Carlson's Putin assassination claim is tactical influence play, analyst says

He noted that while US President Donald Trump prefers to speak in a logical and rational manner when discussing Russia, emotional and psychological signals can be just as effective. 

"When he says that Russia is losing instead of winning. Trump speaks in the language of the number of zeros in the amounts that Russia is losing, the prospects for the economy and so on," Koshel said.

Putin, who has been in power for 25 years, understands the fate of dictators and the effectiveness of special services. The suggestion of physical harm plays a role in this equation.

"I would like to draw attention to a very telling fact that I heard a few days ago in a speech by [Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry] Peskov, who is not just a press secretary, he is actually the second most public person in Russia today. And Peskov said that Russia is ready to negotiate under the conditions of, and I quote "equal and respectful treatment.""

The importance of respectful treatment is in Russian culture, "even during the hard phase of the war, even when the problems in Russia are piling up, even at a time when oil exports are halted by 8% (a huge blow), at the same time respectful treatment is important to them. And so these psychological signals play a role."

Koshel stressed the importance of understanding Russia's perspective, even if it seems absurd. Putin's gesture of giving former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi a case of vodka, which caused a scandal, illustrates the importance he places on gestures of respect and attitude. 

With this in mind, Koshel suggested that the hint of possible physical destruction, while seemingly extreme, might be part of a strategic approach by the United States to prepare for negotiations. Moreover, he asserts that the US has the capabilities and means to carry out such actions.