31/05/2018 (Agence Europe) – On Wednesday 30 May, European Commissioner Johannes Hahn questioned the need to have made people believe journalist Arkady Babtchenko was dead. "Relieved to learn that Arkady Babachenko is alive and well. Looking forward to further information why this staging of death was necessary", he tweeted. The spokesperson for the European External Action Service, Maja Kocijancic, said the EU was "in contact" with Kiev "to obtain more information". She added that Ukraine is in a very particular security situation, and that every country has the right to protect its national interest and its territory. Having been announced dead, Babtchenko appeared before press, saying that this staging of his death had been aimed at foiling a Russian-backed murder. (CG)