INGE COMMITTEE MEPS VISIT UKRAINE

On February 20-21, a delegation of MEPs from the delegation of the European Parliament’s Special Committee on foreign interference in all democratic processes in the European Union, On February 20-21, a delegation of MEPs from the delegation of the European Parliament’s Special Committee on foreign interference in all democratic processes in the European Union, including disinformation and strengthening integrity, transparency and accountability in the European Parliament (ING2), led by Raphaël Glucksmann, and including Javier Zarzalejos, visited Kiev, the Ukrainian capital to discuss with their Ukrainian counterparts strategies and practices to counter Russian interference.

Expressing solidarity with the Ukrainian people, the MEPs emphasized the European Parliament’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s incredible efforts to counter Russian aggression, which not only takes the form of conventional warfare, but also foreign interference and hybrid warfare, including manipulation of information.

The MEPs expressed their admiration for the Ukrainian efforts to increase resilience in the face of the hybrid warfare orchestrated by Russia, including the ability to keep the Ukrainian critical infrastructure in operation. The delegation further stressed the need for increased cooperation in EU support to Ukraine, also in terms of support to civil society organizations, which play an important role in countering Russian aggression in the information environment.

The MEPs met with Minister of Culture and Information Policy Oleksandr Tkachenko, Minister of Energy Herman Halushchenko, First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Oleksandr Kornienko, Deputy Head of the President’s Office Igor Zhovka, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Oleksiy Danilov, as well as with deputies of the Verkhovna Rada, various Ukrainian authorities and civil society organizations.

Other meetings were held on the recent media reform law and the latest developments in the fight against corruption. MEPs also met with members of the EU Delegation to Ukraine and the EU Consultative Mission (EUMM).

“We went to Kiev to strengthen bilateral cooperation with our Ukrainian friends in the fight against Russian disinformation and other manipulative operations orchestrated by Vladimir Putin’s services. We need to join forces in this global battle of narratives against manipulative disinformation produced by Russia and amplified by countries like China.

Just as there is a Ramstein Defense Contact Group, we need a Ramstein-style group on information integrity,” said Glucksmann.

In addition to the President and Javier Zarzalejos, the delegation included the following MEPs: Heidi Hautala (Greens, Finland), Javier Zarzalejos (EPP, Spain), Lukas Mandl (EPP, Austria), Bart Groothuis (Renew Europe, Netherlands) and Tomáš Zdechovský (EPP, Czech Republic).