In Putin's interview with Germany's Bild daily, he was also asked about the crisis in Ukraine and Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014.
Putin said that "for me, it is not borders and state territories that matter, but people's fortunes."
"Of course one always has to follow international law. This was also the case in Crimea.
"The Russian population is absolutely clear about the situation. Napoleon once said that justice is the incarnation of God on Earth. I'm telling you: the reunification of Crimea and Russia is just," Putin continued, describing the sanctions against Russia as "foolish."