Ruled russia, as president or Prime Minister, he hasnt done it alone. Hes been backed by a coterie of trusted associates, connected through past ties in St Petersburg, or in the kgb or in business. One of mr putins inner circle is my guest today. Vladimir yakunin ran Russian Railways for a decade and was a close putin adviser. So much so the us made him a target of sanctions after the invasion of crimea. He left the railway two years ago. Is he still a true believer in the putin project . Vladimiryakunin, welcome to hardtalk. Hello. I think its fair to say, you, for a decade more, were one of Vladimir Putins closest associates and advisers. In general terms, as you look at putins impact upon russia, would you say that you believe he is taking russia in a very positive direction . Thank you for your introduction. Listen, to tell the truth, i never considered myself a voice to be in the position to be considered an adviser of mr putin. I was doing my business, i was ceo, i was the head o
Ruled russia, as president or Prime Minister, he hasnt done it alone. Hes been backed by a coterie of trusted associates, connected through past ties in St Petersburg, or in the kgb or in business. One of mr putins inner circle is my guest today. Vladimir yakunin ran Russian Railways for a decade and was a close putin adviser. So much so the us made him a target of sanctions after the invasion of crimea. He left the railway two years ago. Is he still a true believer in the putin project . Vladimiryakunin, welcome to hardtalk. Hello. I think its fair to say, you, for a decade more, were one of Vladimir Putins closest associates and advisers. In general terms, as you look at putins impact upon russia, would you say that you believe he is taking russia in a very positive direction . Thank you for your introduction. Listen, to tell the truth, i never considered myself a voice to be in the position to be considered an adviser of mr putin. I was doing my business, i was ceo, i was the head o
Around the world and for those joining us in the uk. It is 7am in singapore, midnight in london and 1am in brussels where a suspected terrorist has been shot dead after an attempted attack in the Central Station of brussels. People heard him shout allahu akbar before that was a small explosion. Brussels Central Station evacuated shortly after police say a man triggered a small explosion. Eyewitnesses say they heard gunfire and multiple explosions. Minutes later smoke. Outside, people gathered together, making their way to safety. Translation i went down the desert to go back to the platform where i had to go and they are heard someone shouting and at one point he shouted Allahu Akbar Allahu akbar and blew up the suitcase. I tried to evacuate as many people as possible. He wasjust behind me, two metres behind me and he still had the belt on. The country is already on high alert. Units were within the scene within minutes and shot dead the suspect. This is being treated as a Terrorist At
World and those joining us welcome to our viewers around the world and thosejoining us in the uk. It is at 6am in singapore, 11 in london and he died in russell s weather Central Station was evacuated and train lines suspended after an explosion. Only the suspect was heard. This is what prosecutors said. At about a 30, there has been a small explosion at the Central Station in brussels. The suspect has been neutralised by the military present at the scene immediately after the explosion. We do not know if the man is still alive or that hes dead. There were no other victims. It is considered a Terrorist Attack. Workers at the Central Station describe seeing an explosion and said the suspect was wearing an explosive belt. Translation i went down the stairs to go back to the platform and i heard someone shouting at one point heard someone shouting at one point he shouted allahu akbar and blew up. All right, more from Adam Flemings in brussels. What more can you tell us about the incident
Developing story in brussels. Now on bbc news its time for hardtalk. Welcome to hardtalk, im stephen sacker. For the 17 years Vladimir Putin has ruled russia, as president or Prime Minister, he hasnt done it alone. Hes been backed by a coterie of trusted associates, connected through past ties in St Petersburg, or in the kgb or in business. One of mr putins inner circle is my guest today. Vladimir yakunin ran Russian Railways for a decade and was a close putin adviser. So much so the us made him a target of sanctions after the invasion of crimea. He left the railway two years ago. Is he still a true believer in the putin project . Vladimiryakunin, welcome to hardtalk. Hello. I think its fair to say, you, for a decade or more, were one of Vladimir Putins closest associates and advisers. In general terms, as you look at putins impact upon russia, would you say that you believe he is taking russia in a very positive direction . Thank you for your introduction. Listen, to tell the truth, i