The banner reads "Gazprom-children"
"Russia is a country that in the 20th century was subjected to hard trials. ..revolutions, civil war, world wars, and economic collapse. Today we are building new institutions based on the fundamental principals of full-fledged democracy…a democracy without unnecessary additional definitions. These are institutions based on market economy, on supremacy of law, and that those in power must be accountable to the rest of society. Not a single non-democratic state has ever become a prosperous state for one very simple reason – freedom is better than non-freedom."
"Yet, we still have much work ahead of us, and we most certainly realize what problems we are facing: excessive dependence on markets of minerals and raw materials, corruption, and the still very high level of differentiation in the incomes of the population, as well as the declining numbers of our population."
"We are not trying to push anyone to love Russia…but we shall not allow anyone to hurt Russia. We shall strive to win respect both for citizens of Russia, and for the country as a whole. Moreover, this shall be achieved, not by using force, but rather, by our own behavior, and by our achievements. In the given century, we see ourselves as a developed country, with a strong economy, and as a reliable trade and foreign political partner."
First Deputy Prime Minister Dimitry Medvedev, speaking at the World Economic Forum
June 10, 2007
Click the extended post for more photos of Dmitry Medevedev, the man most likely to be the next President of the Russian Federation.
Comments
Nice looking apparatchik. Is Russia ready to go that civil? All Russians I know are dubious. Popular opinion is, he's 'a shorty'.
Posted by: Anonymous | December 11, 2007 7:40 AM
Check out this photo gallery of Mrs. M:
http://en.rian.ru/photolents/20071210/91731068.html
On the surface, Mr. M seems to have all of the credentials that many like to see of a president.
Posted by: Michael Averko | December 11, 2007 12:54 PM
Yeah!
Posted by: Lois Du Pey | December 11, 2007 3:04 PM
Unless Russia wants to fall although still powerful it needs to reach out to other country for support
Posted by: Matt | December 14, 2007 11:17 AM
Russia is coming back to USSR. I am Russian and remeber time when it was the same : Breznew was everywhere and allways. Russian people have not any backbone, and, they will vote Medevedev to be a presidednt, even if they don't like him.There are no any alternative. And I say more: Edinaya Rossia (or United Russia) party is a prototype of Kommunist party in USSR. Ant it already has its hands spreaded everyhwere. All the governers, if they want to keep their post successfully, they should do everything party says. Advertaise the next President, push the people to vote for party. It takes a place everywere. At a factory for example, if you're a worker, you will be said:" If you don't give you support signature for Edinaya Rossia or Medved- you say "good-bye my job". So don't belive in Russian democracy.
Posted by: Vladimir | January 7, 2008 12:02 AM
Fantastic photo's full of character.
Posted by: Medvedev | January 15, 2008 8:49 PM
Doesn't he look like a rock star in his shades in that picture?
A bit of Deep Purple I think.
Medvedev seems like a good guy from a UK bloggers perspective. I hope he creates more peace for Russian people as Russia is great and can do with some peace. A Russian girl won the world darts final just a week ago. Russia is great so let us visist and I know the US is a bit of a bully boy but Hillary will be better and Medvedev can make Russia rich and popular beyond words and then maybe I'll visit with my wife and kids and look at the great buildings and art and ballet and music without worry of being shot!!
Russia needs to forget world war 2 and become the great modern country it really is.
No more war I say. Just let's have business and DVD's of comdey and music and happiness.
Negotiation and comprimise. Russia needs to stop been paranoid and start been proud and exporting ballet and art and let us all in to holiday.
Medvedev can do this.
Posted by: Dmitry Medvedev | January 17, 2008 7:04 AM