The European Council has imposed sanctions on two Russian organisations accused of spreading propaganda and disinformation from Moscow.
The measures, announced on Tuesday by the European Council, target media platform Euromore and the Foundation for the Support and Protection of the Rights of Compatriots Living Abroad (Pravfond).
The Council stated that Pravfond’s “legal and analytical output is systematically used to reinforce key Kremlin disinformation points.”
These sanctions mean an asset freeze for the entities, prohibiting EU citizens and companies from providing them with funds, financial assets, or economic resources.
Moscow has consistently denied allegations of spreading disinformation, asserting that EU leaders exaggerate the Russian threat for political gain.
Russian officials also claim the EU repeatedly curtails freedom of expression by banning media that challenge its worldview.
Euromore and Pravfond did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the new sanctions.
The EU has imposed sanctions on 69 people and 19 entities over Russian activities that it says “undermine the fundamental values of the EU and its member states, their security, stability, independence and integrity.”
Russia has been accused of malicious involvement in a series of elections both inside and outside Europe, most famously in the 2016 US election which saw Donald Trump elected for his first term.
According to the US Intelligence Community, Russia launched a “hacking and disinformation campaign” at the direct orders of president Vladimir Putin, in order to damage Democrat candidate Hillary Clinton’s chances of becoming president and help Trump take office in the White House.
Both Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump denied that Russia had meddled in the 2016 election.
Since 2016, Moscow has appeared to make efforts to meddle in a series of elections across Europe, boosting the chances of parties and figures who are deemed pro-Russia, or at least take a far softer stance on Russia.
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