Putin tells Tucker Carlson Ukraine war can be over few weeks, in rare interview to US outlet

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Tucker Carlson came under the spotlight on Thursday (Feb 8) after the Russian president gave an interview,a first in years to an American journalist.

Speaking about the possibility of establishment of peace in Ukraine, Putin told Carlson, “If you really want to stop fighting, you need to stop supplying weapons."

The Russian president was referring to Western aid being supplied to Kyiv. “It will be over within a few weeks. That’s it,” he said.

Also Read:Xi-Putin interact in hour-long phone call, accuse US of 'interference'

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Emphasising the goals of what Putin called the “special military operation” in Ukraine, Putin said it was yet to be achieved since one of the aims “is de-Nazification".

In a rare move, Putin further went on to explain what he meant by "de-Nazification".

“This means the prohibition of all kinds of neo-Nazi movements. We have to get rid of those people who maintain this concept and support this practice and try to preserve it,” the Russian president said.

The Russian president also defended his decision to invade Ukraine in February 2022.

Putin said the West now understood that Russia won't be defeated even though Ukraine gets support from US, European Union and NATO.

"Up until now, there has been the uproar and screaming about inflicting a strategic defeat to Russia on the battlefield. But now they are apparently coming to realize that it is difficult to achieve, if possible, at all. In my opinion, it is impossible by definition," Putin said.

Putin shrugs off Nord Stream blast allegations, blames CIA

Answering Carlson's questions regarding the attacks on the Nord Stream gas pipelines which took place in the Baltic Sea in September 2022, Putin denied his involvement in the blast.

Watch:China's Xi Jinping and Russia's Vladimir Putin vow deeper ties in phone call

“Who blew up Nord Stream?” quizzed Carlson. Responding to his question, Putin said, “You for sure.”

To which Carlsonresponded: “I was busy that day. I did not blow up Nord Stream.”

Putin then went on to allege, without presenting any evidence, that only the US was capable of, and could have any interest in, carrying out that attack.

Notably, Washington has consistently denied that it had any role in the attacks.

Putin says invading Poland or Latvia 'out of question'

Russian President Putin said it was "out of the question" to invade Poland or Latvia. "We simply don't have any interest" in expanding the Ukraine war, he added.

"Can you imagine a scenario where you send Russian troops to Poland?" asked Carlson.

"Only in one case, if Poland attacks Russia," said Putin, adding: "We have no interest in Poland, Latvia or anywhere else. Why would we do that? We simply don't have any interest... It is absolutely out of the question."

The two-hour interview with Carlson, a former Fox News host and right wing commentator who supports former US president Donald Trump, was recorded in Moscow.

It was the first interview given by Putin to a Western media outlet since his troops invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

In the past, Carlson has openly criticised the United States for supporting Ukraine and has called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a “rat-like Ukrainian pimp.”

(With inputs from agencies)

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.