Putin wants to stay in power, but not so that he can finally solve our most pressing problems: education, health care, poverty.

For the first time ever, we have confronted in reality the sinister power of uncontrolled nuclear energy.

Humankind has no option but to protect and live in harmony with its natural environment. However, it would be regrettable if in putting an end to revolutionary extremism, we should then come to environmental extremism. We should not forget that all extremes are the same.

Every part of our program of perestroika - and the program as a whole, for that matter - is fully based on the principle of more socialism and more democracy.

Sometimes its difficult to accept, to recognise ones own mistakes, but one must do it. I was guilty of overconfidence and arrogance, and I was punished for that.

My goal was to avoid bloodshed. But unfortunately there was some bloodshed, after all.

A new world order is taking shape so fast that governments as well as private citizens find it difficult just to absorb the gallop of events.