I have great love and respect for Russian history and culture. But the world is changing and Russia is too. Russia is part of the modern world, not the world of the past but the modern world. And I believe it has an even greater future than some other countries that can't take care of their young people, of the new generations, of their children, and believe that they can just let things slide.

In general, Gazprom is doing well and is increasing export in its traditional partner countries.

We understand that the Iranian position is very bad because of the well-known sanctions against that country, and it would be unfair to leave it on this sanction level.

If you aspire to be a leader of your own country, you must speak your own language, for God's sake.

Russia, as well as any other country, does not need dictators, but it needs equitable principles of organizing the state and society: just, effective, flexibly responding to changes inside and outside the country - that is what Russia needs.

I'm convinced that democracy cannot be exported from one country to another, like you cannot expert revolutions, ideology.

Ukraine is the closest country to us. We have always said that Ukraine is our sister country and it is true. It is not just a Slavic people, it is the closest people to Russia: we have similar languages, culture, common history, religion etc.

China is a great country with a great culture, populated by fascinating, industrious and talented people.

Easter celebrations are evidence of the increased benign influence of the Russian Orthodox Church and other traditional churches in our country on society.