EU lawmakers demand travel ban on Tucker Carlson for Putin interview
European Parliament Members Call for Sanctions Against Tucker Carlson
Members of the European Parliament are demanding sanctions against Tucker Carlson following his announcement of an upcoming interview with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
On Tuesday, Carlson shared a video on X, revealing that he was in Moscow to conduct an exclusive interview with Putin. This interview marks the first time Putin has agreed to speak with a Western journalist since the invasion of Ukraine two years ago.
One European Parliament member, Guy Verhofstadt, the former prime minister of Belgium, suggested imposing a “travel ban” on Carlson for acting as a “mouthpiece” for Putin.
“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,” Verhofstadt told Newsweek.
The External Action Service (EAS) oversees foreign policy for the European Union, including matters of diplomacy and sanctions. If the EAS finds sufficient evidence and deems sanctions necessary, the case will be presented to the European Council, composed of European government leaders, for approval.
Urmas Paet, a member of the European Parliament from Estonia, also supported a travel ban against Carlson, stating in an interview with Ukrainian news:
“Carlson wants to give a platform to someone accused of crimes of genocide — this is wrong. If Putin has something to say, he needs to say it in front of the ICC. At the same time, Carlson is not being a real journalist since he has clearly expressed his sympathy for the Russian regime and Putin and has constantly disparaged Ukraine, the victim of Russian aggression. So, for such propaganda for a criminal regime, you can end up on the list of sanctions. This concerns primarily a travel ban to E.U. countries.”
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Although Carlson’s interview with Putin has already taken place, it has not yet been released. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed to Newsweek on Wednesday that the interview had been recorded, stating, “[Carlson’s] position is different from the others.”
“It is in no way pro-Russian, it is not pro-Ukrainian, it is pro-American, but at least it contrasts with the position of the traditional Anglo-Saxon media,” Peskov said.
The level of support for sanctioning Carlson within the E.U. remains uncertain. Any potential sanctions or travel bans against Carlson would likely undergo a lengthy process of review and approval, if pursued at all.
The threats of sanctions against Carlson for conducting this interview have faced criticism from conservative media in the U.S.
“The idea that Tucker would be sanctioned for engaging in free speech and journalism is the kind of thuggish tyranny one might expect from Vladimir Putin’s regime, not from democratic western governments,” posted Daily Wire co-founder Jeremy Boreing. “Even if Tucker provides rhetorical cover for Putin, a man with hundreds of nuclear weapons aimed at us — and I hope he is sincere when he says that is not what he is there to do — he would still be well within his rights to do so.”
The idea that Tucker would be sanctioned for engaging free speech and journalism is the kind of thuggish tyranny one might expect from Vladimir Putin’s regime, not from democratic western governments.
Even if Tucker flies rhetorical cover for Putin, a man with hundreds of… https://t.co/8uSSBxT8QV
— Jeremy Boreing (@JeremyDBoreing) February 7, 2024
Glenn Beck, founder of The Blaze, also voiced his opinion on the matter:
Reports are now claiming the EU might SANCTION @TuckerCarlson for interviewing Putin. Um…WHAT?! So, you’re not allowed to interview dictators now?!
Should we also expect sanctions for the New York Times, which fawned over Stalin, Mussolini, and Hitler?
How about Dan Rather…
— Glenn Beck (@glennbeck) February 7, 2024
Should Tucker Carlson face consequences for conducting an interview with Vladimir Putin, considering the accusations of war crimes against Putin due to the invasion of Ukraine?
Ued at all.
It is not uncommon for politicians to call for sanctions against individuals or entities that they perceive as supporting or sympathizing with oppressive regimes. In this case, some members of the European Parliament believe that Tucker Carlson should face consequences for conducting an interview with Vladimir Putin, whom they consider to be a war criminal due to the invasion of Ukraine.
Guy Verhofstadt, a prominent member of the European Parliament and former prime minister of Belgium, has suggested imposing a travel ban on Carlson for acting as a mouthpiece for Putin. Verhofstadt argues that if the European Union sanctions individuals who assist Putin in his actions, then it is logical for Carlson’s case to be examined as well. The decision ultimately lies with the External Action Service (EAS), which oversees foreign policy matters for the European Union. If the EAS finds enough evidence to support the imposition of sanctions, the case will be presented to the European Council for approval.
Another European Parliament member, Urmas Paet from Estonia, also supports a travel ban against Carlson. Paet accuses Carlson of giving a platform to someone accused of crimes of genocide and expresses concern that Carlson’s sympathies for the Russian regime and constant disparagement of Ukraine make him complicit in spreading propaganda for a criminal regime.
Critics argue that Carlson should not be sanctioned for conducting an interview, as it falls within the realm of journalism. However, supporters of the sanctions believe that by granting Putin a platform and not holding him accountable for his actions, Carlson is legitimizing his regime and his policies.
It is important to note that Carlson’s interview with Putin has already taken place but has not yet been released to the public. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed the existence of the interview and stated that Carlson’s position is different from that of traditional Anglo-Saxon media. Peskov emphasized that Carlson’s interview is pro-American rather than pro-Russian or pro-Ukrainian.
The level of support for sanctioning Carlson within the European Union remains uncertain. While some members of the European Parliament demand sanctions against him, the process of imposing sanctions or travel bans can be lengthy and may require thorough review and approval.
Regardless of the outcome, this incident highlights the ongoing tensions between Western countries and Russia, particularly in light of the Ukraine conflict. It also raises questions about the role of journalists in conducting interviews with controversial figures and the potential consequences they may face as a result.
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