In a highly controversial interview, Russian President Vladimir Putin mocked former Fox News host Tucker Carlson and discussed various topics including Russian history, Ukraine, and international relations. The two-hour, seven-minute interview was recorded on February 6th and released shortly before 6pm ET on Thursday, making it Putin’s first interview with a Western media figure since the invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022.
During the interview, Putin reiterated his argument that Ukraine is not a real country and that it was shaped by the will of Soviet leader Josef Stalin. When Carlson asked about the possibility of releasing jailed Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich as a show of goodwill, Putin expressed his frustration with the lack of reciprocity from the West and stated that his goodwill had run out. He also suggested that if the West stopped supplying weapons to Ukraine, the conflict would be over within weeks.
Putin claimed that peace talks had reached a high stage of coordination at one point and were almost finalized. However, he did not provide further details on this claim. Carlson, known for his skepticism towards China, questioned Putin about the rising danger of Chinese influence in developing countries. Putin dismissed these concerns, stating that China’s foreign policy is not aggressive and that limiting cooperation with China is to the detriment of the US.
Throughout the interview, Putin maintained that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was aimed at “de-Nazifying” the country. However, he failed to provide a clear definition of what de-Nazification meant or why it justified an armed invasion. He highlighted Ukrainian collaboration with the Nazi occupation during World War II and claimed that neo-Nazism remains prevalent in Ukraine today.
When asked about the possibility of an international agreement on regulating artificial intelligence and genetic engineering, Putin acknowledged the potential for creating genetically engineered individuals but emphasized the need for international cooperation in regulating these technologies.
The interview offered little hope for the release of imprisoned American journalist Evan Gershkovich, as Putin refused Carlson’s request to release him. Putin accused Gershkovich of espionage and suggested that he was controlled by US authorities, despite The Wall Street Journal’s insistence on his innocence.
Putin also made controversial claims that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson shot down peace attempts in Ukraine. However, Johnson has denied these claims as Russian propaganda.
Political analysts have noted that the interview was targeted not only at the Western audience but also at the Russian audience. Former Ukrainian MP Anton Geraschenko pointed out that Putin’s main message was that Russia wants peace while Ukraine and the West do not.
Overall, the interview revealed Putin’s mocking attitude towards Carlson and addressed various topics of international significance. It provided insight into Putin’s perspectives on Ukraine, China, artificial intelligence, and genetic engineering. However, it also raised questions about the validity of Putin’s claims and his intentions behind the interview.
