Putin said he expected an aggressive approach from Tucker Carlson but was surprised by minimal interruptions from the U.S. government.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed surprise and disappointment at the recent interview with American television host Tucker Carlson, criticizing the lack of pointed questions that would have allowed him to answer more directly.
In a candid revelation to Russian television interviewer Pavel Zarubin, Putin revealed his expectations for a more aggressive approach from Carlson.
“To be honest, I thought he would behave aggressively and ask so-called sharp questions. Not only was I prepared for this, I wanted it because it would give me the opportunity to respond in kind,” Putin said in comments. broadcast on Wednesday.
During his first interview with an American journalist after the Russian invasion of Ukraine nearly two years ago, Putin took the opportunity to lecture Carlson on history.
Expressing surprise at Carlson's minimal interruptions, Putin admitted: “Frankly, I did not get full satisfaction from this interview.”
The Kremlin clarified that Putin agreed to the interview with Carlson because of the host's approach that differed from what they perceived as “one-sided” reporting on the Ukraine conflict by many Western media outlets.
Meanwhile, body language experts weighed in on Putin's behavior during the interview. Professor Erik Bucy, a body language professional, noted signs of discomfort in Putin's posture, citing shaking feet, fidgeting hands and a drooping appearance. Bucy suggested that Putin seemed “haggard” and “not completely comfortable in his own skin.”
While another expert claimed that Putin seemed “dominant” throughout, Bucy highlighted Putin's discomfort compared to the American television pundit's relaxed demeanor.
“Putin doesn't sit as comfortably as Carlson, nor does he show as much body discipline,” Bucy explained, pointing to Putin's circular foot motion as a possible sign of nervousness or physical discomfort.
