Vladimir Putin is becoming a household name in the US.
The Russian president has been in the US news lately due to — among other things — an investigation into President Donald Trump’s campaign, tensions around Syria, and the US Senate conversations around imposing new sanctions on the Russia.
The former KGB agent served as Russia’s prime minister from 1999 to 2000 and from 2008 to 2012. From 2000 to 2008 and 2012 to the present day, he has held the office of the presidency. While some praised his partial reversal of Russia’s economic fortunes, his tenure has sent the country sliding back into authoritarianism, according to the Economist’s Democracy Index.
Here are some quotes that provide some insight into how Putin sees the world:
‘The task of the government is not only to pour honey into a cup, but sometimes to give bitter medicine.’
After announcing his intention to run for the presidency in 2012, the strongman said that the Russian government would need to take controversial steps to deal with the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis.
Source: NBC
‘It is extremely dangerous to encourage people to see themselves as exceptional, whatever the motivation.’
Putin scoffed at the idea of American exceptionalism in his 2013 New York Times op-ed.
Source: The New York Times
‘It sank.’
In 2000, Russia’s Kursk submarine sank in the Barents Sea, killing all 118 people aboard. Putin’s government went on to release confusing statements about what went wrong. During an appearance on Larry King’s talk show, Putin provided a terse, two word answer about what happened to the submarine. When the mother of one of the victims confronted him during a meeting with family members, she was violently sedated, as the New York Post reported.
Source: The Telegraph
‘Sometimes it is necessary to be lonely in order to prove that you are right.’
At the 2014 G-8 Summit, Putin clashed with other world leaders, including US President Barack Obama, over the issue of providing support to Syrian rebels. After the tense talks, he defended his opposition to the move.
Source: Time
‘We will chase terrorists everywhere. If in an airport, then in the airport. So if we find them in the toilet, excuse me, we’ll rub them out in the outhouse. And that’s it, case closed.’
In 1999, while responding to a reporter’s question about Russia’s war with Chechenya, Putin outlined this colorful and controversial description of his counter-terrorism strategy. He apologized for the statement in 2011.
Source: The Telegraph
‘The more I know about people, the more I like dogs. I simply like animals.’
Putin is a famous dog-lover. He owns a 15-year-old black Labrador named Konni, an Akita Inu named Yume, and a Karakachan Dog named Buffy.
Source: The Telegraph
