"If Putin has something to say, he needs to say it in front of the ICC" — former Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs

Moscow, Russia (Svidomi) — European Parliament member Guy Verhofstadt has called for sanctions against American journalist Tucker Carlson over his interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Newsweek reports.

"Since Putin is a war criminal and the EU is imposing sanctions on anyone who helps him, it seems logical that the EU External Action Service (EAS) should also look into his case," said Verhofstadt.

Earlier, Carlson said he would publish the interview with Putin for which he had travelled to Russia without delay.

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan reacted to Tucker Carlson's decision.

"We have repeatedly explained why supporting Ukraine is a fundamental national security interest of the United States and the transatlantic alliance. And I believe that our view still prevails," Sullivan said.

He acknowledged that there are still critics of military assistance to Ukraine in the US and Europe and that this criticism was voiced even before Russia's full-scale invasion.

Former Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs Urmas Paet told Newsweek that the TV presenter could be included in the sanctions list for "propaganda of a criminal regime".

"If Putin has something to say, he needs to say it in front of the ICC," Paet added.

Tucker Carlson was fired from Fox News in April 2023 amid scandals and lawsuits over allegations of election fraud.