Insights from Tucker Carlson’s Submissive Interview With Vladimir Putin | Vanity Fair

Written by Caleb Ecarma

In a recent two-hour conversation with Tucker Carlson, former Fox News host, Russian President Vladimir Putin mostly remained sympathetic. The rare instance of contention occurred when Carlson challenged Putin over the arrest of Evan Gershkovich, a journalist from the Wall Street Journal.

Last December, the State Department disclosed Russia's rejection of a proposal to free Gershkovich and ex-US marine Paul Whelan, held in Russia since 2018. The terms of exchange offered by Russia were not clear. However, Putin did mention a potential negotiating tool that the US could use in exchange for Gershkovich: Vadim Krasikov, a Russian agent serving a life sentence in Germany for the 2019 murder of a Georgian ex-military man who opposed Russian forces in the Second Chechen War.

Regarding Gershkovich, who was charged with uncertain spying accusations last spring, Putin mentioned that Russia is prepared to find a solution under specific conditions up for discussion between intelligence agencies. "I think a deal can be arrived at," he added. Putin stated talks with the US would continue in discretion, expressing that publicizing these issues only hinders resolution efforts and everything must be executed calmly.

In the interview, Putin reiterated the unproven assertion that Gershkovich was discovered while covertly acquiring confidential data. Gershkovich and the Journal both have denied any criminal activity. In a statement released on Friday, the Journal noted they appreciated Russia's eagerness to reach a deal for Evan's release and called for his immediate return. "Evan is a journalist, and doing journalism is not criminal. Any depiction otherwise is mere fiction."

The interview with Carlson, which aired on Thursday was the first Western media interview granted by Putin since the Ukraine invasion two years ago. The discussion had little news value and mostly involved Putin's frequently stated views on Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The interview might have been arranged due to Carlson being one of Russia's most vocal American supporters and critics of Ukraine.

During the conversation, Putin reminisced about the friendly relations he enjoyed with Donald Trump, and repeated common Republican critiques of the Biden administration. Putin queried why America was concerning itself with Ukraine, thousands of miles away, instead of dealing with its many other issues. He then suggested that negotiating an agreement with Russia might be a better approach. However, Putin's idea of a peace agreement would naturally allow Russia to maintain possession of Ukraine regions, including the critical Crimean Peninsula.

After the interview, Carlson expressed doubts about the effectiveness of the interaction and finally leveled criticism against Putin. He remarked that Putin, who seldom gives interviews, struggled to articulate his points and appears to live in a world where he rarely has to do so.