My aim was to create armaments to protect the borders of my motherland. It is not my fault that the Kalashnikov became very well-known in the world; that it was used in many troubled places. I think the policies of these countries are to blame, not the designers. Man is born to protect his family, his children, his wife. But I want you to know that apart from armaments, I have written three books in which I try to educate our youth to show respect for their families, for old people, for history.

I am still ready to shake hands with anyone who designs a better assault rifle than mine.

I was trying to perform as best as possible. I was a boy at the time, but worked well with the sickle.

Man keeps inventing things all the time.

Life is composed of different inventions.

When a young man, I read somewhere the following: God the Almighty said, 'All that is too complex is unnecessary, and it is simple that is needed.' So this has been my lifetime motto – I have been creating weapons to defend the borders of my fatherland, to be simple and reliable.

It is painful for me to see when criminal elements of all kinds fire from my weapon.