Russian President Vladimir Putin sympathizes with motorists in Moscow inconvenienced by the street closures that accompany his motorcade’s movement through the already traffic-clogged city, but says nothing can be done about it.

“I regret and extend my apologies for the inconvenience,” Putin said in an interview broadcast on the NTV television network on Sunday.

“I truly feel bad about it.”

Sometimes, Putin said, he hears unhappy motorists honking their horns as his motorcade speeds past.

“Unfortunately, only on rare occasions can helicopters be used to get around in Moscow,” he said.

When reminded that French President Francois Hollande stopped at all the red lights as he rode to his inauguration, Putin said: “He’s a good guy, but I don’t engage in populism. There’s work to be done.”