Russian President Vladimir Putin is to make his first appearance as a guest on the CNN network's Larry King Live, the Kremlin told AFP Wednesday.
Putin will make his debut on the celebrated television show, whose global audience has coaxed many world leaders to field questions posed by its eponymous host, during his current visit to New York for the UN Millennium summit.
The Kremlin did not say exactly when the interview would take place but the pro-government daily Izvestia suggested Thursday as the probable date.
Putin's aides have not sought to censor any questions likely to be asked by King in the context of a wide-ranging political interview.
"Only strictly personal questions have been prohibited," a Kremlin source said.
Putin, a former KGB spy who shunned the limelight until his unexpected appointment as prime minister a year ago, "faces a stern test, his professional background won't help him" Izvestia said.
"All a secret agent really knows how to do is keep his mouth shut or give indirect answers to direct questions -- but that skill will be no use" to Putin during his one-to-one with the flamboyant chat show host, the paper added – MOSCOW (AFP)
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