The following are highlights from Russian President Vladimir Putin's annual end-of-year news conference on Thursday.

ON IMPEACHMENT OF U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that U.S. Democrats had impeached President Donald Trump for "fabricated" reasons in order to reverse his 2016 election victory.

Putin, speaking at his annual year-end news conference, said he expected Trump to survive the proceedings and stay in office.

The U.S. House of Representatives voted on Wednesday to impeach Trump, but Putin, like most observers, said he expected the Republican Senate to acquit him.

Russian President Vladimir Putin holds annual news conference – watch live

"It's unlikely they will want to remove from power a representative of their party based on what are, in my opinion, completely fabricated reasons," said Putin.

"This is simply a continuation of the (U.S.) intra-political battle where one party that lost an election, the Democratic Party, is trying to achieve results using other methods and means.

"They first accused Trump of a conspiracy with Russia. Then it turned out there wasn't a conspiracy and that it couldn't be the basis for impeachment. Now they have dreamt up (the idea) of some kind of pressure being exerted on Ukraine."

Putin nevertheless criticised the United States in general for what he called unfriendly steps towards Russia, saying Moscow had adopted a policy of responding in kind.

In particular, he complained about what he said was a refusal to respond to Moscow's proposals to extend the New START arms control treaty, which limits the number of strategic nuclear warheads that the world's two biggest nuclear powers can deploy.

Regarded by many experts as the only thing preventing an unfettered arms race between the two Cold War rivals, the treaty can be extended for another five years, beyond its expiry date in February 2021, by mutual agreement.

"So far there's been no answer to our proposals," said Putin. "And if the New START treaty doesn't exist anymore, there will be nothing in the world to curb the arms race. And that, in my view, would be bad."

ON EXTENDING THE NEW START ARMS CONTROL TREATY

"We are ready until the end of the year to extend the existing agreement, the new START treaty."

"Now if we were to receive a letter tomorrow – we are ready to sign it and send it back to Washington."

"But thus far there has been no answer to any of our suggestions. And without a new START treaty, there is nothing to curb an arms race. And that, in my opinion, is bad."

ON PROGRESS OF RUSSIA'S NATIONAL PROJECTS

"I believe that there is no need to revise anything in principle. Individual responsibility (for the projects' progress) has been introduced, it could be strengthened."

"Out of the 38 goals that were set for this year, we consider 26 to have been achieved."

ON RUSSIA'S DOPING SCANDAL

"Any punishment should be individual. If someone is guilty of something specific, then that is completely natural and just."

"If WADA does not have any claims against our national Olympic Committee, then our team should be allowed to participate under its own flag. Deal with specific people."

"We are doing everything to make sure Russian sport is clean."

UKRAINE PEACE TALKS

"There is nothing other than the Minsk (peace) Agreements. I was of course concerned by (Ukrainian President) Zelenskiy's statement... that they could be revised. If a revision of the Minsk Agreements starts, then the situation could enter a complete dead end."

"Direct dialogue on Donbass is needed. It is lacking."

UKRAINE GAS TALKS

"This is a very difficult, sensitive topic. We would like to solve this problem."

"We will look for a solution that is acceptable for all parties, including Ukraine. That's despite the construction of infrastructure such as Nord Stream-1, Nord Stream-2, Turk Stream. We will preserve gas transit through Ukraine."

"We have no desire to exacerbate the situation in the energy sector or use this to influence the situation in Ukraine itself."