Dmitry Medvedev quotes

Dmitry Medvedev is a Russian politician who served as the President of Russia and later as the Prime Minister. Known for his close partnership with Vladimir Putin, he played a key role in the leadership of the country during the 2000s and 2010s. He continues to influence Russian politics and policymaking today. Here are 28 of his quotes:

Instead of the primitive raw material economy, we will create a smart economy generating unique knowledge, new useful things and technologies. Instead of the archaic society, in which the leaders think and make decisions for everyone, we will become a country of intelligent, free and responsible people. (Dmitry Medvedev)
I believe in Father Frost. But not too deeply. But anyway, you know, I'm not one of those people who are able to tell the kids that Father Frost does not exist. View quote
Dmitry Medvedev
So, once again, these are not political deals but an informed choice. At the same time, we need to take note of everything that happens around Russia. If some of our projects with Europe, America or others are put on ice (I'm not talking about the reasons behind this), we logically move these projects to other destinations. View quote
Dmitry Medvedev
Those who play badminton well take decisions quickly. View quote
Dmitry Medvedev
I always say that modernization is not an abstract thing; its a very specific task. View quote
Dmitry Medvedev
Freedom is a unique concept that everyone interprets differently. View quote
Dmitry Medvedev
Somebody should be extremely punctual, while somebody else is exhausting all the limits for being late. View quote
Dmitry Medvedev
Corruption is a global problem. But it is more widespread in rapidly developing countries. It is a growth problem. There are many corruption-related problems in Russia too. So, regarding stress tests, I think that such tests should be applied to all companies. View quote
Dmitry Medvedev
We are absolutely sure that, without urgent modernisation, the Russian economy has no future, even with the enormous natural resources Russia has. View quote
Dmitry Medvedev
We have nothing against the dollar, and I don't think China has anything against it either. But we believe that a modern currency system should be better balanced, so that when one of the currencies is sagging, this should be compensated by other global reserve currencies. View quote
Dmitry Medvedev
I tell you the first and last time. Together with a nuclear suitcase the president has a folder, which is top secret and devoted entirely to the report by the Russian secret service which handles the control of extraterrestrials in our country. After the term, the two folders and a small nuclear suitcase are transferred to the new president. How many of them are among us I cannot say because panic might begin. (Dmitry Medvedev)
One can have different attitudes to it, one can believe that the horsemen of the Apocalypse are already on their way and all hope is in Almighty God. However, one can still try to tone down this international situation. View quote
Dmitry Medvedev
When you borrow money, you should always think how you're going to pay it back. View quote
Dmitry Medvedev
Germany is our second biggest trade partner after China, but some time ago it was first. China is developing rapidly and has already become the world's largest economy in terms of purchasing power parity. At any rate, as you know, on 8 October China was recognised as such, but naturally the US economy is much bigger overall for the time being. View quote
Dmitry Medvedev
It is impossible to restore what is gone, obviously. I was born in the Soviet Union at about the same time as you (although we lived under different systems, we still listened to the same music, as we found out) but the world has changed since then, and the Soviet Union no longer exists. We have the Russian Federation, which is based on a Constitution adopted by our people. This Constitution proclaims the same set of values that is accepted by the absolute majority of humankind, notably, the supremacy of human rights, democracy, the protection of private property, market-based development and so on and so forth. I won't list all of them because these are universal values. So nobody wants to go back. There is no returning to the past. View quote
Dmitry Medvedev
When I get into a bad mood, I do sports and then everythings OK. And then I go and make decisions, however painful they may be. View quote
Dmitry Medvedev
Legal reform in Russia is a must. And I keep track of it daily. View quote
Dmitry Medvedev
Business is always looking to avoid the toughest norms. But some do it in a civilized way, while others push it using uncivilized, brazen methods. View quote
Dmitry Medvedev
Any politician is to a certain degree a mentor. They preach something. View quote
Dmitry Medvedev
I don't want to live in a militarised country behind an iron curtain. It's boring. Been there and seen the movie. I've done that. View quote
Dmitry Medvedev
Let the people decide whom to vote for, who has more authority. And only people, only our citizens, are able to place the final emphasis, voting for this or that person or political force, or rejecting it. That's democracy. (Dmitry Medvedev)
Considering I'm a young president, I wouldn't like to make an evaluation of myself. It's not my job to do that. View quote
Dmitry Medvedev
Now the interests of the citizens of Poland have been sacrificed to the Russophobia of these mediocre politicians and their puppeteers from across the ocean with clear signs of senile insanity. View quote
Dmitry Medvedev
Ukraine that has mentally transformed into the Third Reich will have the same fate. View quote
Dmitry Medvedev
Ukrainianism is a fake. It never existed and doesn't exist. View quote
Dmitry Medvedev