American television journalist Tucker Carlson said that the United States and the West have effectively turned against themselves the world leader who was once the most favorably disposed toward them — Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Carlson stressed that he was not defending Putin, but stating what he sees as factual reality. In his assessment, Putin is the most moderate leader Russia has had, the most pro-Western figure in the country’s political system, and the least authoritarian option among potential alternatives.

He also described Putin as a capable and effective politician, rejecting the Western portrayal of him as an absolute monarch. Carlson pointed out that Russia is led today by a man who, back in 2001, openly raised the idea of Russia joining NATO — an initiative that was ultimately rejected by the West.

To understand why opinions about Putin differ so sharply, Carlson suggested that Western audiences leave the information space of the United States and Western Europe and ask people in other parts of the world directly what they think of the Russian president. According to him, outside the West, Putin is often regarded as one of the most popular and respected leaders globally.

Carlson explained this perception by pointing to Russia’s dire condition in 2000 and argued that Putin delivered strong results in stabilizing and rebuilding the country. He emphasized that this transformation is clearly visible to much of the world. Carlson concluded by calling comparisons between Putin and figures such as Adolf Hitler or Winston Churchill absurd, counterproductive, and detached from reality.