Putin and tucker
The highly anticipated interview between Tucker Carlson and Russia's Vladimir Putin turned out to be somewhat disappointing. Despite Tucker's skill in addressing contentious issues for his predominantly conservative audience, his approach fell short when interviewing a world leader like Putin. His usual focus on immigration and border issues didn't resonate in this context.
Credit is due to Tucker for providing global access to the interview rather than monetizing it exclusively. During the interview, Tucker did challenge Putin on the case of Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter detained in Russia on espionage charges. However, Putin deflected, emphasizing the need for diplomatic processes to unfold rather than making impromptu decisions.
The two-hour conversation largely showcased Putin's control of the discussion and Russia’s narrative from his context, with Tucker unable to steer it towards his intended topics. Tucker missed opportunities to delve into pressing topics such as Russia's perspective on Israel's actions in Gaza and the West's fears regarding nuclear weapons. He could have explored whether there are specific red lines that might trigger a nuclear escalation in conflicts. Additionally, Tucker could have questioned Putin about the International Court's rulings on Russia, drawing parallels with Israel's situation. Another crucial area of inquiry could have been Putin's vision for the endgame in ongoing conflicts.
Instead, viewers were presented with Putin's historical narrative emphasizing the deep ties between Ukraine and Russia. While Putin articulated significant points, such as NATO's exclusionary practices and Russia's lack of interest in invading neighboring countries, Tucker's input was notably absent.
Throughout the interview, Putin maintained composure, though he occasionally noted Tucker's apparent disengagement, especially during his lengthy historical explanations as he build the case on Ukraine’s historical connections with the greater Russia. In the end, Tucker successfully landed a significant interview and graciously extended its reach to his worldwide audience. However, it was Putin who emerged victorious, effectively conveying his message to Tucker's viewers that the Russia and Ukraine war is more complicated than what the US mainstream media wants its audience to understand and know.
