Putin's Marathon Interview with Tucker Carlson: The West must Understand that it is Impossible for Russia to be Defeated in Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin's extensive interview with American media personality Tucker Carlson has been released, spanning over two hours and largely reiterating familiar themes. Conducted just over a month before Russia's upcoming presidential vote, the interview offered little in terms of new insights or solutions to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, but rather delved into historical justifications and criticisms of Western leaders.

During the interview, Putin revisited his decision to invade Ukraine, citing historical context dating back centuries. He accused the West, particularly the United States and European countries, of instigating tensions and disregarding Russia's security concerns. Putin's responses were characterized by lengthy historical narratives and deflections from direct questions about the war in Ukraine.

The conversation, consisting of nearly 60 questions, lacked substantive proposals for resolving the conflict but featured repeated claims about past events and criticism of Western policies. Despite the lack of new information, the interview garnered attention both domestically and internationally, with Russian media unsure how to frame the extensive discussion.

Putin's remarks often shifted the focus away from the conflict in Ukraine, emphasizing the need for Western respect towards Russia's interests and history. He maintained that Russia seeks negotiation and resolution but expects recognition of its perceived security threats and historical grievances.

Regarding negotiations with Ukraine, Putin reiterated Russia's stance that discussions can only proceed after the acceptance of certain "realities," including the status of annexed territories. He also criticized Western leaders, including former...