Putin: Russia’s future depends on its competitiveness

Kremlin and St. Basil's

(Interfax – MOSCOW, June 12, 2013) Amid growing competition in the world in all fields, from art to the defense industry, Russian researchers and scientists should not expect stress-free work, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a ceremony of presenting state awards at the Kremlin on Wednesday.

“I will venture to follow up on what today’s laureates have said here and will cite some remarks by people working in the defense industry. Therefore, my words will not sound crudely,” Putin said.

Putin mentioned some of the previous speakers saying “If not we, then who?”

“I will dare alter this: If not we, then us,” Putin said.

He also quoted another laureate saying that “now we can work comfortably.”

“I will dare argue about this. What I have just said doesn’t imply any aggression but is simply true to life, which means that competition is growing steadily, and we should be the best in all fields, including art, literature, science, creative work in general, or the manufacturing industry. Therefore, there will be no chance to work comfortably,” Putin said.

The president thanked the laureates and wished them all success, adding that Russia’s future depends on its competitiveness.

Comment