The Russians have turned out to be the largest divided nation in the world nowadays. Is that not a problem?
Vladimir PutinPolitical activities in Russia should be as transparent as possible. Financing political activities from abroad is something the state should keep an eye on.
Vladimir PutinAmerica's development began with a large-scale ethnic cleansing, unprecedented in human history.
Vladimir PutinOur aims are absolutely clear: They are a high living standard in the country and a secure, free and comfortable life.
Vladimir PutinWe negotiated the construction of a gas pipeline system along the bottom of the Black Sea to Bulgaria. We signed certain treaties of a technical nature, contracts for laying the gas pipeline. And then Bulgaria created such conditions that the project's implementation became impossible, which was obviously against its own national interests. The former Bulgarian leadership was, in fact, aware of that and acknowledged it. But we trusted them when we were launching that project. We sustained losses amounting to millions, several million dollars. We would not want to get into such situations.
Vladimir PutinAny country is hard to govern, even a very small country. It's not a question of whether the country is large or small. It's a question of how you relate to the work, to what extent you feel responsible for it. Russia is also hard to govern. Russia is at the development stage of both its political system and the creation of a market-based economy. It's a complicated process, but very interesting. Russia, actually, is not just a large country, it's a great country. I mean its traditions, and its cultural particularities.
Vladimir Putin