For several days there has been quite intensive fighting.

[The Kremlin said Yeltsin was committed to the deal, however.] President Yeltsin states clearly and unequivocally that he is an initiator of the unification of the two fraternal states and their peoples, a consistent and firm supporter of it, ... It is a geopolitical necessity and an economic reality.

It is absolutely obvious that we have to keep up contacts.

The pope has a standing invitation and in no way has it been canceled.

But a visit of this sort requires a radical change in relations between the Russian Orthodox church and the Vatican.

Absolutely groundless, idle inventions.

No one in the new administration will tell you this subject is taboo, ... It should be discussed in public, but within the framework of decency and ethics.

The president's striving for cooperation should in no circumstances be regarded as a demonstration of weakness.

The basic direction will remain unchanged, which is the development of market relations, but from the point of view of practice, of implementing practical measures, we must expect serious changes in the former government's course.