In a surprising turn of events, controversial American pundit Tucker Carlson has revealed that he is set to conduct an interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin during his visit to Moscow. The conservative provocateur, known for his polarizing views and former role as a Fox News anchor, stated that his intention is to inform people and fulfill his duty as a journalist.

Carlson's interview with Putin holds significant weight, as he will be the first American to sit down with the Russian leader since the start of Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine nearly two years ago. He has consistently questioned U.S. support for Kyiv's war effort, challenging the mainstream narrative surrounding the conflict.

While details regarding the timing and airing of the interview remain undisclosed, Carlson assured the public that it will be published "unedited" and "not behind a paywall" on his personal website. The maverick TV host expressed his motivation for the interview, highlighting the alleged lack of truthful reporting and information provided to English-speaking populations regarding the war in Ukraine.

Since February 2022, Putin's aggressive actions in Ukraine have resulted in the loss of countless lives and prompted an international arrest warrant for war crimes against him. Carlson, however, argues that there is more to the story and accuses Western media outlets of misleading their audience through omission and corruption.

It was initially reported by the Mash Telegram channel, rumored to have links to Russian law enforcement, that Carlson had been seen in Moscow at the Bolshoi Theater over the weekend. Carlson later confirmed his presence in Russia in a video published by the Russian outlet Izvestia, stating that his purpose was to engage with individuals, observe the country, and assess its current state.

Furthermore, Carlson revealed that Elon Musk, the owner of X (formerly Twitter), has pledged not to suppress or block the interview once it is posted on the platform. Carlson claimed that Western governments would likely attempt to censor the video on various platforms due to their alleged lack of principled actions.

The upcoming interview with Putin marks a rare occasion, as the Russian president has only engaged with a handful of American journalists in the past. His last interviews with American media figures were with NBC's Keir Simmons, CNBC's Hadley Gamble, and NBC's Megyn Kelly in 2021 and 2018 respectively.

Russian state media and pro-Kremlin Telegram channels have closely followed Carlson's movements during his stay in Moscow, providing updates on his hotel visits, attendance at exhibitions, and even invitations to visit the annexed Crimea peninsula. Reports indicate that Carlson's presence has garnered significant attention in Russia, with state publications mentioning him over 2,000 times since January 29th alone.

As tensions continue to rise between Russia and the West, Carlson's exclusive interview with Putin will undoubtedly attract significant public interest. Many will be eagerly anticipating the content and insights that emerge from this unconventional meeting between the American pundit and the Russian leader.