Russian President Vladimir Putin affirmed Russia’s commitment to defending its interests while emphasizing a reluctance to expand the conflict in Ukraine to neighboring countries like Poland and Latvia.
In an interview with Tucker Carlson, Putin conveyed a readiness for dialogue despite Western leaders’ acknowledgment of the difficulty in strategically defeating Russia.
He expressed optimism about reaching an agreement for the release of U.S. journalist Evan Gershkovich, who has been detained in Russia on spying charges.
Putin dismissed the possibility of Russian troops entering Poland unless provoked, citing a lack of interest in territorial expansion. He criticized Ukraine for failing to seize opportunities for peace talks and suggested that continued mobilization and hysteria within Ukraine could lead to an eventual agreement.
Amidst U.S. lawmakers’ discussions on providing further aid to Ukraine, Putin highlighted domestic challenges facing the United States, proposing negotiation and agreement with Russia instead.
He referenced ongoing discussions between Russian and American special services regarding the Gershkovich case, hinting at the potential for a prisoner exchange involving other cases.
The interview with Carlson marked Putin’s first formal engagement with a U.S. journalist since before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The Kremlin attributed Putin’s decision to participate in the interview to Carlson’s perceived departure from what it views as one-sided reporting on the conflict by many Western media outlets.
Putin’s comments underscored his stance on defending Russian interests while advocating for dialogue and negotiation to resolve international disputes. The interview aired as discussions in the U.S. Senate advanced a bill including additional funds for Ukraine’s war efforts.
Despite the ongoing conflict, efforts toward diplomatic resolution and prisoner exchanges remain on the table.