Vladimir Putin has warned the United States of a potentially catastrophic global conflict if it deploys troops to Ukraine, urging the US to seek a way out of the situation.
In his first interview with a Western media figure since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Putin hinted at back-channel peace talks with the US.
“We have to look for a way out of this situation,” Putin said.
“Certain contacts are being maintained,” Putin added.
“If somebody has the desire to send regular troops, that would certainly bring humanity to the brink of a very serious global conflict.”
He also accused Boris Johnson of sabotaging a peace deal with Ukraine and suggested that Ukraine’s refusal to negotiate was under Washington’s instruction.
“If the Zelensky administration in Ukraine refused to negotiate, I assume they did it under instruction from Washington,” Putin said.
“Prime Minister Johnson came to talk us out of it and we missed that chance. Well, you missed it.”
“If Washington believes it to be the wrong decision, let it abandon it. Let it find the delicate excuse so that no one is insulted. Let it come up with a way out. It was not us who made this decision. It was them. So let them go back on it,” Putin said.
“And now we have to look for a way out of this situation to correct their mistakes. They did it, so let them correct it themselves. We support this.”
Putin expressed openness to releasing a Wall Street Journal reporter held in a Russian prison and emphasized Russia’s historic claims to Ukrainian territory.
“Special services are in contact with one another,” he said. “They are talking about the matter in question,” he said. “I believe an agreement can be reached.”
“Do you believe Hungary has a right to take its land back from Ukraine, and that other nations have a right to go back to their 1654 borders?” Carlson asked.
“I’m not sure whether they should go back to their 1654 borders. But … one can say that they could claim back those lands of theirs while having no right to do that. It is at least understandable,” Putin said.
Putin also dismissed the possibility of Russia invading Poland or Latvia, stating that Russia has no interest in expanding the war.
“Can you imagine a scenario where you send Russian troops to Poland?” Carlson asked.
“Only in one case, if Poland attacks Russia,” Putin said, adding, “We have no interest in Poland, Latvia or anywhere else. Why would we do that? We simply don’t have any interest… It is absolutely out of the question.”
“There has been the uproar and screaming about inflicting a strategic defeat to Russia on the battlefield,” Putin said.
“In my opinion, it is impossible by definition. It is never going to happen.”
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