Calls on the political leadership of the EU and the member states to “urgently and energetically act” against Russia’s attempts to interfere in EU politics

On Thursday, the European Parliament (EU) adopted a resolution calling on the European Union (EU) and the political leadership of the member states to “urgently and vigorously act” against Russia’s attempts to interfere in EU politics, informed EP press secretary in Latvia Jānis Krastiņš.

Following the latest revelations about Kremlin-backed attempts to undermine Europe’s democratic processes, MEPs adopted a resolution on Thursday condemning such efforts and stressing that they must be combated.

The resolution expresses indignation at the credible accusations that some MEPs have been paid for spreading Russian propaganda and that several MEPs have participated in the activities of the pro-Russian media outlet “Voice of Europe” while Russia is waging war against Ukraine.

The MEPs who voted for the resolution demand that EU and member state leaders deal with Russia’s interference efforts not only in EU institutions, but throughout the EU.

Citing suspicions of Russian interference across Europe, including in Bulgaria, Germany and Slovakia, MEPs are concerned about the recent questioning by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation of Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) MP Maximilian Krä over suspicions that he received money from Kremlin agents, and his parliamentary assistant was detained in Germany on April 23 on suspicion of espionage for China.

The EP AfD should immediately publicly declare its financial relations with the Kremlin, and make public the purpose and exact amounts of payments from all Kremlin-related sources.

While Russia remains the main source of foreign interference and disinformation in the EU, other countries have also carried out such campaigns, MEPs say. They emphasize that the EU’s response to this threat can only be effective if it is based on a transversal, comprehensive and long-term policy approach jointly implemented by the EU and its Member States.

In order to strengthen the EP’s protection, the resolution proposes to improve the EP’s security culture, including thorough internal investigations to assess possible cases of foreign interference, and the full implementation of its internal sanctions system. MEPs also want mandatory security training for MPs and staff, and to establish adequate security clearance and increased vetting of staff.

In the resolution, the EU Council is invited to include Kremlin-supported media, other broadcasting organizations and media organizations, as well as persons responsible for propaganda and disinformation campaigns in the EU, in the upcoming 14th Russia sanctions package.

MEPs demand that the EU and its member states impose the same sanctions against “Voice of Europe”, Ukrainian pro-Russian oligarch Viktor Medvedchuk and his associate Artyom Marchevsky as adopted by the Czech Republic. They regret that “Voice of Europe” was able to resume operations from Kazakhstan and call on the EU member states to ensure that the content of this media cannot be accessed in the EU.

The resolution was adopted with 429 votes “for”, 27 “against” and 48 “abstentions”.