Steve Rosenberg: Was Putin’s Response to My Question About War in Europe an Olive Branch?
15 hours ago
Steve Rosenberg, BBC Russia Editor, Moscow
Behind the Camera: Confronting Putin
As reporters, we frequently pose questions to world leaders, and it may seem routine. But what does it mean to question Vladimir Putin—the president responsible for the extensive invasion of Ukraine and whose country is accused of exporting chaos by MI6? Asking such a question live on television—while millions of Russians watch—brings a profound responsibility.
My Inquiry to Putin
I asked President Putin: My question is about Russia’s future. What kind of future are you planning for your country and your people? Will it resemble the present, where any public dissent against the official line is punishable by law? Will the hunt for enemies at home and abroad escalate? Will mobile internet outages become more frequent? Will there be new ‘special military operations’?
While I posed these questions, Putin took notes before responding. He staunchly defended Russia’s stringent foreign agent law, which has led to hundreds of critics being labeled foreign agents. We didn’t invent it, he asserted. This law was adopted in a string of Western countries, including in America in the 1930s. And all these laws, including the US one, are much tougher…
Yet, the reality of the Russian law is severe. It restricts foreign agents from participating in vital public domains such as education, civil service, elections, and public events, with penalties escalating to criminal charges following a single administrative fine. Unfortunately, I couldn’t rebut him, as my microphone was cut off after I finished my question, and the moderator swiftly shifted the topic.
The Shift in Conversation
The anchor, Pavel Zarubin, introduced another query: What’s going to happen to the BBC? It’s facing a multi-billion lawsuit from the US president? Putin surprisingly aligned with Trump’s perspective on the BBC’s issues.
Returning to my earlier question, Putin expressed, There won’t be new special military operations if you treat us with respect and honor our interests, just as we’ve always tried to do with you. Unless you deceive us, like you did with NATO’s eastward expansion.
Putin’s response reveals a core sentiment—an enduring resentment toward the West. He claimed that for years, Western leaders have disrespected and deceived Russia, perpetuating the myth that Moscow is poised to attack Europe. What kind of rubbish is that? he exclaimed.
Assessing Trust and Security
Despite Putin’s statements, many European leaders remain skeptical. Prior to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russian officials publicly denied any plans for military aggression. Recently, Russia has been accused of breaching European airspace and conducting cyber-attacks.
As I pondered Putin’s comments, I wondered: was this an olive branch to Europe? He asserted, We’re ready to cease hostilities immediately, provided that Russia’s medium- and long-term security is ensured, and we are ready to cooperate with you. However, if Moscow continues to tie its security to aggressive demands over Ukraine, European leaders will likely remain cautious.
Conclusion
Putin’s remarks hint at a willingness for dialogue, but the skepticism stemming from past actions complicates the path toward resolution. Ultimately, trust must be rebuilt for any cooperation to flourish. The question remains: can we view these words as a genuine olive branch or just another negotiation tactic in a fraught geopolitical landscape?