A man must live like a great brilliant flame and burn as brightly as he can. In the end he burns out. But this is far better than a mean little flame.
- Boris Yeltsin Quote

Europe has found itself confronted with fresh challenges - challenges of a global character, the nature of which is directly connected with changes in the international climate and the difficulties of seeking new models for co-operation.
- Boris Yeltsin Quote

I understand that it's hard for everyone, but one cannot give in to emotions... we'll have to draw lessons from the current crisis and now we'll have to work on overcoming it.
- Boris Yeltsin Quote

I would like to stress here that a lasting peace in the Chechen republic and so-called peace talks with the bandits are not the same thing, and I would ask everyone to make no mistake about that.
- Boris Yeltsin Quote

Let's not talk about Communism. Communism was just and idea, just pie in the sky.
- Boris Yeltsin Quote

One could see that what you are writing was that today's meeting with President Bill Clinton was going to be a disaster. Now, for the first time, I can tell you that you are a disaster.
- Boris Yeltsin Quote

There are numerous bugbears in the profession of a politician. First, ordinary life suffers. Second, there are many temptations to ruin you and those around you. And I suppose third, and this is rarely discussed, people at the top generally have no friends.
- Boris Yeltsin Quote

There were no strategic mistakes that could affect Russia's history and it further development. No, there were no such mistakes. Tactical errors were made in some less significant options, problems and so on. But, on the whole, Russia embarked on a correct path and it changed.
- Boris Yeltsin Quote

We all have an equal interest in stability and security throughout Europe. The years the OSCE has existed, and particularly this year, have given rise to great expectations and at the same time to powerful disappointments.
- Boris Yeltsin Quote

We don't appreciate what we have until it's gone. Freedom is like that. It's like air. When you have it, you don't notice it.
- Boris Yeltsin Quote

We want peace and a political solution to the situation in Chechnya.
- Boris Yeltsin Quote

While maintaining our nuclear potential at the proper level, we need to devote more attention to developing the entire range of means of information warfare.
- Boris Yeltsin Quote

You can build a throne with bayonets, but you can't sit on it for long.
- Boris Yeltsin Quote

Your commanders have ordered you to storm the White House and to arrest me. But I as the elected President of Russia give you the order to turn your tanks and not to fight against your own people.
- Boris Yeltsin Quote