Putin: Westerners only love Russia that would need humanitarian aid

MOSCOW, April 20. /TASS/ Russian President Vladimir Putin believes that the removal of the ideological confrontation after the break-up of the USSR didn’t lead to the cancellation of geopolitical contradictions. He said as much in an interview for the documentary film titled President, whose teaser has been shown by the Rossiya 1 TV channel.

"We all had illusions. We thought back then that with the departure of the ideological component, which separated the former Soviet Union and the rest of the civilized world, that "the chains have been broken and freedom was supposed to be just around the corner," Putin said, partially quoting Russia’s 19-century national poet Alexander Pushkin who wrote, "The prison walls will crash... Content, at door will freedom wait to meet you; your brothers, hastening to greet you, to you the sword will glad present".

The president noted that Russia’s partners were not in a hurry "to present the sword to Russia." Rather, they would have been glad "to take away the leftovers of the Soviet Union’s combat power." "There are also geopolitical interests not related to any ideology," the Russian leader said in one of the fragments of the interview.

"The world decided that Russia was ceasing to exist in its present form. The only question was when this was going to happen and what the effects would be," Putin said.

"Sometimes I get the impression that they only love us when Russia needs humanitarian assistance," he added.

Putin also answered other questions posed by TV anchorman Vladimir Solovyov. He noted that the most hard and tragic moments were the "terrible terrorist attacks - in Beslan, at the Dubrovka [Theatre] Center."

In addition to that, the Russian leader commented on his love of direct communication with people. "I feel part of my country, part of the people," Putin said.

Another question concerned the fight against the influence of tycoons on power at the turn of the century, when Putin assumed office. According to the president, it became possible to reign them "in different ways, by using different means."

The President documentary dedicated to the 15th anniversary of Putin’s election head of state will go on air on Sunday.

The film creators promise to show some "forgotten and unknown pages of Vladimir Putin’s era," including a chronicle of events, unique footage made by the president’s personal cameramen, interviews with business representatives and Russia’s dignitaries.