Political activities in Russia should be as transparent as possible. Financing political activities from abroad is something the state should keep an eye on.

It is no accident that I mention our American friends, as they are always influencing our relations with our neighbors either directly or behind the scenes. Sometimes you don't even know who to talk to - the governments of certain countries or directly to their American patrons.

Everything must be organized in the most rational way. The state won't accept excessive prices.

I am in regular contact with Prime Minister [Shinzo] Abe. We have met several times this year [2016].

Political populism always poses a great danger because it disorients people, creates excessive expectations or, on the contrary, prioritises objectives that are clearly not priorities or are simply impossible to achieve.

There is no one to talk to since Mahatma Gandhi died.

In relations between the states ... the interests of the country should be correlated with the interests of other countries, and compromise is to be found when resolving the most complex issues.