Russian President Vladimir Putin gave Tucker Carlson copies of archival documents tracing the history of Russian-Ukrainian relations from the era of Bohdan Khmelnitsky and Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich. The interview with Carlson appeared on a journalist’s website, and it spotlighted these historical materials as part of the conversation.
“These are documents from the archive, copies. Here are the letters of Bohdan Khmelnitsky, who at that time held power in what is now Ukraine. He wrote letters to Moscow requesting the strong hand of the Moscow Tsar to take charge”, Putin stated during the discussion.
Journalist Tucker Carlson arrived in Moscow on February 3. His visit to Russia was widely covered by local media, and the interview with Putin, recorded in the capital, drew attention from Western outlets as well.
Since the start of the conflict, Carlson has been vocal in critiquing U.S. support for Ukraine and has expressed a position sympathetic to Russia, arguing that Moscow opposes having American missiles on its borders.
On February 7, reports emerged that the European Union might consider sanctions against Carlson in connection with the interview with Putin.
Putin has suggested in previous remarks that Russia and Ukraine would eventually come to terms and find a path forward, signaling a long-term view on the relationship between the two countries.