The basic principles of democracy should be observed whatever the country - principles such as civil liberties, a free market, a free press, the priority of the individual over mythical state interests, a state which serves the interests of ordinary people and defends their rights and interests. This is all easy to say but hard to make reality.

We have good personal relationship with President Obama, our relations are quite frank and business-like. And this is quite enough to do our job.

After all, China is our largest trading partner. As I said, country-wise, Russia trades the most with China. That is my first point.

60 percent of Syria is controlled either by ISIS, Jabhat al-Nusra or other terrorist organisations, organisations that have been recognised as terrorist by the United States, as well as other countries and the UN. It is them and not anyone else who have control over 60 percent of Syrian territory.

The participants expressed anxiety about the problems the Defense Ministry had been meeting in realizing its plans for future development.

I consider it to be the meaning of my whole life and my obligation to serve my fatherland and our people.

I like other sports, too, including skiing and swimming, and I am learning to play ice hockey now. But judo is definitely part of my life, a very big part, and I am glad that judo was the first sport I took up and that I have practiced it regularly and seriously. I am also grateful to Japan for this.