Putin Believes Deal Can Be Reached to Free Detained US Reporter
In a groundbreaking interview with US host Tucker Carlson, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his belief that a deal could be reached to secure the release of Evan Gershkovich, a US reporter who has been detained in Russia since last year. The interview, which took place in Moscow, marked the first time that Putin had sat down with a Western journalist since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The exclusive interview has thrust both Putin and Carlson back into the spotlight. Carlson, a firebrand conservative presenter, abruptly departed from Fox News last year, and his fledgling media company has gained attention once again due to this high-profile interview.
During the interview, Putin discussed a range of topics, including Ukraine, US presidents, and the CIA. When asked about Gershkovich, Putin stated that talks were ongoing with the US and expressed optimism that an agreement could be reached. He mentioned that the special services of both countries were in contact and believed that reciprocal steps could lead to Gershkovich’s release.
Evan Gershkovich, a reporter for the Wall Street Journal, was arrested in Yekaterinburg, Russia, on espionage charges in March of last year. His pre-trial detention has been extended until the end of March this year, and he faces up to 20 years in prison if found guilty.
Carlson pressed Putin on whether he would be willing to release Gershkovich immediately, offering to bring him back to the United States. However, Putin insisted that Gershkovich had received classified information and hinted at a potential prisoner exchange. He mentioned “a person, due to patriotic sentiments, [who] eliminated a bandit in one of the European capitals… during the events in the Caucasus,” referring to Vadim Krasikov, an FSB assassin currently imprisoned in Germany for killing a Georgian military officer in Berlin in 2019.
The interview, which lasted over two hours, delved into various topics beyond Gershkovich’s case. Carlson questioned Putin about the reasons behind Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, to which Putin responded by discussing the history of Eastern Europe and presenting justifications for the invasion. He reiterated his claims about Ukraine’s history, grievances about the Soviet Union’s breakup and Nato expansion, and allegations of neo-Nazis in Ukraine.
Notably, the interview did not touch upon alleged war crimes committed by Russian soldiers or other controversial topics such as the forced removal of Ukrainian children to Russia or the jailing of opposition leader Alexei Navalny. Putin also denied any interest in invading Nato countries like Poland or Latvia, calling such a scenario “absolutely out of the question.”
The interview shed light on Putin’s relationships with American presidents, with him stating that he had a “very good relationship” with George W. Bush and claiming to have had a personal relationship with Donald Trump. However, he admitted that he did not recall the last time he spoke to President Joe Biden.
Before the interview, Carlson claimed that no Western journalist had interviewed Putin since 2022, but this statement was refuted by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, who stated that they receive numerous interview requests for the president.
The visit of Carlson and his subsequent interview with Putin received extensive coverage in Russian state media. Footage of Carlson’s activities in Moscow, including visits to restaurants and the Bolshoi Theatre, was broadcasted.
Carlson, who was the highest-rated primetime host on Fox News until his departure in 2023, has since started his own media company. The Tucker Carlson Network primarily features friendly interviews with right-wing politicians and figures such as Donald Trump, Andrew Tate, and Russell Brand.
Overall, this interview between Putin and Carlson has generated significant attention due to its exclusivity and the potential implications for the release of Evan Gershkovich. The conversation covered a wide range of topics, providing insights into Putin’s perspectives on Ukraine, US presidents, and international relations.
