One is tad skeptical when a member of the Russian press (Interfax) defended Putin on freedom of the press during the course of a press conference (just ended, in Slovakia).

That said, I was only able to pay attention, there was a lot of gushing in that room between George and Vladimir. A reminder that Gvosdev (see NRO homey), has a point–Putin’s not Stalin, but as RR would say, Trust but verify, emphasis on the verify when he’s ex-KGB.