BRUSSELS (AP) — The leaders of Belgium and the Czech Republic are warning their European Union partners to take urgent action to prevent Russian interference in June’s Europe-wide elections, after the two countries’ intelligence services uncovered evidence of attempts to bribe EU lawmakers.
“We simply cannot allow Russia to get away with such a blatant attack on our democratic institutions and principles,” Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo and his Czech counterpart Peter Fiala said in a letter, as EU leaders held a summit in Brussels on Thursday.
“We must arm ourselves against this, both at national and European level,” they wrote.
Last week, with campaigning for the June 6-9 starting to gather momentum, De Croo said that Belgium’s intelligence service has confirmed the existence of a network trying to undermine European support for Ukraine in its war against Russia.
Liverpool confirms Arne Slot as Jurgen Klopp's replacement
Indonesia's Mount Ruang volcano eruptions trigger tsunami alert
Indonesia's Mount Ruang erupts and shuts an airport as residents leave homes
Moment Home Office cops kick down door in dawn raid to smash 'sophisticated' people
Champions League semis: Bayern hosts Madrid then Dortmund welcomes PSG
Russian missiles slam into a Ukraine city and kill 17 people as the war approaches a critical stage
Why US Catholics are planning pilgrimages in communities across the nation
Portuguese bodybuilder 'Monster', who claimed to be the 'most shredded ever', dies aged 46
Young Boys seals 6th Swiss soccer league title in 7 years after rallying from firing coach Wicky
Bank of England boss Andrew Bailey forecasts big inflation drop