(Brussels) Belgium will launch an investigation to look into possible interference by Russia in the elections which will be held across Europe next summer.
The Prime Minister of Belgium, Alexander De Croo, confirmed Friday that Belgian intelligence agencies have identified that a pro-Russian network has interfered in the activities of several European countries, including Belgium, in particular to undermine support for ‘Ukraine.
According to Belgium’s intelligence services, Moscow’s objective is to help elect pro-Russian candidates to the European Parliament to strengthen a certain pro-Russian discourse within this institution.
De Croo, whose country currently holds the rotating presidency of the European Union, added that the idea behind the alleged Russian interference is to undermine support for Ukraine, in order to allow Russia to make gains. on the battlefield.
The next European elections will take place from June 6 to 9 to elect a new European Parliament.
Mr. De Croo assured that Belgian prosecutors were taking action. He stressed that “the cash payments did not take place in Belgium, but the interference did”.
“These are serious concerns and that is why I have taken action,” he said.
“We cannot allow this type of Russian threat among us. We must act, and we must act both at national level and at European level. »
He provided no details about those suspected of interference.
Belgian agencies are working in particular in collaboration with the Czech authorities after the discovery of a pro-Russian influence operation in this country. Mr De Croo stressed that the investigation had shown that members of the European Parliament had been approached and offered money to promote Russian propaganda.
European Union countries have injected billions of euros into Ukraine, as well as significant quantities of weapons and ammunition. They also imposed sanctions on senior Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin, banks, businesses and the energy sector.
But as the war drags on and Russian troops appear to hold a slight advantage, that support becomes increasingly difficult to maintain. Hungary, Mr. Putin’s closest European supporter, has delayed the flow of funds to Ukraine and is demanding peace talks.
In 2022, Belgian authorities also discovered an influence peddling operation in the European Parliament involving Qatari officials. The Qatari government has denied the allegations.