Forget Tucker Carlson: Putin's mostly overlooked recent interview
Insights into the Kremlin's agenda
Over the past few weeks, much attention has been drawn to Tucker Carlson's interview with Putin, hastily arranged and largely uneventful as Putin spent considerable time revising centuries of history that put many to sleep. While the true purpose of Carlson's trip to Moscow remains unknown, even the Kremlin was dissatisfied with the interview. Meanwhile, Carlson has spent the past few weeks acting as a spokesman for Russia’s tourist industry, showcasing supermarkets and the metro system.
However, a more significant interview followed shortly after, as Putin sat down with Russia's propagandist Pavel Zarubin to discuss various political issues, both domestic and international. This interview provided a glimpse into KGB Putin's use of reverse psychology and manipulative tactics, shedding light on the Kremlin's agenda. While the saying "When Russia speaks, Russia lies" rings true, it's important to address Putin's remarks, as several US news outlets have published Putin’s statement that he prefers President Biden over Trump, while providing no further commentary,. The headline the Kremlin was counting on. So, let’s set the record straight!
1. Putin was asked about his preferred US president.
Putin’s answer: FALSE
Biden as the President of the United States is preferable to Russia for Russia: “He is a more experienced, predictable person, he is a politician of the old formation. But we will work with any US leader who will be trusted by the American people.”
Putin, during a personal meeting with Biden, did not notice any signs of the latter’s incapacity: “Well, yes, he looked at his piece of paper. To be honest, I looked at mine. <...> But the fact that he hit himself somewhere while getting out of the helicopter head on this helicopter - well, who among us hasn’t hit his head somewhere? Let him be the first to throw a stone at him.”
From Russia’s point of view, it is “incorrect” to interfere in the election campaign in the United States, which is “acquiring more and more acute forms.” For Moscow, what is more important is not the state of health, but the political position of the candidates: “I believe that the position of the current administration is extremely harmful and erroneous.”
The Truth:
Of course, Russia is and will continue to interfere in the 2024 US election and use all means at its disposal to try to put Trump back into power.
Russia carried out a multi-faceted operation in 2016 to assist Trump in winning the presidency. Now more than ever, Putin needs Trump to win the upcoming election to stop aid to Ukraine and weaken or break the NATO alliance. It was only days before this interview that Trump said he would “encourage” Russia to attack a NATO country. For decades, Trump has disparaged NATO and described NATO as “obsolete.”
2. Putin’s attitude towards NATO
Putin’s answer: FALSE
NATO is an instrument of US foreign policy; if they believe that they do not need it, that is their decision, according to Putin.
“I think that NATO is of no use at all, there is no point at all. There is only one point - it is an instrument of US foreign policy. But if the USA believes that they do not need this instrument, that is their decision,”
The Truth:
Russia's objectives will persist in attempting to undermine NATO, ultimately aiming to dismantle the alliance as it ramps up threats to NATO countries. NATO is not an instrument of US foreign policy but an alliance to safeguard European security.
The Soviet Union and subsequently Putin's regime have orchestrated numerous operations aimed at infiltrating NATO, with the objectives of stealing secrets, undermining the alliance, and ultimately seeking to dismantle NATO. Russia has frequently cited NATO as the "threat" that prompted many of its aggressive actions and invasions.
3. Putin would welcome Tucker’s arrest
Putin’s answer: FALSE
Putin also said that he “considers it possible that Carlson will be arrested” in the United States, “Assange [is] sitting.” “From the point of view of Carlson himself, this would be sad <...>. But from the point of view of making people all over the world understand what a modern liberal-democratic dictatorship is <...>, this would probably not be bad. They would then show their true colors."
The Truth:
Putin’s answer gives a glimpse into his sociopathic thinking and the jailing of his critics.
Unlike in Russia, where critics get jailed on fake charges or murdered, the United States Department of Justice does not indict individuals without evidence. Over the past decade, Tucker has been allowed to spew his vile rhetoric and has faced no charges. Does Putin know of crimes Tucker committed? Regardless, we can all anticipate the orchestrated dissemination of disinformation should such an event occur.
Putin didn’t like the interview
Putin’s answer: TRUE
Putin wanted Carlson to behave aggressively and ask sharp questions; the head of state was ready to answer just as sharply. But, he noted, the American journalist chose “a different tactic."
“Frankly speaking, I did not get complete pleasure from this interview, but he strictly followed his plan and he carried out his plan.”