On Monday 27 May, the Council of the European Union decided to impose restrictive measures (financial sanctions, visa ban) against the ‘media outlet’ Voice of Europe, which it considers to be responsible for propaganda aimed at civil society in the EU and neighbouring countries, gravely distorting and manipulating facts in order to justify and support Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
According to the Council, Voice of Europe runs a website – with accounts promoting it on social networks – actively spreading disinformation related to Ukraine and promoting pro-Kremlin false narratives about the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Additionally, Voice of Europe has been used as a vehicle for funnelling of financial resources designated for remuneration of propagandists, and for building a network influencing representatives of political parties in Europe, according to the Council.
The Council also decided to sanction two persons closely associated with Voice of Europe: Artem Marchevskyi, who played a key role in the acquisition of the ‘Voice of Europe’ media brand, and Viktor Medvedchuk, who has promoted policies and actions intended to erode credibility and legitimacy of the Government of Ukraine.
Ten days ago, the Member States had already issued a ban on broadcasting in the EU to Voice Europe as well as to RIA Novosti, Izvestia and Rossiyskaya Gazeta (see EUROPE 13412/2).
See the legal act: https://aeur.eu/f/ce4 (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)