What possible benefits does Vladimir Putin derive from his interview with Tucker Carlson?

Russian President Vladimir Putin's interview with conservative US media personality Tucker Carlson will air on Thursday night, according to a statement by Carlson. The interview, which was recorded on Tuesday, will be streamed on Carlson's website and posted on X (formerly known as Twitter). This significant interview is the first time Putin has agreed to be interviewed by a Western media outlet since the beginning of the Ukraine invasion. It comes at a time when the conflict in Ukraine has reached a stalemate. Carlson has falsely claimed that no Western journalist has interviewed Putin during this time, but this is not true. Many reporters, including the BBC's Russia Editor Steve Rosenberg, have requested interviews with Putin, but all of these requests have been ignored. This statement was clarified by Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov, who admitted that Carlson was incorrect. For Carlson, this interview is a major achievement as he has quickly bounced back since being fired by Fox News. It also allows him to showcase his new media company as a significant player in the media landscape. On the other hand, the interview provides Putin with an opportunity to control the narrative and reach a conservative audience in the US, including Republican lawmakers who may be influenced by Moscow's narratives. Additionally, the Kremlin hopes to shape opinions in Europe, where there is a growing hesitancy towards supporting Ukraine. The interview also serves a domestic purpose for Putin, as Russia's presidential elections are approaching. By presenting himself as an international statesman, Putin can solidify his image to the Russian audience. Russian state media has been treating Carlson as a celebrity, highlighting his arrival in Russia and his various activities. Furthermore, the Kremlin will closely monitor internal political divisions in Ukraine. Rumors of a rift between Ukrainian President Zelensky and his top military commander have emerged, which aligns with Putin's goal of removing the current Ukrainian government and replacing it with a pro-Russian one. If that fails, Putin hopes that Europe and the US will grow weary of the conflict and pressure Ukraine into negotiations that favor Moscow's interests.