Putin Affirms Moscow's Willingness for Ukraine Talks
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Moscow has never declined talks on Ukraine and is optimistic that the conflict will eventually conclude peacefully, restoring relations between the two nations' people.
Speaking in an interview with Tucker Carlson published on the US journalist’s website, Putin expressed disappointment that Kiev, influenced by then-UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, rejected a draft truce with Russia agreed upon during peace talks in 2022, calling it "ridiculous and very sad."
Addressing speculations about military conflict with NATO nations, Putin clarified that Russia would only engage militarily if attacked and dismissed Western claims as "threat mongering."
Regarding nuclear weapon use or conflict escalation, Putin dismissed them as "horror stories" aimed at extracting funds from US and European taxpayers in their confrontation with Russia.
Putin criticized NATO's expansion eastward, breaking promises made not to do so and intending to involve Ukraine, describing it as a colossal political mistake.
He highlighted NATO's 2008 promise to accept Ukraine into the bloc and the 2014 Western-backed coup in Kiev, which led to the persecution of coup opponents, threatening Crimea and necessitating Moscow's intervention.
Putin disclosed that he had once asked former US President Bill Clinton about Russia joining NATO, but Clinton deemed it impossible, though Putin suggested it could have fostered a period of reconciliation.
Regarding the Ukraine conflict's resolution, Putin proposed the cessation of arms supplies to Kiev by the US, asserting that this action would lead to the end of hostilities within weeks.
Putin also addressed concerns about China's rise, asserting that Russia is not apprehensive unlike the US, and emphasized China's foreign policy focused on compromise, fostering balanced trade turnover with Russia.
Conservative American journalist Tucker Carlson released the interview conducted with Putin in the Kremlin, mainly focusing on the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Carlson criticized Western media for biased reporting and emphasized the importance of providing accurate information to Americans about a conflict they are “implicated” in.