“There are enough forces in the world that are afraid of our strength, “our hugeness,” as one of our sovereigns said. So, they seek to divide us into parts, this is a well-known fact. Look at what they did with Yugoslavia: they cut it into small pieces and are now manipulating everything that can be manipulated there, which is almost anything. Apparently, someone would like to do the same with us...” WorldWellsLooksSaidEnoughFactsForceKnownPiecesCuttingDividesWell KnownSmall PiecesYugoslavia Author:Vladimir Putin
“Crimea has always been and remains Russian, as well as Ukrainian, Crimean-Tatar, Greek (after all, there are Greeks living there) and German - and it will be home to all of those peoples. As for state affiliation, the people living in Crimea made their choice; it should be treated with respect, and Russia cannot do otherwise. I hope that our neighbouring and distant partners will ultimately treat this the same way, since in this case, the highest criteria used to establish the truth can only be the opinion of the people themselves.” PeopleWayShouldWellsMadeStatesHomeUsedChoicesOpinionCasesHighestTreatsRemainsPartnersRussiaTreatedGreekCriteriaUkrainianAffiliationCrimea Author:Vladimir Putin
“The United Nations remains the sole universal international organisation designed to maintain global peace. And in this sense it has no alternative today. It is also apparent that it should adapt to the ever-changing world, which we discuss all the time: how it should evolve and at what rate, which components should undergo qualitative changes. Of course, I will have to or rather should use this international platform to explain Russia's vision of today's international relations, as well as the future of this organisation and the global community.” WorldShouldWellsUseTodayCoursesNationsCommunityUnitedVisionUniversalRelationRemainsRateInternationalRussiaAlternativesEvolveSolePlatformsUnited NationsComponentsInternational RelationsOrganisationQualitativeGlobal CommunityGlobal Peace 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
“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
“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
“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
“Addressing issues, including controversial ones, as well as domestic issues of the former Soviet Republics through the so-called coloured revolutions, through coups and unconstitutional means of toppling the current government. That is absolutely unacceptable.” WellsMeanGovernmentIssuesRevolutionIncludingCurrentsFormerRepublicSovietControversialCoupsUnconstitutional Author:Vladimir Putin
“When people communicate freely, when labour force, goods, services and funds move freely as well, when there are no state dividing lines and when we have common legal regulation, for example, in the social sphere - all that is good enough, people should feel free.” PeopleFeelsShouldWellsStatesEnoughMovingForceSocialLinesCommonExampleCommunicateLabourFundGoodsGood EnoughSpheresRegulationDividing 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
“Let's recall Bosnia in 1995. As we know well, the European peacekeeping contingent, represented by the Dutch troops, did not want to get involved with one of the attacking sides, and allowed it to destroy a whole village. Hundreds of people were killed or injured. The tragedy in Srebrenica is well known in Europe.” PeopleKnowsWantWellsWholeSidesKnownInvolvedEuropeTragedyVillageTroopsRecallsWell KnownGet InvolvedAttackingInjuredDutchPeacekeepingBosnia 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
“How was Kosovo recognized? They forgot about the territorial integrity of a state, as well as UN Security Council Resolution 1244, which they had themselves adopted and supported. Why could it have been done there, but not in Abkhazia and South Ossetia? Why not?” WellsHas BeensStatesDoneSecurityIntegritySouthResolutionWhy NotAdoptedCouncilTerritorialSecurity CouncilKosovo Author:Vladimir Putin
“The Chancellor [Angela Merkel] and the European partners would be well-advised to address the problems in eastern Ukraine more thoroughly. Maybe they have too many domestic problems of their own at the moment.” WellsMomentsProblemWould BePartnersAddressesEasternUkraineAngela 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
“The aviation industry, including combat air force, has been traditionally developing here. It is the Russian Far East where the SU aircraft, which are well known worldwide, are manufactured.” WellsHas BeensForceKnownAirIndustryIncludingEastDevelopingAviationCombatWell KnownAir ForceAircraft 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
“We are actively preparing a partial privatization of Rosneft itself. It is the best proof that our major plans have remained unchanged. Another example would be one of the largest Russian diamond mining companies in the world. We are privatizing part of our stake in that as well.” WorldWellsWould BeCompanyPlansExampleMajorsProofStakesDiamondPreparingMiningPrivatization Author:Vladimir Putin
“We are working in other areas [like ALROSA] as well, so there are no radical changes to our position. It is not the case when we have to, as we say, make a lot of fuss about it. In other words, we do not have to be obsessed with privatizing immediately and at any cost.” WellsCasesPositionCostAreasRadicalObsessedRadical Change Author:Vladimir Putin
“There are many issues in the global economy in general and in the western economy as well: population ageing, drop in labour productivity growth rates. This is obvious. The overall demographic situation is very complicated.” WellsGrowthSituationEconomyIssuesWesternRatePopulationObviousComplicatedProductivityLabourAgeingDemographicsGlobal Economy Author:Vladimir Putin
“They [leaders in Western Europe] do not misuse financial instruments, financial injections, but, first of all, seek structural change. This is urgent for our economy as well, maybe even more urgent bearing in mind the problem that we cannot yet deal with, namely the prevalence of the oil and gas sector in the Russian Federation and, as a result, dependence on revenue from oil and gas.” MindFirstsWellsProblemResultsDealsLeaderEconomyEuropeInstrumentsWesternFinancialOilGasDependenceRevenueUrgentMisuseFederationOil And GasInjectionWestern Europe 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
“My position is that the rate should align with the level of economic development. Because it is always about a balance, a balance of interests, and it should reflect this balance. A balance between those who sell something across the border and those who benefit from a low rate, as well as a balance between the interests of those who buy, who need the rate to be higher. A balance between national producers, for example, agricultural producers who are interested in it.” NeedsShouldWellsInterestLevelsEconomicExamplePositionDevelopmentBalanceHigherBenefitsLowsSellsRateProducersBordersEconomic Development Author:Vladimir Putin
“I know very well about the necessary level of reserves of the Central Bank as well as the purpose.” KnowsWellsPurposeLevelsReservesCentral Banks Author:Vladimir Putin
“Mrs. [Hillary] Clinton is focusing on a different part of the voters trying to influence them in her own way as well; so they attack each other [with Donald Trump].” WayTryingWellsDifferentInfluenceTrumpClintonVoters 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
“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
“I have a huge interest in Japan, which is well known, including its history and culture, and so it will be very interesting for me to see and learn more about Japan.” WellsCultureInterestInterestingKnownHugeIncludingJapanWell KnownVery InterestingHistory And Culture Author:Vladimir Putin
“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
“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 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
“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
“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
“One of the most important tasks is to broaden the energy supply ... Energy determines today international security and social as well as economic development in many respects. In reality the wellbeing of millions of people is directly dependent in energy security.” PeopleWellsImportantRealityTodayEnergySocialMillionsEconomicSecurityDevelopmentTasksInternationalDetermineDependentNational SecurityWellbeingEconomic DevelopmentEnergy Security 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
“Their [the U.S.’s] defense budget in absolute figures is almost 25 times bigger than Russia’s. This is what in defense is referred to as ‘their home — their fortress.’ And good for them, I say. Well done!” WellsDoneHomeFiguresBiggerAbsolutesDefenseRussiaBudgetsProvocativeWell DoneFortresses Author:Vladimir Putin
“We must create the conditions for immigrants to normally integrate into our society, learn Russian and, of course, respect our culture and traditions and abide by Russian law. In this regard, I believe that the decision to make learning the Russian language compulsory and administer exams is well grounded. To do so, we will need to carry out major organisational work and introduce corresponding legislative amendments.” NeedsBelieveWellsLawCultureCoursesLanguageI BelieveDecisionConditionsMajorsTraditionRegardOur SocietyImmigrantsAmendmentsIntroducingGroundedIntegratingExamCorrespondingCompulsoryCultures And TraditionsRussian Language Author:Vladimir Putin
