Russian President Vladimir Putin was interviewed by former Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson.

During the interview, which was Putin’s first with a Western-based media figure since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, he gave many well-known talking points and was seldom questioned by Carlson.

In an interview that lasted more than two hours and was made available online on Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson about a range of subjects, including the Russian economy and Ukraine, although he didn’t really cover any new ground.

In an interview that lasted about twenty minutes, mostly without interruption, Putin told Carlson that Russia has not succeeded in its war goals in its widely denounced invasion of neighboring Ukraine. He also touched on historical events surrounding Catherine the Great, the empress of Russia from 1762 to 1796.

At one point, Carlson complimented Putin by saying, “It’s not boring,” but he also observed, “I’m not sure how it’s relevant.”

No information regarding the conditions of the interview’s recording has been sent to NBC News. Putin’s remarks were translated into Russian by Carlson’s program.

Putin hinted that the United States would need to reach a compromise but did not rule out the possibility of Russia freeing Wall Street Journal writer Evan Gershkovich, who is imprisoned and claimed to be unlawfully detained.

He stated that there is a “continuous dialogue between the special services.”

“We want the U.S. special services to consider how they can help our special services achieve the objectives that they are working toward. We’re prepared to discuss. Furthermore, negotiations are in progress,” Putin stated.

Although the Wall Street Journal on Thursday downplayed Putin’s allegation that the 32-year-old Gershkovich was engaged in “espionage,” it did express encouragement for any agreement that would allow him to return home.

“Journalism is not illegal, and Evan works as one. Any depiction that suggests otherwise is entirely made up. We continue to demand Evan’s prompt release after he was wrongfully jailed by Russia for almost a year for performing his job, according to the Journal. Evan was wrongfully arrested.

Ever since his forces invaded Ukraine two years ago, this was Putin’s first interview with a member of the Western media. Carlson seldom pressed him during his numerous well-known talking points.

Carlson has been a vocal opponent of US backing for Ukraine and has often spread lies, misinformation, and conspiracy theories.

Putin remarked, “The tools that the U.S. uses don’t work,” in reference to the sanctions imposed on Russia by the United States and other nations following its invasion of Ukraine.

Putin said that he got along well with former President George W. Bush on a personal level. He added, “I had such a personal relationship with Trump.”

When asked if there would be a chance for the United States and Russia to resume communication under a President Joe Biden administration, Putin responded, “It is not about the leader.” It has nothing to do with a person’s personality.”

At approximately 6 p.m. on Thursday, the interview was uploaded on Carlson’s website and his X account. Since the beginning of the conflict, Facebook, Instagram, and Elon Musk’s social media platform X have all been blocked in Russia.

While Republicans loyal to former President Donald Trump are blocking aid for the Ukrainians in Congress, the Kremlin is working to ensure that Putin wins another anticipated election in March. In the meantime, the Russian military is making progress in the battlefield.

After being let go by Fox News in April, Carlson has established himself as a freelance writer. Prior to the interview, he boasted that he was the only Western journalist eager to speak with Putin. However, the Kremlin refuted this claim, claiming that Carlson was granted the interview specifically because of his support for Russia in the conflict in Ukraine.

Not only has Carlson questioned U.S. support for Kyiv, but he has also frequently been featured on Kremlin propaganda channels since he left Fox News.

Not only has Carlson questioned U.S. support for Kyiv, but he has also frequently been featured on Kremlin propaganda channels since he left Fox News.

Not only has Carlson questioned U.S. support for Kyiv, but he has also frequently been featured on Kremlin propaganda channels since he left Fox News.

Not only has Carlson questioned U.S. support for Kyiv, but he has also frequently been featured on Kremlin propaganda channels since he left Fox News.

In 2021, Keir Simmons of NBC News conducted an interview with Putin in Moscow. Prior to the war, Hadley Gamble, a former CNBC anchor and correspondent, also had a conversation with Putin. Dmitry Peskov, a spokesperson for Putin, was interviewed by NBC News in December.

egislation that criminally penalizes criticism of its armed forces. The laws have forced many Russian independent media and Western news organizations to move their operations out of Russia. In addition, an untold number of Western journalists have made repeated requests for interviews with Putin, only to be rebuffed by the Kremlin.

There are two American journalists detained by Russia. After being arrested in the spring of last year, Gershkovich is still awaiting trial on espionage accusations, which he and his company vehemently deny.

Reporter Alsu Kurmasheva, a Russian-American for Radio Liberty/Free Europe, was arrested in October and is accused of not registering as a foreign agent.

According to Tim Dawson, the deputy general secretary of the International Federation of Journalists, Tucker Carlson should “concentrate on his journalism, and stop attacking other journalists — doing so makes himself look like the worst kind of fact-adverse shock jock,” Dawson told NBC News. “We applaud any sincere effort to comprehend President Putin. It is regrettable that Tucker Carlson is using unfounded insults and lies to promote his interview.”

Putin doesn’t often engage with the public; instead, he has attacked the West through planned speeches and formal occasions. His first major press conference since the conflict began occurred in December; it was a well-planned affair where just one Western media organization was allowed to pose a question.

Carlson has publicly questioned Washington’s backing for Kyiv, charged that it is inciting Russia to invade, and expressed disapproval for the Ukrainian leadership. He enjoys widespread popularity in Russia, where Russian propagandists frequently cite him as a reliable pro-Moscow American voice.

The Russian official media relentlessly covered Carlson’s every step in the days preceding the interview, going into overdrive on his visits to the Bolshoi Theatre and the Russian McDonald’s.

For Putin, Carlson’s visit was a welcome distraction from a bleak winter in which Russia has grappled with a widespread utility crisis, growing protests by soldiers’ wives and a potential challenge from Boris Nadezhdin, a surprisingly popular anti-war politician.

For Putin, Carlson’s visit was a welcome distraction from a bleak winter in which Russia has grappled with a widespread utility crisis, growing protests by soldiers’ wives and a potential challenge from Boris Nadezhdin, a surprisingly popular anti-war politician.

For Putin, Carlson’s visit was a welcome distraction from a bleak winter in which Russia has grappled with a widespread utility crisis, growing protests by soldiers’ wives and a potential challenge from Boris Nadezhdin, a surprisingly popular anti-war politician.

For Putin, Carlson’s visit was a welcome distraction from a bleak winter in which Russia has grappled with a widespread utility crisis, growing protests by soldiers’ wives and a potential challenge from Boris Nadezhdin, a surprisingly popular anti-war politician.

For Putin, Carlson’s visit was a welcome distraction from a bleak winter in which Russia has grappled with a widespread utility crisis, growing protests by soldiers’ wives and a potential challenge from Boris Nadezhdin, a surprisingly popular anti-war politician.

Amidst a dismal winter in which Russia has struggled with a widespread power problem, mounting protests by soldiers’ wives, and a possible challenge from the unexpectedly popular anti-war politician Boris Nadezhdin, Carlson’s visit was a welcome diversion for Putin.

However, Carlson has decided to create his own identity. He has had interviews with right-wing president of Argentina, Javier Milei, and authoritarian leader of Hungary, Viktor Orbán, in recent months.

John Kirby, a spokesperson for the National Security Council, stated earlier on Thursday that Putin’s attempts to defend the invasion of Ukraine should not be taken seriously by anyone in the United States.

The American people are aware that Ukraine posed no threat to anyone, yet he invaded a neighboring nation without warning. Furthermore, Kirby stated, “The American people are aware of the causes Ukraine is fighting for.

Kirby told a briefing, “Remember, you’re listening to Vladimir Putin.” “And you ought not to accept anything he says at face value.”