Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday that the EU parliament resolution on countering Russian media is a ‘stunt’ by a number of member states.
On Wednesday, the EU Parliament adopted a draft resolution proposed by EU lawmaker from Poland Anna Elzbieta Fotyga on EU strategic communication to counteract propaganda against the bloc by third parties, which says that Russia is allegedly engaged in propaganda against the European Union.
“I would not call what happened yesterday the European Parliament passing a resolution, I can call it a stunt by a number of parliamentarians of the European Parliament,” Zakharova said, stressing that Moscow is not engaged in propaganda against the European Union.
“This document equates, I would like to stress, the Kremlin’s alleged propaganda war against the west to propaganda methods used by the Islamic State [ISIL] terrorist organization which is banned in Russia … We have repeatedly said, and I would to reiterate, that the Russian side is not leading any propaganda against the European Union, if there are any internal issues in the European Union, the reason behind these issues should be found within, not in third parties’ propaganda,” Zakharova said.
“The resolution is full of phobias and inventions,” Zakharova underscored, expressing hope that no practical steps will be taken to limit the work of Russian media in the EU.
“We hope that this resolution will not be followed by practical steps to restrict the work of Russian media outlets. There is a reason for such hope, because the passage of this document triggered a colossal wave of opposition in the European Union itself.”
“If the resolution is implemented in practice, Moscow will take retaliation measures,” the Russian official warned, elaborating that Moscow’s response will be reciprocal.
Zakharova called the US State Department’s assessment of the situation in Syria ‘biased and unprofessional’: “The US State Department has a biased view on Damascus’ actions, but fails to notice crimes conducted by militants in Syria.”
She pointed out that attempts taken by the US and their allies to protect militant groups in Syria equates to “aiding international terrorism,” expressing hope that Washington will have a ‘more realistic position’ on the Syrian issue with the presidential election over.
Source: Sputnik
