Enlarge image

Kremlin boss Vladimir Putin

Photo: Gavriil Grigorov / Kremlin / ZUMA Wire / IMAGO

Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) sharply criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin's statements in his interview with US presenter Tucker Carlson. The interview makes a mockery of “the real actions that have been taken by Russia in Ukraine,” said Scholz on Friday during his visit to the US capital Washington. In the conversation, Putin told a "completely absurd story" about the causes of this war.

Scholz continued: “There is a very clear reason, that is the desire of the President of Russia to annex part of Ukraine. And all the stories that are told about it do not change the fact that that is exactly the purpose of his imperialist ambitions." The war could "end at any time," said Scholz. "But not in the way the Russian president imagines, by Ukraine capitulating, but by ending the war and creating the conditions for a peaceful solution to become possible."

more on the subject

  • US agitator in the Kremlin: Poorly prepared Tucker Carlson gives Putin a propaganda giftBy Christina Hebel and Roland Nelles, Moscow and Washington

  • Drama about aid to Ukraine: How Donald Trump plays into the hands of Kremlin boss Putin By René Pfister and Alexander Sarovic, Washington and Berlin

In the conversation, Putin once again defended the invasion of Ukraine. Putin also called his country's defeat in the war of aggression against Ukraine "impossible." He further denied that he was planning an attack on NATO countries such as Poland or Latvia.

Putin was interviewed in detail by a US interviewer for the first time since the war of aggression against Ukraine began almost two years ago. The 127-minute conversation with right-wing moderator Tucker Carlson was recorded on Tuesday and published on Friday night in Germany.

Carlson, a television personality known for spreading false reports and conspiracy theories at his former employer Fox News, did not question Putin's long-winded remarks. Critics had already identified this in advance of the conversation as the reason why the Kremlin chief may have granted the American an interview.

Scholz will meet with US President Joe Biden on Friday (8:45 p.m. CET) at the White House in Washington for a detailed discussion. The most important issue is likely to be support for Ukraine after the US Senate blocked an aid package worth 60 billion euros.

mfh/AFP