As Vladimir Putin’s annual press conference entered its fifth hour earlier today (14 December), the Russian president took one last question. What advice would he give to his earlier self, asked Andrei Kolesnikov, a correspondent for the Russian newspaper Kommersant. “If you had the opportunity, what would you tell the Vladimir Putin of the year 2000 [his first year as president]. Would you warn him about something? Do you regret anything?”
Putin smiled. “I would say that you’re on the right path, comrades.” He paused. “What would I warn him against? Being naive, and overly trusting towards so-called ‘partners’.” He made air quotes around the word to emphasise his point. In other words: no – he has no regrets.
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