Moments ago, Russian president started speaking at the final session of the Valdai International Discussion Club’s 13th annual meeting in Sochi. More than 130 experts and political analysts from Russia and other countries are taking part in this year’s three-day meeting, titled ‘The Future in Progress: Shaping the World of Tomorrow’.

While Putin’s speech can be seen below, he has already had a handful of pearls, most notably the following statement he just said in response to accusations that Russia could influence the US election:

“The number of mythical, dreamt-up problems include the hysteria – I can’t think of another word – that has broken out in the United States about the influence of Russia on the current elections for the US president. Does anyone seriously think Russia can somehow influence the choice of the US people?”

He ended that phrase as follows: “What, is America a banana republic?!”

Putin mocks claim that Russia is trying to influence the US elections: "What, is America a banana republic? America is a great power"

— Steve Rosenberg (@BBCSteveR) October 27, 2016

And then, to emphasize his trolling, added the following: “correct me if I am wrong.”

He also had a handful of notable comments on the growing specter of a new cold war, starting by assuring the world that “Russia doesn’t plan to attack anyone”, and adding that “Russian militaty threat is a myth” although we are confident many in the Pentagon would be delighted to claim the opposite.

He said that NATO has outlived its usefullness as a structure and on the topic of the escalating proxy war in Syria, Putin had a simple comment: “Our agreements with the US on Syria did not work out.”

Follow Putin’s speech live below.