Boris Yeltsin quotes

" It looks as if some people either have a short memory and are forgetting about that time and the events that occurred then ... Let us recall the putsch of August 19, 1991. It was after the putsch that the republics began, one after another, to declare their independence. Russia also declared its independence. This was approved by the Supreme Soviet, and you know and remember that there was the Declaration on the Independence of Russia. So, the entire course of history was leading to a point when the regime, the political regime in the country had to be changed. It demonstrated that the Union was not as strong as this was loudly preached by mass media and the propaganda in general. The republics wished to become independent. This must only be welcomed... We have good peaceful relations and there were no military clashes. None of these countries had revolutions with bloody casualties and there was no civil war in any of the republics... Russia had to chance and it did change. " # Twentieth Century # Politicians and Politics # Nations

" It is especially important to encourage unorthodox thinking when the situation is critical: At such moments every new word and fresh thought is more precious than gold. Indeed, people must not be deprived of the right to think their own thoughts. " # Freedom # Power # Hope

" Let's not talk about Communism. Communism was just an idea, just pie in the sky. " # Communism and Socialism # Ideas # Pessimism

" We are grateful to those who at difficult times showed solidarity with us, with what the people of Russia are going through, and still are doing so. " # Solitude

" We don't appreciate what we have until it's gone. Freedom is like that. It's like air. When you have it, you don't notice it. " # Quotations

" You can build a throne with bayonets, but you can't sit on it for long. " # Quotations

" International terrorism is throwing down a challenge, and not just to Russia. " # Terrorism