#173 Are you interested in Gazprom? As I turned at the sound of a voice calling me, a middle-aged man stood there.
"Yes, that's right."
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Alexander Polosin, chief of staff. His Excellency the President summons you."
Alexander Polosin had been appointed chief of staff on Berezovsky's recommendation. He had served as chief of staff under the Yeltsin administration, then assisted Putin when he was acting president. And now he held the same post in the new government Putin had launched.
"The President is calling for me?"
I spoke deliberately loud enough for others to hear, then excused myself from the conversation. I could see envy in their eyes. In the room Polosin guided me to, Putin was waiting.
He had been seated, studying something intently, but rose when I entered.
"Boss Kim, it's been a while."
After nearly a year, Putin now carried the air of a leader of a great empire like Russia. This was the Putin I remembered.
"Yes, Mr. President. It has been a while."
"Please, sit. I don't have much time, but I called you because I wanted to meet you first."
After brief pleasantries, we sat down side by side.
"You are still very busy, Boss Kim."
"That's natural when running a business. The currents change every day."
"True. Still, North Korea was unexpected."
"There was an important matter."