Tucker interviews Vladimir Putin in Moscow, Russia. February 6th, 2024.
Summary
The transcript covers a lengthy interview between Russian President Vladimir Putin and American journalist Tucker Carlson on February 6, 2024 discussing the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Putin provides extensive historical context from his perspective to explain Russia’s actions, emphasizes Russia’s close cultural ties with Ukraine, argues the West provoked conflict through NATO expansion, and defends Russian intervention to stop alleged genocide in breakaway regions. Though open to negotiations, Putin contends Russia must achieve core aims like demilitarization and ‘denazification’ first. The interview explores potential global impacts like a new multi-polar order and decline of the US dollar, while also touching on personal topics like Putin’s faith and worldview.
Historical Ties Binding Russia and Ukraine
Putin argues Ukraine’s history intertwines with Russia’s, tracing back to 9th century Kievan Rus when Eastern Slavs were unified. Despite periods under Lithuanian and Polish rule, most of modern Ukraine later rejoined the Russian Empire. Putin even contends the name ‘Ukraine’ originally just meant ‘borderland’.
Perceived Threats from NATO Expansion
Putin asserts NATO reneged on assurances it wouldn’t expand eastward post-Cold War, progressively incorporating more countries like Poland despite Russian protests. He warns NATO bases could appear in Ukraine, threatening Russian security.
Justification for Russian Military Intervention
Putin defends launching Russia’s ‘special military operation’ to stop alleged genocide and oppression of ethnic Russians in breakaway Donbas regions. He accuses the West of supporting a violent 2014 coup installing Ukraine’s current government.
Possibility for Negotiated Settlement
While open to negotiations in principle, Putin contends meaningful dialogue requires recognizing Russia’s core interests first – demilitarization, ‘denazification’ and protection of Donbas. He blames Ukrainian leadership for previously walking away from an Istanbul agreement.
Global Impacts and New World Order
The wide-ranging interview also touches on potential decline of US global influence and the dollar’s reserve currency status due to over-reliance on sanctions. Putin muses about emerging multi-polarity with strengthened powers like China and India.
Personal Perspectives on Faith and Worldview
Asked how his Orthodox Christian faith informs his leadership, Putin emphasizes Russia’s historic cultural and spiritual ties to Eastern Christianity. He argues Russia accommodates all major religions, seeking to avoid religious conflicts plaguing other nations.
