Russian President Vladimir Putin’s highly anticipated interview with conservative US media personality Tucker Carlson is set to air on Thursday night, marking the first time Putin has agreed to an interview with a Western media outlet since launching the invasion of Ukraine. This interview holds immense significance for both Putin and Carlson, as it allows them to achieve their respective goals.
For Carlson, this interview presents a major opportunity to establish his new media company as a prominent player in the media landscape. After being fired from Fox News last year, Carlson has experienced a rapid rebound and this interview further solidifies his position. Streaming the interview on his website and sharing it on social media platforms like X (formerly known as Twitter) will attract a large audience and help him gain credibility.
However, the interview is mutually beneficial for Putin as well. The Russian leader tightly controls his media appearances, making this interview a major coup for him. Given the stalled attempts in the US Congress to pass legislation granting military aid to Ukraine, this interview presents an opportunity for Putin to advance his narratives to a conservative US audience. By aligning himself with Carlson, who has a strong connection with former US President Donald Trump and has expressed skepticism about supporting Ukraine, Putin can potentially influence Republican lawmakers who are already facing opposition within their own party regarding US involvement in global conflicts.
Furthermore, Putin’s objective extends to Europe, where there is growing hesitancy among the public about supporting Ukraine. As right-wing populist parties with pro-Russian leanings gain traction in various European countries, Russia’s spin-doctors will be closely monitoring these changes. If the US withdraws assistance, Europe will be left to support Ukraine financially, and Putin is hoping that growing political divisions within Ukraine, along with changing political landscapes in Europe, will put pressure on the Ukrainians to negotiate an end to the conflict on terms favorable to Moscow.
On a domestic front, Putin’s interview with Carlson allows him to present himself as an international statesman with a global presence to his home audience. With presidential elections approaching in Russia, this interview helps to solidify Putin’s image as a strong leader on the international stage, which is particularly important since his sole anti-war challenger has been disqualified.
Overall, the interview holds immense implications for both Putin and Carlson. While Carlson gains the opportunity to establish his media company as influential, Putin can advance his narratives and pro-Russian agenda to a conservative US audience, exert influence in Europe, and present himself as a dominant figure to his home audience. As the interview airs, it will be crucial to closely observe the impact it has on public opinion, political discourse, and the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.
