EU to Sanction Tucker Carlson Over Putin Interview?

Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson made headlines recently when he revealed that he would be interviewing Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The news was met with starkly opposing reactions.

While many have praised the action as something courageous that will be informative, others alleged that Carlson is giving a platform to a hostile foreign regime.

Now it seems Tucker’s interview has drawn the ire of EU Parliament member Guy Verhofstadt, who indicated sanctions may be on the table for Carlson daring to talk to someone he doesn’t think anyone should talk to.

JUST IN: The European Union is considering imposing a travel ban against Tucker Carlson for interviewing Putin.

EU lawmakers are now furious that a journalist flew to Russia to do journalism.

They now want to slap Tucker with sanctions for “assisting” Putin.

“Putin is a war… pic.twitter.com/jUjEody4vp

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) February 7, 2024

For years the narrative has been that Putin is an evil warmonger and Ukraine is being bullied into submission by a larger force.

Carlson’s interview may upend the story people have been continually told about the war in Ukraine, and this has certain individuals concerned.

When you question the narrative, you become a target.

Social media users have been calling out the irony of the backlash over an interview.

They didn’t sanction Barbara. https://t.co/r4CG8JcS6Q

— Conservative News Feed (@C_N_F__on__X) February 7, 2024

Tucker stated that he wants to interview Zelenskyy as well. The EU is a far-leftist organization that wants to censor anyone who goes against their narrative.

— RedWave Press (@RedWave_Press) February 7, 2024

This makes Zero sense! pic.twitter.com/JjKhuMbUWJ

— Kevin M. Nelson (@KevinMNelsonUSA) February 7, 2024

Newsweek has more on the story:

Carlson’s work in Russia could see the former Fox News host in hot water with the EU, Guy Verhofstadt, a former Belgian Prime Minister and current member of the European Parliament, told Newsweek.

The lawmaker—who has called for the EU to explore imposing a “travel ban” on Carlson—described Carlson as “a mouthpiece” of former President Donald Trump and Putin, adding: “As Putin is a war criminal and the EU sanctions all who assist him in that effort, it seems logical that the External Action Service examine his case as well.”

Explaining his motive for the interview, Carlson said in a video statement on Tuesday: “Most Americans have no idea why Putin invaded Ukraine or what his goals are now.”

“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.”

The EU’s External Action Service (EAS) is the bloc’s diplomatic arm, responsible for foreign policy. For an individual to be added to the EU’s sanctions list, evidence must be presented to the EAS for review. If deemed sufficient, the EAS can then present the case to the European Council—the body made up of EU national leaders—which takes the final decision on whether to impose sanctions.

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