Was Putin’s response to my question about war in Europe an olive branch?
Reporters ask world leaders questions all the time.
It’s not important. Right?
So what is it like to ask questions of Vladimir Putin, the president who ordered the all-out invasion of Ukraine, whose country was this week accused of “exporting chaos” by the head of MI6?
And imagine being asked that question live on television while millions of Russians watch.
This is a big responsibility. You don’t want to make a mess.
“My question is about the future of Russia. What kind of future do you plan for your country and your people?” I ask President Putin.
“Will the future be like the present? Will any public objection to the official line be punished by law? Will the hunt for enemies at home and abroad accelerate? Will mobile internet blackouts become more widespread? Will there be new ‘special military operations’?”
Vladimir Putin is taking notes as I speak. And then he responds.
He defends Russia’s repressive foreign agents law. Hundreds of Russians who criticized the authorities were described as “foreign agents”.
“We did not invent this,” Putin tells me.
“This [foreign agent] The law was adopted in a number of Western countries, including America, in the 1930s. And all these laws, including US law, are much stricter…”
In reality, Russian law is very cruel. This law excludes “foreign agents” from many aspects of public life, including teaching, public service, elections, and public events. It imposes financial and property restrictions. Criminal prosecution can be followed by a single administrative fine.
But I can’t explain this to President Putin. After I finished my question, the microphone was taken away from me.
Suddenly the moderator intervenes to change the subject.
“There’s another question here: ‘What will happen to the BBC? Is it facing a multibillion-dollar lawsuit from the US president?'” says presenter Pavel Zarubin.
“I think President Trump is right,” President Putin said.
BBC: The Kremlin and the White House agree.
Putin returns to my question.
“Will there be new special military operations? If you treat us with respect and respect our interests, just like we always try to do against you, there will not be. Unless you deceive us, as you did with the eastward expansion of NATO.”
Everyone can see what drives Vladimir Putin: deep resentment against the West.
He argues that Western leaders have disrespected, deceived and lied to Russia for years, remaining inactive while claiming that Moscow intends to attack Europe. “What kind of nonsense is this?” The Kremlin leader declares this.
But many European leaders do not trust Moscow.
Ahead of Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russian officials denied they had plans for a mass attack.
Recently, Russia has been accused of violating European airspace with warplanes and drones, as well as carrying out cyber attacks and acts of sabotage.
But when he finished answering my question, was this an olive branch thrown to Europe by the Russian president?
“We are ready to immediately cease hostilities and cooperate with you, provided that the medium and long-term security of Russia is ensured.”
But if Moscow continues to pin its long-term security on its maximalist demands for Ukraine, European leaders will remain skeptical.
