Fernand Kartheiser has already paid the price of expulsion from the group of European Conservatives and Reformists for his previous visit to Russia
News editor at LIGA.net
Fernand Kartheiser (Photo: Wikimedia/JWH)
The right-wing MEP from Luxembourg, Fernand Kartheiser, calls on other MEPs to join a trip to Russia. This was reported by with reference to a letter from the politician to his colleagues.
In 2025, Kartheiser was expelled from the group of European Conservatives and Reformists after his previous visit to Moscow. Nevertheless, he again invites interested MEPs to contact his office to organize a trip.
The program includes a meeting with representatives of the Russian State Duma on June 3 at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, an annual event traditionally attended by the Russian dictator Vladimir Putin .
Kartheiser’s letter states that participants can be assisted in finding housing, and personal invitations to the forum will be sent later. The document was sent to a wide range of European MPs.
In a commentary to the publication, the politician said that his new trip was “absolutely justified” and was privately funded. According to Kartheiser, more and more European figures are publicly speaking about the need to resume dialogue with Russia.
“So it’s only a matter of time before the EU policy changes,” said the MEP.
At the same time, Kartheiser refused to name the MPs who expressed a desire to join the trip. He explained that they might face political pressure or negative consequences.
At the same time, Lithuanian MEP Petras Auštrevičius of the Renew Europe group sharply criticized the initiative, calling it an attempt to recruit MEPs to work in the Kremlin’s interests. In his opinion, such contacts contribute to the weakening of Western unity under the guise of “political diplomacy.”.
A spokesman for the European Parliament said that MEPs “who interact with Russian diplomatic or governmental structures are acting solely in their personal capacity.”.
In February, Ukraine imposed sanctions against individuals and legal entities, including an organization headed by the Kremlin’s chief negotiator and aide to Russian dictator Vladimir Medinsky .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.