Steve Rosenberg

He believes in his mind that Russia has been duped, Russia has been deceived by the West for years.

He believes Western leaders broke promises to Russia.

And this is fueling, to a large extent, his actions.

He comes across as confident.

He believes that he's got the edge now, that he's got the initiative on the battlefield.

Now, whether he's right or not is another matter.

But he is focused on the war.

He's animated when talking about the war.

He's energized when talking about the war.

And actually looking at him at that press conference and generally when he makes speeches, it's hard to imagine Vladimir Putin as a peacetime leader again.

And then after the press conference, it's not over because then, because I asked a question, lots of Russian television crews then come up to you.

and starts sort of bombarding you with questions.

Are you satisfied with the president's answer?

And that kind of thing.

I would like to think that there's some modicum of respect.

They know that I'm someone who, for many years, has devoted my life to Russia, to reporting Russia, but I don't know.

So I know that it could end at any moment, but I'm just walking this tightrope.

It does feel like I'm on this tightrope whenever I go in front of the camera or the microphone, because I want to report honestly what's happening.

But I'm well aware that down below there's a minefield.

I don't want to fall off the tightrope and hit a mine.