We [Russia] want to trade directly with consumers of our gas in Europe, with Germany and so on, without intermediaries. Therefore, we want to exclude these intermediaries. Therefore, either Ukraine will be part of Russia or the pipes will go around Ukraine.
[…]
IWe should not talk about Ukraine as a different country. We must talk about the reunification of the Russian people. We are a single people.
[…]
And it is necessary telling our Western partners not about fascists here but a noble idea. We must say: guys, we have a single Russian people that is the largest disunited people in the world.