Steve Rosenberg

It's this country of extremes, almost like the Russian national symbol, the double-headed eagle.

One head is sort of growling and calling you names, and the other head is saying nicer things to me.

So a country of extremes.

And the last four years have tested my love for the country to its very extremes.

But I remain fascinated by the place.

I hope I'll be able to continue to follow what's happening because I think it's important to chart what's happening.

It does feel as if I'm living inside this history book which is being written before my very eyes.

And, you know, I'd like to know how the book is going to end.

There are worse animals to be compared to.

At least, you know, squirrels are quite cute with bushy tails.

So I always look for the positives.

And there's one.

I cling on to that positive.

There we are.

Keep clinging on to the positives, Steve.

Absolutely.

Thank you so much.

The official line coming out of Moscow is this attack really happened.

That's what Vladimir Putin told Donald Trump on the phone earlier today.

That is what Russian television told its viewers.