I will not allow any destabilization in Russia, in the interests of the ... peoples of the Russian Federation,

[Russian forces] managed to do the impossible -- that is to save lives of hundreds, ... We have proven that Russia will not fall to its knees.

Today I told George that in Russia we, too, will draw our conclusions

Russia will not soon become, if it ever becomes, a second copy of the United States or England - where liberal value have deep historic roots.

We had to pay a ... high price for restoring the territorial integrity of Russia and today we are bowing our heads to the memory of the military and civilians who ... paid with their lives to have our country strong and inseparable,

Russia deeply sympathizes with Americans, who faced a disaster of such a colossal scale, and is ready to offer necessary assistance,