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
“Very soon a system of early detection of drug addiction among schoolchildren will be introduced. We will subsequently have to consider introducing a similar practice among college and university students. Also, legislation should be amended to make punishment tougher for drug dealing and trafficking, for violations in the sale of alcohol, for getting minors involved in drug and alcohol use.”
“A young person’s role in politics should not be limited to the Popular Front. This is just a tool to set things in motion, to encourage fresh talent to get involved. The ultimate goal is to find creative ways to respond to the modern challenges facing the nation. <…>I’d be happy to see more and more young people devote themselves, like you, to social and IT activity.”
“I advocate the advancement of modern technology and its use as a tool for development, not as a weapon in criminal hands. This should be a development vehicle. And I’m really glad our younger generation uses modern communication technology and that many older people embrace it, too.”
“The implementation of each of your projects is a small but substantial input in making Russia a stronger and healthier country. This is exactly the medicine that our country needs most. The most important thing is the consolidation of people with different political views and ideas about the future. Their consolidation based on love for their homeland is the most important thing now.”
“We've repeatedly spoken about the need to create additional mechanisms for young, talented people to be able to realise their ideas and proposals. <…> But we all know just how difficult it is at times to get through all the bureaucratic red tape. That is why we presented the idea of establishing an agency for strategic developments, a mechanism intended to open up new social mobility for young talent.”
“It is necessary to get the younger generation interested in inventions, new solutions, and scientific discoveries. This is a common task for the educational system, the media, and cultural institutions. Your union could make a very weighty contribution to this effort.”
“Once young people get involved in the development and adoption of nationally-important decisions, we’ll have more opportunities to do away with the chronic problems of Russian society. <…>I believe that these new recruits will help us go beyond the mere adjustment of our industrial and social policies and help us give a fresh start to the development of our human capital.”
“The upcoming celebrations, which are meant primarily to attract young people. The country's youth must receive as much information as possible on our role in space exploration and the present and future of the Russian cosmonautics. This has to be objective and interesting information provided in the most up-to-date manner. And, naturally, personal meetings with pilots, cosmonauts, and engineers can promote the interest of young people in innovation, technology, and scientific work. This is extremely important both for us and for the successful development of the country as a whole.”
“Affect many aspects of young people's lives. Here's an example: recently we have been talking a lot about demographic problems. I'm sure you've heard all this before and know it very well. And how to resolve demographic problems? By supporting women and young families who want to have a first or a second child. Everything that has been done through these programmes is in fact youth policy. This includes the maternity capital, the various allowances. Or, as another example, take the Housing Programme: the part of this programme that affects young people is the subsidies for mortgages. This too, in fact, is designed to help young people. And so, the absence of an overall programme does not mean that we are doing nothing. We are actually doing quite a bit.”
"Most importantly we need to educate people about fighting xenophobia. People need to realise that from the first days of its existence as a state, Russia developed as a multiethnic and a multi-faith country. We have always had a very strong tradition of being respectful towards other cultures and religions. That has always been one of our country's strengths. And this tolerance is what has helped create this huge state that is the Russian Federation today. We need to be very clear about this. These fundamental and elementary moral principles need to be learned from the earliest age."
"I have just spoken with the President of the Republic of Chuvashia (Nikolai Fyodorov). This is what we have fully agreed on: crime has fallen significantly in Russia, and so have alcoholism and smoking among young people. This improvement is largely due to widespread sports and fitness programmes, so their effect is here for all to see. We have set this target, and we are achieving it. So our efforts must go on."
"Rap, even urban and street rap, already has social content and addresses the problems of youth. Graffiti is becoming refined and polished, like a real art form. Breakdancing is something completely unique. Breakdancing truly promotes a healthy lifestyle, because it is difficult to imagine how it could related to drug use. It would be impossible to perform so-called low-risk breakdancing, and still less high-risk breakdancing, (while on drugs), especially when you see the acrobatics some of these kids do. This really does command respect."
"Seven hundred thousand Georgians fought in the Great Patriotic War, a third of whom perished. Our sacred duty is to pay them the respect they deserve and preserve the memory of the heroes of the Great Patriotic War."
"I know that we in this country have always held an absolutely unanimous consensus on everything related to the remembrance of the victims of World War II and support for war veterans. It is United Russia that put forward this proposal [to restore the demolished monument], but I have confidence that other Russian political forces will also rally around this initiative. I wish the Georgian society would also be positive about it."
"The 50th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin's space flight is an opportunity to once again persuasively remind the global community of the key role that Russia plays in space exploration and of the significance of Russia's space programme for all of humanity. Therefore, I consider it necessary to engage Russian media resources to the fullest, including press publications, the Internet, television. And, of course, we need to once again attentively analyse the quality of textbooks used in our schools."
"We should pay particular attention to the educational aspects. Space research is one of the most high-tech, science-intensive sectors. And a large-scale celebration of Yuri Gagarin's space flight will not only draw attention to space-related subjects, but will generally increase the prestige of science and innovation, and demonstrate the importance and prospects for development in these areas, which is particularly important for young people."
"We should remember their exploits and pass on this pride and legacy to future generations. Therefore, I consider it our collective duty to celebrate this anniversary properly, which we should also do for the Year of Space Exploration, which will be held in Russia in 2011."
"When I was there[Battle for Respect], I really liked these young people, not only those who gave excellent performances, but also the people who attended the show. They are young and very trusting, so it is very important what it is said and done by their idols. And we should make sure these idols do positive things."
"I believe that the government should work with all age groups, and, in particular, with young people. 17% of Russians die of smoking-related diseases. The number of deaths from drug abuse is slightly lower. And we are all know about deaths caused by alcohol. That's why we have launched several campaigns promoting healthy lifestyle. I want them to be implemented at both federal and regional levels. And I am counting on the initiatives of youth organisations, because working with teenagers is our top priority."
"You [ the Russian Geographical Society] can do much to teach the younger generation to protect and respect Nature and Russia's cultural and historical heritage. The experience and knowledge of geographers can be used to draft educational programmes and to help youth associations."
"Even though not everyone may like it, we live in a unique time, which is characterised by cross-cultural exchange. Those of us in politics and economics call this era of global cross-cultural exchange. The same thing is taking place in popular youth culture. But what we have seen today is not merely mass culture, but something individual that requires great skill and creativity. In my view, any phenomenon, regardless of its national origin and name, always deserves the support of society and the state if it meets two criteria: first, if it requires talent, and second, if it requires creativity."
"We must, of course, think about the victims (of World War II). Without a profound understanding of what has happened, we will be unable to build a truly secure world, eradicate the legacy of the Cold War, and remove the artificial dividing lines. I would like to note that my country does not only recognize the mistakes and tragedies of the past, but is making a practical contribution to building a new world based on new principles. It is due to the position of my country that the virtual and real Berlin Wall was brought down, and prerequisites were established for the building of a new Europe without dividing lines."
"It is important to understand that any collaboration with extremists, which in the Second World War meant Nazism and its underlings, leads to tragedy, whatever the motives for such collaboration. In effect it is not collaboration, but collusion aimed at furthering one's ends at the expense of others."
"True, there are historical problems, which we should carefully study. We should analyze everything, which eventually led to the outbreak of this tragedy on September 1, 1939 with the only purpose being to prevent a repetition in the future. Knowing the nuances and facts of history, and without imposing one's own views on each other, we will be able to rise above the problems of the past, and build a future together. Objective circumstances compel us to follow this responsible, common policy."
"We have spoken with Mr Prime Minister about continued work of the Difficult Issues Commission, which is studying historical events preceding World War II. One of the focuses of its work is studying the archives. There is one rule for such cases in international practice - all actions are carried out on the basis of reciprocity. It is probably natural that we are recalling history on this tragic day. But I would like very much, and I have discussed this subject at length with Mr Tusk today.... I cannot say that our views on this issue fully coincide, but we agree that we should look at the entire picture in all of its diversity."
"We will soon mark the 65th anniversary of the Soviet people's victory in the 1941-1945 Great Patriotic War. But we also know about the Vietnamese nation's heroic resistance during the years of foreign military intervention. The heroic exploits of our veterans during the defence of our national interests are an example for all of us and for future generations, as well."
"I know that for the KPRF one of its main concerns is to keep alive the memory of the war, to support war veterans, and educate the youth in a military and patriotic spirit. I would therefore like to discuss with you the 65th anniversary of victory in the Great Patriotic War, which we are going to mark in 2010. By that date we plan to provide all war veterans with housing and special vehicles. The necessary decisions, as you know, have already been made, including by the President of the Russian Federation. Budget financing has been provided."
"As you can see from the documents, the Defence Ministry has drafted amendments to the law on Commemorating the Victory of the Soviet People in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945. I would like to say in this context that Victory Day has always been and will remain a truly national holiday. It is the day when we recall tragic and glorious pages of our history, honouring veterans, and when we teach a lesson of patriotism and public spirit to the younger generation".