MOSCOW, February 18. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he believes it will be hard for the Americans to understand the historical references in his interview with US journalist Tucker Carlson.
Putin made the comment in an interview with All-Russia State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company journalist Pavel Zarubin, according to a fragment that the journalist posted to Telegram.
"I don't know," Putin said, when asked if the Western audience will be able to comprehend that part of the interview with Tucker Carlson. "I gave them just the most popular Norman Theory of origin, and I think that for the Western listener, viewer it was not easy. Especially for Americans," the president said.
Putin said the Norman Theory about the origin of Russian statehood, which he laid out in an interview with US journalist Tucker Carlson, is just one of several such theories, and it had come under criticism from 18 century Russian scientist Mikhail Lomonosov. The president stated that the scientist was most likely right in that "Russian statehood originated earlier."
"Even if we stick to the Norman Theory, if the Novgorodians did invite Rurik to be a mediator and external protector, then it at least means Novgorod already existed and had the opportunity to invite him. Therefore, in fact, the roots of Russian statehood, of course, run much deeper," Putin said.
He said it could be challenging for American society to process historical references that run so far back in time as the US existed for 300 plus years, while he addressed events of the year 862 in his interview.
"That’s why I think it was hard for the American audience to understand that," he said.
Putin also noted that his interview with US journalist Tucker Carlson stirred great interest around the world probably because people craved an alternative perspective.
"I can assume this is linked with the desire of very many people in our country and around the world to get an alternative perspective and know the truth," he said in an interview with Russian journalist Pavel Zarubin, according to a fragment that the journalist posted to Telegram.
The interview was viewed 204 million times on Tucker Carlson's X account and 18 million times on his YouTube account. It was also posted on many other platforms. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin accomplished the main goal of the interview: to break through the Western media blockade and be heard.