The EU denied preparing sanctions against Carlson for an interview with Putin

Tucker Carlson

The governing bodies of the European Union are not currently discussing the possibility of imposing sanctions against the American journalist Tucker Carlson, who interviewed Russian President Vladimir Putin; no such proposals have been made.

This was reported to RIA Novosti by the official representative of the European Union's foreign policy service, Peter Stano.

“Currently there is neither such a proposal nor discussions in the relevant EU institutions regarding the person you mentioned,” the agency’s interlocutor said.

He stressed that “sanctions are prepared, discussed and adopted in the EU Council in an internal and confidential procedure,” so the body will not comment on this matter.

The day before, Newsweek reported, citing former and current members of the European Parliament, that the EU may consider introducing sanctions against Carlson.

Former Prime Minister of Belgium (1999–2008), current member of the European Parliament Guy Verhofstadt, in a conversation with Newsweek, called Carlson a “mouthpiece” for Putin and called for the journalist to be banned from entering the EU. Former Estonian Foreign Minister (2005–2014), now Member of the European Parliament Urmas Paet, and former Member of the European Parliament Luis Garicano agreed with him.

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At the beginning of February, Carlson flew to Moscow. He later published a video message in which he said that he intended to interview Putin. The journalist explained that Americans “have no idea” about what is happening in Russia and Ukraine , while Western media “have not bothered” to interview the Russian president since February 2022.

The Kremlin later confirmed that Putin gave an interview to Carlson. According to the journalist himself, it will be published on the night of February 9, Moscow time. 

Amid Carlson's trip to Russia, some American politicians and media representatives demanded his arrest because of his decision to interview Putin. The journalist said that he does not consider himself a traitor or guilty.