Any politician is to a certain degree a mentor. They preach something.

Being a prime minister is a very demanding job. And as long as I have the strength, I will continue to do this and be of benefit to my country.

Business is always looking to avoid the toughest norms. But some do it in a civilized way, while others push it using uncivilized, brazen methods.

Considering I'm a young president, I wouldn't like to make an evaluation of myself. It's not my job to do that.

Freedom is a unique concept that everyone interprets differently.

I always say that modernization is not an abstract thing; it's a very specific task.

I am president and do not have the right to give in to emotions. I have bad moods, very bad moods, but I never feel despair.

I believe religion is important for every person.

I don't want to live in a militarised country behind an iron curtain. It's boring. Been there and seen the movie. I've done that.

Legal reform in Russia is a must. And I keep track of it daily.

My main ambition is to be of use to my country and my people.

Stability and a prosperous life cannot be set off against a set of political rights and freedoms.

Terrorism tramples upon any rights and freedoms and generates fear and hatred; it is an obstacle to efforts at improving our world.

Those who play badminton well take decisions quickly.

What's the point of elections if everything is already decided?

When I get into a bad mood, I do sports and then everything's OK. And then I go and make decisions, however painful they may be.

When you borrow money, you should always think how you're going to pay it back.

I believe in Father Frost. But not too deeply. But anyway, you know, I'm not one of those people who are able to tell the kids that Father Frost does not exist.

I do like classical music, and soft rock, and jazz, which I never listened to when I was 15. Now I like it. The older you get, the more tolerant you get, right?

I've never tried to measure myself on any scale. A person is more multifaceted than the label they often get stuck with. On the other hand someone's whole behaviour allows you to characterise them in a certain way. This person has liberal convictions, that person has conservative ones, this person is a radical socialist, and so on.