This was back in 2001. Putin became acting President of Russia in 1999, a few years after their country had just abandoned communism and the Cold War, and they faced years of teething issues, corruption and economic uncertainty under Boris Yeltsin.

At the time Putin was viewed very positively by the West as an ally and a fresh face who could ensure that Russia would become a peaceful free market liberal democracy similar to the rest of Europe, but obviously this never came to fruition. While Russia and its people are certainly better off economically thanks to its capitalist reforms, Russia is still running a very authoritarian, centralised and corrupt system of dictatorship.

Blair, like many at the time, were hopeful that Putin would benefit Russia and the world, becoming the breadbasket of Europe for natural gas, and ensuring peace in Eastern Europe. Sadly Putin and his ex-KGB friends in government don’t see it that way now