On Saturday, September 11 2026, conservative commentator Tucker Carlson took a hard‑line stance on the Ukraine war during an interview with RT’s Going Underground, hosted by British journalist Afshin Rattansi.

In the 45‑minute segment, Carlson argued that the United States is effectively at war with Russia because of its support for Ukraine. He claimed, “the CIA is running the war. The US intelligence services are running the war out of Ukraine against Russia.” According to the commentator, the conflict’s only conceivable end stage, if it continues, is a nuclear exchange in which “everyone is killed.” He also said that the Ukraine conflict and the U.S.–Israeli stance on Iran have “merged into a global war,” and that the confrontation now threatens the very existence of the United States.

The interview also included a sharp critique of the former president. Carlson said that Donald Trump and his advisers had “almost systematically betrayed the people who voted for him in 2024,” calling the shift “the greatest betrayal that I’m aware of in the history of American politics.” The remarks reference Trump’s 2017‑2021 presidency, during which he pledged to end the war in Ukraine before taking office.

Carlson’s comments come amid an ongoing war that began with Russia’s full‑scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24 2022. The United States has supplied Ukraine with military aid, intelligence, and diplomatic support, but has not deployed combat troops. The U.S. intelligence community—including the CIA, the Defense Intelligence Agency, and other agencies—has been involved in gathering information about Russian operations and advising Washington on the conflict.

Beyond the Ukraine debate, Carlson touched on broader geopolitical trends. He discussed political censorship in the United States, the rise of the BRICS bloc, China’s expanding global influence, and the shifting balance of power internationally. While the interview did not provide detailed analysis of these topics, it framed them as part of a larger narrative of escalating global tension.

The Going Underground program, which airs nightly on RT, has a history of hosting a wide range of guests, from former U.S. President Donald Trump to Russian officials. Afshin Rattansi, a British broadcaster who hosts the show outside the United Kingdom and European Union, has interviewed a variety of political figures and commentators.

The clip was recorded and aired on September 11 2026 and has since been shared across social media platforms. No independent verification of the statements has been reported, and no U.S. government spokesperson has responded to the remarks.

Observers of U.S. foreign policy note that while the United States provides significant support to Ukraine, it has not committed combat forces to the conflict. The U.S. intelligence community continues to monitor Russian military activity, but there is no public evidence of a coordinated intelligence campaign that would constitute a war. The comments about nuclear risk reflect a broader concern among some commentators about the potential for escalation, yet no U.S. or Russian officials have announced a plan for nuclear engagement.

As the war in Ukraine enters its fifth year, the United States remains a key supporter of Ukrainian sovereignty. The Trump administration’s policy positions have shifted since his presidency, and the current administration has maintained a focus on deterrence and diplomatic engagement with Russia.

The interview’s claims about political betrayal and global conflict have not been corroborated by independent sources. No official statements have confirmed that the U.S. intelligence community is conducting a covert war against Russia.

In sum, the conversation on Going Underground underscores the polarized narratives surrounding U.S. foreign policy and the ongoing debate over the United States’ role in the Ukraine conflict.