Belgium and the Czech Republic have called for new European sanctions as a countermeasure to Russian interference in the upcoming June European Parliament elections , reported Reuters, quoted by BTA, explaining that the two countries did this in an open letter to EU leaders.
The letter dated April 16 was signed by the Prime Ministers of both countries - Alexander de Croux of Belgium and Peter Fiala of the Czech Republic, and is addressed to the presidents of the European Commission (Ursula von der Leyen), of the European Parliament (Roberta Mezzola ) and the European Council (Charles Michel).
The two leaders say there are already examples of pro-Russian disinformation and interference in some EU countries. Belgian security services have detected a network of influence in Belgium, which includes money transfers also made in the Czech Republic.
The network aims to strengthen cooperation between pro-Russian politicians in the European Parliament and contribute to the election of more of their like-minded people. The mission is to provide "people in active positions in the European Parliament", notes Reuters.
Among other EU countries, Belgium has launched a criminal investigation into the case, while the Czech Republic has imposed sanctions on individuals.
"Now is the right time to put in place a new restrictive regime to counter malicious Russian actions," De Cro and Fiala said in the open letter.