‘Russia was and will remain a great
power’
‘This is preconditioned by the
inseparable characteristics of its geopolitical,
economic and cultural existence. They have
determined the mentality of the Russian people and
the policy of the government throughout the history
of Russia and they cannot but do so at present.’
‘Russia is in the middle of one of the most
difficult periods in its history. For the first time in
the past 200–300 years, it is facing a real threat of
sliding to the second, possibly even the third,
echelon of states. We are running out of time left to
remove this threat.’