"And we still have a lot to do to ensure that not only in terms of purchasing power parity, but also per capita, we have a decent position. That’s first. And second is that the structure itself changes, so that it becomes much more efficient, more modern, and more innovative. This is what we will work on," he said in interview to Dmitry Kiselev, the director general of Rossiya Segodnya, Sputnik's parent media group.

"For instance, if we calculate the cost of their well-known missile defense system and [if we calculate the cost] of the main component of suppressing [their] missile defense, [used by] the Avangard intercontinental missile, a gliding block with an intercontinental range – these things are incomparable. We have virtually nullified everything they did, everything they have invested in their missile-defense system," he said in interview to Dmitry Kiselev, the Director general of Rossiya Segodnya, Sputnik's parent media group.

"We must boost our destructive capabilities by increasing both the sheer quantity and potency of our weapons, as well as by improving the effectiveness of our military forces and resources. This means tactical and army aviation, as well as strategic forces, specifically focusing on components suitable for armed conflicts. This includes ground-based weapons such as high-precision tools, artillery, and armored vehicles. Without any exaggeration, progress in this area is being made by leaps and bounds," he stated in his interview with Dmitry Kiselev, the director general of Rossiya Segodnya, Sputnik's parent media group.

"Are we ready to negotiate? Yes, we are prepared to do so, but only if the negotiations are not based on some ‘wish list’ concocted after the use of narcotics… The talks must be based on the realities that have developed, so to say, on the ground. This is first and foremost.

Secondly, those things that have been promised to us time and again such as the commitment not to expand NATO to the East ended up being violated as NATO forces roll up on our borders. They promised, without delving too far into history, that the internal conflict in Ukraine would be resolved through peaceful, political means.

As we remember, three foreign ministers arrived in Kiev - from Poland, Germany, and France. They all assured that they would act as guarantors of these agreements. However, a day later, a coup d'état took place," he said.

"I hate to say it, but I don't trust anyone. But we need guarantees. And the guarantees must be spelled out, they must be guarantees that would suit us and that we would believe in. This is what we are talking about. But right now it is probably too early to talk publicly about what it could be. But we will certainly not buy into some empty promises," he said in interview to Dmitry Kiselev, the Director general of Rossiya Segodnya, Sputnik's parent media group.