EU imposes sanctions on former Ukrainian MP Medvedchuk

The ministry said that, upon the proposal of Czechia, the European Union decided to add three Kremlin-affiliated organizations to the EU sanctions list.

"Czech diplomacy succeeded in having three organizations that work for Russia added to the EU sanctions list," the statement said.

At the top of the list is Voice of Europe, a Russian propaganda tool used by Russia, particularly to influence the European Parliament elections.

Additionally, pro-Russian businessmen Artem Marchevskyi and Viktor Medvedchuk, who are behind the Russian influence operation, were sanctioned.

"All restrictions that Czechia has already applied to these legal entities now extend to all 27 EU member states," the statement continued.

It was emphasized that for Medvedchuk and Marchevskyi, this means a ban on entry and transit through all EU member states. Meanwhile, all funds and economic resources of all three legal entities are frozen throughout the EU.

Backstory

Previously, the Czech authorities uncovered a scheme involving Viktor Medvedchuk. It involved European media platforms engaged in pro-Russian propaganda and disinformation.

European Commission Vice President Věra Jourová recently announced that the European Union would impose sanctions on the media platform Voice of Europe, linked to Medvedchuk.

Voice of Europe scandal

Through Voice of Europe, agents bribed pro-Russian European politicians and disseminated pro-Russian narratives to discredit Ukraine and its supporters in Europe.

Subsequently, according to Czech intelligence, Medvedchuk financed the media platform, and its head Marchevsky was placed under state sanctions by Czechia. Afterward, Marchevskyi fled to Slovakia, where he received temporary protection.