Czech intelligence uncovered a Russian-funded network used to influence EU members and the European Parliament. “We exposed a pro-Russian network that was preparing an operation to expand Russian influence and undermine security in Europe,” said Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala.
He emphasized that they therefore added two individuals and one legal entity to the list of sanctions.
“Local authorities confiscated their property,” Fiala said.
Czech media, citing intelligence sources, announced that the Voice of Europe portal paid politicians from Germany, France, Poland, Belgium, the Netherlands and Hungary to influence the upcoming elections for the European Parliament.
According to Czech media, the controversial portal published the opinions of politicians who demanded that the EU end aid to Ukraine.
Some European politicians who cooperated with Voice Of Europe received money from Russia for this, and some of them also used the funds for the pre-election campaign for the June European elections.
Among the parties that received the money is the German far-right Alternative for Germany party. The German newspaper Spiegel reported that the money was handed over in cash in secret meetings and through the cryptocurrency market.
Pro-Russian Ukrainian politician Viktor Medvedchuk and his close associate Artjom Marchevski, who allegedly manages the Voice of Europe portal, are allegedly behind the propaganda network.
The Czech Republic has put both the mentioned men and the portal on its sanctions list.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said “the world must accept the fact that a new era of war has begun”, describing it as the most critical moment since the end of World War II.
“We are living in the most critical time since the end of World War II. The next two years will decide everything,” Tusk said.
He said that he “doesn’t want to scare anyone, but war is no longer a thing of the past”.
“It’s real and it actually started more than two years ago. What’s most disturbing right now is the fact that literally any scenario is possible,” Tusk said.
He believes that we must mentally prepare for the arrival of a new era.
“Our main task should be to protect Ukraine from the Russian invasion and maintain Ukraine as an independent and complete state. Today, its (Ukraine’s) situation is much more difficult than a year ago, but also much better than at the beginning of the war,” explained Tusk.
He believes that a strong alliance with the USA is needed.
“At the same time, we must be independent and self-sufficient in terms of defense. Our task is to nurture transatlantic ties, regardless of who will be the American president,” Tusk said, AA writes.
