Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-002032/2025
to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
Rule 144
Pina Picierno (S&D)
Given the current geopolitical context and the restrictive measures adopted by the European Union against the Russian Federation, I would like to bring to your attention that a number of pro-Russian organisations are currently active in Italy, where they are registered as associations, bilateral friendship groups, economic/commercial entities and Italo-Russian culture and language institutions.
These entities have worked assiduously to organise conferences and public events and to disseminate propaganda that is clearly sanctioned by Vladimir Putin’s regime and which is predominantly produced by outlets that are on EU sanctions lists, an example being Russia Today.
In my capacity as Vice-Chair of the Bureau’s Working Group on Communication, Awareness and Research, I have initiated monitoring activities against these organisations.
Given the clear evidence pointing to the existence of coordinated disinformation and interference campaigns, which by their very nature violate both the EU’s sanctions and the principles of democracy:
- 1.Is the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy aware of these ubiquitous propaganda and disinformation networks?
- 2.What steps will she take to prevent and tackle the dissemination of Russian propaganda in Italy and to ensure the effective implementation of sanctions against those entities in the Putin regime’s influence network that are masquerading as associations and cultural organisations?
Submitted: 21.5.2025