Tucker Carlson may face EU travel sanctions as a result of Putin interview: report

Tucker Carlson could reportedly face sanctions for carrying out an interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Putin, who has been interviewed by CNN, CBS, NBC and others, is currently facing off against Russia's neighbor Ukraine. Carlson is in Russia and has said that he would soon be releasing a video interview.

EU MP Guy Verhofstadt of Belgium told Newsweek that he's urging the EU to impose a "travel ban" on the independent newsman. "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," he said.

He also claimed that Carlson is a "mouthpiece" for Donald Trump, who is running for a second term in office against incumbent Joe Biden. The US has been funding Ukraine and President Joe Biden seeks to add another $60 billion to that war fund, which already stands at over $113 billion.

"He is no longer a newsman, but a propagandist for the most heinous regime on European soil and the one which is most dangerous to our peace and security," former EU MEP Luis Garicano said.

"First of all, it should be remembered that Putin is not just a president of an aggressor country, but he is wanted by the International Criminal Court and accused of genocide and war crimes," MEP Urmas Paet said.

Newsweek reports that "For an individual to be added to the EU's sanctions list, evidence must be presented to the EAS for review. If deemed sufficient, the EAS can then present the case to the European Council—the body made up of EU national leaders—which takes the final decision on whether to impose sanctions."

Carlson would also like to interview Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, though that interview has not yet been established. Carlson also is aware of the potential risks, but said his goal is to inform people as to what's going on in the region. 

"Two years into a war that's reshaping the entire world," he said, "most Americans are not informed. They have no real idea in this region, here in Russia or 600 miles away in Ukraine. They should know. They're paying for much of it in ways they might not yet fully perceive."