"I asked them how they learned this song, and they said out of respect to the Germans, out of respect to the hosts," Putin said. "Later I was approached by many guests and many people told me they were ashamed that only Russian Cossacks sang in German."

“Let’s imagine that the [the banner of] the 155th Marine Brigade of the Pacific Fleet represents all the military banners of our guys fighting right now for Russia, for the Motherland, across the line of engagement,” President Vladimir Putin said at his year-end press conference in Moscow, when asked about the pace of the Special Military Operation.

"Honestly, I don't know."

“The number of NATO armored vehicles that Russia has wiped out in its border region of Kursk has exceeded the amount of enemy vehicles destroyed last year," the Russian head of state noted.

“We also speak about raising the responsibility of non-nuclear states who might participate in aggression against the Russian Federation together with nuclear weapons states. And if such a country, like their allies, creates any threat to Russia's sovereignty or to the very existence of Russia, then we believe we have the right to use our nuclear weapons,” President Putin said at his year-end press conference after being asked to comment on the recent changes to Russia’s nuclear doctrine.

"I am ready to talk and meet with Trump at any time," he added.

“We understand what situation was in place 12 years ago. Active hostilities were raging on both sides. Does President Assad himself know what happened to that US citizen? Nevertheless, I do promise that I will ask him this question,” Putin promised.

“Even those groups that used to fight with the Assad regime, with the governmental forces, they have evolved as well. It is for a reason that today many European countries and the United States would like to establish relations with them. If they are a terrorist organization, how come you are trying to do that? That means that they have changed. That means that to a certain extent our goal has been achieved,” Putin said.