Putin recognized that if he could get enough money, everything would be under control.

At a certain point, the atmosphere in the West could change. But I don't see determined political will [for that] at the moment.

At the end of the day, it's all about money.

I started playing chess when I was five years old. I learned the moves from my mother, then worked with my father - and later trainers. My style became very technical. I sacrificed a lot of things. I was always hunting for the king, for the mate. I'd forget about my other pieces.

More and more people in my country recognise the dangers of having their governors appointed by Putin and having no influence in parliament because Parliament today is also following instructions from Kremlin and no longer represents its people.

Donald Trump is a catalyst. People care now in a way they didn't. The American institutions were rusting; now they are being revitalised. Trump is a lightning rod. They are getting engaged and the American liberal media that spent too much time on PC issues can focus on Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

I don't think that nature envisaged an insurmountable mechanism that would hinder any country from taking the path of democratic development.