“Geographically, Russia has enormous potential. New ideas, respect for each other. The joy of being human. I think Russia will be able to correctly distribute the opportunities. Russia has the potential to become the leading nation in the world,” said the spiritual leader of the Buddhists.

The Dalai Lama also said that he would like to visit places where he had been in childhood during the Soviet era, and prays for his arrival in Russia.
“When I was little, I saw a lot of people from Tuva and Mongolia. Since 1979, I had the opportunity to visit Mongolia, the Soviet Union and its several republics. I would love to, but I don’t think it will be possible soon to visit Kalmykia, Buryatia and Tuva, ”he said.
The Dalai Lama spoke about his admiration for the people of Russia. “I believe in the great future of Russia. Russia can actually become a real bridge between the East and the West. The Russian people are a great people. ”
The Dalai Lama declared that the world is in a critical situation. At the same time, he noted the activities of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who pays great attention to what is happening in different parts of the world. “I have always considered Russia a leading world power,” said His Holiness in a conversation with Kirsan Ilyumzhinov.  “Putin is very active, he visits many countries of the world. It delights me, I appreciate his efforts.”
“The Russian Federation is a great country with great power. Recent events have shown that Putin, as the country's leader, pays great attention to what is happening in different parts of the world, and this is very good,” said the 14th Dalai Lama.