Putin-Carlson interview: Full transcript

🌈 Abstract

The article is a transcript of an interview between Tucker Carlson and Russian President Vladimir Putin, discussing the historical context and Putin's perspective on the conflict in Ukraine.

🙋 Q&A

[01] Historical Context

1. What is Putin's perspective on the historical relationship between Russia and Ukraine?

• Putin provides a detailed historical overview, tracing the origins of the Russian state back to the 8th century and the unification of Kievan Rus.
• He argues that parts of modern-day Ukraine have been historically Russian lands, and that the establishment of an independent Ukrainian state was an artificial construct.
• Putin claims that Ukraine was created by the Bolsheviks after the Russian Revolution, and that Lenin transferred lands with no historical connection to Ukraine to the newly formed Soviet republic.

2. How does Putin justify Russia's actions in Ukraine in 2022?

• Putin claims that Russia's actions were a response to the threat of Ukraine joining NATO, which he sees as an existential threat to Russia.
• He argues that the 2014 Maidan revolution in Ukraine was a Western-backed coup, and that the subsequent Ukrainian government has been hostile to Russia and unwilling to implement the Minsk agreements to resolve the conflict in Donbas.

[02] Negotiations and Diplomacy

1. Has Putin attempted to negotiate a resolution to the conflict with Ukraine?

• Putin claims that Russia has repeatedly proposed peaceful solutions to the conflict, but that Ukraine has refused to implement the Minsk agreements and has been unwilling to negotiate.
• He states that during negotiations in Istanbul, Russia and Ukraine had reached a preliminary agreement, but that Ukraine then backed out of the deal after pressure from the UK.

2. Why does Putin believe Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, does not have the freedom to negotiate a settlement?

• Putin suggests that Zelenskyy is under the control of the West and nationalist forces in Ukraine, and that he has been prohibited by decree from negotiating with Russia.
• Putin claims that Zelenskyy could cancel this decree and re-engage in negotiations, but has chosen not to do so.

[03] Concerns about Escalation

1. How does Putin view the risk of the conflict in Ukraine escalating into a broader global war?

• Putin strongly rejects the idea that Russia has any territorial ambitions beyond Ukraine, stating that it is "out of the question" for Russia to invade other countries like Poland or the Baltic states.
• He argues that the threat of Russia using nuclear weapons or the conflict expanding is being exaggerated and used as a propaganda tactic by the West.

2. What is Putin's perspective on the impact of Western sanctions on Russia?

• Putin claims that the sanctions have not had the intended effect of crippling the Russian economy, and that Russia has been able to adapt by reducing its reliance on the US dollar and increasing trade with China.
• He argues that the sanctions have actually damaged the US economy and global financial system by undermining the dominance of the US dollar as the world's reserve currency.