Belgium investigates Russia’s ‘Anti-Ukraine’ influence in European Union elections

Belgium, amid celebration of democracy upheld by upcoming European Union elections, has conveyed its suspicions against Russia’s interference to influence European support for Ukraine

Belgium was elected Presidentship in January for the forthcoming European Union elections. The Prime minister of Belgium, Alexandra De Croo has opened an investigation against Russia’s alleged meddling to influence members of European parliament (MEPs).

Alexandra De Croo has said Russia is using corruptive means to sway Europe against Ukraine. The prosecutors in Brussels have conducted probe into alleged payments exchanged between Russia and European parliamentary members. The transactions were aimed to expand Russia’s influence in Europe and inject European parliament with more pro-Russia sentiments.

A boost to anti-Ukraine membership in parliament will directly elevate Russia’s position on the battlefield. It will weaken support for Ukraine in Europe which will prohibit actions directly subjected to strengthen Ukraine’s position in the war both financially and psychologically.

“The investigation shows that Moscow has approached European members of parliament and has also paid members of European parliament in order to promote a Russian agenda here”, De Croo said.

How has EU under Belgium Presidentship empowered Ukraine ?

The 720-member European parliament has buckled-up since Russia has pronounced an unexpected altercation against Ukraine. The E.U has reacted swiftly and decisively under Belgium presidentship to Russia’s aggression by adopting restrictive measures.

Since Russia’s invasion, E.U provided economic, humanitarian and military support for Ukraine worth over 88 billion euros. A series of sanctions were imposed to decelerate Russia’s economy, depriving it of critical technologies and markets, reshaping the overall economic architecture of Russia.

Aside of the measures specifically provisioned to reduce Russia’s fighting capabilities, European parliament members have devised a plan for the reconstruction of Ukrainian territories which have bared the most devastation in consequence to Russia’s strikes.

To empower Ukraine financially, E.U has set up a new Ukraine Facility – a dedicated instrument to provide Ukraine with up to 50 billion euros in stable and predictable financial support for the years 2024 to 2027.

Belgium to counter growing Russia’s attempts to influence E.U election

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine under Vladimir Putin’s command has reached an unprecedented escalation. Countries across regions have either supported, abstained or outright denominated Russia for its territorial lust.

The support which Ukraine is receiving from powerful countries has disconcerted Moscow, motivating it to cling on strategies served to deform anti-Russia sentiments especially in Europe. United States Congress has a contentious bill outlined to provide military aid to Ukraine which the Japanese prime minister has reinforced in his speech at the Congress on Thursday, further unnerving the Russian president.

Since the universal appraisal deemed towards Ukraine, Russia has taken steps to manipulate European members through acts of bribery to resent Ukrainian support in European union parliament.

In March a Russian disinformation operation was discovered aimed at influencing the outcome of European elections. The alleged accused was a Voice of Europe media site registered in Prague, which had sanctions imposed on it by Czech authorities.

Another incident in the same week proliferated the speculations, when a Polish citizen was accused and charged of alleged bribery of European parliamentarians to build a Russian “zone of influence in Europe”. The Polish security agency ABW carried out searches which resulted in the discovery of 48,500 and 36,000 euros in two separate raids.

Prime minister Croo has shown immense determination in prosecuting Russia’s growing tactics to influence members of European parliament. The objective of the influence is to ignite anti-Ukraine sentiments among European lawmakers which will sabotage Ukraine’s fight against Russia.

“Our judicial authorities have now confirmed that this interference is now subject to a prosecution. We have a new national law which came into force last week. And it explicitly targets interference. So this is what we are doing at a Belgium level”, said De Croo.