The European Union (EU) may impose a travel ban on American journalist Tucker Carlson following his interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
According to Newsweek, EU officials are concerned about Carlson's interaction with the Russian leader. Thus, it has been proposed that the former Fox News host be barred entry into the bloc's member states.
Two EU officials expressed criticism of Carlson. Former Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt, currently a member of the European Parliament (MEP), stressed the EU's sanctions against individuals supporting Putin and labeled the Russian president a war criminal.
Verhofstadt, who served as Brussels' chief Brexit negotiator, called for the EU's External Action Service (EEAS) – which is responsible for the bloc's foreign policy – to look at Carlson's case and potentially recommend sanctions. Any such sanctions would need approval from the European Council.
The Belgian MEP wasn't alone in his calls for sanctions against Carlson.
Former Spanish MEP Luis Garicano and Estonian MEP Urmas Paet also joined Verhofstadt. Garicano characterized Carlson as a propagandist for the Russian regime, while Paet suggested that Carlson's promotion of a "criminal regime" could lead to sanctions, including a travel ban to EU countries.
The EEAS formulates sanctions targeting individuals and entities by evaluating whether they pose a threat to the EU's security, interests or fundamental values. In response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the EEAS has implemented twelve packages of sanctions over the past two years. Such sanctions, which encompass travel bans and asset freezes, have targeted nearly 2,000 individuals and entities – including banks, political parties and media organizations with ties to the Kremlin.
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However, the European Commission refuted the Newsweek report. It rejected any consideration of sanctions against the former Fox News host and co-founder of the Tucker Carlson Network (TCN).
Musk: Tucker's interview with Putin WON'T BE CENSORED
During the interview, Carlson discussed various geopolitical issued with the Russian leader. The said interview is now posted on X, with the platform's owner Elon Musk assuring that it won't be censored. (Related: “Because we love the U.S.”: Tucker Carlson says interviewing Putin is about informing Americans)
The CEO of Tesla and SpaceX also expressed concern over the potential sanctions. He warned that a punishment on Tucker would be "disturbing" and predicted that it would "greatly offend the American public."
Verhofstadt responded to Musk by emphasizing the challenges faced by real journalists in Russia. The Belgian MEP shared a picture of Wall Street Journal correspondent Evan Gershkovich, who was arrested by Russian authorities and subsequently jailed.
Carlson defended the interview in response to the potential sanctions, stating that its purpose was to inform Americans about the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. He alleged that English-language media had misled Americans, and he emphasized the importance of providing accurate information about the situation.
Peter Stano, the EU's lead foreign affairs spokesman, also denied possible sanctions on Carlson. He remarked that there are presently no discussions within relevant EU bodies regarding the matter.
Stano also clarified that the EU has authority to blacklist individuals with a "continued track record" of propagandizing and manipulating information to undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. Any sanctions – including those on journalists – must be proposed by EU member states, supported by evidence and require unanimous approval from all member states.
As part of its comprehensive approach, the EU has specifically targeted media outlets supported by the Kremlin, such as Sputnik and Russia Today. These organizations face restrictions that prohibit them from broadcasting within EU territory.
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Watch Tucker Carlson explain why he was hell bent on interviewing Russian President Vladimir Putin.
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