Russian leader says an agreement to release Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovitch is possible through “mutual measures.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that it is “impossible” to defeat Russia in Ukraine, while insisting he has no intention of expanding the war to neighboring countries such as Poland and Latvia.
In a high-profile interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, Putin denies having territorial ambitions across Europe and only intends to send troops to neighboring countries if attacked first. He said that.
“It's completely out of the question. You don't need to be any analyst, it goes against common sense to get involved in some kind of world war, and a world war will bring all of humanity to the brink of destruction,” Putin said in an interview. Told. It was posted online on Thursday. “it is clear.”
During a two-hour interview in which Putin spoke at length about the history of Eastern Europe and Russia, the Russian leader said his government was in contact with the United States and that a peaceful resolution to the war would only occur if the United States stopped it. He said it was possible. It supplies weapons to Ukraine.
“I will tell you what we are saying on this issue and what we are conveying to the American leadership,” Putin said. “If you really want to stop fighting, you have to stop supplying weapons. It will be over in a few weeks, that's it, and then we can agree to some conditions. Before that stop it.”
Asked if he intended to release imprisoned Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich as a “sign of decency,” the Russian leader said an agreement was possible and that there was no problem. He said there is “no taboo” to solving the problem.
“We've done so many good deeds out of common sense that I think we've run out. No, I've never seen anyone reward us with the same attitude. But theoretically “I can say that I do not exclude the possibility that this will be possible if the partners take mutual measures,” Putin said.
Mr. Gershkovic has been detained in Russia since March 2023 on charges of espionage, which the US government says are “unfounded.”
The Kremlin said Putin agreed to meet with Karlsson because he presented a less unilateral view of the Ukraine war.
Carlson has repeatedly questioned the rationale for U.S. aid to Kiev, and in a video posted on social media this week criticized U.S. media's “flattering” coverage of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
Before the interview, Carlson drew criticism for traveling to Moscow to interview the Russian leader, with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton labeling the former TV host a “useful idiot.”