Yes, the great speech, indeed, its really honest and reflects the real state of the World and the causes that led it in current state.
What especially wonders me is if Putin do really knows something about climate changes, i.e. ice age's coming. The climatic part of the speech left "something in the air" regarding his awareness:
Ladies and gentlemen, the issues that affect the future of all people include the challenge of global climate change. It is in our interest to make the U.N. Climate Change Conference to be held in December in Paris a success.
[...]
There were many stones in his speech against the US Government led version of the present World Order. How to alleviate the inflicted pain? Perhaps global warming was a band aid.
It may be that Putin believes in Global Warming. Or, it may be he knows more, there are certainly quite a few TV shows and youtubes in Russian including interviews with researchers who think that it is getting colder.
But there are also a number of predictions about the future of the world and the role of Russia, I watched a few the other day; unfortunately they are in Russian. I would be surprised if Putin or his advisors are unaware of any of this. Now if one takes the predicitons into account about the current and future turmoil in the world, then the global warming climate business is really very minor, apart from it being a lie. To promise something for 2030 is just immaterial, it does not matter, considering what is still to come! However, I do think it is important that he gives backing to something that is to take place in France, in Paris. I am sure there will be a number of especially French (they will feel very honoured) or even German/EU politicians or diplomats who take notice. And the role of France, who wants to bomb Syria in self defence, is important, apart from France being a party in the Minsk agreement. Also it is like pointing out, whatever I have said today, (thay you may not like), there are things we can work on, we continue to talk, and next time we meet is in Paris in December.
Keit mentioned smoking: If anyone would like to know some of the events that took place before Russia went into anti smoking mode, have a look at the translation Siberia did of an article that gives some of the background: http://cassiopaea.org/forum/index.php/topic,33856.msg535344.html#msg535344