Lavrov at Carlson: how the Kremlin is trying to dictate the terms of peace through the American media
American journalist Tucker Carlson, known for his provocative statements and sympathy for Russia, interviewed the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov. In the conversation, Lavrov repeated Russian propaganda theses about the war in Ukraine, including claims about “oppression of the Russian language” and recognition of annexed Ukrainian territories as “part of Russia.” The interview caused a wide response, as many analysts see it as an attempt by the Kremlin to take advantage of changes in the American political landscape after the election of Donald Trump as president. It is important for Moscow to increase its influence on the future Trump administration, which is believed to be able to take a more restrained position regarding support for Ukraine. In particular, Carlson’s interview with Lavrov coincided with the Ukrainian delegation’s stay in the US, which further increases suspicions of the Kremlin’s attempt to undermine trust in Ukraine and its allies.
Carlson himself is not the first time to be in the center of scandals because of his loyal attitude to Russia. He used to declared, that his attempts to interview Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky were allegedly blocked by the US government. At the same time, he openly criticized aid to Ukraine, calling it a waste, which completely coincides with the Kremlin’s narratives.
This interview is a vivid example of how the Kremlin tries to manipulate the Western media to advance its interests. The use of Carlson, who is popular among conservative audiences, demonstrates Russia’s desire to strengthen its position in US political discourse, especially as the new administration may consider changing its policy on Ukraine. For Ukraine, this is a signal of the need to work even more actively with Western partners, because the information war continues, and Russia continues to use all available means to weaken international support for Kyiv.
What key messages did Lavrov convey to Carlson?
Peace conditions in Ukraine. Lavrov said that in order to achieve peace in Ukraine, “there should not be any NATO, military bases and exercises with the participation of foreign troops.” He also emphasized that the West will have to take into account the “realities on the ground” in order to conclude an agreement regarding Ukraine.
Tests of the Oreshnik system. Lavrov noted that the recent launch of the Oreshnik missile was a signal to the West about Russia’s readiness to defend its interests. He emphasized that Russia does not seek nuclear war, but is ready to use any means to prevent the West from achieving its “strategic defeat.”
Relations with the USA. Lavrov expressed his desire to normalize relations with Washington and noted that Russia sees no reason why countries cannot cooperate. He also stated that Russia does not seek a war with the United States, as such a war could be nuclear in nature, and it is very important for Moscow to avoid it.
Lavrov only repeated the well-known Russian theses
International journalist Vitaly Portnikov convinced, that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov did not say anything new in an interview with American journalist Tucker Carlson. He only repeated the well-known Russian theses regarding the terms of negotiations with Ukraine. In particular, he suggested basing himself on the Istanbul agreements, taking into account “realities on the ground”, insisting on the recognition of the annexation of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions. Lavrov also mentioned the alleged oppression of the Russian language and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church by the Moscow Patriarchate, following the standard propaganda narrative.
Despite such statements, Portnikov believes, Lavrov has no real authority to influence decision-making. All key decisions are made by a narrow circle close to President Vladimir Putin, which does not include Lavrov. His role is limited to repeating theses approved by the Kremlin. This is also confirmed by the fact that on critical issues, such as the possible use of nuclear weapons, contact with the West takes place at the level of heads of special services, not diplomats.
The Istanbul agreements, which Lavrov mentioned, were also not initiated by the Russian Foreign Ministry, but by people from Putin’s closest circle, in particular, his assistant Volodymyr Medinsky and businessman Roman Abramovich. Thus, Lavrov’s statements are more aimed at demonstrating loyalty to Putin than at forming a real diplomatic policy.
Western diplomats call Lavrov’s speeches “propaganda from a parallel universe”, which only confirms that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation performs a decorative function in a system where the special services and the presidential administration play a key role.
Lavrov broadcast Russian narratives not only in the interview with Carlson. He lied at the meeting of the OSCE countries, which took place in Malta the other day.
Lavrov’s “information tsunami” did not impress anyone
This is how the fact-checking resource reacted to Lavrov’s narratives Stopfake.
Lavrov’s speech caused a diplomatic démarche among the OSCE countries. His presence was not supported by any of the representatives of the 56 states participating in the meeting. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Sybiga called Lavrov a “war criminal,” and representatives of Poland, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia even left the hall during his speech.
The head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malta Jan Borg called on Russia to withdraw its troops from the territory of Ukraine and stop the escalation in order to give a chance for a diplomatic settlement of the conflict and the achievement of a just peace. German Foreign Minister Annalena Berbock criticized Lavrov for “intolerable lies”, saying Russia would not be able to deceive 1.3 billion people in Europe.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said that Lavrov skillfully manipulates the facts and misinforms the world, but urged not to be deceived. He emphasized that the conflict has nothing to do with Russia’s security, but is part of Putin’s imperial ambitions to destroy Ukraine.
Lavrov suddenly mentioned weapons
The German publication drew attention to this message in Lavrov’s interview with Carlson Frankfurter Rundschau.
His journalists report that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was in the spotlight not only because of an interview with Tucker Carlson. On Thursday, he attended the OSCE meeting in Malta, which became an extremely controversial move. Speaking on European territory, Lavrov threatened the West with a “hot war”, but received a decisive response from German Foreign Minister Annalena Berbock. And the very next day, his interview with the scandalous host Tucker Carlson, known for his right-wing views and tendency to support Russian narratives, appeared.
During the conversation, Lavrov used the platform to spread the Kremlin theses about the war in Ukraine. As in Carlson’s previous interview with Vladimir Putin in February, the host gave the Russian minister the opportunity to speak freely. Lavrov said that Russia is ready to “defend its country by any means.” According to him, the US and its allies must understand that Russia will not allow them to achieve a “strategic defeat”.
During the interview, Lavrov unexpectedly mentioned the new weapon, which indicates an increase in aggressive rhetoric on the part of the Kremlin. He expresses hope that Western countries have taken Moscow’s recent use of the latest missile in Ukraine seriously and correctly understood this signal.
A propaganda gift to the Kremlin
German edition “Spiegel” calls Carlson’s journalistic work a propaganda gift to the Kremlin, referring to the style of Putin’s interview and Lavrov’s interview, during which Carlson gave both interviewees the opportunity to speak freely.
The Russian Foreign Minister took advantage of this opportunity to broadcast all the necessary narratives. In particular, Lavrov emphasized that Russia seeks to avoid escalation and is looking for ways to avoid misunderstandings with the United States and its allies. At the same time, he said that if the United States does not take appropriate steps, Russia will be forced to send additional signals. The Russian minister also noted that Russia seeks to establish normal relations not only with neighboring countries, but also with other states, in particular with the USA, and does not understand why two large countries cannot work together for the benefit of the whole world.
Why did the Kremlin need Lavrov’s interview?
As soon as Lavrov’s conversation with the American journalist Tucker Carlson was published, the Russian media were active reacted, emphasizing that the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia laid out Russia’s demands for a peaceful settlement of the conflict in Ukraine. Thus, the RT agency wrote that “Russia has defined its conditions for achieving peace in Ukraine.” The newspaper “Kommersant” drew attention to the fact that Lavrov allows for the possibility of starting peace negotiations without the prior cancellation of international sanctions against Russia, which would be an important step towards de-escalation. In turn, the state agency “Tass” reported that Russia is ready to normalize relations with the United States, if Washington is ready for this.
However, despite the aforementioned statements, Lavrov remained within the limits of Russia’s position on the conflict, which does not involve significant concessions. He again raised the question of the possible use of nuclear weapons in the event that Russia feels serious pressure from the West, which indicates the Kremlin’s readiness for escalation. The minister also once again accused the West of provoking the war, claiming that NATO countries and the United States are actively contributing to the conflict without striving for a peaceful solution. Lavrov also emphasized that Moscow is not going to make any concessions on its position, particularly on the issue of Ukraine’s sovereignty and its ability to join Western alliances such as NATO.
Despite the declaration of readiness for negotiations, Lavrov confirmed the inadmissibility of any concessions regarding the sovereignty of Ukraine, in particular in the context of its possible accession to NATO. This allowed the Kremlin to clearly convey its maximalist position, which indicates that there is no alternative for Western countries in resolving the conflict.
Russian propaganda uses the extensive interview of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov with Tucker Carlson as a tool for manipulation and bargaining with the US. Such a conclusion is reached in Center for countering disinformation at the NSDC of Ukraine. Experts believe that in this interview, Lavrov tried to play the role of a “good policeman”, talked a lot about the Kremlin’s readiness for negotiations and cooperation with America “for the sake of the universe” and because of the reluctance of a global nuclear war. However, at the same time, the Russian diplomat did not abandon his usual tactics of intimidation, mentioning “red lines”, talking about the new Oreshnik missile and warning that the Kremlin may send new “messages”.
Lavrov’s statements are another attempt by the Kremlin to impose negotiations on Washington’s terms.
