That's also quite possible, but how could we ever know if it's true? If he's being coerced or influenced in some way, he wouldn't be allowed to say anything abo

That's also quite possible, but how could we ever know if it's true? If he's being coerced or influenced in some way, he wouldn't be allowed to say anything about it. I do get the impression he's probably allowed to speak freely (as long as he's not too publicly critical of Russia or Russian interests), but it's impossible to know. Considering he's a potentially amazing propaganda asset for the Russian government, it's not hard to think they might want to put him up to some things.