The Blubber

Before the interview, which is available in its entirety at tuckercarlson.com, Carlson stated that his duty as a journalist is "to educate people" because "most Americans are unaware" of the situation in Ukraine.

With that aim in mind, let's delve into it.

Tucker initiated the interview by questioning Putin about the reason for invading Ukraine, and the response they received was surprising.

Putin began by delving into the historical background of Ukraine, tracing it back to the middle ages. Tucker countered, expressing uncertainty about the relevance of ancient history to events of just two years ago, but Putin continued with his historical narrative.

"Why did you not make this argument during your first 22 years as president, that Ukraine was not a genuine country?" Tucker inquired.

"The Soviet Union acquired vast territories that were not originally part of it, including the Black Sea region. At one point, these territories, obtained through the Russo-Turkish wars, were known as New Russia or another Russia. However, that is not pertinent. What matters is that Lenin, the founder of the Soviet state, established Ukraine as it was," Putin replied. "For many years, the Ukrainian Soviet Republic developed within the USSR. Yet, for inexplicable reasons, the Bolsheviks pursued Ukrainization."

NATO Expansion

Turning to the heart of the conflict in Ukraine, Putin explained to Carlson that "The previous Russian leadership assumed that the Soviet Union had dissolved, and thus there were no more ideological divisions. Russia willingly and proactively agreed to the dissolution of the Soviet Union, believing that the so-called civilized West would interpret this as an invitation for cooperation and partnership."

"That was Russia's expectation, both from the United States and the so-called Western collective as a whole. There were wise individuals, such as Egon Bahr in Germany, a prominent politician of the Social Democratic Party. In his personal discussions with Soviet leaders on the brink of the Soviet Union's collapse, he emphasized the need for security structures in Europe. Assistance should be provided to a unified Germany, but a new system should be established, encompassing the United States, Canada, Russia, and other Central European countries. However, NATO should not expand. That's what he advocated. If NATO expands, everything will revert to the Cold War era, only closer to Russia's borders. That's all. He was a wise man, but nobody paid heed to him. In fact, he became infuriated. He declared that if his advice was ignored, he would never set foot in Moscow again. Everything unfolded just as he had predicted."

Further Points:

Regarding the Nord Stream explosion: "In such cases, people often say to look for someone with motives. However, we should not only consider motive but also capability... Who has motives and capabilities?"
On providing evidence of NATO involvement: "In the propaganda war, it's challenging to counter the United States because it controls global media... We can highlight our information sources, but it won't yield results."
On Germany's silence regarding Nord Stream: "The current German leadership prioritizes the interests of the Western collective over national interests."
On global alliances and security: "Security should be collective rather than exclusive to a select few. This is the only way to achieve stability, sustainability, and predictability in the world."
On the US dollar's use as a political tool: "Using the dollar for geopolitical purposes is one of the United States' biggest strategic blunders."
On the repercussions of sanctions and the shift away from the US dollar: "Even US allies are reducing their dollar reserves... We did not initiate the ban on using the US dollar; it was imposed by the United States."
On the relationship with China: "China's foreign policy is not aggressive. Its approach is to seek compromise."
On the potential for change in US-Russia relations: "It's not about the leader's personality; it's about the mindset of the elites. If the American society remains fixated on dominance through forceful means, nothing will change."
On power dynamics in the US: "It's challenging for us to comprehend. Who decides the outcomes of elections? Each state regulates its own affairs... The dominant parties are the Republicans and Democrats."
On Christianity and violence: "We prioritize defense over offense. We do not seek aggression... We defend our people, our homeland, and our future.