We're talking specifically about Syria and we are not talking about achieving foreign policy goals or about satisfying our ambitions ... but exclusively about the national interests of the Russian Federation. Sergei Ivanov More Quotes by Sergei Ivanov More Quotes From Sergei Ivanov Moscow has been helping the Northern Alliance because "the Taliban was openly supported by Pakistan... until last week, Pakistani servicemen had taken part in war operations on the Taliban side. Sergei Ivanov pakistantakenwar It is painful to talk about it, but even with its 110,000 elite soldiers, the Soviet Union never managed to gain control over the entire Afghan territory. Sergei Ivanov unionsterritorysoldier The Baltic countries are sovereign nations. They have the right to decide which military and political bloc they want to be a part of. Sergei Ivanov politicalmilitarycountry Russia sees itself as a country that is self-sufficient. Sergei Ivanov russiaselfcountry Because of its huge territory, Russia must devote a great deal of attention to security. Sergei Ivanov territoryrussiaattention When it comes to culture, religion and mentality, most Russians identify with Europe. Sergei Ivanov culture-religioneuropeculture We have put the Cold War behind us. We no longer count our divisions and our warheads. And I am Russia's first civilian defense minister in many centuries. We have become more pragmatic. Sergei Ivanov russiadefensewar
