Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-001677/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Pina Picierno (S&D)
Vladimir Solovyev, a well-known Russian journalist and television presenter considered one of the Kremlin’s leading propagandists, was added to the European Union’s sanctions list on 23 February 2022. His assets were frozen and he was banned from entering Member States, including Italy, where his properties worth EUR 8 million were seized.
In March 2025, his planned appearance on the programme ‘Lo Stato delle cose’ on Italian state television (Rai 3) was cancelled following a report.
The Italian platform Byoblu, which has always been aligned with Russian narrative, continues to play a key role in spreading Kremlin propaganda, supporting the war of aggression against Ukraine and promoting narratives hostile to the EU and its democratic values, including attacks such as that by spokesperson Zakharova against President Mattarella. On 24 April 2025, that platform announced a new invitation to Solovyev.
In light of the above, can the Commission answer the following:
- 1.Is the Commission aware of the practice of two Italian media outlets issuing invitations to Solovyev, in breach of EU sanctions?
- 2.What measures does it intend to take to ensure compliance and combat pro-Russian disinformation in the Union?
Submitted: 25.4.2025