Four highlights from Tucker Carlson’s interview with Vladimir Putin

Tucker Carlson on Thursday launched his interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which discovered the 2 discussing the warfare in Ukraine, NATO growth and Russia’s relationship with america.

The interview—recorded on Tuesday and first launched solely on-line by way of the Tucker Carlson Community—runs for over two hours, throughout which Putin additionally shared his ideas on matters similar to AI (worldwide rules could sometime be wanted) and on the subsequent president of the U.S.

After a considerably contentious begin, which noticed Putin ask his interviewer in the event that they have been “having a chat present or a severe dialog,” the 2 males had a broad-ranging discuss and even later laughed about Putin’s “discuss present” comment.

Under are a few of the key highlights from the interview.

Putin Mentioned Peace With Ukraine Is Nonetheless Attainable

When Carlson requested if he thought Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky nonetheless “has the liberty to barter a settlement to this battle,” Putin answered that he believes so.

He then claimed that after Russian negotiators tried to achieve a peace take care of Ukraine throughout the early phases of the warfare that started in February 2022, Western international locations persuaded Zelensky to maintain combating.

Putin then mentioned Zelensky had signed a decree that forbids negotiating with Russia.

“However how are we going to barter if he forbade himself and everybody to do that?” Putin mentioned. “We all know that he’s placing ahead some concepts about this settlement, however with the intention to agree on one thing, we have to have a dialogue.”

NATO Weighs on Putin’s Thoughts

Putin addressed his opposition to the growth of NATO at size throughout the interview, however he additionally mentioned how he had as soon as requested about Russia becoming a member of the alliance.

Based on Putin, he as soon as spoke to then-President Invoice Clinton concerning the prospect of Russia changing into a member of the bloc. He claimed Clinton at first answered, “I feel so,” however later that evening the American chief allegedly backtracked after speaking to his staff, telling Putin that Russia becoming a member of NATO wasn’t doable at the moment.

“If he had mentioned sure, the method of rapprochement would have commenced, and ultimately it may need occurred if we had seen some honest want on the facet of our companions. However it did not occur,” Putin advised Carlson. “Nicely, no means no.”

He Feels U.S. Fears China Extra Than Russia

Carlson and Putin spoke about how the U.S. and Russia appeared as if they might have good relations after the autumn of the Soviet Union, however that hasn’t been the case. The conservative media persona introduced up how Putin has mentioned the West fears a powerful Russia and requested why that’s, if the U.S. would not concern China.

“The West is afraid of robust China greater than it fears a powerful Russia, as a result of Russia has 150 million folks and China has 1.5 billion inhabitants. And its economic system is rising by leaps and bounds, or 5 % a 12 months,” Putin answered.

He continued: “China’s potential is big. It’s the greatest economic system on the planet as we speak when it comes to buying energy parity and the scale of the economic system. It’s already overtaking america fairly a very long time in the past, and it’s rising at a speedy clip.”

The Russian president then moved away from the thought by saying, “Let’s not discuss who’s afraid of whom. Let’s not purpose in such phrases.”

Putin Provided His Ideas on the Subsequent U.S. President

Putin stayed away from endorsing any candidate within the 2024 election, however he mentioned that he would not bear in mind the final time he spoke with President Joe Biden. He additionally mentioned he had a superb relationship with former President Donald Trump when the Republican was within the White Home.

His highest reward, although, was given to former President George W. Bush.

“I had an excellent relationship with Bush. I do know that in america, he was portrayed as some form of a rustic boy who doesn’t perceive a lot. I guarantee you that this isn’t the case,” Putin mentioned.

After including that Bush “made loads of errors with regard to Russia,” Putin mentioned that he “had an excellent relationship with him.”

When requested by Carlson if relations with Russia would enhance with a brand new administration after Biden, Putin mentioned “it isn’t concerning the chief,” however quite the selections of the “ruling elites.”