We will not allow the past to drag us down and stop us from moving ahead. We understand where we should move. Vladimir Putin More Quotes by Vladimir Putin More Quotes From Vladimir Putin Stalin is the most popular figure in all of Russia. Vladimir Putin russiafigures Kiev's attempts to exert economic pressure on Donbas (region of east Ukraine) and disrupt its daily life only aggravates the situation. This is a dead-end track, fraught with a big catastrophe. Vladimir Putin ukrainetracklife Prisons where people can't even work is the worst punishment you can think of. And I don't think we should put all convicts in such facilities where people are deprived of their freedom. Vladimir Putin punishmentpeoplethinking Some Western politicians are already threatening us with not just sanctions, but also the prospect of increasingly serious problems on the domestic front. I would like to know what it is they have in mind exactly: action by a fifth column, this disparate bunch of 'national traitors', or are they hoping to put us in a worsening social and economic situation so as to provoke public discontent? We consider such statements irresponsible and clearly aggressive in tone, and we will respond to them accordingly. Vladimir Putin threatening-uspowerfulmind 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! Vladimir Putin russiaseamoving However, there is a fundamental difference between the issue related to Japan's history and our negotiations with China. What is it all about? The Japanese issue resulted from World War II and is stipulated in the international instruments on the outcomes of World War II, while our discussions on border issues with our Chinese counterparts have nothing to do with World War II or any other military conflicts. This is the first, or rather, I should say, the second point. Vladimir Putin japanmilitarywar The European Union's enlargement is part of the natural process of integration and globalisation that is underway in the world today. Vladimir Putin enlargementunionsworld 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. Vladimir Putin russiacommunitycountry 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. Vladimir Putin russiaeuropecountry Economic crimes are complex in nature, difficult to untangle, and they must be investigated according to the procedures set by the law. Vladimir Putin economiccrimelaw I assure you that interest in Japanese culture in Russia is just as strong as interest in Russian culture in Japan. Vladimir Putin japanrussiastrong International terrorists have proved quite skilled at misleading many people about what is actually happening here in the Caucasus, and they continue to mislead people today. Vladimir Putin caucasustodaypeople The reputation of those countries which cater to the foreign policy interests of other states at the expense of their own national interests will go down regardless of how they explain their actions. Vladimir Putin reputationactioncountry International terrorists who pursue completely mad objectives such as establishing a world caliphate or something of the sort, are quite adept at disguising their real aims as a struggle for independence in Chechnya. Vladimir Putin madrealstruggle America is a powerful country and it has earned the right that nobody from the outside can interfere with it or comment on it. We will work with any administration, with any president who will win the support of the American people, if of course they are ready to cooperate with Russia. Vladimir Putin powerfulwinningcountry The basic principles of democracy should be observed whatever the country - principles such as civil liberties, a free market, a free press, the priority of the individual over mythical state interests, a state which serves the interests of ordinary people and defends their rights and interests. This is all easy to say but hard to make reality. Vladimir Putin rightscountryreality 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. Vladimir Putin fightingrealintegrity Everyone must be equal before the law, abide by it, pay their taxes and bear the punishment should they break the law. Vladimir Putin punishmentlawpay 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. Vladimir Putin good-friendrussiafriendly At some point a few years ago Japan unilaterally stopped those talks and broke off contacts with us. It was not we who broke off contacts with Japan, it was the Japanese side that broke off contacts with us. Vladimir Putin japansidesyears
