EU hits Russia with sanctions over global meddling, Putin's relative on list
Photo: Viktor Medvedchuk (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
On Tuesday, May 20, the European Union imposed sanctions on 21 individuals and 6 organizations for Russia's destabilizing actions abroad. The list includes former Ukrainian MP, oligarch, and godfather of Putin's child, Viktor Medvedchuk.
In particular, the sanctions were imposed on Viktor Medvedchuk and his associates Artem Marchevsky, Oleh Voloshyn, and their media platform Voice of Europe for spreading pro-Russian propaganda in Ukraine and abroad.
"Medvedchuk has promoted policies and actions intended to erode the legitimacy and credibility of the government of Ukraine, in direct support of the foreign policy interests of the Russian Federation and disseminating pro-Russian propaganda," the EU said.
The EU Council also authorized the imposition of sanctions against tangible assets related to Russia's destabilizing activities, such as ships, aircraft, real estate, physical elements of digital and communication networks, as well as transactions of credit institutions, financial institutions and organizations providing services using cryptocurrencies that directly or indirectly contribute to Russia's destabilizing activities.
In addition, against the backdrop of Russia's systematic international media manipulation and distortion campaign aimed at destabilizing neighboring countries and the EU, the EU Council will now have the power to suspend the broadcasting licenses of Russian media outlets under the control of the Russian government and ban them from broadcasting their content in the EU.
EU sanctions against Medvedchuk
Earlier, the Czech authorities uncovered a scheme involving Viktor Medvedchuk. It involved the voices of European media platforms that were engaged in pro-Russian propaganda and disinformation.
Through the Voice of Europe, agents bribed pro-Russian European politicians and spread pro-Russian stories to discredit Ukraine and its supporters in Europe.
In May 2024, the EU imposed sanctions on Medvedchuk and Voice of Europe.
