Rototom Forum Sparks Debate Over Guest Choices

Associations of Ukrainian refugees in Spain, the Russian opposition in exile, and groups aligned with the Social Forum of Rototom reggae festival gathered in Castellón this Wednesday. The event drew Italian politicians who offered apologies for Vladimir Putin, alongside figures from a Russian government channel once banned in Europe after the Ukrainian crisis. The gathering featured statements from individuals with controversial trajectories, including Alessandro Di Battista and Inna Afinogenova, who were seen praising the Russian leader and advocating Moscow’s interests, while also promoting narratives about Ukraine that have been used to justify Kremlin actions. The assembly relied on invitations and support from public institutions associated with the event’s organizers. The message conveyed underscored unity for peace, yet Ukrainian associations saw clear contradictions in the conference’s organization. This assessment appeared in KRAI, a platform uniting the Ukrainian diaspora across Spain, which expressed discomfort with the Kremlin-linked guests who publicly defended Russia and condemned alleged Russian Army atrocities in places like Bucha or Izium.