European Parliament deplores "Russian World" ideology
The European Parliament has expressed concerns over weakened fact-checking and moderation on social media, which could facilitate the spread of Russian disinformation.
The European Parliament adopted a resolution condemning Russia’s use of disinformation to justify its war in Ukraine. According to the legislative body’s website, 480 members voted in favor of the resolution, 58 voted against, and 48 abstained.
The resolution rejects Russia’s "historical claims" over Ukraine as a justification for its illegal war.
The European Parliament expressed alarm over the declining quality of fact-checking and moderation on social media, warning that this could aid the dissemination of Russian disinformation.
The resolution called on the EU to enhance coordination in countering Russian propaganda and expand sanctions against Russian media. It emphasized the importance of combating disinformation and historical manipulation.
Ruslan Stefanchuk, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, added that the document condemns the lack of accountability for crimes committed by the Soviet regime, along with historical manipulation and the glorification of totalitarianism.
Key points of the resolution include:
- A call for Russia to cease creating a "cult of victory," justifying totalitarianism, and denying responsibility for crimes committed by the Soviet regime.
- Recognition of Russia’s aggression as a continuation of its imperialist policies, with condemnation of Kremlin crimes from the war in Chechnya to the annexation of Crimea and the invasion of Donbas.
- Rejection of Russia’s historical revisionism and its denial of Ukraine’s national identity.
- A demand for the immediate withdrawal of Russian troops from occupied territories, the return of deported individuals, and the establishment of a tribunal to investigate crimes of aggression.
- The resolution underscores the necessity of intensified efforts to protect truth and historical justice amid Russian aggression.
As the UOJ previously reported, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) does not support or align itself with the ideology of the "Russian World".
Furthermore, His Beatitude Onuphry, Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine, has publicly expressed the Church’s stance: "We are not building any Russian World; we are building God’s World". Commenting on the UOC ban, the Primate noted, "Everyone is looking for a spiritual centre we are governed from. There is such a centre, but it is in heaven. There is the Founder of our Church, the Head of our Church, whose name is our Lord Jesus Christ."