We believe that we could do a great deal to neutralise regional conflicts. Also, for example, to continue joint activities in space, for peaceful civilian purposes.

I remember my very first encounter with Japan. At that time, I was Deputy Mayor of St Petersburg. Out of nowhere, Japan's Consul General in St Petersburg came to my office and said Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs wanted to invite me to Japan. I was very surprised because I had nothing to do with Japan except being a judoka. This was an opportunity to visit Tokyo and a couple of other cities. And, you know, a capital is a capital everywhere: there is the official script and certain protocol. It is always easier to talk in the provinces, the conversation is more natural.

When the ruble is weaker, it is easier to sell, to produce here for a cheap ruble and sell for an expensive dollar, get revenue in dollars and then exchange it for rubles and get a bigger income. This is simple.

I only had a telephone conversation with [Donald Trump], whereas [Shinzō ] Abe met with him in person.

We want full-scale normalisation of relations [with Japan].

The breakup of the Soviet Union is a national tragedy on an enormous scale only the elites and nationalists of the republics gained.

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