A phone call intended to discuss ending the war became a lengthy monologue by Vladimir Putin on what the Kremlin calls the conflict's "initial reasons", with an immediate ceasefire receiving little attention.
Quote: "Vladimir Putin used most of his call with the leaders of Finland and Norway to lecture them about medieval Slavic history, underscoring the difficulties Europe faces in asserting itself in upcoming peace talks with Russia
This reminds me of Putin’s interview with Tucker Carlson. Tucker wanted so badly to talk about culture wars topics like Christian Nationalism. But Putin kept veering off and trying to lecture Tucker about history.
Tucker Carlson (01:19):
Mr. President, thank you. On February 22nd, 2022, you addressed your country in a nationwide address when the conflict in Ukraine started, and you said that you were acting because you had come to the conclusion that the United States, through NATO, might initiate a “surprise attack on our country”. And to American ears, that sounds paranoid. Tell us why you believe the United States might strike Russia out of the blue. How did you conclude that?
Vladimir Putin (01:54):
It’s not that America, the United States, was going to launch a surprise strike in Russia. I didn’t say that. Are we having a talk show or a serious conversation?
Tucker Carlson (02:06):
Here’s the quote. Thank you. It’s a formidable, serious-
Vladimir Putin (02:14):
Because your basic education is in history as far as I understand.
Tucker Carlson (02:18):
Yes.
Vladimir Putin (02:21):
So if you don’t mind, I will take only 30 seconds or one minute to give you a short reference to history for giving you a little historical background.
Tucker Carlson (02:30):
Please.
Vladimir Putin (02:34):
(Goes on long history lesson starting ~800 AD)
Tucker Carlson (08:08):
I beg your pardon. Can you tell us what period I’m losing track of where in history we are, the Polish oppression of Ukraine.
Vladimir Putin (08:15):
It was in the 13th century. Now I will tell you what happened later, and give the dates so that there is no confusion. And in 1654, even a bit earlier, the people who were in control of the authority over that part of the Russian lands addressed Warsaw, I repeat, demanding that they send them to rulers of Russian origin and Orthodox faith. When Warsaw did not answer them, and in fact rejected their demands, they turned to Moscow, so that Moscow took them away. So that you don’t think that I’m inventing things, I’ll give you these documents.
Tucker Carlson (09:21):
Well, it doesn’t sound like you’re inventing it. I’m not sure why it’s relevant to what happened two years ago.
…
Tucker Carlson (01:46:48):
So, do you see the supernatural at work as you look out across what’s happening in the world now? Do you see God at work? Do you ever think to yourself, “These are forces that are not human?”
Vladimir Putin (01:47:06):
No, to be honest. I don’t think so. My opinion is that the development of the world community is in accordance with inherent laws, and those laws are what they are. It’s always been this way in the history of mankind. Some nations and countries rose, became stronger and more numerous, and then left the international stage losing the status they had accustomed to. There is probably no need for me to give examples, but we could start with the Genghis Khan and Horde Conquerors, the golden Horde, and then end with the Roman Empire. It seems that there has never been anything like the Roman Empire in the history of mankind. Nevertheless, the potential of the barbarians gradually grew, as did their population. In general, the barbarians were getting stronger and began to develop economically as we would say today. This eventually led to the collapse of the Roman Empire and the regime imposed by the Romans. However, it took five centuries for the Roman Empire to fall apart. The difference with what is happening now is that all the processes of change are happening at the much faster pace than in Roman times.
It’s a garbage interview but hilarious to see two people ostensibly with the same goals completely out of touch with each other’s talking points.
This reminds me of Putin’s interview with Tucker Carlson. Tucker wanted so badly to talk about culture wars topics like Christian Nationalism. But Putin kept veering off and trying to lecture Tucker about history.
Tucker Carlson (01:19): Mr. President, thank you. On February 22nd, 2022, you addressed your country in a nationwide address when the conflict in Ukraine started, and you said that you were acting because you had come to the conclusion that the United States, through NATO, might initiate a “surprise attack on our country”. And to American ears, that sounds paranoid. Tell us why you believe the United States might strike Russia out of the blue. How did you conclude that?
Vladimir Putin (01:54): It’s not that America, the United States, was going to launch a surprise strike in Russia. I didn’t say that. Are we having a talk show or a serious conversation?
Tucker Carlson (02:06): Here’s the quote. Thank you. It’s a formidable, serious-
Vladimir Putin (02:14): Because your basic education is in history as far as I understand.
Tucker Carlson (02:18): Yes.
Vladimir Putin (02:21): So if you don’t mind, I will take only 30 seconds or one minute to give you a short reference to history for giving you a little historical background.
Tucker Carlson (02:30): Please.
Vladimir Putin (02:34): (Goes on long history lesson starting ~800 AD)
Tucker Carlson (08:08): I beg your pardon. Can you tell us what period I’m losing track of where in history we are, the Polish oppression of Ukraine.
Vladimir Putin (08:15): It was in the 13th century. Now I will tell you what happened later, and give the dates so that there is no confusion. And in 1654, even a bit earlier, the people who were in control of the authority over that part of the Russian lands addressed Warsaw, I repeat, demanding that they send them to rulers of Russian origin and Orthodox faith. When Warsaw did not answer them, and in fact rejected their demands, they turned to Moscow, so that Moscow took them away. So that you don’t think that I’m inventing things, I’ll give you these documents.
Tucker Carlson (09:21): Well, it doesn’t sound like you’re inventing it. I’m not sure why it’s relevant to what happened two years ago.
…
Tucker Carlson (01:46:48): So, do you see the supernatural at work as you look out across what’s happening in the world now? Do you see God at work? Do you ever think to yourself, “These are forces that are not human?”
Vladimir Putin (01:47:06): No, to be honest. I don’t think so. My opinion is that the development of the world community is in accordance with inherent laws, and those laws are what they are. It’s always been this way in the history of mankind. Some nations and countries rose, became stronger and more numerous, and then left the international stage losing the status they had accustomed to. There is probably no need for me to give examples, but we could start with the Genghis Khan and Horde Conquerors, the golden Horde, and then end with the Roman Empire. It seems that there has never been anything like the Roman Empire in the history of mankind. Nevertheless, the potential of the barbarians gradually grew, as did their population. In general, the barbarians were getting stronger and began to develop economically as we would say today. This eventually led to the collapse of the Roman Empire and the regime imposed by the Romans. However, it took five centuries for the Roman Empire to fall apart. The difference with what is happening now is that all the processes of change are happening at the much faster pace than in Roman times.
It’s a garbage interview but hilarious to see two people ostensibly with the same goals completely out of touch with each other’s talking points.