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.

[SIDENET]

has described the collapse of the Soviet Union as "the greatest geopolitical catastrophe" of the 20th century

I didn't know Putin was a Democrat.

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PUTIN NAMES THREE DIRECTIONS FOR RUSSIA'S DEVELOPMENT - STATE, LAW AND SOCIETY

MOSCOW, April 25 (RIA Novosti) - In his annual address, Vladimir Putin named three directions for Russia's development.

First, the development of the state system. Secondly, the strengthening of the legal system and the development of the political system, building a more effective justice system in the country. Third, development of the individual and the civil society.

Vladimir Putin believes the major political and ideological task is to develop a free democratic state in Russia.

The President pointed out that there is an opinion that the Russian people, "which kept silent for a long time," needs a strong authority, that it cannot adopt to democratic principles.

"I would certainly want to bring those who voice such an opinion back to reality," he said.

Vladimir Putin asked to regard the current and the previous Addresses to the Federal Assembly as "a common action plan for the next decade."

[Joe Boucher]

All the kings men couldn't put humpty dumpty together again.

The Soviet Union was put together by force. No one wanted to be under the thumb or gun of the Russians, All the Stan countries and eastern Europe and all the other countries hated them.

Now this dumbass Putin longs for the once great power that was the soviet Union?Subjucation and a prison camp contry?

[Wiz]

Putin = Trojan horse speaking democracy with dictatorship in reality.

[Wiz]

Some one bring a lie detector... never mind, he propbably has the skills to avoid being detected for lies because of his KGB skills.

[Aussie Dasher]

Once a KGB agent, ALWAYS a KGB agent!

[billybudd]

Putin's priorities are clear. "development of the individual and the civil society" is dead last on the list.

[goldstategop]

Most Russians regard the loss of their superpower influence as a blow to their sense of national pride. Yes, the USSR was an Evil Empire and it was a drain on Russia's development... but there was no denying it was a nuclear superpower that commanded world attention and respect. So there's this sense of nostalgia for the greatness of the country's past that President Putin tapped into. At the same time, no one in Russia wants to go back to Communism. Russia must develop as a free and democratic state. And join the world on the basis of this choice. There can be no return to the notion of imperial glory vanished but Russia can be a strong and proud country again.

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)

[samtheman]

New historical analysis proves that despite the fact that Reagan was president... it was all Bush's fault!

[Lukasz]

Eastern European ping list

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FRmail me to be added or removed from this Eastern European ping list ping list.

[Lukasz]

First, the development of the state system. Secondly, the strengthening of the legal system and the development of the political system, building a more effective justice system in the country.

Everything under his control of course.

Third, development of the individual and the civil society.

The less important thing, was mentioned only because “the West” is watching.

[varon]

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.

Well then Mr. Putin, since most/many of the Russians in other countries were sent there to Russify them, you could arrange for their return for which many of those countries would be eternally thankful.

[Calvin Locke]

"the greatest geopolitical catastrophe" of the 20th century.

No, I think the creation of the USSR was one of the great geopolitical catastrophes of the 20th Century.

And the spread of Marxism is another.

The birth of the UN, another one. The Third Reich, yet another.

[Lukasz]

Funny thing is that even if he really thinks so, he is saying publicly such controversial things on TV. And how all neighboring countries could trust him and have good relations with Russia, this is impossible as long such people like Putin will be in charge.

[hershey]

Being a superpower is no walk in the park, as Uncle Sam would be the first to admit. There's a great deal to be said for being way down on the high and mighty list. You can do your own thing, mind your own business, and nobody will blame you for everything from soup to nuts.

[Lukasz]

Well then Mr. Putin, since most/many of the Russians in other countries were sent there to Russify them

This is exactly the problem with the leaders of the undemocratic countries, they see only things with they want to see. If whole world is saying that Ribentropp-Molotov pact was wrong thing then Putin and his servants will say that it was good thing. The same with Yalta conference, annexation of the Baltic states, role of Stalin in WWII etc etc.

[Moonman62]

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

I wonder why they didn't use that as the headline.

[Lukasz]

Probably because most of people knows that this is just BS. Almost all authoritarian leaders or dictators pretend that they are democrats.

[cornelis]

"the greatest geopolitical catastrophe" of the 20th century . . .

And runner up: