Putin takes hard line Ukraine Tucker Carlson interview

Putin tells Tucker Carlson in interview that Russia hasn't achieved its goals in Ukraine and would consider negotiations if US stops supplying weapons to Kyiv.

Russian President Vladimir Putin recently stated that Russia has not yet achieved its objectives in Ukraine, expressing a willingness to engage in negotiations if the U.S. ceases supplying weapons to Kyiv. In an interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, Putin made these comments in Moscow on February 6, marking the first time he has granted an interview to a Western media figure since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Putin conveyed to U.S. leadership that halting the supply of weapons could bring an end to military action in a matter of weeks, opening the possibility for discussions on certain terms. However, the U.S. and its allies have rejected Russia's demands for such capitulation, and there is no indication that either side is prepared for serious talks as the war approaches its two-year mark.

Carlson, known for his conservative views and support of former President Donald Trump, has used his platform to question U.S. support for Ukraine and defend the Kremlin, with Russian state television regularly featuring clips from his posts.

During the interview, Putin hinted at the possibility of a prisoner swap involving the release of jailed U.S. journalist Evan Gershkovich. He suggested that discussions through special services channels could lead to an agreement and alluded to the case of a man jailed for murder in a European country, likely referring to Vadim Krasikov, who is serving a life sentence in Germany for the 2019 killing of a former Chechen rebel in Berlin. Russia has previously expressed interest in Krasikov's return in potential prisoner-swap negotiations.

In response to Carlson's questions, Putin reiterated charges against Gershkovich that have been refuted by the Wall Street Journal and the U.S. government, which maintains that the reporter was "wrongfully detained" by Moscow. These developments highlight the ongoing complexities and tensions in the relationship between Russia and the United States, as well as the broader implications for the conflict in Ukraine.