MOSCOW (Aftenposten): The Russian editor Aleksej Venediktov is best friends with some of Putin’s closest associates. He has several times drunk wine with the president himself. Now he lifts the veil.
In 2008, Russia invaded neighboring Georgia. The Russians waltzed over the Georgians within days. Soon after, Aleksej Venediktov was in the Kremlin with several Russian editors. Venediktov was the head of the liberal radio station Moscow’s Ekko. Putin briefed on the war.
After the meeting, Putin wanted to speak with Venediktov alone. For an hour and a half they drank wine and talked about everything. Then the Russian president said something that may help explain why many years later he started a major war against Ukraine.
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