What is Larry King’s connection to Russia – many fans are asking. Americans apply for political asylum, Putin threatening the US over Syria and now Larry Kind working for a russian government funded TV station. Millions watching CNN every day enjoyed the Larry King show on a daily basis for many years. Larry Kings retirement was a big deal for the US media and for CNN. Who would have known the same Larry King is now continuing his interviews for a Kremlin funded TV station RT. Viewers are again worldwide, just with a strong taste of Russia’s view of the world.

“I would rather ask questions to people in positions of power instead of speaking on their behalf,” King said in the ad published by RT.

“That’s why you can find my show Larry King Now right here on RT.”

“The veteran broadcaster will not shy away from causing controversy, or using his authority to give a chance to hear voices other media ignore,” Russia Today said on its website rt.com.

Larry King’s show is taped in Los Angeles and Washington. This may be a wise move, since independent journalists, opposition politicians, NGO leaders and businessmen have been systematically cowed – or beaten or killed in dozens of cases – during President Vladimir Putin’s more than a decade in power, with the television sector coming under especially tight control.

Despite that claim, the 79-year-old master of the softball interview is unlikely to make waves in Russian domestic politics.

The lavishly funded Russia Today chiefly aims to project the Kremlin viewpoint abroad and has little impact inside the country.

“Whether a president or an activist or a rock star was sitting across from him, Larry King never shied away from asking the tough questions,” she said on rt.com.

The English-language RT network was formed in 2005 and won attention for broadcasting a controversial show by WikiLeaks website founder Julian Assange.