Vladimir Putin

In accordance with the Constitution of the Russian Federation, the issues of foreign policy and defense are fully in the hands of the president.

China is a great country with a great culture, populated by fascinating, industrious and talented people.

I have always reacted negatively to those who with their snotty noses and erotic fantasies prowl into others’ lives.

With regards to big business, I spoke about this a few years ago at one of the public meetings with our business leaders. I warned them that this situation, which we see today, could develop. I warned them about this and recommended at the time that our business keeps its capital in Russia.

You need to put drones under control; you need to lay out certain rules of engagement in order to prevent or minimize collateral casualties. It is extremely important.

This is a sad negative element of the U.S. political system. One can argue, but one should not show disrespect, not even to him personally, but also to the people who voted for him.

According to polls released by the Brookings Institution in August [2011], some Arabs agree with Washington and western commentators that Iran is a threat: 10%. In contrast, they regard the US and Israel as the major threats (77%; 88%).

No government power can be abused long. Mankind will not bear it. There is a remedy in human nature against tyranny, that will keep us safe under every form of government.

It is true that liberty is precious; so precious that it must be carefully rationed.

Where in the world have you seen construction people who do everything on time, with good quality and at minimal prices? Just give me one country like that. A country like that doesn’t exist in the world, you know. There’s not one such country anywhere in the world.

This transformation of competition into monopoly is one of the most important-if not the most important-phenomena of modern capitalist economy.

Attention, must be devoted principally to raising the workers to the level of revolutionaries; it is not our task to descend to the level of the ‘working masses’.

You can do a lot more with weapons and politeness than just politeness.

Nobody believes the official spokesman… but everybody trusts an unidentified source.

I would like to draw your attention to the fact that in Russia, unlike in one third of the world’s countries, being gay is not a crime.

It is necessary sometimes to take one step backward to take two steps forward.

To confront power is costly and difficult; high standards of evidence and argument are imposed, and critical analysis is naturally not welcomed by those who are in a position to react vigorously and to determine the array of rewards and punishments.

The United States has overstepped its borders in all spheres – economic, political and humanitarian – and has imposed itself on other states.

There is a chance that we could end up having a major, major conflict with North Korea. Absolutely.

But I was amazed at how organized the Palestinian election authority was, how competent they were in setting up their polling places and the poll workers they had.

It is more pleasant and useful to go through the ‘experience of the revolution’ than to write about it.