As 2013 draws to a close, we invite our readers to take a look back at some of Russia’s top newsmakers through their comments on the year’s most newsworthy events.
Vladimir Putin
“Berlusconi is denounced for living with women. If he were a homosexual, they wouldn’t say a word to him.”
Source: AFP / East News
Yelena Isinbaeva
“I am opposed to this controversy and against what is happening. If politicians or any other people who have no relationship to sports want to use us in this boycott, I'm against it."
Source: ITAR-TASS
Edward Snowden
“I ask for your assistance in requesting guarantees of safe passage from the relevant nations in securing my travel to Latin America, as well as requesting asylum in Russia until such time as these states accede to law and my legal travel is permitted.”
Source: AP
Dmitry Medvedev
“Concerns about the environment cannot justify illegal acts, however high the motives of the people taking part in various actions.”
Source: Reuters
Gerard Depardieu
“At some point I felt a certain closeness to [Rasputin]. Both of my grandmothers were clairvoyants and hypnotists.”
Source: RG
Ian Frazier
“It was hard to find a Gulag to visit. I did find one in the Sakha Republic, a little bit west from Oymyakon and it was the most terrible thing I’ve ever seen, but in the same time very fascinating because nothing changed, it was like frozen in time.”
Source: Press Photo
Sergey Lavrov
“The quiet and harmonious work of the UN as a major platform for dialogue is a long-term vaccination against the virus of anarchy in international relations.”
Source: ITAR-TASS
Alexei Navalny
"I thank all for support and I will do all I can to justify your hopes. I am sure our party will be registered and win voters' support."
Source: ITAR-TASS
Mikhail Prokhorov
"Participation in the nationalist march is unacceptable! If you are considering whether to go there or not, don't go!"
Source: Vostock Photo
Barack Obama
“I have said consistently that, where the interests of the United States and Russia converge, we need to work together.”
Source: AP
Lyudmila Putina
"Our marriage is over because we barely see each other."
Source: Vostock Photo
Anna Netrebko
“I want to say to women who have autistic children, that they should not be afraid.”
Source: Legion Media
Semyon Varlamov
“What can I say? I believe many people just understand the whole situation. Thanks for your support.”
Source: AP
All rights reserved by Rossiyskaya Gazeta.
Subscribe
to our newsletter!
Get the week's best stories straight to your inbox