I decided to go into politics because of our Soviet-style government.

I was forced to come into politics because Saakashvili had destroyed the opposition. I had a choice either to leave the country, because it was dangerous to live here, or to go into politics.

It was not my wish to come into politics. I was not a public person; I preferred to spend my birthdays with family and friends. But the 2008 elections were fraudulent, so I decided to finance the opposition to make them stronger.

I get no pleasure from politics; it's not in my character.

I've never been an oligarch. The definition of an oligarch is someone who has co-operated with the government, and I never did.

Our policy is European and Euro-Atlantic integration. There is no substitute for NATO.