Conservative commentator and former Fox News host Tucker Carlson has made headlines with the release of his highly anticipated two-hour interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The interview marks an unprecedented event, as it represents the first time a Western journalist has sat down with an adversarial head of state during wartime.
In an announcement on Tuesday, Carlson revealed that he traveled to Moscow to conduct the interview with Putin, which he described as unedited and offered for free.
The interview quickly gained traction, becoming one of the fastest-viewed videos on the platform X, amassing over 10 million views and 170,000 likes within an hour of its posting.
During the interview, Carlson delved into various topics, including Putin’s rationale for ordering the invasion of Ukraine.
Putin responded by discussing the history of Eastern Europe, asserting Russia’s historical ties to parts of Ukraine and providing justifications for the invasion.
Despite attempts by Carlson to steer the conversation towards the war in Ukraine, Putin remained focused on broader historical contexts.
Putin also touched on his relationships with past American presidents, recounting interactions with Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.
He mentioned having a “very good relationship” with Bush and recalled discussions with Clinton regarding Russia’s potential membership in NATO.
Regarding his current relationship with President Biden, Putin stated that he did not recall the last time they spoke.
Carlson’s interview with Putin comes amid heightened tensions between Russia and the West, particularly in the wake of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
“Tell us why you believe the United States might strike Russia out of the blue,” Carlson asked. “How did you conclude that?”
Through a translator, Putin clarified: “It’s not that America, the United States, was going to launch a surprise strike on Russia.”
“I didn’t say that. Are we having a talk show or a serious conversation?” he added.
Prior to the interview, Carlson faced criticism for claiming to be the only Western journalist interested in hearing Putin’s perspective, a claim that was refuted by other journalists who had reached out but were denied.
Carlson’s visit to Moscow and subsequent interview with Putin come after his departure from Fox News last April and the launch of his own media company.
In a video released ahead of the interview, Carlson emphasized the importance of informing the American public about the situation in Ukraine and Russia, stating that many Americans are unaware of the reasons behind Putin’s actions.
“There are risks to conducting an interview like this obviously, so we’ve thought about it for many months,” Carlson said.
“Most Americans have no idea why Putin invaded Ukraine or what his goals are now. Two years into a war that is reshaping the entire world, most Americans are not informed.
He expressed concerns about the lack of coverage and misinformation in English-language media outlets.
The Daily Netizen 