Russia always has been, and I hope always will be, one of the leading international sports countries. Our athletes still produce great results in international competition, set new records and win gold medals. Yes, like any country, we might have experienced certain ups and downs with regard to results, but in no way does this cast any doubt on Russia's status as one of the leading countries in sport.
Vladimir PutinJust take Kosovo: back then, UN bodies decided that Kosovo should become independent of Serbia and that the interests of Serbia's central government had to be subordinated. You can read that in all the records, also in the German ones.
Vladimir PutinI would like to assure you that there is no organization or any sort of repression against people who donโt agree with our actions, for example in Ukraine, Crimea, or any other external issue, no one from official government organs do this.
Vladimir Putin