“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.

“We did not have ground troops in Syria. They simply were not there. We have two military bases there – an air base and a naval base. The ground operation consisted of troops from Syria itself, and some (and this is an open secret) pro-Iranian paramilitary forces,” President Putin said at his year-end presser, commenting on operations and the balance of forces in Syria prior to the collapse of the government.

“When I say ‘our guys’, I do so without irony. We have people to talk to in Ukraine. There are many of our guys there, who, together with us, dream of ridding their country of the neo-Nazi regime,” Putin said.

“That's what they're doing now. They're running out of Ukrainians who would like to fight. I don't think there are any left. We are prepared. But the other side must be prepared as well to negotiate and to compromise,” Putin stressed.

“The city was defended by about 30,000 people. 350 fighters entered the city. Government troops, as well as the so-called pro-Iranian units, left the city without fighting. They blew up their positions and just left. The same happened all around Syria, with some exemptions,” Putin said.