A spokesperson for the Russian government clarified that it has rejected requests to interview Vladimir Putin from reputable media outlets

The Kremlinā€™s first public response to Tucker Carlsonā€™s announcement that heā€™s landed an interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin was to fact-check the former Fox News host.

On Wednesday, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Carlson had indeed interviewed Putin, but took issue with Carlsonā€™s claim that ā€œnot a single Western journalist has botheredā€ to interview Russiaā€™s president throughout the nationā€™s war with Ukraine, which has raged for more than two years.

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Putinā€™s refusal to sit down with most Western media outlets likely has less to do with accusations of bias so much as an unwillingness to be subjected to legitimate scrutiny of his government. Russia has been accused of committing atrocities and war crimes in its offensive against Ukraine, including the unlawful executions of civilians. Putinā€™s government is also infamous for its frequent detainment of political rivals and critics, as well as the cloud of mysterious deaths and poisonings of those in his orbit.

Whether Carlson will question Putin on any of these matters remains to be seen. The former Fox News hostā€™s history of granting softball interviews to controversial influencers, political figures, and authoritarian leaders, indicates this is unlikely. Given everything we know about Putinā€™s propaganda machine, itā€™s clear that in Carlson, the Russian government sees a safe opportunity to broadcast its carefully crafted messaging to American viewers.

  • AnneBonny@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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    9 months ago

    I think Putin is paranoid about being near someone who is not FSB and having an ā€œaccidentā€, because that is how he operates. He is doing a Stalin speedrun, and I donā€™t think heā€™ll last much longer.

      • Nioxic@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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        9 months ago

        falling out of a window is also a natural cause

        itā€™s certainly NOT a supernatural cause - if thatā€™s the alternative

        • betterdeadthanreddit@lemmy.world
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          9 months ago

          As long as itā€™s something, there are only a few bad answers. Ghosts, gravity or a guard willing to do some good for their country can all get the job done and Iā€™ll celebrate. Whoever runs the show next over there will determine how much there is to be happy about but one thing at a time.