European Council comments on unimpeded activities of pro-Russian propagandists in EU institutions
Brussels correspondent for LIGA.net
News editor at LIGA.net
European Council (Photo: Wikipedia/Samynandpartners)
The openness of the EU institutions allows the propaganda of the Russian Federation and the pro-Russian government in Georgia to work almost unhindered in Brussels, pursuing their own interests. At the same time, official structures recognize that the work of agents of influence is often funded by European funds. A representative of the European Council told a correspondent of LIGA.net in Brussels in a private conversation.
Why it matters
While EU foreign ministers are discussing aid packages for Ukraine behind closed doors, agents of influence are legally working in the neighboring corridors to undermine these decisions. They use official accreditations and access to diplomats as a platform to legitimize disinformation narratives. LIGA.net has analyzed how Russian and Georgian propagandists undermine Europe for its own money.
Also LIGA.net in an exclusive report showed how the Kremlin’s recruitment pipeline operates a few streets away from the European Commission.
“We must be doing it because we are stupid,” the official said when asked why hostile voices still have access to European institutions.
The Kremlin’s agents of influence, the Georgian Dream, and pro-Russian political forces in the EU take advantage of Brussels’ openness to legitimize their propaganda narratives in the eyes of the audience. At the same time, EU institutions cannot do anything about this unless a particular media outlet or journalist is subject to personal restrictions.
In addition, the EU budget funds political groups that openly oppose the EU itself. For example, the Patriots for Europe group, which includes Orban and Le Pen’s allies, receives about 16 million euros a year. Alternative for Germany and its affiliated MPs also receive more than €5 million. Much of this money is spent, among other things, on communication and messages that are dispersed by propaganda media.
According to the source LIGA.net in the European Council, the openness and transparency of European institutions does not allow checking and filtering pseudo-journalists and pseudo-media.
“As long as they are not subject to specific sanctions, they have the right to access and freedom of speech. I think we are probably a bit naive and stupid,” the official added .
In April, the EU imposed sanctions against the pro-Russian media platform Euromore. Restrictions were also imposed on the Russian Foundation for the Support and Protection of the Rights of Compatriots Living Abroad (Pravfond). The reason was the spread of disinformation and Russian propaganda by these resources.