Vladimir Putin took part in his annual marathon press conference on Thursday fielding questions on the devastating toll the COVID pandemic has taken on the country and on the military build-up near Ukraine.
They have been deemed "inadmissible" by many Western voices.
Washington and Moscow are planning to hold talks in January.
"We said not an inch to the east.
"We need to reach herd immunity at around 80%.".
Putin claimed the country's economy has recovered faster from the COVID downturn than other countries.
Not a single (evidence) of this Novichok, or whatever you call it," he said.