Putin deplores collapse of USSR

BBC News ^ | April 25, 2005

[HAL9000]

Russia's President Vladimir Putin has described the collapse of the Soviet Union as "the greatest geopolitical catastrophe" of the 20th century.

Mr Putin's annual state of the nation address to parliament was broadcast live on Russian television.

He said the break-up of the USSR in 1991 was "a real drama" which left tens of millions of Russians outside the Russian Federation.

He also said Russia must develop as a "free and democratic" country.

But he stressed that Russia "will decide for itself the pace, terms and conditions of moving towards democracy".

"We are a free nation and our place in the modern world will be defined only by how successful and strong we are".

It was Mr Putin's second state of the nation address since being re-elected by a landslide in 2004.

[GarySpFc]

What is the UMC.

United Methodist Church. I'm a member of the Church of Christ/Christian Churches.

What do you think of the Moscow Church preaching to Ukrainians to vote for Yushchenko's poisoner - or do you think Yushchenko poisoned himself.

And what evidence do you have that the FSB poisoned Yushchenko. Indeed, the physician at the clinic in Austria recently stated Yushchenko was not poisoned, and that his life was threatened if he stated as much. Personally, I think he was poisoned, but the real culprit was Yulia Tymoshenko, the Gas Princess. The woman was not content with stealing gas from the Russians in which her assets went from ) to $11.5 billion in 5 years.

And as you are a theologian, does this politicking fall under the auspices of one the 3 spheres of the Holy Trinity? Father, Son or Holy Ghost?

Certainly! Does the RCC have the right to politic in opposition to abortion. I know they do, because I was vice-president of a pro-life organization that worked with RCC priests and laity.

The Roman Catholic Church is the largest in Europe. What right does the ROC have to keep it out of the Russian part of Europe?

The history of the RCC is not without major blemishes. One only has to look at the Inquisition to see they murdered more than the communists, and please do not tell me that was the governments and not the church.

[RusIvan]

Russia's President Vladimir Putin has described the collapse of the Soviet Union as "the greatest geopolitical catastrophe" of the 20th century (...) the break-up of the USSR in 1991 was "a real drama"

Aren't you pissed off???
I'd be if my president deplored collapse of same anti-Polish state.===

If you red what Putin said from first hand source then you see that Putin just meant that about 15 mlns russian people happened to be behind drawn by commies borders of Russia. Do you know that modern russian borders was drown by commies of USSR and Russia lost many territories with russian population?
Since Russia choose not to unite russians by force that is drama he meant.

[Grzegorz 246]

"I did not rely on his information but checked with several SF sources"

[Grzegorz 246]

" maybe you're being paid "

Yes, I am.

[Grzegorz 246]

Which Christians ? Majority of Katzaps are atheists or Muslims.

[Grzegorz 246]

You Russians are going to destroy yourself... again.

[jb6]

First, what the hell is a Katzap? And if you're referring to the majority of Russians as atheists or Muslims then you're totally ignorant.

[righttackle44]

"It was Mr Putin's second state of the nation address since being re-elected by a landslide in 2004."

Dear stuffy Brit editor (whom the American MSM and John Kerry thinks we need):

Wouldn't it be "re-elected IN a landslide."

It would be a strange world for a slide of rocks and soil actually to re-elect someone.

Thank you, stuffy Brit editor.

[RussianBoor]

I won't cry, when they will finally... give their lives...

You think we will ever forget what you have said? I could have said many words describing what exactly I think of you but this would be too much honour for such a stinking individual as you are.

[RussianBoor]

Funny enough, I always think that US has a pretty good alliance with communist China. Who invest in their economy and buy all their %^% goods and keep them afloat? Who in turn keep huge reserves in T-notes and other US securities and thus support the US trade deficit? Are you talking about your potential enemy? I wonder. What I always think, since the US kicked out Taiwan from the UN in favour of the Communist China, is that China is your ally against Russia. Well, Bin Laden used to be your ally too. Maybe you will blame Russia for this as well?

Russia recognizes the Chinese threat more than you think. What do you suggest to do with this? The first thing I would consider is to stop the mad investment rush and keep more jobs in America in the process. No, you prefer to blame Russia. Very convenient.

[Grzegorz 246]

"You think we will ever forget what you have said?"

Personally I give a shit about it.

[GarySpFc]

SF = Special Forces. They have some of the best intell in the world.

[Grzegorz 246]

Oh... :)

[RussianBoor]

I think I have to explain a bit, since I too have mixed feelings about the collapse of the FSU.

Communism was evil and it is good that is is gone. Remember, it was Russians and other peoples of the FSU, but mainly Russians, who ultimately crashed the Communism. You may think that you have won the Cold War. The point is, in march harder circumstances, between WWI and WWII, as well as after the WWII, the Soviet Union survived. The demise of Communism was decided in Russia, and you must admit it. However, the collapse of the Soviet Union is a bit different story.

The Soviet Union was created as a successor of the Russian Empire, which was the Russian national state for a very long time. Furthermore, the Bolshevik revolution was very bad for the development of Russia. In the words of Sir Winston Churchill, the Bolsheviks sunk the Russian ship in view of the harbour. Creation of the Communist Soviet Union in place of the ancient Russian state was a tragedy for the Russian nation. However, in a sense, the Soviet Union was the successor of the national Russian state and it is exactly in this sense that its collapse is felt as a great tragedy. You know, suppose the South had won in the Civil War and split from the US. Would it be a pain for all Americans? You might not give a damn about Canada but suppose Quebec will cede, which is now again a very real threat. Should all Canadians celebrate this fact? Do you understand that Ukraine means maybe more to Russia than Quebec means to Canada?

Having said that, there is no way Ukraine or anybody else can be or will be forced to form the Soviet Union again. However, it is the duty of any Russian leader to do everything possible to built up and strengthen friendly and close ties between Russia, Ukraine, Belorussia and Kazakhstan. Not by force but by mutual agreement based on common culture and history. Putin is by the way guilty of neglecting this duty. It will take years to repair the damage he did to the Russian-Ukrainian relations. Russia shall become again attractive to the former Soviet republics by becoming again, as it was in the beginning of the 1990s, a leader among the former Soviet states in cultural and economic development, as well as in freedoms and democracy. Putin is guilty of not understanding this.

[RussianBoor]

The word "katzap" is an attempt of our poorly paid friend to insult all Russians. It is an offensive name some people in Ukraine (and, possibly, in Poland) use to refer to Russians. The meaning is a ragged, poor person. By the way, a quite inferring name in view of all charges that Ukrainians were constantly robbed by Russians.

He is not ignorant. He is simply paid to tell all these lies here. He said this himself.

[RussianBoor]

He:)) That's funny.

You probably wanted to say Don't give a shit ;)) but what you said is quite illuminating. I would not elaborate about your need to change pants after what you have said etc etc.

Use some of the salary you are being paid for insulting Russians here to brush up your English idioms. Start here.

[jb6]

Personally I give a shit about it.

Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?

[Grzegorz 246]

It's nice to see what real katzaps think about US.

[Grzegorz 246]

Thanks for correction.

Maybe I should have said - I give a shit... on "it" ?

[Lukasz]

You were a theologian in special forces?