Andrey Vandenko
More about what awaits us in 2024. Are you going to be with us forever?
Vladimir Putin
If you want me to. Do you?
Andrey Vandenko
Me personally?
Vladimir Putin
The question is in what capacity?
Andrey Vandenko
Well, this is what I am talking about. And in what capacity do you see yourself?
Vladimir Putin
I do not know, we’ll see.
Andrey Vandenko
Well, let’s think about it.
Vladimir Putin
I still have a lot of time. So...
Andrey Vandenko
I can't see well enough from where I am now. From your commanding heights, the view is probably better. What's there, beyond the horizon?
Vladimir Putin
Not so. You know where you can see it from? You can see it from the nation’s sentiment, from people’s aspirations.
Andrey Vandenko
But the so-called elites are nervous, you know. We need certainty.
Vladimir Putin
I understand. I understand that. The elites, yes, they might be nervous.
Andrey Vandenko
Do you like that?
Vladimir Putin
No. It is a drawback. Such an imbalance is a real drawback. I realize that such imbalance is possible. However, the people are ultimately the prime source of power. And I am not trying to show off. It is very important for me, too. It is very important for me to sense, to understand what the people want. It is a matter of principle.
Andrey Vandenko
So, if the people ask you to stay...
Vladimir Putin
Well, I will need to think about it. As for what capacity that would be a whole other question.
Andrey Vandenko
Well, in what capacity?
Vladimir Putin
Right now, I have no answer.
Andrey Vandenko
You are just not ready to talk about it.
Vladimir Putin
That’s correct, I’m not. But I still have four more years, and right now I have no answer. But the most important thing is, let me repeat once again, and in complete honesty, without trying to show off, the key issue, the matter of principle is the attitude of the vast majority of the citizens. Of course, it is a question of trust.
Andrey Vandenko
You have already answered this question. Surely, you did not think that it would all last this long?
Vladimir Putin
No, I didn’t. It never crossed my mind. I never thought that I would wind up here. That never would have occurred to me.
Andrey Vandenko
And what about dropping out of the race at some point?
Vladimir Putin
Well, you know, I feel responsible for what is going on, and for what will happen in the future. It…
Andrey Vandenko
Did you know in 2008 that you would be back in 2012?
Vladimir Putin
No. Well, there was such an option, but of course I did not know it for sure. But as an option, there was such a possibility.
Andrey Vandenko
Like Maxim Galkin’s joke: Putin is not a name, it's a post.
Vladimir Putin
Someone not holding public office can joke as much as he likes. His jokes are in big demand.
Andrey Vandenko
How do you react to the fact that they call you a Tsar?
Vladimir Putin
Well, this is not true. Maybe someone else can be called a Tsar. But in my case, I don't reign, I just work every day. A Tsar is one who just sits there, looks down from above and says: "They will do as I order", while he just tries on a cap and looks at himself in the mirror. On the contrary, I work every day.
Andrey Vandenko
What about your sources of information?
Vladimir Putin
People like me, irrespective of the country where they live, have more or less the same sources of information, and they are quite numerous. They include sociological studies, security and intelligence reports and ultimately media reports. A very important source is direct, and I emphasize "direct" communication with people.
Andrey Vandenko
Remember what Muller [a character from a Soviet TV series on WW2] used to say: "Nobody can be trusted, but me." Whom do you trust?
Vladimir Putin
Me?
Andrey Vandenko
Yes.
Vladimir Putin
You know, frankly speaking...
Andrey Vandenko
I’d prefer if you were sincere...
Vladimir Putin
Most of all, I trust the sentiments of ordinary people. When I communicate with people, when there's direct contact - even if it is brief - I think I feel the public’s mood. And that perception has not faded over the years, it is still with me, and it is crucial for me indeed. I believe that people are very sincere. Very sincere, sensitive and frank.
Andrey Vandenko
How is that, meeting a leader...
Vladimir Putin
Yes.
Andrey Vandenko
Especially the President...
Vladimir Putin
Yes.
Andrey Vandenko
Well, do they spring their personal problems on you? You asked me how I was at the start. It depends. And the same goes for ordinary people. It depends.
Vladimir Putin
Not everybody. Some bring me their problems, others discuss things. Some talk about their troubles. Nonetheless, the problem of millions can be drawn from the problem of a single specific individual.
Andrey Vandenko
I think everyone has to choose their words carefully. Here I am, sitting here and talking to you, but trying, for many reasons, to be careful about what I say since I don't want to let down my colleagues or end up in the far corners of Siberia after this interview.
Vladimir Putin
There's a big difference between you and an average citizen from Russia, isn’t there?
Andrey Vandenko
What kind of difference?
Vladimir Putin
A quote by Lenin that certainly relates to you...
Andrey Vandenko
I'm going to learn something interesting about myself...
Vladimir Putin
...that a very small circle of revolutionaries who were terribly distant from the people.
Andrey Vandenko
Oh well...
Vladimir Putin
My message to people like you is this. And mind you no offence is meant. An ordinary person is not overburdened by the awareness of some obligations that he might have to other people. Ordinary people do not hesitate to speak their mind, or sound off. And they don't care what some Mr. Big might say. They just speak their mind. They may criticize and speak from the heart, they say what they like and what they don't. I appreciate that. It is very important to me.
Sources: kremlin.ru.