Status Updates From Putin vs Putin: Vladimir Pu...

"Without rejecting Liberalism in its absolute sense, one should nevertheless reject the recipe for Western-type Liberalism that the Atlanticist geopolitical forces are forcing upon us. It is clear that some elements of Liberalism in the economy must be adapted to the peculiarities of our Eurasian reality."

"In other words, Liberalism is alien to Russia, is not accepted by the population, threatens the Russian national identity, and calls the very existence of Russian civilization into question. The second ingredient of the Putin formula, Liberalism, is a challenge and a stumbling block for Russian politics; it will become ever more problematic in the coming years."

"Liberalism is not merely a technical principle oriented in a free market, with competition, freedom of enterprise, private initiative, and so forth. Liberalism is a anti-national ideology that is destructive for Russia: an ideology that proclaims money and material welfare to be the measure of all things, destroying the moral and spiritual fabric of society."

"The concept of Liberalism was a novelty in the 19th century: there would be no more religious and moral standards, no class restrictions, and no governmental or social controls over economic activity. Eventually, there would be no state or society at all, just a chaotic jumble of businessmen with no homeland, faith, ethics, or culture, uncontrolled and unrestricted in every aspect."

"While Putin symbolizes a respite, his place in history is uncertain. I am convinced that Russia has only one future-the Eurasian way, and I believe that Putin can only realize himself as a Eurasian President. It will be extremely difficult but it will be the right way."

"Eurasianist tendencies will continue to grow ever stronger with the Asian countries, and Russia will cautiously start moving towards a European policy as well. The intergrationist impulses of the CIS will be palpable, especially in economics. Putin will prepare the most favorable conditions for Russia's return to the global arena as an active player. He will reestablish the deserved power and dignity of Russia."

"For my part, I have always reckoned that Putin will balance (undoubtedly within Eurasianism) between the two extremes: Left (Socialist) Eurasianism and Right (Liberal) Eurasianism."