Starting in 2016, Russia has made efforts to influence European politics, in particular, to promote Russian goals, to undermine support for Ukraine in the Russo-Ukrainian War, 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 several 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.
History
In 2016, a website with the name "Voice of Europe" was created in the Netherlands by an entrepreneur who “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.
In 2023, Voice of Europe was relaunched and from then on had an address near Wenceslas Square in Prague. In March 2023, a Polish businessman, Jacek Jakubczyk, took over all shares in the company in the legal form of a s.r.o.
In May 2024, Voice of Europe, which is run by Viktor Medvedchuk, was sanctioned by the European Union.
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.
Investigations, sanctions, and reactions
Voice of Europe has been on sanctions lists since March 2024. Although its financial assets have been frozen, the news site can continue to operate.
In March 2023, the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs alleged that Voice of Europe was a "Russian influence operation" designed to "undermine the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine."
Politicians 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:
- 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, 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, the Public Prosecutor Office suspected 20,000 euros were handed over at a meeting between Bystron and employees of Russian propaganda in Prague.
- 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.
- Maximilian Krah, German AfD, top candidate for European Elections 2024 and already MEP.
Payments to far-right European politicians
Authorities in Germany and the 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) to influence European elections in favour of positions against Ukraine and the European Union.
See also
- Russian interference in the 2016 Brexit referendum
- Russian Laundromat
- Transnational repression by Russia
References
- ^ 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.
- Vinocur, Nicholas. "Russian influence scandal rocks EU". Politico. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
- Crossland, David. "Exposed: hard-right European politicians 'on Putin's payroll'". The Times. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
- "EU imposes sanctions on Voice of Europe, businessmen over Russian 'disinformation". Reuters. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
- "Czech secret service: Russia paid cash to friendly Dutch and European politicians". Parool (in Dutch). Retrieved March 29, 2024.
- "The Czech Government Approves Listings to the National Sanctions List on the basis of the Proposal by Foreign Minister". mzv.gov.cz. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
- "Pro-Russia oligarch accused of running influence operation in EU". Financial Times. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
- ^ "Russian influence scandal rocks EU". POLITICO. 2024-03-29. Retrieved 2024-04-09.
- "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.