I am not aspiring to be a senior bureaucrat. It would limit my freedom.

I never planned to be rich, frankly speaking. I was more interested in being free, and doing things. And money helps. But otherwise I was never that interested in it.

I am probably the biggest equity investor in the history of modern Russia.

I mean, I really don't want the federal government to be determining whether or not a person who feels certain ways about the environment or about animals or about certain religious issues should be considered an extremist. That to me is a type of thought control, mind control, which is very dangerous.

The government forces you to give your money to things you don't believe in, to have your money go to projects that might be inherently immoral.

I have an interest in getting government officials to talk to me about National Security affairs. You know, that's my bread and butter; that's how I make my living.

When I became leader, I made very clear I was not going to choose the easy life. I have always taken risks. I don't like comfort-zone politics.