NEW: Tucker Carlson to interview Putin in Russia, requests Zelensky interview next

The former Fox News host confirmed that a sit-down with the Russian leader was in the works, and explained exactly why he had chosen to embark on such a controversial venture. He also noted that his team had submitted a request to interview Ukrianian president Volodymyr Zelensky as well.

"We're in Moscow tonight," Carlson began, the capital city laid out behind him. "We're here to interview the president of Russia, Vladimir Putin. We'll be doing that soon."

Carlson admitted that there were "risks to conducting an interview like this," but maintained that as a journalist it was his duty to "inform people."

"Two years into a war that's reshaping the entire world," he said, "most Americans are not informed. They have no real idea in this region, here in Russia or 600 miles away in Ukraine. They should know. They're paying for much of it in ways they might not yet fully perceive."

Carlson explained that along with being a "human disaster," the war in Ukraine and the ensuing sanctions have "utterly reshaped the global military and trade alliances" and "upended the world economy."

He went on to suggest that because of "corrupt" media outlets, people in the west are oblivious to the truth while those in other parts of the world see what is happening and are acting accordingly.

Carlson questioned why American media outlets' interviews with Ukrainian President Zelensky often turned into "fawning pep sessions specifically designed to amplify Zelensky's demand that the US enter more deeply into a war in Eastern Europe and pay for it."

"That is not journalism. It is government propaganda," he added, noting how Putin has not been interviewed once by a western journalist.

Carlson said Americans deserve to hear both sides of a war their tax dollars are implicated in, and that he has the right to interview whoever he pleases because as an American, "freedom of speech is our birthright."

He slammed the Biden administration for their repeated efforts to prevent him from speaking with Putin, but said this time he decided to come anyways.

"We are not here because we love Vladimir Putin," he emphasized. "We are here because we love the United States."

Carlson explained that the interview would be made available on his website, and X.

This is a breaking story. Check back for updates.