Vladimir Putin

Russian president

Contemporary influential 126 sayings

Sayings by Vladimir Putin

I'm in love.

2025 — Unusually personal remark during his annual 'Results of the Year' news conference, also agreeing tha…
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I'm in love.

2025 — Unusually personal remark during his annual 'Results of the Year' news conference, also agreeing tha…
Strange & Unusual Disputed

The price-quality ratio of Russian military products is a significant competitive advantage for the country's defense industry.

2026 — Stated amidst scrutiny of Russian military equipment quality during the Ukraine invasion.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The price-quality ratio of Russian military products is a significant competitive advantage for the country's defense industry.

2026 — Stated amidst scrutiny of Russian military equipment quality during the Ukraine invasion.
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

I was always a hooligan.

2018 — Speaking about his childhood in a documentary
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

There are no ex-intelligence agents.

2004 — Answering a question about his KGB past
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Sometimes it is better to be a woman, you can say one thing, then do another.

2002 — Joking during a press conference
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

We would be ready to invite Trump to Moscow. We’ll offer him red or white wine, or vodka.

2018 — During a press conference with Trump
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

If you want to become a terrorist, we’ll help you. Just go to the toilet and do it there.

1999 — Mocking terrorists during a speech
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I’ll be honest, I wanted to strangle him in the toilet.

2000 — Speaking about a Chechen warlord
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I’m not a czar, I’m the president.

2003 — Responding to a question about his power
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I sometimes think that Russians and Americans have a common problem—we don’t know how to relax.

2017 — Interview with Oliver Stone
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

If a fight is inevitable, you must strike first.

2018 — Speech at a meeting with military officers
Controversial Confirmed

There is no such thing as a former KGB officer.

2017 — Interview with Oliver Stone
Controversial Confirmed

The collapse of the Soviet Union was the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the 20th century.

2005 — Annual address to the Federal Assembly
Controversial Confirmed

We will go to heaven, and they will just croak.

2015 — Comment on Russian soldiers fighting in Syria
Controversial Unverifiable

The dog is a man's best friend. And a dog's best friend is a dog. Unless you're a cat. Then you're just a cat.

2007 — Interview with Rossiyskaya Gazeta
Humorous Unverifiable

If you want to become a leader, you must be a leader. If you don't want to become a leader, then don't.

2013 — Meeting with students in Sochi
Humorous Unverifiable

I have a personal relationship with the Internet. Sometimes I look at it, sometimes I don't.

2010 — Press conference
Humorous Unverifiable

Sometimes it is necessary to be alone to think.

2014 — Interview with TASS
Humorous Unverifiable