The author reflects on New Year's Eve 1999 when Boris Yeltsin resigned as President of Russia, marking the beginning of Vladimir Putin's rise to power. The piece discusses the consequences of Putin's invasion of Ukraine and the transformation of his leadership style over the years. It questions whether Yeltsin's choice of successor could have altered history and explores Putin's self-perception as a defender of Russian sovereignty amidst the ongoing conflict. Article complet (bbc.com europe)