08 February 2024 , 08:27
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Tucker Carlson could face sanctions for giving Vladimir Putin a platform with his interview due to be released today, a member of the European Parliament claims.
The conservative commentator's recent interview with the Russian President has sparked concerns among European Union lawmakers, with some suggesting potential repercussions for Carlson's actions. Carlson, known for his conservative views and former affiliation with Fox News, announced his upcoming interview with Putin after visiting Russia earlier this week.
European Parliament members, including former Belgian prime minister Guy Verhofstadt, have voiced worries over Carlson's perceived alignment with Putin's agenda. Verhofstadt has called for potential sanctions against Carlson, labeling him a "mouthpiece" for both Putin and the disgraced former US President Donald Trump.
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'Carlson's position is different from the others,' Putin's spokesperson said (Zuma Press/PA Images)Verhofstadt told Newsweek: "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."
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In a video statement, Carlson defended his decision to interview Putin. He said: "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 process for imposing sanctions within the EU involves presenting evidence to the EAS, followed by a review by the European Council. Despite Verhofstadt's stance, any potential sanctions against Carlson would require substantial evidence linking him to Moscow's aggression, a factor that may pose challenges in the absence of clear proof.
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While some lawmakers support Verhofstadt's call for sanctions, others argue that the focus should be on addressing European leaders who engage in dialogue with Putin. Polish MEP Witold Waszczykowski said: "I think it's the problem [of] American journalists to evaluate such behaviour of Mr Tucker Carlson. Here in the EU, we have top politicians [such] as [French President Emmanuel] Macron and [German Chancellor Olaf] Scholz who keep talking with Putin. I would like rather Mr. Verhofstadt to take care of those European politicians who keep searching for how to appease Russia instead of helping Ukraine to win the war."
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that the interview with Carlson had taken place. He said: "His 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."
Carlson's interview with Putin marks a significant moment, as he becomes the first Western media figure to question Putin directly since the onset of the Ukraine conflict. In his video statement, Carlson said: "Americans have a right to know all they can about a war they're implicated in and we have the right to tell them about it." He added he has requested to interview Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as well.