Vladimir Putin Quotes

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.

Russia is a part of European culture. Therefore, it is with difficulty that I imagine NATO as an enemy.

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.

No references to the need to fight terror can be an argument for restricting human rights.

Nobody should pin their hopes on a miracle.

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.

The path towards a free society has not been simple. There are tragic and glorious pages in our history.

We shall fight against them, throw them in prisons and destroy them.

To pay more is the easy way. In fact, the solution possibilities to the problem are many.

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.

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.

I think the American people should express their preferences, and we`ll accept their choice.

Russia needs a strong state power and must have it. But I am not calling for totalitarianism.

Nobody and nothing will stop Russia on the road to strengthening democracy and ensuring human rights and freedoms.

Anyone who doesn`t regret the passing of the Soviet Union has no heart. Anyone who wants it restored has no brains.

The strengthening of our statehood is, at times, deliberately interpreted as authoritarianism.

The democratic choice Russian people made in the early 90`s is final.

You must obey the law, always, not only when they grab you by your special place.

Our aims are absolutely clear: They are a high living standard in the country and a secure, free and comfortable life.