Russian Presidential Administration in Contact with US Journalist Lex Fridman, No Concrete Interview Plans with Putin Yet
The Russian Presidential Administration is in contact with US journalist and podcaster Lex Fridman, according to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskow on Thursday. However, there are no concrete plans for an interview with President Vladimir Putin at this time.
Fridman has expressed interest in meeting with Putin to discuss the possibility of a conversation, and Peskow stated that Fridman is aware that the interview is unlikely to take place in the near future. “He will be one of the people we will suggest to the President” Peskow said, adding that the administration would welcome Fridman’s visit to Moscow.
Fridman, who has announced plans to travel to Moscow and meet with Putin, aims to promote peace in the Ukraine conflict. He believes that Donald Trump, with his global respect, could be the right person to bring the two nations together. “I think both Zelensky and Putin are afraid of Trump, and he is a great candidate to make peace because they all believe Trump might do something crazy” Fridman said.
Fridman previously held a three-hour conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, which he later criticized, expressing disappointment that Zelensky did not signal a willingness to negotiate, instead using “harsh words” against Putin. Fridman believes that Ukraine’s desire for justice is understandable, but that negotiations require compromise to avoid further harm and loss.
Born in the Soviet Union, now in Tajikistan, Fridman started a podcast in 2018, initially focusing on IT and artificial intelligence, but has since expanded to invite guests from various fields, including politics. He has already interviewed Trump, Elon Musk, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and rapper Kanye West, among others.