How Ukraine and EU сombat Russian disinformation differently
As part of the recently adopted 14th sanctions package, the European Union has banned parties, media, NGOs and other organisations from accepting donations or any other support from Russia.
The activities of Russian influence agents in other countries are not new. Western countries have been aware of this since the Cold War, but countering it within a democratic system is very challenging. These agents exploit freedoms to publicly promote Russian narratives or create opportunities for Russian propagandists.
Read more in the article by Yulia Kazdobina, security studies programme senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Council Ukrainian Prism – How EU and Ukraine are trying to counter Russian propaganda and the associated challenges.
The EU has previously attempted to limit Russian influence through sanctions.
In July 2023, two Russian citizens, Ilya Gambashidze, founder of the Moscow company Agency of Social Design, and Nikolai Tupikin, CEO and current owner of the Russian company Group Structura LLC, were added to the sanctions list. In March 2024, these individuals and their businesses were also sanctioned by the US. Despite this, the campaign continues, indicating that personal sanctions against Russian citizens and their businesses have been ineffective.
A broader ban on receiving funding from Russian sources, introduced by the EU in June, seems to be a more effective solution, depriving influence agents of resources. This measure targets those within European countries, falling under the jurisdiction of European law enforcement agencies. The regime allows exceptions if it can be proven that Russian funds will not be used for malicious influence or disinformation.
Enforcement of these measures is crucial. Significant differences exist among member states in legislation and the authority of state agencies responsible for such control. In April, the EU adopted a directive to unify the implementation of sanctions and reduce market distortions caused by their uneven application. The directive came into effect on 14 May 2024, and must be incorporated into member states' legislation by 20 May 2025. However, effectiveness will depend on the efficiency of administrative and law enforcement systems.
This decision has a downside: there are no bans on Chinese sources in the EU, even though Russian and Chinese narratives about the war in Ukraine largely coincide.
In summary, it can be said that the EU has found a mechanism that will limit the activities of Russian influence agents without violating the fundamental rights and freedoms of EU citizens.
Ukraine has taken different approaches. In early February 2021, President Zelenskyy approved a National Security and Defence Council decision imposing sanctions on TV channels 112, ZIK and NewsOne, owned by MP Taras Kozak from the oppositional parliamentary group. At the time, there was no ban on financing from Russia, making it legally unclear what laws Kozak had violated. He was added to the sanctions list and deprived of a wide range of rights without investigation or trial.
Ukraine might consider adopting the EU's proposed mechanism and adapting it to its sanctions policy to avoid potential obstacles on the path to EU integration.