EU states have agreed to ban four media outlets accused of publishing Russian propaganda, despite Moscow threatening to retaliate against Western journalists
Following a meeting of ambassadors, European Commission Vice President Věra Jourová posted on social media: “Four Kremlin-linked propaganda networks added to the sanctions list: Voice of Europe, RIA Novosti, Izvestija, and Rossiyskaya Gazeta.”
She added that the measures would also include a "ban on Russian funding of EU media, NGOs, and political parties.”
Sputnik and RT television (formerly Russia Today) were already on the EU sanctions list for spreading disinformation and attempting to influence public opinion.
The announcement came just hours after Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova warned that Western journalists may be targeted in response to sanctions.
Writing on the Telegram social media network, she said: “I want to remind all those Brussels hotheads that there are dozens of journalists from EU countries who live very nicely and comfortably in Russia.”
“If such measures are adopted against Russian journalists and media by the EU or by individual countries, then Western journalists will feel our response.”
“We will respond immediately and very painfully against the Westerners.”
She added that the measures would also include a "ban on Russian funding of EU media, NGOs, and political parties.”
Sputnik and RT television (formerly Russia Today) were already on the EU sanctions list for spreading disinformation and attempting to influence public opinion.
The announcement came just hours after Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova warned that Western journalists may be targeted in response to sanctions.
Writing on the Telegram social media network, she said: “I want to remind all those Brussels hotheads that there are dozens of journalists from EU countries who live very nicely and comfortably in Russia.”
“If such measures are adopted against Russian journalists and media by the EU or by individual countries, then Western journalists will feel our response.”
“We will respond immediately and very painfully against the Westerners.”
Source: PAP/Reuters
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