Vladimir Putin: Russia can not be donor for CIS countries

'Russia must stop being a donor for other CIS countries and start developing economic ties on an equal and mutually profitable basis.' As a Rosbalt correspondent reports, this was announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin while speaking at the Moscow State University. In his opinion the collapse of the Soviet Union 'was a national tragedy for the population of the former state. Ordinary citizens did not gain anything from this but instead they were faced with a large number of problems,' Mr Putin said. 'Today, however, we have to consider the current situation and not keep trying to turn the clock back.' The president stressed that some elements of a common industrial complex have remained and together with the cultural ties these form a 'great foundation for closer integration which will be to the benefit of Russia and its neighbors.'