VLADIMIR PUTIN
ARCHIVE OF THE OFFICIAL SITE
OF THE 2008-2012 PRIME MINISTER
OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
VLADIMIR PUTIN
ARCHIVE OF THE OFFICIAL SITE
OF THE 2008-2012 PRIME MINISTER
OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
VLADIMIR PUTIN
Transcript of Vladimir Putin's speech at the state funeral:
First of all, I would like to offer my sincere condolences to everyone close to Mr Chernomyrdin, his family and friends.
Mr Chernomyrdin was undoubtedly a very bright and talented person. He was able to find success in whatever task he took upon himself. It was clear that he was a solid, reliable person.
In 1992, during the most difficult period of Russian history, Viktor Chernomyrdin was head of the government. We can only imagine the kind of emotional and physical burdens that were on him then.
Mr Chernomyrdin looked into everything himself and he knew everyone by name – Duma deputies, ministers, and governors. And he was not only limited to his own area of expertise, the so-called real economy. His government pursued very complex, challenging reforms. He always took responsibility for his actions and never shirked his responsibilities.
I will never forget the conversation we had before a trip he made to Kiev, and I remember how he told me, "If you had suggested that I go to America or become a minister, of course, I would have refused. But Ukraine is very important for Russia, so I'm going."
He did not have a superiority complex and he was never arrogant over his achievements. He simply worked, and worked well and efficiently.
We will miss Mr Chernomyrdin, and we will preserve his memory in our hearts and deeds. Mr Chernomyrdin is certainly an example to all of us, in how he served his cause, his country, and his people.
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After the state funeral, Vladimir Putin attended the burial service for Viktor Chernomyrdin at Assumption Cathedral of the Novodevichy Convent and then the burial in Novodevichy Cemetery.
