"They cannot hold back the development of China. The Chinese economy is already larger than the US economy in terms of purchasing power parity. China will inevitably become the world's top economy in all other respects. But you have to understand this", he said.
"It is a strange situation: if someone thinks that Crimea is occupied then Crimeans are victims of aggression. So why are they being punished more? But if they chose to rejoin Russia in a referendum then it is a display of democracy. Are they [the West] fighting democracy?" Putin said. "The answer is: they don't give a damn about the interests of Crimeans and Russia or democracy. They are pursuing their geopolitical agenda. That's all. We understand it and we will respond accordingly".
"We will continue to work together with Kazakhstan on Baikonur. There are many issues, nevertheless, I agree with the question formulated by our Kazakh friends that Kazakhstan, if we work together, should not just be a platform for launching the corresponding spacecraft, but should take a broader, more meaningful participatory [role] in space activities. This includes developing of its own competencies in this area", Putin said.
"I did everything to solve these crimes. The relevant instructions and orders were given to all law enforcement and special services. As you know, people are in jail for the crimes committed", Putin said at his big press conference in response to a journalist's question whether he personally knew the names of those who had ordered the murders of Politkovskaya and Nemtsov.
"In my opinion, this is generally the only country, the only global company that behaves like this. I have already said at various events, including international ones, that, for example, US suppliers withdrew from Europe, from the European market .... of liquefied natural gas", Putin said.
