European Union Warns of Potential Sanctions Against Tucker Carlson For Interview with Vladimir Putin

Tucker Carlson's interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin could see the conservative pundit targeted by European Union lawmakers, current and former members of the European Parliament have told Newsweek.

In a bold move that has triggered concerns among European Union lawmakers, conservative pundit Tucker Carlson's upcoming interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin is under scrutiny for potential repercussions. The former Fox News host's recent visit to Russia and announcement of the forthcoming interview have raised eyebrows, with some suggesting that it could lead to diplomatic tensions.

EU member Guy Verhofstadt, a former Belgian prime minister and current European Parliament member, expressed concerns about Carlson's work in Russia, labeling him as "a mouthpiece" for both former President Donald Trump and Putin. Verhofstadt went so far as to advocate for the EU to explore imposing a "travel ban" on Carlson, citing Putin as a war criminal and emphasizing the EU's commitment to sanction those who support him.

While Carlson defended his motives for the interview, stating that it aims to shed light on Putin's actions in Ukraine, EU's External Action Service (EEAS) clarified that there is currently no discussion within relevant EU bodies regarding potential sanctions against Carlson. The process for adding individuals to the EU's sanctions list involves presenting evidence to the EEAS, followed by a review and final decision by the European Council.

Luis Garicano, a former Member of the European Parliament, echoed Verhofstadt's concerns, describing Carlson as "a propagandist for the most heinous regime on European soil." Garicano argued that Carlson's sympathies for the Russian regime could jeopardize peace and security.

Notably, Carlson's interview with Putin, set to be the first by a Western media member since the full-scale war in Ukraine, has sparked anticipation and controversy. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed the interview had taken place, emphasizing Carlson's unique position compared to traditional Anglo-Saxon media.

In a video on X, formerly Twitter, Carlson said that “not a single Western journalist has bothered” to interview Putin and that most Americans have no idea why Putin invaded Ukraine two years into the war. "We are not here because we love Vladimir Putin....We are not encouraging you to agree with what Putin may say in this interview, but we are urging you to watch it. You should know as much as you can."

Critics anticipate a sympathetic tone in Carlson's interview due to his longstanding defense of certain aspects of Russian policy. MEP Urmas Paet cautioned against providing a platform to someone accused of genocide and war crimes, urging that such actions could lead to sanctions, including a travel ban to EU countries.

As the interview is set to stream on TuckerCarlson.com tonight at 6pm EST (February 8), the debate surrounding its potential impact on international relations and Carlson's stance as a journalist continues to unfold. While some EU officials express skepticism about the necessity of sanctions, the controversy surrounding the interview highlights the delicate balance between freedom of expression and geopolitical sensitivities.