Sanctions against such country as Russia are unlikely to be effective.

Russia has long recognized the borders of today's Ukraine. By and large, we have completed our talks on the border. Now we have to deal with the demarcation, but this is a technical issue.

I think the American people should express their preferences and we'll accept their choice.

Of course, we will work towards that end. Of course, we will work to achieve this result. However, you have just mentioned the 1956 agreement, and one may recall that these negotiations were later terminated, in effect, on Japan's initiative.

The path towards a free society has not been simple. There are tragic and glorious pages in our history.

Russia is a very reliable and big market. I don't remember the figure but, for example, the German machine-building industry has been increasing its supplies to Russia every year. These supplies are huge. Does someone want to discontinue these supplies? We'll buy from somebody else.

For me, it [Crimea] is not borders and state territories that matter, but people's fortunes.