President Vladimir Putin held his farewell press conference before 1,364 journalists on Thursday. This was his last annual address in the closing months of his presidential term. The president spoke with his traditional knowledge of all subjects, taking 100 questions from enthusiastic journalists from all over the world, including why he refused to stay on for a third term, missile defense, NATO expansion. He even provided a very emotional definition of democracy.

It was Putin's seventh major press conference after eight years in power, and, lasting almost 5 hours, was clocked as the longest. In contrast to past press conferences, the president's tone was engaging and amicable - and occasionally tough.

Below are some highlights of the conference:

In answer to a question by a reporter from Fox News on Russia's plans to aim nuclear missiles on Ukraine if it joins NATO:

"We actually don't intend to aim anything at anyone without the utmost necessity. Look what is happening. I think that there are certain colleagues in this room that will return to questions of democracy, freedom, and so on. Democracy is a universal concept, it cannot be local. In one place the principles of democracy change, in another place they are forgotten. If a country considers itself democratic, then in spirit and in meaning it should be such in all of its endeavors - both domestically and on the international arena.

What is democracy? It is power of the people, as we know. Now look. Our American partners are going ahead with - and probably it will happen - placing a so-called third position region in Eastern Europe, a radar in the Czech Republic and a missile shield in Poland. Who asked the Czechs and the Poles - do they want this system on their soil or not? According to my information, an overwhelming majority of Czech citizens are not thrilled about these plans.

Our experts believe the system threatens our national security. If it appears, we will have to respond appropriately - we will have to re-target part of our systems on those missiles."

On staying for a third term: 

"I've never been tempted to stay on for a third term. From my first day of work as president I decided I would never violate the existing constitution. Everyone should observe the existing legislation, starting with the head of state. I want to work, but such opportunities exist.

Some people are inclined to dependence on tobacco, some, God help them, on narcotics, some on money and they say the biggest dependency is power.

But I've never felt that. If God gave me the opportunity to work for my country... I've always felt I should be grateful for that. It's already a great honor."

On presidential candidate Dmitri Medvedev:

"I am sure that he will be a good president, a worthy president and an effective leader."

On Kosovo:

"I will yet again emphasize that we consider that unilateral support for independence for Kosovo is immoral and illegal. I don't want to offend anyone, but Northern Cyprus has been a de facto independent republic for 40 years. Why then don't you recognize it? Aren't you, Europeans, ashamed of applying double standards in solving identical problems in different parts of the world?"

Answering a question from a Polish correspondent on Polish concerns about Russia becoming a superpower:

"I don't believe that we should powder ourselves with ashes, flagellate ourselves and prove to everyone that we are good. Russia is not behaving aggressively and is not turning back to the grave pages in the history of relations [between our two countries].  Where relations with Poland are concerned, I want to draw your attention to the fact that we didn't take a single step aimed at complicating relations between our two states.

Yes, we decided to construct a gas pipe beneath the Baltic Sea. But how this harmed Poland I don't understand. It is our product, gas, we want to sell it to our main consumers in Europe. One system was build over Poland, we did this together. We pay for transit, we supply Poland with all the necessary energy resources without any limits."

On placing a flag on the Arctic:

"The Americans placed a flag on the moon, and nothing happened there... What are you so worried about? Don't worry. As to our research, it is certainly aimed at proving that the Russian Federation has the right to a part of the shelf, but we are conducting it in line with international laws, under the auspices of the UN."

Answering a question from a Russian reporter about responsibility:

"Sometimes this responsibility is a heavy burden, because one has to make decisions that no one can make instead of you, and they are by far not always very pleasant. And, of course, as any person, this worries me.

These decisions involve the lives of millions of people, and sometimes the lives of specific Russian citizens. And no one can make these decisions. There are many bosses, but the final decision has to be made by the head of state."

On successes and failures:

"I can see no serious failures, I have achieved all my goals and fulfilled every task. We restored the fundamentals of the economy on a new market basis.

I have nothing to be ashamed of before the citizens who twice voted for me... I have worked as hard as a galley slave in the past eight years." 

By Anna Arutunyan