Impossible Quote by Simon Sebag Montefiore
“Russia is so feudal in its system of patronage and reward that it is virtually impossible for a leader to hand over power without controlling his successor or at least receiving an exemption from prosecution - something Mr. Putin granted his predecessor, Boris Yeltsin, in 1999.”
![“Russia, despite its heavy flirtation with capitalism and some quite unsavory oligarchs, is still building its foreign policy on the Soviet ideals of internationalism, solidarity and logic. And even domestically, President [Vladin]Putin is slowly, step-by-step, restoring many important Soviet…” quote by Andre Vltchek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8db/andre-vltchek-5249_achievement_russia-despite-its-heavy-flirtation-with_3136018.jpg)
![“The regime is in trouble economically and can no longer offer anything to its citizens. That's why [Vladimir] Putin has to pursue an aggressive foreign policy, so he can serve his people the fairy tale of Russian pride and regaining its strength as a major power.” quote by Garry Kasparov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ba7/garry-kasparov-910_aggressive_the-regime-is-in-trouble-economically-an_1114604.jpg)
![“The Yeltsin years considerably lowered the bar [of public expectations] for the country’s next leader: Putin’s specific policies and actions arguably matter far less than his reassuring symbolic function as “a real man” who can husband the nation’s resources and promise a return to greatness…” quote by Helena Goscilo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4ab/helena-goscilo-70434_leadership_the-yeltsin-years-considerably-lowered-t_464034.jpg)
![“But we must not forget the effort undertaken by the ruling elite in Russia to manipulate Western politicians, businessmen as well as journalists. That's why [Vladimir] Putin's "fifth column" is that powerful in the West.” quote by Garry Kasparov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/427/garry-kasparov-910_businessman_but-we-must-not-forget-the-effort-undert_2786130.jpg)
![“When [Vladimir] Putin, a former lieutenant-colonel in the KGB, became Russia's president on December 31, 1999 - eight years after the failed coup attempt against (then Soviet leader Mikhail) Gorbachev, and eight years after the people had torn down the statue of Felix Dzerzhinsky, the hated…” quote by Garry Kasparov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bda/garry-kasparov-910_capable_when-vladimir-putin-a-former-lieutenant_1098683.jpg)
