Published on February 11, 2024, 12:42 am

Tucker Carlson, co-founder of the Daily Caller News Foundation, could find himself facing sanctions from the European Union following an interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This information comes from sources in the European Parliament, both past and present members.

Carlson traveled to Moscow to conduct the yet-to-be-released interview concerning the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and global perceptions surrounding it. The aftermath of this interaction could see him being sanctioned or even banned from travel to Europe by EU governing bodies, according to current and former parliamentarians.

The sentiment in the EU appears divided. “Given that Putin is a war criminal and the EU tends to sanction those who aid him, it seems reasonable for the External Action Service to examine Carlson’s case,” said Guy Verhofstadt, a former Belgian Prime Minister and a current member of its parliament. He further openly encouraged a travel ban on Carlson.

Others criticised Carlson’s reporting ethics: Urmas Paet, once Estonia’s foreign minister and now a legislator of its parliament voiced similar opinions saying “Carlson has left his role as a journalist by expressing clear sympathy for Putin’s regime while constantly disparaging Ukraine; Such propaganda enactments for criminal regimes could land you on a sanction list.”

However, imposing sanctions isn’t straightforward; making such decisions rests with EU’s External Action Service who would need solid proof against Carlson tying him directly or indirectly to Russia’s war efforts which might be tough.

Against this backdrop of accusations, some voices remain skeptical about implicating him. One EU official emphasized that establishing any direct connection between Carlson and Russia’s warfare would be challenging. However, there are others who are unyielding in their belief that he should face consequences due to his perceived indifference towards Russia’s hostile actions.

Former Parliament member Luis Garicano firmly believes that “Carlson has ceased being a newsman – he is now simply propagating opinions favoring what is arguably Europe’s most dangerous regimes.”

For his part, Carlson has clarified he interviewed Putin not out of support for the autocrat but because he wanted to shed light upon facets of the war that he believed were not being adequately covered by Western media or left out entirely, causing widespread misinformation about this critical issue.

He is particularly wary of how the Ukraine war has drastically restructured global military and trade alliances and significantly disrupted world economy. He was vocal in criticizing Western media’s complimentary portrayal of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s demand for more US involvement in Eastern Europe’s conflict and furthermore, bearing its cost.

At present, there has been no comment from the EU External Action Service. With an emphasis on Real News and Trusted News infused with a Christian Worldview, this situation serves as an example of how interviews and interactions carry potential repercussions not just on personal but also geopolitical levels.