Anyone who doesn't regret the passing of the Soviet Union has no heart. Anyone who wants it restored has no brains.
History proves that all dictatorships, all authoritarian forms of government are transient. Only democratic systems are not transient. Whatever the shortcomings, mankind has not devised anything superior.
I am addressing you because you have conferred on me the highest post in the country.
I can only feel joy that the American people did not itself to be intimidated, and made the most sensible decision.
I think the American people should express their preferences, and we'll accept their choice.
My sacred duty is to bring together the Russian people, unite the people around clear tasks. We have one Fatherland, one people and a common future.
No references to the need to fight terror can be an argument for restricting human rights.
Nobody and nothing will stop Russia on the road to strengthening democracy and ensuring human rights and freedoms.
Nobody should pin their hopes on a miracle.
Our aims are absolutely clear: They are a high living standard in the country and a secure, free and comfortable life.
Professionals should do their job, and politicos should not be engaged in scoring points here because of the tragedy.
Russia is a part of European culture. Therefore, it is with difficulty that I imagine NATO as an enemy.
Russia needs a strong state power and must have it. But I am not calling for totalitarianism.
Russia will not soon become, if it ever becomes, a second copy of the United States or England - where liberal value have deep historic roots.
Terrorism has once again shown it is prepared deliberately to stop at nothing in creating human victims. An end must be put to this. As never before, it is vital to unite forces of the entire world community against terror.
The democratic choice Russian people made in the early 90's is final.
The path towards a free society has not been simple. There are tragic and glorious pages in our history.
The strengthening of our statehood is, at times, deliberately interpreted as authoritarianism.
To pay more is the easy way. In fact, the solution possibilities to the problem are many.
We don't need a weakened government but a strong government that would take responsibility for the rights of the individual and care for the society as a whole.
We favor resolving the issue (of Iraqi disarmament) by peaceful means... (A US-led war) would be a mistake with the most serious consequences, leading to casualties and the destabilization of the international situation as a whole.
We shall fight against them, throw them in prisons and destroy them.
You must obey the law, always, not only when they grab you by your special place.
He is a skilled equestrian.
In 1975, he graduated from Leningrad State University.
He has two daughters, Katya and Masha.
He got married to Ludmilla Shkrebneva on July 28, 1983.
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