French urban climber Alain Robert, also known as ‘Spiderman’, joined Russia Today to tell us about his recent climb to the 242-metre West Tower of Moscow's City Business Complex which is Europe’s tallest building.

Russia Today: Tell us, what was it like up there?
 
Alain Robert: The ascent was nice, it wasn’t too difficult, and I enjoyed climbing very much. The weather was good – it was not very hot, but warm, the sunset was really nice. The only thing that was worrying me was that it was illegal and I knew I was going to be arrested. But finally the chief of the police station turned out to be a really fantastic guy, he has arranged my matter, and I got released, maybe, just in about half an hour. When I was at the police station they gave me some tea, chocolate, and I was treated just like a king, and I’m really amazed by Moscow police department.
 
RT: What were your feelings as you reached the top of the building?
 
A.R.: I was a bit mixed up because I wasn’t really sure how it was all going to be with the cops, so, let’s say, it spoilt my mood a little bit. Whenever you are doing something in a legal way, you know that everything is about fun. But in this very situation I was not sure whether I was going to go to Lubyanka or be released. Thoughts like these were on my mind, so I was not really cool and relaxed.
 
RT: Public is sometimes unaware that you climb to collect money for charity. Tell us more about that.
 
A.R.: I really like to help people who are poor or sick. There are so many people having some problems, some are homeless, there are a lot of them in France, in New York, in the entire world. So, of course, whenever I can do something for them I really try to do my best. I have a plan concerning Moscow – I want to climb the obelisk on Victory Square, and I’d like to do it on that purpose, and also to pay my respect to all the people who died during the Second World War. You know, sometimes when I talk about climbing the obelisk some people think that this is something bad, but it is not. This is really to pay my respect, and I don’t want to offend anybody. I have a very strong spirit of freedom, and for that I’m even ready to pay and to go to jail, but you know, I never go to jail for a long time. This is my way of thinking, my way of living, being courageous and having that strong spirit of freedom.
 
RT: You had two serious accidents in 1982. What helped you recover and continue your risky ascents?
 
A.R.: Well, again, this is because it is my life, it is my reason for living. For me climbing is nearly as important as eating, breathing and sleeping.
 
RT: What are your plans for the future? Have you found your next target already?
 
A.R.: Oh, yes! I always have a lot of targets on my mind! Once something has been done properly it’s a bit like the end of a dream and then I quickly need to have another one. I do not want to say too much because, you know, I try to avoid problems!