An edited transcript of a meeting on between Russian President Vladimir Putin and foreign academics and journalists, including Stefan Wagstyl, the FT’s East Europe Editor. Held over lunch at the Novo Ogarevo, the presidential mansion outside Moscow, on September 9.

The menu consisted of octopus carpaccio, langoustine lasagna, and baked sea bass or veal with ceps and black truffles, followed by warm figs with yoghurt sorbet and assorted desserts.