Medvedev: "We should not be prickly"

We've all heard about putting lipstick on a pig, but how about a bear?

"Our image needs to be comfortable for those who deal with us," President Medvedev said, adding, "We should not be prickly and hard to approach, but at the same time we should be able to give a firm response when circumstances call for it."

Also, Medvedev wants everyone to know that he loves the image of Russia as a bear, "It's an image close to my heart," he said. Come to think of it, maybe Russia should adopt the cuddly panda as its national symbol. If the demographic crisis continues, both will be extinct sooner or later.