MOSCOW, December 19. /TASS/. Russia has become stronger, from now on it will make decisions only in its national interests without taking into account the opinions of others, President Vladimir Putin said at the combined Direct Line Q&A and year-end press conference.

"I believe that today, to a large extent, Russia is in the state we wanted it to be. It has become stronger, it has become a truly sovereign country. And we will make decisions without regard to other people's opinions, we will be guided only by our national interests," he said in response to a question from an American journalist.

According to him, the state of the economy and the strengthening of defense capabilities allow Russia to depend little on anyone.

"We are not dependent on anyone anymore," the head of state emphasized. "We are able to confidently develop in terms of economy, we are strengthening our defense capabilities," Putin said.