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.

[RussianBoor]

I wish I could understand why you always want to talk about Poland? What does Poland have to do with this topic? Should you put your 5 cents into every topic on Russia? Is it your duty? Are you being paid for such relentlessly spending your time on ungrateful Russians? Maybe, God forbid, it is a secret love?

You know, unfortunately for you, Poland is not the hub of the Universe. And maybe it is real cheap but there are things called political risks. Nobody in Russia will invest anything in Poland for a long time to come. Nobody in the West will invest in Poland for the purpose of trading with Russia, as it used to be in mid-1990s. And you have only yourselves to blame.

[keat]

I don't think he'd fit...

Wow! Great perspective. I always thought we won the Cold War but it seems we were outflanked.

[keat]

Christian education in schools and the military...

This is commendable but, I wonder if you don't think there should be room for more than one flavor of Christianity (or any religion for that matter).

I know someone involved in a Roman Catholic mission in Vladivostok and he tells me that government support of religion does not practically extend beyond the state sponsored Orthodox Church.

I appreciate your passion on the subject.

[Grzegorz 246]

Can't you read Ivan ? Check #38 and you will see who started discussion about Poland.

[PhilDragoo]

Thank you for this item.

I disagree with Putin that the collapse of the Soviet Union was the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the Twentieth Century.

Communism killed one hundred million and so is a strong contender.

Hitler's war/genocide must at least tie for the award.

Putin is now on a threshhold of great possibility, freed of territorial imperatives and totalitarian constraints.

He should be looking to a free and prosperous future.

If he chooses to look to the past, he should be arranging reparations for the tens of millions of victims of the Soviet Union.

The major feature of Christianity is the eternal prospect of salvation, which is surely preferable to any nostalgia for past empire.

[Tailgunner Joe]

A real Christian would never lament the collapse of the most Anti-Christ empire the world ever saw.

[spanalot]

"A real Christian would never lament the collapse of the most Anti-Christ empire the world ever saw. "

You are right again Tailgunner- only a Kremlin sophist could try to positively spin the latest Putin gaffe.

Just as Marx said he turned Hegel upside down, so would JB6 in trying to turn this incident upside down.

The Kremlin exported genocide at the point of ak-47's for most of the century - liquidating 100 million and some dare to suggest that the Kremlin has no culpability.

And good job with all your posts to draw the Kremlin apologists into the open. Your good work has not gone unnoticed.

[MeekOneGOP]

[Tailgunner Joe]

"The civilizing mission of the Russian nation on the Eurasian continent should continue. This means that democratic values multiplied by national interests should enrich and strengthen our historical unity." - Vladimir Putin, 25 April 2005

In other words, only the Holy Rodina gets to "decide for itself the pace, terms and conditions of moving towards democracy," the uncivilized buffer states in their "sphere of influence" don't.

[jb6]

The Orthodox church is not state sponsored, it just happens that the majority of the officials and people are Orthodox and thus they show bias. Not saying the bias is right, it isn't, but it steams from their own bias for other flavors.

[jb6]

No, we won, then we let our guard down and our own 5th columnists out flanked us. Remember the "peace" dividend? Sure as hell didn't lower the taxes did it?

[jb6]

Durak? hardly. At least these young men are willing to give their lives in defense of their nation's freedom and independence, as opposed to a Judis like you who sells his Free, Democratic, Independent and Sovereign Poland out for 30 silver to the Trotskites of the European Soviet Union, the GODLESS EU. You know, your masters and the owners of your soul.

Oh and how proud you must be to be only one of two nations in Europe still ruled by the pure communists. Soon though you will be one of the 25+ fully integrated provinces of the new Reich.

[Brofholdonow]

Putin is already nationalizing the private sector, considering an unconstitutional third term, making alliances with Communist China as well as continuing to arm Syria and Iran. He also was involved with supporting Hussein. Religion is just a vehicle for him to subdue any possible domestic problems. And your extreme language in response to others who may have another thought than yours is unnecessary.

[GarySpFc]

Putin is already nationalizing the private sector, considering an unconstitutional third term, making alliances with Communist China as well as continuing to arm Syria and Iran. He also was involved with supporting Hussein. Religion is just a vehicle for him to subdue any possible domestic problems. And your extreme language in response to others who may have another thought than yours is unnecessary.

No, Putin is not nationalizing the private sector. Indeed, I have seen such rapied growth in the private sector 7% the last few years I invested in a mutual fund which targets Russia, and it has been well worth it. Second, Putin has denied he is seeking a third term, but if the constitution is changed then it would hardly be unconstitutional. BTW, the last I heard Putin's last favorability rating is over 80%. I think you should learn what you are talking about before responding.

[Grzegorz 246]

Young men, who are willing to give their lives in defense of their nation's freedom ?
Give me a break, I remember when they were were being kicked out of East Germany. They were begging Us to give them a loaf of old bread. They are still the same losers.

[jb6]

He's referring to the nation collapsing not the communist party.

[Grzegorz 246]

You see ? You should learn what you are talking about :)

[GarySpFc]

I know someone involved in a Roman Catholic mission in Vladivostok and he tells me that government support of religion does not practically extend beyond the state sponsored Orthodox Church.

There are many other denominations allowed in Russia other than the ROC.

[GarySpFc]

A real Christian would never lament the collapse of the most Anti-Christ empire the world ever saw.

In what sense did Putin use that phrase? Go back and read it carefully.

[Brofholdonow]

He's starting at the top, with the oil industry. Maybe you you should not be selective with your facts and just include what you like.