Putin rants about Ukraine, detained US journalist and history in Tucker Carlson interview: Live

Russian president Vladimir Putin said that Russia will fight for its interests “to the end” but has no interest in expanding its war in Ukraine to other countries such as Poland and Latvia.

Mr Putin, whose government also denied any plans to invade Ukraine up to the point it did so in February 2022, was speaking in an interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson.

Mr Putin claimed Western leaders had come to realise it was impossible inflict a strategic defeat on Russia and were wondering what to do next.

“We are ready for this dialogue,” he said.

Asked if he could imagine a scenario in which he would send Russian troops to Poland, a Nato member, Mr Putin replied: “Only in one case, if Poland attacks Russia. Why? Because we have no interest in Poland, Latvia or anywhere else. Why would we do that? We simply don’t have any interest.”

Asked about a possible nuclear conflict, Mr Putin said: “That’s what they’re talking about and they’re trying to intimidate their own people with these threats …. smart people understand that this is a fake, they’re trying to fuel the ‘Russian threat’.”

Mr Putin has used the prospect of nuclear in repeated attempts to intimidate Ukraine and the West.

When Carlson asked if Mr Putin would attack Poland, he said: “Only in one case, if Poland attacks Russia – we have no interest in Poland, Latvia or anywhere”.

“It is absolutely out of the question … it goes against common sense to be involved in a global war … and a global war will bring humanity to the brink of destruction,” he added.

“Remember, you’re listening to Vladimir Putin,” National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said. “You shouldn’t take it face value, anything he has to say.”

Carlson’s controversial interview is two hours long and was filmed in Moscow with the Russian president.

Topics discussed include NATO, the war in Ukraine, US-Russia relations, Elon Musk, and AI. They also talked about the imprisoned American journalist Evan Gershkovich.

During a highly anticipated sit-down interview with former Fox News commentator Tucker Carlson, the Russian president said, via a translator, that a “huge document” had been prepared and approved by the head of the Ukranian delegation, before Mr Johnson had stepped in and “dissuaded” Ukraine.

“He put his signature and then he himself said, ‘we were ready to sign it and the war would have been over long ago’. However, Prime Minister Johnson came talk to us out of it, and we’ve missed that chance. “

In an interview with The Times in January, Mr Johnson strongly denied the claims, describing them as “total nonsense” and “Russian propaganda.”

Mr Johnson asserted that, during a conversation with Ukrainian President Zelensky following the peace talks in Istanbul, he had “expressed concerns” about the nature of the potential agreement, but assured him of the UK’s unwavering support for Ukraine.

Putin said in the interview with Carlson that “what is happening is to a certain extent, an element of a civil war”.

“Everyone in the West thinks that the Russian people have been split by hostilities forever and officially now they will be reunited. The unity is still there,” he added. “Why are the Ukrainian authorities dismantling the Ukrainian Orthodox Church? Because it brings together not only the territory it brings together ourselves – no one will be able to separate the soul.”

Putin blamed the West for the failed peace talks with Ukraine.

“We did not refuse to talk. Were willing to negotiate,” he claimed. “It is the western side. And Ukraine is obviously a satellite state of the US. It is evident.”

“So I just want to make sure I’m not misunderstanding what you’re saying. I don’t think that I am. I think you’re saying you want a negotiated settlement to what’s happening in Ukraine?” Carlson asked.

“Right,” Putin said. “And we made it where he prepared the huge document in Istanbul that was intialled by the head of the Ukrainian delegation to fix his signature to some of the provisions. Not so all of it. He put his signature and then he himself said we were ready to sign it and the word would have been over long ago. a month ago. However, Prime Minister [Boris] Johnson came to talk us out of it and we’ve missed a chance”.

During a highly anticipated sit-down interview with former Fox News commentator Tucker Carlson, the Russian president said, via a translator, that a “huge document” had been prepared and approved by the head of the Ukranian delegation.

“He put his signature and then he himself said, ‘we were ready to sign it and the war would have been over long ago’. However, Prime Minister Johnson came talk to us out of it, and we’ve missed that chance. “

In an interview with The Times in January, Mr Johnson strongly denied the claims, describing them as “total nonsense” and “Russian propaganda.”