Vladimir Putin defended his determination to invade Ukraine in 2022 (File)

Moscow:

President Vladimir Putin mentioned in an interview launched Thursday with controversial right-wing US journalist Tucker Carlson that the West ought to perceive it’s “inconceivable” to defeat Russia in Ukraine.

In a two-hour interview with the previous Fox Information host — coming simply forward of the two-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine — Putin additionally mentioned a deal “could be reached” on imprisoned Wall Avenue Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich.

“Sure phrases being mentioned through particular companies channels,” he mentioned, whereas insisting that the reporter is a spy — one thing the Journal and US authorities vehemently deny.

It was the primary one-on-one interview of Putin by somebody from the Western media since 2019.

Nevertheless, Carlson, who’s near White Home candidate and former president Donald Trump, requested few robust questions and largely listened whereas the Kremlin chief lectured him on his views of Russian historical past, portraying the nation as a sufferer of Western betrayals.

Putin defended his determination to invade Ukraine in February 2022. And he mentioned the West now realizes that Russia won’t be defeated, regardless of US, European and NATO assist to Ukraine.

“Up till now, there was the uproar and screaming about inflicting a strategic defeat to Russia on the battlefield. However now they’re apparently coming to appreciate that it’s tough to realize, if attainable, in any respect. In my view, it’s inconceivable by definition,” he mentioned.

He additionally aimed a message on the US Congress, the place Trump-dominated Republicans are more and more reluctant to maintain backing Ukraine with weapons and different army support.

“I’ll inform you what we’re saying on this matter and what we’re conveying to the US management. When you actually need to cease combating, it’s essential to cease supplying weapons,” he mentioned.

When requested if Moscow would contemplate invading different nations within the area — NATO members Poland and Latvia — or usually throughout the European continent, Put mentioned that was “out of the query.”

“We’ve got little interest in Poland, Latvia or anyplace else. Why would we try this? We merely haven’t any curiosity. It is simply risk mongering,” Putin mentioned.

A battle with Poland, he mentioned, would occur “solely in a single case: if Poland assaults Russia.”

Requested a couple of attainable change in management after the US election, the place Biden is predicted to face off in opposition to Trump in a rematch of their 2020 contest, Putin indicated he would see little change.

“You simply requested me if one other chief comes and adjustments one thing? It isn’t concerning the chief. It isn’t concerning the character of a specific individual.”

Carlson hardly ever pushed again in his interview — recorded Tuesday and posted on Carlson’s personal web site — and didn’t problem Putin over his relationship with Trump.

Whereas president and since being defeated by Biden, Trump has repeatedly praised Putin and did not condemn the invasion of Ukraine — saying that if he was reelected he would be capable of remedy the battle in “24 hours,” although not saying how.

In contrast, Biden has branded Putin a “battle felony” and has made backing for Ukraine’s elected, pro-Western authorities one of many key priorities of his presidency.

(Aside from the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is revealed from a syndicated feed.)