Hello and Happy Birthday Russia 20 years old June 12'th 2010 and may the next 20 years be peaceful and prosperous for Mother Russia.

I really want to believe that Russia is changing toward a more democratic society, but I really concern about human rights and corruption. I know that every country in the world has issues regarding these topics, but I want other countries to see Russia as an example, a counterbalance in the globe stage. However, this can´t be achieved through an iron fist, I mean the government must stop hunting gays, Jehovah´s witnesses, and any other minority. If you really wanna be a pole of attraction to scientist, mathematicians, artists and the like, persuasion must convince then. In my opinion Dmitri Medvediev and Vladimir Putin are good leaders, but not everything is about economic growth, locals and foreigners should feel secure and comfortable within Russian society, meaning not allowing bribery under any circumstance, punishing police brutality, not interfering in citizen´s private matters, and getting rid of corrupt local politicians who manage the politics of their provinces like an auction house.

What happened 20 years ago was a huge shift and some things were gained, some lost, as a result. However, after much hardship, Russia has emerged back, in many ways stronger and better than ever. And that's just the begining! To all Russians, especially Mr Putin and Mr Medvedev: Wishing a happy holiday and many, many years of prosperous, peaceful and forward looking development! From someone who lives far away but whose heart will always be with Russia.

Twenty years? Has it been that long? I seems seems like maybe five or six years at most. There is no reason why Russia cannot be a great nation. "Let us go forth to lead the land we love", sayes it all I think. Go forth and be new "children of a new age".

Last time that the then-new Russia was 20 years old, it celebrated by attacking and destroying its also 20 years old Baltic neighbours. To this day neither the newly old nor newly new Russia has expressed even the least remorse about that, and indeed continues to justify that aggression and its 50-year aftermath. It would be wonderful if on its 20th birthday the New Russia shows it has acquired the necessary maturity to pass appropriate judgment on the 20th birthday celebrations of the Old, and emerge out from under its shadow.

Happy Birthday Russia.

Congratulations to all Russians on another milestone in your new life. Conditions in your country are much better now than they were 20 years ago, and hopefully they will be much better again 20 years from now.

While it may be a new Russia, it’s still the same Russians. I would be most interested to see a Russian explain what he or she personally has learned from their country’s Soviet experience, what responsibility he or she feels that Russians had for allowing the Soviet nightmare to descend on their country, and what steps he or she has committed to take to ensure that Russia will never again fall into totalitarianism. If Russians feel that they, as a people, had no responsibility for their history, if they believe they have learned nothing from it, and if they have made zero commitment to ensuring that totalitarianism will not again run amuck in their land, then no one need be surprised if, in due course, the new Russia changes back into the old.

Before the Soviet Revolution, "Russia" included ALL the Russian Empire, and even present day Finland and, for decades, Alaska. All was part of the "Russian Empire". By 1991, large parts of Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Belarus have been already assimilated and were overwhlemingly Russian speaking (still today they are) so the division of the territory undertaken by Yeltsin was false. People in Belarus, Kazakhstan and most of Ukraine DIDN´T demand Independence but it was IMPOSED upon them by Boris Yeltsin who thought in a selfish way about the resources of the Republic of Russia. Independence was not in the minds of most people in the USSR before 1991. Before division the logical step would have been adding Northern Kazakhstan, Eastern Ukraine and Belarus as Krais or Republics of the Russian Federation, which by now would have over 170 million people and would be more homogeneous....Now that is not possible as a BUREAUCRATIC elite with large priviledges has developed in Astana, Kiev and Minsk, and will defend its priviledgs if necessary by War. But, the same way Germany and Poland now share a Customs Union and a Single Currency, it is also possible in Russia and Ukraine which are much more similar.

Many Happy Returns, Russia! p.s My lovely Mia the Chow-Chow sends her warmest wishes to all four-legged Russians.

To quote Dmitry Rogozin from several years ago: "What is there to celebrate? The country collapsed, the other Soviet republics abandoned us." What "positive" results have we seen from the collapse of the USSR in the last 20 years? Civil Wars. Attack on the Parliament by Yeltsin. Economic collapse. The plunder of Russia's Economy by a group of well connected criminals(Oligarchs) that to this day mostly remain in power as they have made connections with the current Government. New terrorist attacks every other week. Never ending days of mourning for new disasters that occur almost monthly. Countless failures of heating, plumbing, and electricity systems which are breaking down because they have not been replaced/repaired in 20 years since Russia became "independent" from itself. The Russian Military is a skeleton of the Soviet Military and the Furniture Salesman Serdyukov is destroying it even further with incompetent "reforms". I refuse to "celebrate" this disaster.

Wishing the people of Russia and her leaders a Great and Joyful 20th Birthday! Congradulations on making the transition to democracy, free market economy and to a major world power. Wishing Russia many more years! Greetings from your American friends!

correction: "Germany and France now share a Customs Union and a Single Currency"

Let's memorize the '90s, learn from mistakes, and appreciate positive developments! 1990-2010 Happy Birthday RSFSR / Novaja Rossija, live long and prosper! May a new Russia regain its superpower, in favor of the stability of the whole World!

Happy Birthday to Russia and have a happy day all Russians from this Pakistani.