Key Points
- An EU spokesperson has denied there are any talks about sanctioning US talk show host Tucker Carlson.
- Carlson travelled to Moscow for Vladimir Putin's first interview with a Western journalist since Russia's invasion.
- Online speculation about sanctions were fuelled by Elon Musk.
There are no current European Union talks about imposing sanctions on United States talk show host Tucker Carlson, who is poised to air an interview with Russia's Vladimir Putin, a spokesman says.
Peter Stano, spokesman for EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, on Thursday hosed down rumours that were amplified by technology billionaire Elon Musk.
"It's not up to us to try to pre-empt or speculate whether someone will be proposed by a member state or group of member states to be put on the sanctions list," Stano told reporters
European politician Guy Verhofstadt this week said the EU should "explore a travel ban" against Tucker Carlson if he "enables disinformation" for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Source: AAP, AP / Jean-Francois Badias
"I can say beyond this that currently there are no discussions in the relevant EU bodies linked to this specific person," he said, when asked about the suggestion Carlson may be targeted.
European politician Guy Verhofstadt on Monday tweeted that the EU "should explore a travel ban" against Carlson if he "enables disinformation" for the Russian president.
That appears to have led to online speculation that the EU was considering the move — to which Musk responded in a tweet to his 171 million followers, writing: "If true, this would be disturbing indeed."
Stano recalled that the EU had until now sanctioned some 2,000 people and entities in connection with Russia's invasion of Ukraine two years ago, including Russian media accused of spreading propaganda such as Sputnik and RT.
"We did it because of their continued track record of constantly accompanying the Russian military aggression with the information warfare," Stano said.
President Vladimir Putin's interview with Tucker Carlson is his first with a Western journalist since Russia launched its full-scale invasion against Ukraine. Source: AAP
"Everything needs to be backed by enough evidence because everyone who is sanctioned by the EU has the right to appeal to the EU court," Stano said.
Former Fox News host Carlson, a key ally of Donald Trump and vocal opponent of US military aid for Ukraine, since Russia's February 2022 invasion.
Carlson has said the sit-down, which has already been recorded, would be broadcast at 2300 GMT Thursday (Friday, 10am AEDT) on his website, and posted to X, formerly Twitter.
"We can all assume what Putin might be saying," said Stano. "This is a chronic liar who is just spreading lies about his illegal operation against the Ukrainian people."
