Analysis
Multiple reputable sources cite a 2000 televised interview in which Putin said, “Кто не тоскует по СССР, тот без сердца; кто хочет его вернуть — тот без ума.” The English rendering matches the claim. While translations differ slightly, the meaning is consistent with the quoted statement.
Background
The remark was made during a 2000 interview for a Russian TV documentary about Putin, shortly after he became president. It has been widely quoted in Western media to illustrate his view on nostalgia for the USSR. The quote reflects his stance that emotional longing for the Soviet era is natural, but attempts to restore it are irrational.
Verdict summary
Putin did make a statement in a 2000 interview that roughly translates to “Whoever does not miss the Soviet Union has no heart; whoever wants it back has no brain.”