Overview
- Sergey Karaganov, a former adviser to Vladimir Putin and Boris Yeltsin and honorary chair of the Council for Foreign and Defense Policy, made the remarks in a January 14 interview with Tucker Carlson.
- He called the notion of Russia being defeated a "fantastic illusion" and declared that Europe would be "finished physically" if Moscow came close to defeat.
- Karaganov said Russia seeks to "bring [Europe] to senses" without using nuclear weapons but warned that supporters of the war would be "punish[ed] severely," preferably in a limited way.
- He criticized his own government as "too prudent" and "too patient," echoing positions he advanced in 2023 urging nuclear threats to coerce opponents.
- Newsweek reported the comments alongside U.S. and Russian signals about possible negotiations, with President Trump telling Reuters that Putin is "ready to make a deal" and Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov voicing openness to talks.