Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have issued a plea for measures to thwart Russian meddling
Following concerns raised by the “Russiagate” incident, the European Parliament has urged the EU to act against efforts by the Kremlin to influence European policymaking.
MEPs have highlighted the necessity to halt Russia’s endeavors to sway the EU’s decision-making processes.
In a resolution passed on Thursday, MEPs expressed alarm over Moscow’s attempts to re-establish its influence network in Europe, emphasizing the threat this poses to democratic values.
“Lithuania’s MEP, Rasa Juknevičienė (EPP), commented to Euronews, “Russia is regaining strength and attempting to reorganize its influence through various proxies. Initially, these groups were quiet, but now they are becoming bolder and more vocal.”
The “Russiagate” scandal has likely amplified the Kremlin’s disruption of European political affairs. A claim by a Russian investigative journal accused Latvian MEP Tatjana Ždanoka of acting as a spy for Russia’s intelligence services. In response, during a session of the European Parliament, Ždanoka refuted these allegations.
Ždanoka stated, “I am indeed an agent – an agent for peace, for a Europe free of fascism, for minority rights, and for a Europe united from Lisbon to the Urals.”
To mitigate the risk of Russian interference in the parliament, a Romanian MEP suggests imposing sanctions on any MEP found collaborating with Moscow.
Vlad Gheorghe (Renew Europe) remarked, “If anyone in the European Parliament is directly supporting and collaborating with Putin, they should be barred from speaking in the assembly, as their voice merely spreads propaganda.”
The European Parliament is setting in motion an inquiry and urging Latvian authorities to conduct their investigation to determine suitable sanctions and legal actions.
