European Parliament Condemns Russia’s Historical Revisionism and Disinformation Campaign
The European Parliament has adopted a resolution strongly condemning the Russian regime’s systematic manipulation of historical narratives to justify its ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine. MEPs denounce these attempts to undermine Ukraine’s history and national identity as a blatant strategy to legitimize an illegal invasion. The resolution highlights Russia’s failure to acknowledge and address Soviet-era crimes, alongside its suppression of historical research and open dialogue on these sensitive topics. This suppression, the Parliament argues, has directly contributed to the resurgence of imperialist policies within the Kremlin and the cynical instrumentalization of history to serve its aggressive agenda. The European Parliament stresses the urgency of countering this disinformation campaign and urges concrete actions to protect democratic processes and societal resilience.
The resolution calls for a significant escalation and better coordination of efforts by the EU and its member states to counter Russian disinformation and foreign information manipulation. MEPs emphasize the importance of a multi-pronged approach, including promoting media literacy among citizens, supporting high-quality journalism, and investing in research to understand and counter new hybrid influence technologies. These measures are deemed essential to safeguard democratic integrity and strengthen the resilience of European societies against malicious information campaigns.
The European Parliament specifically urges the expansion of sanctions against Russian media outlets involved in disseminating disinformation that promotes the war against Ukraine. MEPs call on EU member states to rigorously enforce existing sanctions and dedicate sufficient resources to effectively combat this form of hybrid warfare. Furthermore, the Parliament advocates increased support for exiled independent Russian media outlets to foster a diversity of voices within the Russian-language media landscape. This is seen as a vital step in countering the Kremlin’s control over information and providing alternative perspectives to Russian-speaking populations.
The resolution expresses deep concern over recent decisions by some social media companies to relax fact-checking and moderation rules. MEPs warn that these changes could further amplify Russia’s disinformation campaign globally. Specifically, the Parliament calls on the European Commission and member states to rigorously enforce the Digital Services Act in response to these actions by companies like Meta and X (formerly Twitter). This enforcement is considered a crucial element in the fight against Russian disinformation and the broader effort to maintain a healthy online information environment.
The European Parliament’s condemnation of Russia’s historical revisionism and disinformation campaign underscores the growing international concern over the Kremlin’s manipulation of narratives and its impact on the war in Ukraine and beyond. The resolution represents a strong call to action for the EU and its member states to bolster their defenses against disinformation and protect the integrity of democratic processes in the face of an increasingly sophisticated information war. The emphasis on supporting independent media and holding social media platforms accountable reflects a growing recognition of the vital role these actors play in shaping public opinion and the urgent need to address their vulnerability to manipulation.
The resolution adopted by a significant majority of MEPs (480 votes in favour, 58 against, and 48 abstentions) signals a united front within the European Parliament against Russia’s disinformation tactics. This overwhelming support demonstrates a clear determination to counter the Kremlin’s information warfare and protect democratic values across the EU. The resolution’s detailed recommendations offer a roadmap for action, urging a coordinated and comprehensive response to the multifaceted challenge posed by Russian disinformation. The EU’s response to this call for action will be crucial in shaping the future information landscape and safeguarding democratic resilience in the face of ongoing threats.