If Putin and those around him had been smart enough to go in a different direction... The country was ready. The conditions were extremely favorable - with oil prices as high as they were, it was possible to do anything. It was possible to solidify democracy. After the Yeltsin years people began to think that democracy is a disaster, that democracy equals misery. Putin got a lucky break - and he used it the KGB way. He turned out to be a wily KGB man, not a wise statesman.
They say that generally, rulers - dictators - tend to be short, like me. It gives them an inferiority complex; when they were kids, they wanted to be… - Vladimir Voinovich
They say that generally, rulers - dictators - tend to be short, like me. It gives them an inferiority complex; when they were kids, they wanted to be…
- Vladimir Voinovich
Putin got lucky with the Sochi Olympics - it didn't fail, it was a great spectacle - and then he thought, "Why not grab Crimea?" And ended up getting… - Vladimir Voinovich
Putin got lucky with the Sochi Olympics - it didn't fail, it was a great spectacle - and then he thought, "Why not grab Crimea?" And ended up getting…
Revival of the Stalin cult is very clearly being encouraged from above, and it's a way of encouraging the cult of Putin. The message is that people o… - Vladimir Voinovich
Revival of the Stalin cult is very clearly being encouraged from above, and it's a way of encouraging the cult of Putin. The message is that people o…
A real dictator usually isn't interested in money or women, just pure power. - Vladimir Voinovich
A real dictator usually isn't interested in money or women, just pure power.
A real dictator usually isn't interested in money or women, just pure power. But Putin - I don't know about women, but it looks like he definitely li… - Vladimir Voinovich
A real dictator usually isn't interested in money or women, just pure power. But Putin - I don't know about women, but it looks like he definitely li…
People sometimes ask: Is Putin a clever man? Yes, he's clever in his own way, when it comes to political intrigue, and he's got a good head for numbe… - Vladimir Voinovich
People sometimes ask: Is Putin a clever man? Yes, he's clever in his own way, when it comes to political intrigue, and he's got a good head for numbe…
The annexation of Crimea did undermine Ukraine to some extent, but less than it did Russia; this is a case in which the victim wins. Ukraine got rid … - Vladimir Voinovich
The annexation of Crimea did undermine Ukraine to some extent, but less than it did Russia; this is a case in which the victim wins. Ukraine got rid …
Sometimes there are historical moments when a country's course could be turned one way or the other, when fate can be escaped. - Vladimir Voinovich
Sometimes there are historical moments when a country's course could be turned one way or the other, when fate can be escaped.
When you deny something your power is much more conspicuous than when you approve it. - Vladimir Voinovich
When you deny something your power is much more conspicuous than when you approve it.
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