Boris Yeltsin
Boris Yeltsin
Boris Nikolayevich Yeltsin; 1 February 1931 – 23 April 2007) was a Soviet and Russian politician and the first President of the Russian Federation, serving from 1991 to 1999. Originally a supporter of Mikhail Gorbachev, Yeltsin emerged under the perestroika reforms as one of Gorbachev's most powerful political opponents. During the late 1980s, Yeltsin had been a member of the Politburo, and in late 1987 tendered a letter of resignation in protest. No one had resigned from the Politburo before...
NationalityRussian
ProfessionWorld Leader
Date of Birth1 February 1931
CityButka, Russia
CountryRussian Federation
I refer to calls for humanitarian intervention in the affairs of another state - a new idea, this - even when they are made under the pretext of defending human rights and freedoms.
There will be no devaluation -- that's firm and definite, ... I'm not simply fantasizing. Everything has been calculated. Every day, work is done to control the situation in this area.
I shouldn't be in the way of the natural course of history. To cling to power for another six months when the country has a strong person worthy of becoming president -- why should I stand in his way? Why should I wait? It's not in my character,
Despite Russia's resolute actions, NATO military action against Yugoslavia continues to escalate,
I said before the elections and repeat now -- don't rush to change the portraits. The country has a president and an active president at that.
Russia is deeply upset by NATO's military action against sovereign Yugoslavia, which is nothing more than open aggression,
This example showed me that the ability to step back is also among the political tasks of a president,
I told NATO and the Americans and the Germans don't push us toward military actions. Otherwise the whole of Europe, or maybe the entire world, will plunge into a war,
Of course, the situation is extremely difficult, ... For us, it is simply unacceptable.
I am absolutely certain that we shall succeed in correcting the (economic) situation,
I apologize to the families of the victims. I apologize, because I carry the responsibility for it all, ... I also declare we will fight (the bombers) mercilessly.
I'm doing everything possible to put an end to military actions,
Many provisions of the law infringe on constitutional rights and freedoms of individuals and citizens, establish inequality between different confessions and violate Russia's international obligations.
Everything that is aimed at countries present here, ... all of those weapons are going to have their warheads removed.