I am approximately 60 seconds into lunch at a chic Mediterranean restaurant with Andrei Kozyrev, Russia’s top diplomat in the 1990s, when it becomes clear that I have already made an error.
Ahead of the meal, Kozyrev had suggested reserving a private dining room, but I assured him such a formality wouldn’t be necessary. Yet no sooner are we starting to delve into events in Ukraine and Russia than it becomes clear, between the clanging of silverware against plates and chattering of business diners, that it is nearly impossible to hear one another.
“See, I was right,” Kozyrev sighs, with the resignation of a man who is used to not having his warnings heeded.