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
“What we have heard in the preceding weeks and even months gives grounds for cautious optimism. We have heard signals concerning anti-missile defence, and we know that people close to Mr Obama say they should not hurry and the issue demands further analyses. We are glad to hear such statements. More that that, our proposal on developing those systems is still on the agenda. However, they demand team efforts.”
“Positive signals on NATO enlargement have also reached us. We have paid attention to people close to the new US President saying that there are many ways to guarantee Ukrainian and Georgian security, not necessarily through NATO. We are glad to hear it and are willing to join any discussion on the best possible options for international security.”
“Despite all the problems you have mentioned, we came to agreements with the United States on the Iranian and counter-terrorist themes, and our partnership was very fruitful and cooperative in some of those fields. We would not like to see them forgotten or ousted into the margins.”
“What cannot be settled through any negotiations are encroachments on our sovereignty. That is not up for discussion with other countries. What we want is an honest dialogue between countries based on international laws and principles with due account for American and Russian interests.”
"Our [Russia and Argentina] economic relations are making steady headway. In the last four years, our trade has increased five times over to reach $1.5 billion. We are developing traditional directions of cooperation, and creating new opportunities."
"Argentina generates 20% of its electricity with Russian equipment. We could cooperate in nuclear power generation, space, and other high-tech spheres."
“We hear that the relations with Russia should be built with respect for our interests. If these are not just words, and if they are translated into practical policies, then of course we will react in kind and our American partners will immediately feel it.”
“You know that we have signed mutual assistance treaties with South Ossetia and Abkhazia. This is the best guarantee of the fact that Russia does not plan to leave this region. Given the desire of these states' citizens, we will be ready to provide any aid even at this difficult time of the global financial crisis.”
"Russia-German gas cooperation, it is developing very well indeed. Today we have reached the level about which we merely talked a few years ago. It was decided at the complicated talks, that our German partners would cooperate with us in producing gas on Russian territory. We are partners in the project you have mentioned, Nordstream, on transporting gas to Europe. Gazprom has become a co-owner of the German transportation network. It goes without saying that this makes our partnership well-balanced all the way."
"E.ON AG owns a big package of shares in Gazprom, and has been represented in its board of directors in the last few years. We have been jointly producing gas and transporting it to other European countries. Needless to say, this strengthens stability and reliability, and I would even say, mutual control of the situation in our economies, and in part, in this sector."
"The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is doing much to alleviate the suffering of people during world conflicts. We have seen that even if you fail to achieve something, you continue to work towards your goal. Regrettably, you still have a lot of work."
“It [European security agreement] would be a legally binding document aimed at guaranteeing real and equal security to European countries, based on clear and simple principles. First, it should guarantee that one nation's security is not ensured at the expense of another's security. Second, it should prevent any country, military union or coalition from taking any actions that could weaken common security and unity. And third, it should prevent development and expansion of military unions from harming other parties in the agreement. We also propose that the new document stipulate basic parameters of control over armaments, including the fundamental principle of reasonable sufficiency and cooperation formats to fight proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, drug trafficking, terrorism and organised crime.”
“Stability and security cannot be the privilege of a limited group of countries or specific international organisations, which aren't universal. Therefore, President Dmitry Medvedev has proposed signing a new European security agreement.”
"A litmus test for humanitarian law is the terrorist threat. Unfortunately, reality is that militant groups are able not only to deal pinpoint strikes, but also to engage in full-scale warfare. In doing so, they fully ignore not only laws, but also the elementary considerations of humanity. This clearly illustrates the issue: how to apply humanitarian law in the context of anti-terrorist moves, how to apply it in the struggle against those who do not recognise any law."
“Our goal is to uphold stability and predictability in strategic relations, and to avoid a legal vacuum in the limitations of nuclear arms.”
“Today's humanitarian law is a major branch of international law and of international life. It is one of the determining factors of international life. It fills one with hope that military technology can be regulated and controlled, and that the spread of so-called "inhumane weapons" be prevented. For this purpose we propose that all nations of the world introduce the practice of specifying all armaments being developed for compliance with the provisions of humanitarian law.”
“As before, observance of humanitarian law everywhere remains paramount. We naturally see two sides. The first is the legitimacy of using force as such, and the second, the lawfulness of using various means and methods of warfare and armaments. And in this case, it is obvious that the ones who violate humanitarian law are above all those who trample under foot the fundamental principles of international public law.”
“It is obvious that the range of issues pertaining to humanitarian law is closely linked to the larger area of international security. I would like to say a few words about that now. What we are witnessing, unfortunately, is the alarming trend of "diluting" the existing legal framework.”
“We are very responsible in relations with all our partners. We are taking a direct part in international anti-crisis efforts, and supporting our allies on a bilateral basis.”
"We have always honoured our commitments. Russia has always been a reliable partner. We told our Finnish partners recently that we are ready to postpone certain decisions because of the current international crisis. We do not want to create any additional problems, and are not going to do it. However, we will have to implement some of the announced decisions, and I would like to draw the attention of all the Government's members to this. We will have to carry them out to protect our national interests".
