Medvedchuk sanctioned by EU for a second time — now over hybrid threats
On May 20, the European Union added former Ukrainian MP Viktor Medvedchuk to its sanctions list for the second time, the EU Council press service reported.
In May 2024, Medvedchuk was sanctioned under the EU’s regime targeting "military aggression against Ukraine," and now again under a new regime aimed at countering hybrid threats.
According to the EU Council, Medvedchuk, through his aides Artem Marchevskyi and Oleh Voloshyn (who were also sanctioned), controlled several media outlets and used them to disseminate pro-Russian propaganda both in Ukraine and abroad.
By covertly financing the media channel Voice of Europe (also on the sanctions list) and through his political platform Other Ukraine, Medvedchuk promoted narratives and activities intended to undermine the legitimacy and credibility of the Ukrainian government.
These efforts directly supported the foreign policy goals of the Russian Federation and contributed to the spread of pro-Russian disinformation.
- Also on May 20, the European Union approved its 17th package of sanctions against Russia.
- Earlier, on January 13, 2023, the Verkhovna Rada stripped Medvedchuk of his parliamentary mandate, and in May 2023, he lost his status as a lawyer. Medvedchuk and his wife currently reside in Russia, where he was sent in a prisoner exchange for captured Ukrainian servicemen.
