Politics

“The Ukrainian side not only refused to utilize the procedures for release (of the sailors) that already exist in Russian law, but, in principle, even to discuss this issue. Kyiv does not need these sailors; Kyiv needs the uproar surrounding the sailors.”

“If we take the period from 1999 to 2008, the average annual growth rate for this decade was 6.9%. This is a normal rate for doubling GDP in 10 years, and we were growing at this rate. But, over the past six years, our GDP has grown by only 3% -- that is, less than 1% per year. That was affected by sanctions, and oil prices fell.”

“Russia has no intention of becoming similar [to some other countries] imposing their stance by using illegitimate sanctions.”

"Ukraine today is not yet ready, from the point of view of changes to the existing legislation, to ensure the conclusion of the contract on terms used in Europe. In fact, the easiest option is to extend the existing contract, which was offered to the Ukrainian side."

“Look, as for the private companies, including the private security companies under which the people you have mentioned were operating – this is not the Russian state, and they are not engaged in combat.”

“Russia never ducks its responsibilities, when it shoulders the responsibility. But what we have seen, what has been presented as evidence, we find absolutely unacceptable. We believe, there is absolutely no proof. What was presented doesn’t prove anything. Where is the absolute evidence that it was the rebels who fired (the missile) or somebody else? There are many questions, but they don’t answer them. They have already made up their mind who is guilty, once and for all. We cannot accept such an approach to an investigation. ”

“I want to remind you of the words of President Putin, that indeed the number of people whose incomes have decreased has slightly increased due to external economic conditions and in connection with a variety of economic processes that are taking place in our economy. At the same time, one cannot talk about the growth of poverty in this case.”

"We understand the hurt feelings of [Polish President Andrzej] Duda, but it is unclear who insulted him. In any case, it wasn’t Russia and its wasn’t the Russian soldiers, who liberated the great fighting Poles from the Nazis."

"Aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces made four bombing strikes against terrorists in Idlib, the Defense Ministry reported. The coordinates for the attack were indicated by Ankara. This happened after the allied terrorists of Jabhat al-Nusra fired at a Turkish army observation post, despite a cease-fire agreement."

“Kosovo remains the main source of instability and potential conflict in the region. This territory is practically uncontrollable. It is not only a source of instability, but also a potentially dangerous, uncontrolled territory in the center of Europe.”

“The Normandy landings were not a game-changer for the outcome of WWII and the Great Patriotic War. The outcome was determined by the Red Army’s victories – mainly, in Stalingrad and Kursk. For three years, the UK and then the US dragged out opening the second front.”

“The experts found that, according to Article 17 of the Constitution of Ukraine, the Armed Forces of Ukraine cannot be involved in any conflict within the country. They are intended only to repel external aggression.”