Agence France-Presse, citing anonymous European diplomatic sources, reports that EU member states have agreed to impose a ban on the distribution in any way of materials from three Russian propaganda media: "Rossiyskaya Gazeta", newspaper "Izvestia" and RIA Novosti agency.
A similar measure will also affect the "Voice of Europe" website, which authorities in several European countries say was used to interfere in the upcoming European Parliament elections in June. The site was based in Prague and was shut down by Czech authorities who claimed it was funded by Russia-based Viktor Medvedchuk, long considered the main conduit of Russian influence in Ukraine. Belgian authorities are also investigating claims that the "Voice of Europe" has paid MEPs to spread the Russian point of view.
According to AFP sources, the ban on these four publications will soon be official.
The European Union has imposed sanctions on about 10 Russian media outlets, such as RT and Sputnik under their various guises, Russia 24 and First Channel. They are prohibited from transmitting or distributing their content in EU member states by any means, including cable, satellite and internet broadcasting, platforms, websites and mobile applications.