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.

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.

The democratic choice Russian people made in the early 90's is final.

Addressing issues, including controversial ones, as well as domestic issues of the former Soviet Republics through the so-called coloured revolutions, through coups and unconstitutional means of toppling the current government. That is absolutely unacceptable.

Russia must realise its full potential in high-tech sectors such as modern energy technology, transport and communications, space and aircraft building.

There is something that I have in common with every citizen of Russia, the love for our motherland.

Millions around the world increasingly see America not as a model of democracy but as relying solely on brute force.