EU Parliament Officially Condemns Russia's ‘Historical Claims’ to Ukraine

On 23 January, the European Parliament adopted a resolution condemning Russia's use of disinformation to justify its war against Ukraine, as well as the imperialist ideology of the so-called 'Russian world'. This is reported on the website of the European Parliament.  

The resolution entitled ‘Disinformation and falsification of history by Russia to justify its aggressive war against Ukraine’ was adopted with 480 votes in favour. 58 deputies voted against, and 48 abstained.  

The document states that the Russian regime systematically falsifies historical facts to justify its aggression.  

‘The European Parliament condemns the systematic falsification of history and the use of distorted historical arguments by the Russian regime in its attempt to manipulate public opinion to support criminal acts, such as the illegal aggressive war against Ukraine, in order to undermine international aid and assistance to Ukraine and to erase its distinctive cultural and historical identity,’ the resolution says.  

The document also criticises Russia's suppression of attempts to research the crimes of the USSR and public discussions of these issues. It is stated that the Russian authorities are using history for their criminal purposes.  

MEPs call on the European Union to step up the fight against Russian disinformation, expand sanctions against Russian media outlets that spread propaganda in support of aggression, and step up support for independent Russian media working in exile.