‘We know the value of peace’ Meduza looks back on 22 years of anti-war statements from Russia’s Vladimir Putin
Russian troops invaded Ukraine on February 24. Since then, Russian officials have framed this attack a “special military operation” — although it is in fact a full-scale war (you can read the latest news about it here). In light of these events, we decided to take a look back on what Vladimir Putin has said about war during his 22 years in power. Meduza shares highlights from the Russian leader’s anti-war rhetoric here.
‘Peace is, above all, the strength of the economy and the well-being of the people’
2000. A speech at a military parade dedicated to the 55th anniversary of victory in World War II.
Dear veterans, we are used to winning with you. This habit has entered our blood, has become a guarantee not only of military victories. […] Our people have gone through more than one war, and therefore we know the value of peace; we know that peace is, above all, the strength of the economy and the well-being of the people. They are the basis of Russia’s internal and external strength, its defense capabilities, and security. And this is the “military secret” we will pass on to our children.
‘As long as there is no war’
2001. An address marking the 60th anniversary of the beginning of World War II
It’s been years now. But the consequences of that war are remembered today. The twisting of peoples’ destinies, the funerals in almost every family. The destruction of the lives of an entire generation of young people. […] You will never understand Russia if you do not know what our people endured during the war. […] [If you] do not grasp why survivors of the blockade have a habit of collecting stale bread. Why our people have such hatred for war. And what is the origin of this phrase, so often repeated by our elderly, and by young people after them: ‘As long as there is no war’.
‘If we accept the law of fists, no country in the world will feel safe’
2003. Extract from a statement at a meeting with the heads of the government, the presidential administration, and the security agencies on the invasion of Iraq
This military action can never be justified, neither by accusing Iraq of supporting international terrorism — we have never had information of this kind — nor by changing the political regime in that country, which is directly contrary to international law and should be determined only by the nationals of a state.
[…]
The military action against Iraq is a great political mistake. I have already mentioned the humanitarian side. However, the threat of the collapse of the established system of international security is equally worrisome.
If we allow international law to be replaced by the law of fists, according to which the powerful are always right and entitled to everything, and when choosing the means of achieving their goals, are not limited by anything, one of the basic principles of international law — the inviolability of the sovereignty of states — would then be called into question. At that point, no country in the world will feel safe, and the hotbed of instability that has arisen today will grow and will have negative consequences in other regions of the world.
‘A war without direct UN authorization undermines the foundations of peace’
2007. Interview with the news channel Al Jazeera.
We are always opposed to resolving any problem in international affairs through military means, especially without the direct authorization of the United Nations Security Council, because this undermines the international legal foundations of world peace.
‘Modern, civilized politics should be based on common moral and legal principles’
2009. A speech in Poland commemorating the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of World War II
It is our moral duty, the duty of all peoples, to hold sacred the memory of the enduring significance of the Great Victory, the value of a true alliance, and the dramatic events of our common history.
[…]
Modern, civilized politics should be based on common moral and legal principles. I am convinced that only then will we be able to turn the tragic page of the Second World War – in memory of the fallen and for the peaceful future of our children.
‘We will never seek confrontation in the East or the West’
2014. An address given after the “referendum” in Crimea on March 16.
We want peace and harmony to come to Ukraine and, together with other countries, we are ready to provide all possible assistance and support. But only the citizens of Ukraine are able to put their own house in order.
[…]
We ourselves will never seek confrontation with our partners in the East or the West. On the contrary, we will do what is necessary to build civilized, neighborly relations, as it should be in the modern world.
‘We are obliged to pass on stability and peace in the world to our descendants’
2017. A speech at the Victory Parade on Red Square.
Russia will always be on the side of the forces of peace, with those who choose the path of equal partnership, who deny war as being contrary to the very essence of human life and nature. We are obliged to pass on stability and peace in the world to our descendants. Glory to the victorious people!
‘A world war can be the end of all life. This understanding should hold us back.’
2018. Answering a question about the possibility of a third world war on a televised call-in show.
We should recall Einstein, I think. He said, “I don’t know what weapons will be used to fight the third world war, but the fourth will be fought with sticks and stones.” The understanding that a third world war may be the end of today’s civilization is an understanding that should hold us back from actions in the international area [that are] extreme and extremely dangerous for modern civilization.
‘The task of world leaders is to prevent a repetition of the events of the Second World War’
2020. Speaking to schoolchildren during an online lesson on September 1.
I sincerely believe that you and your relatives, will never have to face such ordeals [of the war years]. I see this as the task of the leaders of states, of responsible politicians, of public figures, [and] of all of those who realize how fragile the modern world is. I believe that you will never have to go through that, because back then, the violence was terrible, on both sides.
‘Our responsibility to the past and the future is to do everything to prevent the recurrence of terrible tragedies’
2020. Excerpts from Putin’s article, titled “75th Anniversary of the Great Victory: Shared Responsibility to History and our Future.”
It is our responsibility to the past and the future to do everything possible to prevent the recurrence of terrible tragedies. Therefore, I considered it my duty to present an article about the Second World War, the Great Patriotic War.
[…]
We stand for a genuine, unshakeable, well-established truth about war. This human truth — harsh, bitter and merciless — has been passed on to us by writers and poets who have endured the fire and hell of the front lines. For my generation, as for others, their honest, deep stories, novels, piercing “lieutenant prose,” and poems have left a mark on the soul forever. They became a testament — to honor the veterans who did everything they could to win. Remember those who remained on the battlefields
‘There is no forgiveness and no excuse for those who are once again plotting aggressive plans’
2021. Speech at the Victory Day parade on Red Square on May 9
But then, in 1941, there were still four more years of the bloodiest war to come. It struck at the future, at young people, at younger generations, and therefore at those who would never be born.
War has brought so many unbearable ordeals, grief, and tears, that it is impossible to forget. And there is no forgiveness or excuse for those who are once again plotting aggressive plans.
‘Allegedly, our neighbors feel unsafe’
2022. A statement at a press conference after Russian-French talks on February 8 (16 days before the invasion)
NATO has designated us as the enemy. Moreover, having brought its military infrastructure closer to our borders, NATO and its member states feel entitled to give us a little lesson on where and how to deploy our armed forces, and think it possible to demand that planned maneuvers and exercises not be carried out. The movement of our troops — on our own territory, I would like to stress — is presented as a threat of Russian invasion, in this case of Ukraine. Allegedly, both the Baltic countries and other states, our neighbors, feels unsafe. On what basis is not very clear.
Translation by Carol Matlack