President Vladimir Putin has said the war between Russia and Ukraine could end “within a few weeks” if the United States cuts off arms supplies. But until that happens, the Russian leader vows to keep fighting, telling Tucker Carlson bluntly: “We haven't achieved our goal yet.”

Despite the above, the war, which began in 2014 and escalated with Russia's invasion in 2022, is currently at a stalemate. Funding from the US is $113 billion and additional aid to Ukraine from its European neighbors. According to reports, an estimated 500,000 people have been killed or injured since 2022.

During the past two years of fighting, Putin admitted he had not spoken to the president. joe bidenalthough the Russian leader said today that he would hold peace talks.

“Isn't there something better?” Putin asked rhetorically. “We have over $33 trillion worth of problems, including border issues, immigration issues, and national debt issues. We should fight in Ukraine because there is nothing else to do. Wouldn't it be better to negotiate with Russia? Make a deal. Please.”

2 hours Interview with Tucker CarlsonThe footage, recorded in Moscow's Kremlin on Tuesday, was the first conversation between a Russian leader and an American journalist since the Ukraine conflict escalated in 2022.

In a 10-minute post-interview video shared with paid subscribers of tucker carlson networkthe legendary journalist said he was upset that Putin began the interview by “filibustering” him, citing his long and complicated history. Russia and Ukraine. Carlson listened intently for nearly an hour, annoyed by Putin who occasionally interrupted him with questions.

“I understand that my long speech is probably outside the genre of an interview,” Putin told Karlsson. “So, the first thing I asked was, are you going to do a serious talk or show?” We talked about something serious. So please be patient. ”

Carlson's view

“Putin is not a person who gives many interviews,” Carlson said in a video after the interview. In fact, his last interview with an American journalist was in October 2021, when he spoke with CNBC's Hadley Gamble at an energy event in Moscow.

“He's not good at explaining himself,” Carlson said. “He's smart, there's no question about that. But he clearly spends a lot of time in a world where he doesn't have to explain himself.”

“He didn't explain his case very coherently,” Carlson concluded.

Reflecting on President Putin's response, Karlsson said: russian leader He becomes animated when discussing the US and Western countries' approach to his country.

“He is very hurt by the rejection of the West,” Carlson said. “The American government doesn't like Russia. And like many Russians, he expected the end of the Cold War to be an invitation for Russia to come to Europe.”

But despite the tensions, Carlson said it was “shocking” that Putin admitted he wanted a peace deal.

“Maybe he was lying in a way that I didn't realize, but he kept saying it. I don't know why he would say that if he didn't mean it. '' Carlson said.

During the interview, President Putin accused former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson of abandoning previous negotiations, saying, “I said it would be better to fight with Russia.''

Russia's aim

Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 sparked global condemnation, with Putin cheekily accusing Ukraine of starting the war in 2014 and insisting Russia was trying to stop it.

Asked by Carlson whether Russia had achieved its objectives, Putin said: “Not really.” We have not yet achieved our goals, as one of them is denazification. This means a ban on all types of neo-Nazi movements. ”

The Russian leader then turned his anger toward the United States, sparing Biden some of his harshest criticism.

Putin told Karlsson that he “spoke with him before the special military operation.” “So I said to him, by the way, I won't go into details, I'll never say that. But I told him at the time, 'You support everything that's happening in Ukraine. , I think they are making a huge historical mistake by getting rid of Russia.''

Mr. Carlson pressed President Putin on why he did not call Mr. Biden today.

Putin replied: “If we really want to stop fighting, we need to stop supplying weapons.” “It'll be over in a few weeks. That's it. Then you can agree to some conditions before you quit. What's easier? Why call him? What should I talk to him about? Or what should I ask him to do?”

Conversation about Ukraine dominated the two-hour interview, including the revelation that Putin suspects the CIA was responsible for the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline attack. President Putin also praised him. his friend” China's Xi JinpingHe boasted of the expansion of cooperation between the two countries.

confrontational questions

Near the end of the interview, Carlson confronted Putin about Russia's detention. wall street journal Reporter Evan Gershkovich is in custody on suspicion of espionage.

“That doesn't concern me, but what's different about this is that the guy is obviously not a spy. He's a kid and maybe he was breaking the law in some way, but he's super I'm not a spy and everyone knows that,” Carlson said sharply.

Mr. Gershkovych has denied any wrongdoing, but has suggested that Mr. Putin violated the law by obtaining classified information. President Putin suggested that continued U.S.-Russian talks would eventually lead to his release.

“I do not exclude the possibility that Mr. Gershkovych, whom you mentioned, will return to his homeland,” Putin said. “But at the end of the day, it makes no sense to keep him in prison in Russia.”

Later, reflecting on the interview in his hotel room, Mr. Carlson hit back at critics who accused him of giving a platform to President Putin.

“I'm from La Jolla, California, and I'm not a supporter of President Putin,” Carlson said. “please.”

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This article Published by daily signal Reprinted with permission.

Image credit: YouTube screenshot Tucker Carlson Network