In accordance with the Constitution of the Russian Federation, the issues of foreign policy and defense are fully in the hands of the president.

Our common goal should be the development of a system of equal security for all governments. System adequate [to deal with] modern threats, built on regional and global nonaligned bases. Only then can we ensure peace and tranquility in the world.

The constitutional reform is supposed to give autonomy to eastern Ukraine and to be adopted by the end of 2015. This has not happened, and the year is over. That's not Russia's fault.

I do not think I have the right to determine the political future of Syria, be it with or without al-Assad. This is for the Syrians themselves to decide. Nobody has the right to claim the rights that belong to the people of another country.

The climate is changing. This year we have come to understand this when we faced events that resulted in fires.

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

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