“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
“Under the international agreements, the Russian peacekeepers are committed to protect the population of South Ossetia.” ProtectSouthInternationalPopulationCommittedAgreementPeacekeepers 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
“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
“The Crimea is not a disputed territory. Unlike the case of Georgia and South Ossetia, there has been no ethnic conflict there.” Has BeensCasesConflictSouthTerritoryGeorgiaEthnic ConflictCrimea 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
“There are complicated processes going on in society in the Crimea. There are problems of the Crimean Tatars, the Ukrainian population, the Russian population, the Slavic population in general, but this is Ukraine's domestic political problem.” ProblemPoliticalProcessPopulationComplicatedUkraineUkrainianCrimea Author:Vladimir Putin
“Whoever is the first to cry "Stop the thief" is the one who is guilty.” FirstsCryGuiltyThieves 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