Putin told ex-Stasi friend power is a 'drug' in 2022 Kremlin meeting

A Financial Times investigation reveals that Putin privately described power as a 'drug' during a late-2022 meeting with Matthias Warnig, a former Stasi officer and close associate, in the Kremlin. The remark, made amid reported attempts to establish a secret US-Russia backchannel, offers rare insight into Putin's mindset but is unverified beyond the FT's sourcing. It signals potential continuity in Kremlin risk tolerance, though its direct policy impact is limited.

AI disclosure: Model-written summary of the source, not a verified fact. Check the sources. How Mosaic works