Not only America but all countries should think together about how the enormous might of the sole remaining superpower should be used. We need a leadership that is based on partnership, a leadership that unites nations and makes it possible to solve the problems of the globe together. Otherwise, we will have another Gold Rush for a superpower that wants to gain even greater advantages, that wants to gain an absolutely new position for itself. That would lead to a perverse utopia.

I say again that I am an atheist. I do not believe in God.

Politics is my second love, next to my love for Raisa [Gorbacheva].

Contemporary social democracy is what I believe is the right concept.

Putin wants to stay in power, but not so that he can finally solve our most pressing problems: education, health care, poverty.

If not me, who? And if not now, when?

My goal was to avoid bloodshed. But unfortunately there was some bloodshed, after all.