Tucker Carlson has been accused of ‘aiding and abetting war criminals’ as EU politicians consider imposing a travel ban on him after his controversial visit to Moscow to meet with Russian leaders. ” and becoming Putin’s “spokesman” could result in sanctions in Europe.

• Karlsson could be subject to economic sanctions and a ‘travel ban’, according to EU parliamentarians

Controversial talk show host Tucker Carlson could face sanctions from the European Union for his activities in Russia, a new report says.

The Kremlin confirmed on Wednesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Karlsson. This is President Putin’s first interview with a Western journalist since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine two years ago.

Karlsson released a video on Tuesday saying he was going to meet with Putin from Moscow, but less than 24 hours later the Kremlin confirmed the sit-in had taken place.

Guy Verhofstadt, a former Belgian prime minister and current member of the European Union parliament, told Newsweek that it was “natural” that an investigation would be carried out against Karlsson, as the Russian president is considered a “war criminal”. he said.

Verhofstadt also called for a “travel ban” against Carlson and described the host as a “mouthpiece” for Donald Trump, who has long been criticized for his pro-Kremlin views.

Any investigation into Mr. Trump would be carried out by the European External Action Service (EEAS), which is effectively the foreign ministry of the 27-member European Union.

Verhofstadt also tweeted: “Real journalists in Russia were either in prison or had to flee!” Carlson is President Putin’s mouthpiece and the enemy of everything America stands for – nothing more, nothing less.”

After the interview was published, Carlson’s friends on the American far right voiced their protests.

“The same EU globalist scum is trying to force Elon Musk into censorship with threats of criminal prosecution. Now they’re on board with Tucker! We must unite for free speech. Absolutely,” wrote Sandy Hook school shooting denier Alex Jones.

“The EU is considering sanctions against Tucker Carlson for meeting with President Putin. This is just an admission that they lied about everything about Ukraine,” commentator Candace Owens wrote. Ta.

“This narrative is about to completely collapse and they are scared,” she added.

“Was there any doubt that they were going to pick up Tucker Carlson and interview President Putin?” Rest assured, there are people in power in the US who want to do the same thing as the EU.” Columnist and lawyer tweeted Phil Holloway.

Carlson claimed that Western journalists had interviewed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy many times, but could not “bother” to interview the Russian president.

President Putin has significantly restricted his contact with international media since starting the Ukraine war in February 2022.

Russian authorities have cracked down on the media, shutting down some Russian independent media outlets, blocking others, and ordering scores of foreign reporters to leave the country.

Two journalists working for U.S. news organizations, Evan Gershkovitch of the Wall Street Journal and Ars Kurmasheva of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, are in jail on charges they deny.

Western journalists were invited to Putin’s annual press conference in December, the first since the war began, but only two were given the opportunity to ask questions.

Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Karlsson was chosen for the interview because he has a “different position” from other English-language media.

Mr. Peskov also rejected Mr. Karlsson’s suggestion that Western journalists have not submitted interview requests to President Putin. He said the Kremlin had received many requests from major Western television channels and newspapers, which he claimed were “taking a unilateral position.”

Peskov said Carlson’s position was “in no way pro-Russian or pro-Ukrainian, but rather pro-American.”

Karlsson said in the video that his interview with Putin will be streamed for free on his website and on X (formerly Twitter). Carlson, who was fired from Fox News in April, announced in December that he would launch his own streaming service.

Russian state media widely reported Karlsson’s visit on Wednesday.

Vladimir Soloviev, one of Russia’s most famous TV hosts, said the interview “breaks the blockade and existing narrative” in Western media focused on “Putin’s unprovoked and brutal invasion of Ukraine.” He said it would become a thing.

Mr. Soloviev often criticizes Western media on his programs, but Mr. Carlson said he was “feared” because he did not share his views.

Carlson worked for Fox News for more than a decade, hosting a show that discussed conspiracy theories about Russia and the January 6 riots.

Mr. Fox offered no explanation for his dismissal.