Anyone who doesn't regret the passing of the Soviet Union has no heart. Anyone who wants it restored has no brains.
Vladimir Putin

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.
Vladimir Putin

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

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

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

Nobody should pin their hopes on a miracle.
Vladimir Putin

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

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

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

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.
Vladimir Putin

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.
Vladimir Putin

The democratic choice Russian people made in the early 90's is final.
Vladimir Putin

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

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

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

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.
Vladimir Putin

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

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