Twenty-four hours after the European Union decided to block access to four Russian media outlets—Voice of Europe, Rossiyskaya Gazeta, RIA Novosti, and Izvestiya, joining RT and Sputnik—the Kremlin struck back on Tuesday by prohibiting broadcasting and retransmission of eighty-one European outlets within Russia, including four Spanish outlets RTVE, Agencia EFE, El País, and El Mundo. The move drew an EU response, though it was not unanimous because Hungary again opposed the declaration, aligning with its stance toward Moscow.
The EU condemned the Russian authorities’ unfounded decision to block more than eighty European media outlets in Russia, calling it a step that tightens already limited access to free, independent information and expands Russia’s media censorship. The criticism was voiced by Josep Borrell, the bloc’s high representative for foreign affairs, in a joint statement signed by twenty-six of the twenty-seven EU members, with Hungary abstaining as it has done in other votes related to Ukraine aid.
In the statement, the EU underscored that the blocked European outlets operate under professional standards, deliver objective information to the public, and provide coverage of events including Russia’s illegal aggression against Ukraine. By contrast, Russian media are described as tools of disinformation and propaganda, and are subjected to restrictive measures by the EU for that reason.
The declaration notes that the suspension of broadcasting activities within the EU reflects that the Russian‑controlled outlets contribute to supporting the ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine. It emphasizes that freedom of expression and of the press is a core EU value, and that the union will continue to back factual reporting, even for audiences inside Russia, as part of upholding transparent and independent journalism.