Tucker Carlson Interview with Vladimir Putin Scheduled to Broadcast Tonight, 6pm

February 8, 2024 | Sundance |

This is likely to be a very interesting interview for multiple reasons. The “western world” has not heard much unfiltered or unscripted news about Russian President Vladimir Putin for several years, essentially since the sanctions were imposed in the aftermath of Russia’s entry into Ukraine and the subsequent war.

The backlash against Tucker Carlson has been extreme ever since his entry into Russia and visibility in Moscow was noticed. President Putin having the ability to speak directly to a western audience is not something any of the western government officials are comfortable with.

There are various excerpts of the transcript that have come out since the original mention by Carlsonof the interview. A segment ofwhat is claimed to be a partial transcriptis below:

Again, I would review any pre-interview release transcript with a healthy dose of skepticism. There are multiple places where edits seem visible and repeated patterns make the authenticity of the transcripts questionable. Let’s just wait and see what Carlson broadcasts.

In an ordinary and stable world, this interview would not be controversial. However, in these times where the modern information war is now the dominant battle in the USA, this interview is considered extreme and potentially a national security threat.

Why is that? What is it about information that suddenly Western governments view as inherently dangerous? Have you ever wondered what is happening behind what is visible. For the “western alliance” to exhaust so much time and effort on controlling information, it reallymakes you wonder what the root of their anxiety is.

From my own research, thepart that President Putin notes about the interests behind the financial sanctions is the most interesting path to follow.

TUCKER: Why is that?

PUTIN: There are strong financial entities in whose interest it is to keep us as adversaries. One of your presidents warned against that. We Russians do not have that problem.

TUCKER: Do you see the United States as an enemy?

PUTIN: No. Categorically no. We were allies in WWII.Russians helped settle Alaska, California and we were in Hawaii too. Our people are not enemies but those in DC are certainly not our friends.

TUCKER: Can you be more specific and name names?

PUTIN: It would be pointless. It is not up to us to solve your domestic issues. Besides, I’m sure you know the names better than us.

TUCKER: So are you saying your adversary is not Joe Bidenbut the people behind him?

PUTIN: Exactly. Joe Biden may not even be aware of what’s going on. He may not understand the level of sanctions thrown at Russia.Who put those sanctions together? Those our the adversaries.

TUCKER: Is that why you and Russia have been targeted?

PUTIN: It’s more complicated than that but I’m sure it’s a good part of the reason.Whenever the dollar is endangered the United States takes extreme measures. It cannot afford to have the dollar fail.

TUCKER: But isn’t Russia weaker and more vulnerable economically than the US?

PUTIN: When you look at the size of economies we are small. Butfew people take into account our vast natural resources. Russia has over $80 trillion in the ground. No country even comes close to us. (The bankers and the West has wanted to conquer Russia for at least 150 years, the natural resources are actually more than that. The Kiev spat was about the West stealing all of Russia.

TUCKER: What is your opinion of President Biden? {EDIT?}

PUTIN: We are convinced he is not running the country.Let’s say we have good sources that confirm thatbut it’s plain for anyone to see for themselves.The US has now entered into a dark period. It has unaccountable leadership.

TUCKER: OK. Point well taken but don’t you have the same issues in Russia.

PUTIN: Yes. To a degree. But in Russia those interests are more aligned with the thinking of the average Russian man on the street. In the United States that is not the case.The elites have deserted you.

TUCKER: so who do you think is running the US then?

PUTIN:The forces which have always ran it. You may change presidentsbut you do not change those in real power. That is who we have to deal with.Joe Biden is just a façadefor this power structure.

https://theconservativetreehouse.com/blog/2024/02/08/tucker-carlson-interview-with-vladimir-putin-scheduled-to-broadcast-tonight-6pm/

8 Feb, 2024 18:08

Russia and Ukraine conduct major prisoner exchange

A total of 200 captives were traded in the latest swap

A total of100 Russian prisoners who were “in mortal danger”in Ukrainian captivity have been exchanged for the same number of Ukrainians, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Thursday. The swap was facilitated by mediation from the United Arab Emirates.

The Russian servicemen will be transported by plane to Moscow, where they will receive all necessary medical and mental healthcare, the ministry added.

A swap scheduled for January 24 fell through when Ukrainian forces shot down an Il-76 transport plane over Belgorod Region, killing 65 Ukrainian POWs on board. Moscow was quick to state that this would not interfere with future exchanges, however.

Mere days later, on January 31, Russia and Ukraine traded almost 400 captives in what was described as the largest exchange since the start of the conflict in 2022. The Russian Defense Ministry said 195 of its servicemen had returned home, while the Ukrainian government claimed 207 of its nationals came back, without specifying where the additional 12 might have come from.

While neither side has disclosed the exact number of prisoners in custody, Moscow reportedly holds far more POWs than Kiev.

https://www.rt.com/russia/592097-russia-ukraine-exchange-prisoners/

8 Feb, 2024 16:28

Ukraine has frontline soldier shortage – WaPo

Many units are understrength and dealing with low morale, field commanders have said

The Ukrainian Army is facing a “critical” deficit of troops, driving fears that its front may soon collapse, the Washington Post reported on Thursday, citing recent interviews with several officers.

While weapons and ammunition are also scarce – one newly arrived unit received just ten shells for its two howitzers, its commander told the Post – the manpower shortages are resulting in “exhaustion and diminished morale” as many units are unable to rotate from the front.

“We have direct trouble with personnel,” a deputy commander of an infantry battalion, identified only as Nikita, told the outlet. “I’m talking with my friends, also officers in other units, and those in infantry; it’s almost the same situation everywhere.”

The Post spoke with “nearly a dozen” officers and soldiers, who concealed their identities fearing retribution.

An unnamed commander of a battalion in a mechanized brigade said his unit currently had less than 40 infantrymen, compared to 200 when fully staffed. Another battalion commander, identified as Alexander, said his infantry companies were staffed at about 35%. His colleague from an assault brigade said this situation was “typical” for combat units.

“The basis of everything is the lack of people,” Alexander said. His battalion was sent five replacements over the past five months, so poorly trained that officers had second thoughts about sending them into battle and almost certain death. With no replacements, frontline troops can’t be rotated out.

“There is no one to replace them, so they sit there more, their morale drops, they get sick or suffer frostbite. They are running out,” he told the Post. “The front is cracking. The front is crumbling.”

Sergey, a 41-year-old platoon commander fighting in Avdeevka, said most of his men are over 40 and are beginning to feel the strain. “You can feel it; people are exhausted both morally and physically,” he said.

According to Alexander, the government in Kiev “failed to explain” to the Ukrainian people why they should enlist, so “nobody comes to the army” anymore, and those who volunteered “have already all run out.”

President Vladimir Zelensky announced in December that Ukraine would need to mobilize another 500,000 troops, indirectly admitting a far higher death toll than Kiev has officially acknowledged. The measure has been so unpopular, the parliament has not taken it up until this week, while Zelensky has sought to shift the blame onto his top general, Valery Zaluzhny.

“Every soldier thinks about that guy that walks around in Dnepr or Lviv or Kiev,” the officer identified as Nikita told the Post. “In their heads appears the thought: Some guys are just strolling around there, but we’re here.”

Alexander, the battalion commander, was grim about the future. “Where are we going? I don’t know.There’s no positive outlook. Absolutely none,” he said. “It’s going to end in a lot of death, a global failure.”

https://www.rt.com/russia/592078-ukraine-frontline-troop-shortage/