Putin Disabuses Tucker Carlson of the Idea of He’s Ready to Negotiate End to Ukraine War: ‘What’s There to Work Out?’
Tucker Carlson spoke with Vladimir Putin in an interview aired on Thursday, during which the Russian president told Carlson that there is nothing to “work out” regarding the invasion of Ukraine.
Though Putin said in the interview he is open to “negotiations,” he said the U.S. and its allies must first stop supplying weapons to Ukraine so that Russia can defeat the country “in a few weeks.” As such, any so-called “negotiations” would appear to involve Ukraine’s defeat or surrender.
The interview features an introduction from Carlson explaining he spoke with Putin at the Kremlin on Tuesday. Carlson said that during the interview, Putin seemed “sincere” in his belief that Russia is entitled to the territory of Ukraine, which Russia invaded in February 2022. Putin has claimed Ukraine needs to be “denazified” and “demilitarized.” However, the invasion has largely stalled so far thanks to a massive influx of military aid led by the U.S.
At one point Carlson asked Putin about the last time he spoke with President Joe Biden.
“When was the last time you spoke to Joe Biden?” he asked.
“Well, I cannot remember when I talked to him,” Putin replied. “I do not remember. We can look it up.”
After Carlson expressed surprise that the Russian president would forget such a thing, Putin responded, “Do I have to remember everything? I have my own things to do. We have domestic political affairs.”
Putin did say he talked with Biden sometime before the invasion.
“What did he say?” Carlson asked.
“Ask him, please, it is easier for you,” he replied. “You are a citizen of the United States. Go and ask him. It is not appropriate for me to comment on our conversation.”
Carlson then asked about the potential for a negotiated settlement. Putin said that if the West wants the war to stop, “you need to stop supplying weapons” and then the war “will be over within a few weeks”:
CARLSON: But from the outside, it seems like this could devolve or evolve into something that brings the entire world into conflict and could, um, initiate some nuclear launch. And so why don’t you just call Biden and say, let’s work this out.
PUTIN: What’s there to work out? It’s very simple. I repeat, we have contacts through various agencies. I will tell you what we are saying on this matter and what we are conveying to the U.S. leadership. If you really want to stop fighting, you need to stop supplying weapons. It will be over within a few weeks. That’s it. And then we can agree on some terms before you do that, stop. What’s easier? Why would I call him? What should I talk to him about? Or beg him for what?
CARLSON: And what messages do you get back?
PUTIN: You were going to deliver such and such weapons to Ukraine. Oh, I’m afraid, I’m afraid. Please don’t. What is there to talk about?
Elsewhere in the interview, Putin spoke of possible “negotiations,” but he did not specify what he would be willing to accept. Since the beginning of the war, Putin has repeatedly said he aims to remove Ukraine’s government and demilitarize the country.
Watch above via the Tucker Carlson Network.
