Russian interference in European politics
 | This article contains close paraphrasing of a non-free copyrighted source, https://www.politico.eu/article/voice-of-europe-russia-influence-scandal-election/ (Copyvios report). (April 2024) |
Starting in 2016, Russia has made efforts to influence European politics, in particular, to promote Russian goals, to undermine support for Ukraine, and to destabilize Europe. An important organization in these efforts is the Voice of Europe, a media outlet led by Viktor Medvedchuk and Artem Marchevsky. The Voice of Europe was established in May 2023, headquartered in Prague. Early investigations by Czech authorities determined that the Voice of Europe was one of a number of uncovered influence operations on European politics. In 2024 the Czech secret intelligence service (BIS) uncovered a Russian state financed pro-Russian influence network with the public outlet Voice of Europe, using right-wing and Eurosceptic politicians to influence the European elections and other elections. The network is suspected to have bribed several European politicians from different countries.[1]
History
In 2016, a website with the name "Voice of Europe" was created in the Netherlands by an entrepreneur that “worked with” far-right leader Thierry Baudet “to bring about the Ukraine referendum,” a Dutch newspaper wrote, referring to a nonbinding vote in which Dutch voters opposed a political association agreement between Ukraine and the European Union.[2]
In 2023, Voice of Europe was relaunched and from then on had an address near Wenceslas Square in Prague. In March 2024, a Polish businessman, Jacek Jakubczyk, took over all shares in the company in the legal form of a s.r.o.
According to a quote of a senior Czech official published by Deník N, “The main purpose of Voice of Europe was to spread the frame that peace is only possible if Ukraine gives up the right to defend its sovereignty and integrity”.
According to BIS, the Voice of Europe was run by Viktor Medvedchuk, a former Ukrainian oligarch who has been close friends with Russian President Putin for many years. Medvedchuk was immediately placed on the sanctions list by the Czech Republic, as was his close associate Artem Marchevsky.
News reports published by the Voice of Europe have stated that foreigners are responsible for more than half of all serious crimes in Frankfurt, Germany, and that French President Macron's campaign on the Russian danger is not appealing to French voters, according to recent polls. Le Monde has reported that the DGSI was investigating a pro-Russian campaign towards the European elections next June.[3]
Investigations, sanctions, and reactions
Voice of Europe has also been put on the sanctions list, meaning all financial assets have been frozen. The news site can continue to operate, but money can no longer be transferred to people affiliated with it.
The Czech foreign ministry sanctioned oligarch Viktor Medvedchuk as well as Voice of Europe itself and a person called Artem Pavlovich Marchevskyi presumed to be involved in the operation.[2]
Polish security services declared, they had carried out searches as part of the cross-border investigation in Warsaw and Tychy in western Poland. Local media cited the security services' statement saying authorities had seized €48,500 and $36,000.[2]
"The Kremlin is using dodgy outlets pretending to be media [and] using money to buy covert influence,” said Czech European Commission Vice President Věra Jourová.[2]
Politicans involved with Voice of Europe
Voice of Europe has provided a media platform for several far-right Eurosceptic parties. The politicians typically promote viewpoints such as: opposing the European Green Deal, predicting the imminent collapse of the European Union, or attacking Ukraine. Politicians promoted by the Voice of Europe include:[2][1]
- Thierry Baudet, Dutch FvD. Baudet was interviewed by the Voice of Europe and systematically denied receiving donations, notably during a parliamentary debate on an exit from the European Union.
- Filip Brusselmans,[4] Belgian politician and political activist.
- Petr Bystron, German AfD, candidate for European Elections 2024. In April 2024 the Munich Public Prosecutor's Office initiated preliminary investigations because of possible bribery of elected officials. According to Die Zeit, Public Prosecuter Office suspected that 20,000 euros were handed over at a meeting between Bystron and employees of Russian propaganda in Prague.[5]
- Filip Dewinter, Vlaams Belang party
- Matteo Gazzini, Italian Forza Italia, former Lega Nord. He gave Voice of Europe an interview and participated in a panel debate alongside other MEPs. He denied being offered or taking any money.[2]
- Maximilian Krah, German AfD, top-candicate for European Elections 2024 and already MEP.
Payments to far-right European politicians
Authorities in Germany and Czech Republic determined that Russia used the Voice of Europe organization to provide funds to far-right, Eurosceptic, politicians (mainly in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France, Hungary and Poland) in order to influence European elections in favour of positions against Ukraine and the European Union.[1]
See also
References
- ^ a b c Belton, Catherine; Mekhennet, Souad (3 June 2024). "Russia co-opts far-right politicians in Europe with cash, officials say". Washington Post. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
A Kremlin-backed media outlet — the Prague-based Voice of Europe — funneled hundreds of thousands of euros to far-right politicians, officials say.
- ^ a b c d e f "Russian influence scandal rocks EU". POLITICO. 2024-03-29. Retrieved 2024-04-09.
- ^ "Czech secret service: Russia paid cash to friendly Dutch and European politicians". Parool (in Dutch). Retrieved March 29, 2024.
- ^ "Het federaal parket heeft een onderzoek geopend naar Russische inmenging in het Europees Parlement. Dat heeft premier Alexander De Croo vrijdag gezegd". De Tijd (in Dutch). April 12, 2024.
- ^ deutschlandfunk.de. "Affäre um prorussische Desinformation - Generalstaatsanwaltschaft München nimmt Vorermittlungen im Fall Bystron auf". Die Nachrichten (in German). Retrieved 2024-04-09.