy to eastern Ukraine and to be adopted by the end of 2015. This has not happened, and the year is over. That's not Russia's fault.” GivingYearsEndsHappenedFaultsRussiaReformEasternAdoptedAutonomyUkraine Author:Vladimir Putin
“Russia hosts a lot of forums, including the International Economic Forum in St Petersburg, [usually in the beginning of summer], as well as the Economic Forum in Sochi.” WellsEconomicSummerIncludingInternationalRussiaHostForumsSochi Author:Vladimir Putin
“The Far East is of particular significance for us in terms of this region's priority development. Over the last few years, let us say even over the last decades, we were faced with many problems here. We paid little attention to this territory although it deserves a lot more of it, because it concentrates great wealth as well as opportunities for Russia's future development.” YearsWellsLittlesProblemLastsOpportunityTermWealthAttentionParticularDevelopmentDeservePaidEastDecadesPrioritiesRussiaRegionsSignificanceTerritoryFuture Development Author:Vladimir Putin
“When we talk about the Far East we usually mean the Far East itself, including Primorye Territory, Khabarovsk Territory, Kamchatka, and Chukotka, as well as Eastern Siberia. All this area contains tremendous resources, including oil and gas, 90 percent of Russian tin, 30 percent of Russian gold, 35 percent of forest, 70 percent of Russia's fish is harvested in the local waters.” WellsMeanWaterPercentResourcesAreasGoldIncludingFishesOilEastRussiaLocalsForestsGasTerritoryEasternTinOil And GasSiberia Author:Vladimir Putin
“We handed over nothing, those territories [Tarabarov Island to China] were disputed and we have been negotiating this issue with the People's Republic of China, let me stress that, for 40 years, and finally managed to come to an agreement. One part of the territory was assigned to Russia, while another part - to the People's Republic of China.” PeopleYearsHas BeensIssuesLet MeStressChinaRussiaIslandsAgreementRepublicTerritoryNegotiating 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
“Russia and China also cooperate in mechanical engineering, high-speed railway transportation, lumber processing, nuclear energy production and so on. We have built the Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant. Two units are already operational and are showing good results.” TwoEnergyResultsBuiltPlantProductionsChinaSpeedNuclearRussiaEngineeringUnitsTransportationProcessingRailwayNuclear PowerHigh SpeedPower PlantsNuclear EnergyLumberEnergy Production Author:Vladimir Putin
“I would like to repeat: I know absolutely nothing about [hacker's attacks], and Russia has never done anything like this at the State level.” KnowsStatesDoneLevelsRussiaRepeatsAbsolutely NothingHackers Author:Vladimir Putin
“We can tell the general public that the gold and foreign currency reserves of the Central Bank are not designed to finance the economy, but rather to ensure foreign trade turnover. Therefore, we need this level to be able to provide the necessary foreign trade turnover for such an economy as Russia's for a period of at least three months.” NeedsAbleThreeLevelsEconomyMonthsPeriodsGoldTradeRussiaFinanceCurrencyReservesThree MonthsCentral BanksGeneral PublicTurnoverForeign Trade Author:Vladimir Putin
“We always welcome when somebody says he or she is ready to work with Russia.” ReadyRussiaWelcome Author:Vladimir Putin
“As for the criticism we receive, you know, even Mr. [Donald] Trump's team criticize us. For instance, one of the participants or members of his team claimed that Russia was giving money to the Clintons through some funds and that in fact Russia is controlling the Clinton family. This is nonsense.” KnowsGivingFactsTeamTrumpMembersCriticismClintonRussiaInstanceNonsenseFundCriticizeParticipantsGiving Money Author:Vladimir Putin
“I do not even know where Bill Clinton delivered his speech and I know nothing about any funds. Both parties simply use it as a tool in their internal political contention, and I am sure it is a bad thing. But again, we welcome the fact that somebody expresses readiness to work with Russia whatever the name of that person.” KnowsPersonsFactsUsePoliticalNamesPartySpeechToolsBillsClintonRussiaWelcomeInternalsFundBad ThingsReadinessContention 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
“Unfortunately, the relations between the United Kingdom and Russia have not developed in the best possible way; however, it has never been our fault. It was not we who decided to discontinue relations with the United Kingdom; it was the UK who preferred to "freeze" our bilateral contacts in various fields.” WayUnitedFieldsDecidedRelationFaultsVariousRussiaKingdomsContactFreezeUnited Kingdom Author:Vladimir Putin
“Speaking about our largest oil company Rosneft, and I recalled in the beginning that almost 20 percent of it [19.7] belongs to BP. Who's company is that? British Petroleum, isn't it? I suppose that is not bad. I have to tell that British Petroleum's capitalization is significantly related to the fact that it owns more than 19 percent of Rosneft, which has vast oil reserves both in Russia and abroad. This has its impact on the company's stability as well.” WellsFactsCompanyPercentImpactBritishOilRussiaRelatedStabilityReservesOil CompaniesPetroleumCapitalization Author:Vladimir Putin
“Britain is leaving and has de facto left the European Union; however, it has not withdrawn from its special relationship with the United States and I believe that the UK's relations with Russia depend on Britain's special relationship with the United States rather than on its presence in or absence from the European Union.” BelieveStatesLeftI BelieveUnitedUnited StatesSpecialDependsRelationUnionsLeavingAbsenceRussiaBritainEuropean UnionSpecial Relationship 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
“It is 60 years since the restoration of diplomatic relations, but relations between Japan and Russia have much deeper roots. In all, our diplomatic ties date back 150 years, more than 150 years now.” YearsRootsRelationDeeperRussiaTiesJapanRestorationDiplomaticDiplomatic Relations Author:Vladimir Putin
“Therefore, I do not think we should go only 60 years back but should look deeper, centuries back. Maybe this will give us [Russia and Japan] an opportunity to look at the future from a more remote perspective.” ThinkingGivingShouldYearsLooksOpportunityCenturyPerspectiveDeeperRussiaJapan 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
