The Exclusive Tucker Carlson Putin Interview Transcript Continued

The Exclusive Tucker Carlson Putin Interview Transcript Continued

Tucker Asks Putin About Musk, Trump, China, Israel and the US Southern Border

TUCKER: Let's turn to China. What is your relationship like?

PUTIN: President Xi and I are especially close. Russia and China are enjoying good relations as of now which is an obvious asset to us sunce they are one of our biggest energy partners. We will continue to be friends.

TUCKER: There are accusations China has helped you in the war in Ukraine. Is that true?

PUTIN: That is not something I can discuss. Let's just say Russia isn't an isolated power. That strategy has failed. We have more allies and trading partners now than before the war started.

TUCKER: Do you ever contemplate a situation where Russia and China may join forces against the United States?

PUTIN: Do you mean economically or militarily? I would say we want neither. It's not in our interest to clash with the US because all sides would lose in such a conflict

TUCKER: Speaking of conflicts, what is your take on the Gaza situation?

PUTIN: It is really unfortunate. The Palestinians are being devastated. Israel is acting in an unconstrained manner. It shows the terrible double standards in the world. Where are the sanctions on Israel?

TUCKER: Is Russia involved in any way especially through your alliance with Iran?

PUTIN: No. Of course not. We do not oppose the existence of Israel but at the same time we support the right of the Palestinians to self determination. We want to be even handed.

TUCKER: So then you do see America as an enemy?

PUTIN: That was just a saying but the current administration is definitely not a friend.

TUCKER: Can that be changed?

PUTIN: That's why you have elections.

TUCKER: Is Russia taking advantage of the border situation in any way?

PUTIN: No. Why should we. We don't have to do a thing. America is self destructing. And as Napoleon said, don't stand in the way of your enemy destroying themselves.

TUCKER: Deadly? How do you mean that?

PUTIN: Deadly serious of course. People are dying daily crossing your border in an uncontrolled way. It is a free-for-all. The world hasn't seen anything like it in the modern era - reckless for a country to throw itself wide open like that.

TUCKER: Are you following what's happening on the US southern border?

PUTIN: Actually yes. It's part of my daily briefing. We Russians find it ironically amusing your Congress will spend billions protecting foreign borders but neglect it's own. It's quiet laughable but deadly

TUCKER: Do you follow American sports? We are about to have the Super Bowl.

PUTIN: In fact yes. Russia is a great sporting nation. We hosted the Winter Olympics and the World Cup fairly recently. We like all sport.

TUCKER: Russia has been criticized for its ant gay laws and as being unfriendly to LGBTQ+.

PUTIN: We have laws which protect our children. And we do not drape our embassies in rainbow flags. That's correct. Otherwise we do not interfere in the private lives of adult citizens.

TUCKER: That's true. Will you be watching?

PUTIN: The game will not be shown in Russia.

TUCKER: So you won't get to see Taylor Swift either then?

PUTIN. No. We have been given a reprieve.

TUCKER: Thank you President Putin for your time.

TUCKER: What do you think of American football?

PUTIN: It's an interesting sport. But why do you call it football when the ball is almost always played with the hands? It also seems needlessly violent at times.

TUCKER: That's true. Will you be watching?

PUTIN: The game will not be shown in Russia.

TUCKER: So you won't get to see Taylor Swift either then?

PUTIN. No. We have been given a reprieve.

TUCKER: Thank you President Putin for your time.