Link To Article: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-68244602
Tucker Carlson, a famous conservative journalist in the US, recorded an interview with Russian leader, Vladmir Putin, at a crucial time with the Russia-Ukraine war and upcoming elections. This interview with Putin is the first one with a western journalist since the beginning of the war. Carlson believes journalists have been scared to do an interview with the Russian president; however, there are counts of reporters from BBC and elsewhere who have requested an interview but have been turned away. The results of the interview are leaning more toward republican beliefs in that alleged essential military aid and funding for Ukraine (60 billion) is being stalled by congress. A reason for this interview from the Russian perspective is an interview with a prominent conservative journalist would result in more susceptibility to moscow narratives and less support of Ukraine which could result in Ukraine surrendering or making a peace deal. On top of increasing pressure on Ukraine, there is hope Ukrainian leader, Zelensky, loses in the next election opening up a chance for a pro Russian government in Ukraine.
This article/story is one of the most interesting in U.S. politics due to the recent history of Carlson’s career. Carlson has been fired from Fox News and looked down upon in recent years because of his strong conservative beliefs. So the fact he was able to land this interview with Putin is interesting because why is he the first person to interview Putin since the start of the Russia Ukraine war? One reason could be Putin knows Carlson would spread his word across the U.S. and affect the beliefs U.S. citizens and politicians have of the current situation. This idea works as the conservatives in congress are more for less support of Ukraine. Ultimately, if Putin’s potential idea works, this results in either a peace treaty being made or Russia taking Ukraine. In the interview, Putin also brings up the history of the two countries in order to obtain some respect for Russia and that they deserve to be whole again with the addition of Ukrainian land. I believe this is just propaganda and a trick to make people feel bad for Russia, when in reality they want to obtain access to the Black Sea and expand their power.
Rival states is a topic we learned in class which relates best to this article. Russia and Ukraine fit this thematic as they are rival states fighting for land and power over that specific region.