Naujuosius 1970 m. jis sutiko Pamaskvės Gerceno sanatorijoje. 1971 m. čia gydėsi ir geras jo draugas Tvardovskis, bet abu sunkiai sirgo, todėl susitikti jau nebeįstengdavo.
"We're wearing their clothes, we're in their house, we're eating their food, we're doing their work. We have adapted. The only place we can't be seen is inside this house."