It appears Putin was never the principled and straight talker in private diplomatic contacts as he was made out to be and appeared to be in public.I wonder if those in the Security Council outside Putin,s close Kremlin circle and in the military were less aware of these dealings(and how they will react to these revelations).
I get the impression that Helmer seems to be none too impressed.

http://johnhelmer.net/the-white-house-archive-what-vladimir-putin-confided-to-george-w-bush-what-he-means-now/