During a highly anticipated interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin, American TV anchor Tucker Carlson appeared to allow the Kremlin leader full freedom, focusing on friendly talk rather than hard questions, according to the BBC.
Carlson’s interview, which was presented as a win for free expression, avoided questioning Putin on matters such as the invasion of Ukraine or alleged war crimes. Instead, the subject shifted to religion and the Russian spirit.
Despite billing the conversation as a dramatic step into uncharted terrain, Carlson’s approach was criticized for failing to hold Putin accountable for his actions. The journalist’s claim of going where other Western outlets were afraid to go was refuted, revealing the Kremlin’s selective choosing of interviewees who lack the language or country knowledge to properly criticize Putin.
The two-hour interview only brought up the matter of a jailed US journalist, Evan Gershkovich, late in the discussion. Carlson’s suggestion that Putin release the journalist in exchange for his custody hinted at possible negotiations, with Putin expressing a desire for a prisoner swap involving a Russian “patriot” accused of killing a Chechen insurgent in Berlin.
Critics contend that Carlson squandered an opportunity to address Putin on crucial subjects, allowing the Russian president to speak his views unchecked. While not all interviews must be contentious, this one prompted worries about the lack of criticism of Putin’s activities, particularly the invasion of Ukraine and human rights violations in Russia.
