Tucker Carlson’s recent interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin drew significant attention, with approximately 206 million views on X, including interest from US lawmakers.
However, one notable absence from the viewership was Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
During an interview with Fox News’s Bret Baier, Zelenskyy revealed that he opted not to watch Carlson’s interview with the former Fox News host. Instead, he relied on information from media coverage and advice from his advisors to grasp the key points discussed.
“I don’t have the luxury of spending over two hours listening to unfounded claims about our country, the world, the United States, and especially an interview with someone responsible for so much destruction,” Zelenskyy expressed candidly to Baier.
Analysis from historians suggests that Putin’s interview with Carlson was more about promoting his own narrative than providing clarity on the situation in Ukraine. Putin’s lengthy monologue challenged Ukraine’s sovereignty and attempted to justify Russia’s actions in 2022.
“Putin’s remarks appeared disconnected from reality, focusing on historical events rather than addressing current concerns,” commented Simon Miles, an assistant professor at Duke University.
Carlson himself acknowledged feeling frustrated with Putin’s responses, describing them as a filibuster. However, he later clarified that it was part of setting the stage for Putin’s answers.
During his conversation with Baier, Zelenskyy reiterated the urgent need for increased US support, emphasizing the disparity in military capabilities between Ukraine and Russia. He underscored Ukraine’s lack of long-range weaponry compared to Russia’s extensive artillery capabilities.
Despite the Senate’s approval of $60 billion in aid for Ukraine, the bill faces uncertainty in the House due to opposition from certain Republican lawmakers. House Speaker Mike Johnson has signaled a cautious approach to advancing the bill.
In summary, while Zelenskyy chose not to watch Carlson’s interview with Putin, his focus remains on securing additional assistance for Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict.
