章 175: Chapter 175: I’ll Handle It Myself
I continued, my face a mask of determination.
"When I first met you, Mr. President, I said I wanted to be friends. I have no interest in Russian politics or internal affairs. But knowing others don't feel the same? I expected it to some degree, but it's still not a great feeling."
Putin, who had briefly shown a hint of emotion, quickly returned to his usual impassive demeanor.
"Ivanov visited? And he told you to keep your distance?"
"He showed up unannounced and bluntly asked me what my intentions were with Putin. He warned that Russia should not be interfered with, that Russia belongs to Russians."
A bit more discussion took place, but I only highlighted the key points.
There was no need for long-winded explanations.
"Do you share this view, Mr. President?"
Putin silently regarded me.
"I will give up my shares in Gazprom and everything else you've promised. I'm not interested in being insulted for sticking close to you over something trivial like profitability."
"Mr. Kim."
In response to Putin's low call, I finished my thought.
"I will uphold our agreements. I'll handle your black funds as promised."
I spoke in a deliberately stiff tone.
This was to signify business-like distance.
"But I can't guarantee I'll return to Russia again."
Seeming to search for my heart's truth, Putin fixed his gaze on my eyes.
If I didn't settle this properly, I would likely face constant scrutiny from Putin's people.
I needed to draw a definitive line this time.
"Hmm…"
Putin paused, fingers tapping thoughtfully on his forehead.
I could guess why he was troubled.
'Without support from the siloviki, it'd be tough for him to seize the autocratic power he desires, right?'
I poured vodka into his glass filled with ice.
While the ice melted, I waited for Putin to gather his thoughts.
After a lengthy silence, Putin finally spoke.
"It's only natural for Ivanov to keep an eye on Mr. Kim. He finally has a chance to return to the center of power, and he has numerous rivals like the oligarchs and Medvedev."
With that, Putin opened his eyes and downed the vodka in front of him in one go.
"Nonetheless, seeking out Mr. Kim is clearly crossing a line. I'll issue a warning, so try to calm down."
"A warning is all?"
"To weaken the power of the oligarchs, we need a force to keep them in check."
The siloviki should be the means for Putin to wield real power, yet incidents like this were already happening.
I could see him slightly furrowing his brows.
"So the choice is those from the KGB and the military?"
"I understand, Mr. President."
"Ivanov is a prime example of a KGB figure. It's not just because he trained with me; he gets along well with everyone from the intelligence community."
Clearly frustrated by unforeseen circumstances, Putin poured another glass of vodka.
"I still don't have complete control. I've slowly filled my circle since my acting presidency, but there are still many bureaucrats connected to the oligarchs."
A heavy sigh escaped him.
Fiddling with his empty glass, Putin spoke softly.
"Ideally, I want to get rid of Ivanov, but doing so would disrupt the reforms I aim to implement. I hope Mr. Kim can be generous with his understanding."
I understood Putin's position perfectly.
However, the more I established myself in Russia, the more resistance I would face.
If I backed down now, it would be clear that others would continue to view me as weak.
"Mr. President, what if there's an alternative?"
"Alternative?"
"Gusinsky is ready for anything, so that's not a big issue… Right now, it's Berezovsky and his ilk that are problematic, isn't it?"
Putin's expression darkened as the thought of the power-holding oligarchs crossed his mind.
He soon nodded, responding.
"If left unchecked, he will definitely turn me into a puppet. I knew who he was but this time he's gone way overboard."
I wasn't just referring to the Gusinsky investigation.
With the belief that he created Putin as president, Berezovsky sought to wield him freely.
"It's more than just when he came uninvited during my inauguration to talk with Mr. Kim."
Recalling that day made Putin's voice tremble with anger.
"In the end, it's just a matter of the siloviki replacing Berezovsky's position, meaning nothing really changes. They'll use you in the same way, Mr. President."
"I appointed them, but if they take actions against me, I won't forgive anyone, regardless of who it is."
Putin's words weren't false.
When he was sworn in, Mikhail Kasyanov, whom he appointed as Prime Minister, later opposed him and transformed into an opposition politician.
At that time, Putin released material of Kasyanov's illegal recordings online and revealed various allegations linked to him.
Instead of shedding blood, he opted to eliminate him socially, completely burying him in the public eye.
He even faced allegations of ordering assassinations, as Putin showed no hesitation in eliminating his political opponents.
"I called you in for light conversation over drinks, but it seems we've gotten serious after all. You suggested an alternative? Let's hear it, Mr. Kim."
After briefly expressing his rage, Putin returned to his impassive expression.
"Find someone who knows Berezovsky's weakness best and use him. Then gather the oligarchs who would pledge their loyalty to you through him."
The person that had come to Putin's mind was likely the same one I was thinking of.
Right. That seems entirely possible.
"If you can eliminate all the oligarchs in one sweep, it would send the economy into chaos."
"I don't plan to eliminate all of them. Seeing as he knows Berezovsky's weakness so well…"
He appeared to think about who that could be.
His expression fell as he struggled to find the answer.
Instead of remaining silent, he revealed the person he was considering.
"What about Chairman Roman?"
"Would he ever betray Berezovsky, considering he's like a godfather to him?"
"Mr. President, Roman must have evidence that can immediately detain Berezovsky."
"Hmm…"
It took over a year to eliminate Berezovsky, primarily because there was no solid evidence to charge him with.
Ultimately, it hadn't gone past political pressure and that effectively bought time for Berezovsky to flee abroad.
Berezovsky became a prominent voice against Putin abroad and remained a headache for him.
However, with solid evidence, it would be possible to ensure Berezovsky would never see the outside of a prison again.
"Tame the oligarchs and turn them into a single faction to assist the President, and similarly strengthen the siloviki to ensure they keep each other in check."
"It sounds like we're thinking alike."
Seemingly pleased that I shared his thoughts, a faint smile crossed Putin's lips.
"Roman will readily fall in line once you reach out, for he knows how to align himself better than anyone else."
In the history before my return, Roman betrayed Berezovsky as well.
I believe he adjusts the trigger a little faster, honestly.
"But we have to handle this quickly. Otherwise, Berezovsky will flee abroad. After seeking asylum, he won't stop criticizing you, Mr. President."
"Asylum, huh…"
"The silly criticisms don't stress me, but international opinion is another matter."
Anyone who cared about opinion would avoid brazen assassinations.
This signified that opinions didn't hold much meaning for Putin.
"And if he seeks asylum in the U.S. or the UK, I can't kill him under those circumstances. Killing him would come with diplomatic backlash."
Of course, Putin would find a method to eliminate him, regardless of whether he fled or not.
People can be tortured in ways that aren't solely physical.
I thought back to Berezovsky, who ultimately hung himself in what felt like bankruptcy after years in exile.
"Better to lock him away in a Russian prison for the rest of his days."
"If Roman crosses over, things will become easier. Most of Berezovsky's dirty work was performed by him anyway."
"If we ensure his safety and compensate him adequately, he will come over. Perhaps sharing a few companies owned by Berezovsky would suffice."
After Berezovsky fled abroad, Roman surrendered to Putin.
By embracing Roman, who was like a godson to him, Putin won the loyalty of the oligarchs.
"If it goes that way, we won't have to give excessive power to the siloviki. We just have to ensure they keep each other in check."
"Exactly! This is what I wanted. Mr. Kim, it's as if you can read my mind. There's no one who states desires as clearly and refreshingly as you do."
A bright smile lit up Putin's previously tense face.
"Is this sufficient as an alternative, Mr. President?"
"That's plenty. We might save some time too."
Not only would we save time, but the entire power structure would undergo a complete overhaul.
I believed Putin relaxed a bit and voiced my pending opinion.
"Please nurture Medvedev, someone who isn't affiliated with either the oligarchs or the siloviki."
"Medvedev?"
"He has no real power without your support, Mr. President. His strength ultimately derives from you, and he's well aware of that."
"Hmmmm…"
"Trust me, Mr. President. After all, he is on your side. While he wouldn't think differently, should the time come, it'll be simple to take away from him what you've given."
When Putin hesitated to answer regarding Medvedev, I took the chance to throw in one more proposition.
"Medvedev will naturally find himself under the influence of both factions. Without your support, he will crumble in no time."
With the oligarchs and siloviki set in tense opposition, they would grow desperate to seize even a fragment of Putin's authority; seeing Medvedev as a nuisance would only be a matter of time.
"You trust him enough to hand Gazprom over, correct? You could grant him a little more power."
Finally looking satisfied, Putin raised his glass.
"Let's drink to that."
We clinked our glasses and drained the contents of the drinks he poured for me.
"Vodka is just the best."
Putin murmured with a pleased expression. The love Russian people have for vodka is genuine.
As I extolled the virtues of vodka with every drink, I could only chuckle.
During our conversation about today's discussions, we shared adequate time bonding over drinks.
Then, when the atmosphere had relaxed sufficiently, I brought up Ivanov once more.
"So, having proposed an alternative, I'd like you to pass Ivanov over to me."
Putin held his glass while staring at me.
I didn't miss the subtle shift in his expression.
"You want me to hand him over?"
"Yes."
"That might be tough for now. The siloviki will strongly oppose it."
As expected, Putin appeared slightly hesitant.
I needed to show strength at this point. With a visibly disappointed expression, I said.
"You've proposed an alternative, yet you seem more concerned about them than me."
"Mr. Kim."
Putin called me softly, but I had no plans to back down.
"I said I would provide all possible support. If money is needed, I'll provide funds, for acquisitions, I'll handle those too. I've given you helpful advice that benefits your presidency."
He couldn't disregard my words.
Even while crunching computations, I had to admit I felt a lump in my throat while delivering them to Russia's Tsar.
"Do you intend to only utilize me when necessary? It feels like the connections I have differ entirely from those you possess."
Putin's face, which had been smiling, turned serious.
I could feel the weight of the atmosphere.
Putin's voice became rigid and cold.
"Are you implying I'm being insubordinate?"
"Mr. President, I think the opposite is the case."
I didn't shy away from Putin's glaring stare.
Our gazes clashed in the open air.
"The actions you are taking now, Mr. Kim, suggest that."
"If I had no respect for you, I would never speak like this. I'd take off and never return to Russia. I certainly wouldn't have come back to visit ever again."
Replicating my sentiments caused Putin to gulp down vodka repeatedly, showing signs of frustration.
"While I have been insulted, what I'm undertaking amounts to belittling you, Mr. President. While I still haven't fully established my footing, if the siloviki gain power over you, what kind of changes would that cause?"
I tried to suppress my emotions, but an edge of coldness slipped into my voice.
"You can think of it as a way to instill caution among them through Ivanov."
"A warning."
"Yes, a warning indeed."
For Putin, abandoning Ivanov, a symbol of the siloviki, wouldn't be easy.
After some contemplation, Putin finally asked,
"What's your plan, Mr. Kim?"
"I intend to kill him."
"Kill him? That won't be easy. Ivanov is well-guarded."
I was already aware of that.
But just because it's difficult doesn't mean it's impossible.
"I'll manage that myself."
"How can I assist you?"
"Just ensure the other siloviki don't get involved."
If the siloviki intervened, removing Ivanov would be utterly impossible.
While their individual bodyguards would be elite, they ultimately controlled the military.
"Will that suffice?"
"Yes, I'll take care of it personally in the name of delivering a warning to both the oligarchs and siloviki."
In a well-ordered country, this would be a task deemed unthinkable, but in Russia—where mafia members still shoot each other in the middle of Moscow—it was another story.
While they've stabilized their rule after extensive operations against the mafia, it's still not as secure.
"Do as you wish. I'll ensure that the siloviki, police, and military won't get involved."
"Thank you."
"Now, let's steer away from troublesome topics and hear from Mr. Kim instead."
Until midnight that day, I shared stories with Putin over drinks about everything that had transpired thus far.
By tomorrow, Ivanov's estate in Moscow would resemble a battlefield filled with gunfire.
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