Borrell: We welcome the courage of Russian media and citizens who oppose the war in Ukraine

(Patria) - EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy Josep Borrell issued an official statement today condemning the censorship imposed by Russian authorities on media and the arrest of anti-war protesters across Russia who oppose the war in Ukraine.

"Media censorship imposed by the Russian authorities is escalating in Russia, as is the suppression of peaceful, anti-war protests due to the unprovoked and unjustified military invasion of Ukraine. Yesterday, two more prominent Russian media outlets, Echo of Moscow and TV Rain, were banned, as were the websites of a number of other independent media organizations. Today, Echo of Moscow was liquidated. These media outlets have been silenced because they provided a platform for sources and voices that challenge the falsified picture of the situation on the ground in Ukraine presented by the Russian government and the disinformation network under its control, including state-controlled TV channels.

According to reports, more than 7,600 anti-war protesters in more than 120 cities have been detained since the beginning of the Russian military invasion of Ukraine. It is deeply concerning that a law is currently being drafted in the Russian Duma that will allow for the punishment of those who express opinions that deviate from the official government stance, with a threat of 15 years in prison. We welcome the courage of those Russian citizens who dare to publicly oppose the war that Putin is waging against Ukraine, despite censorship and repression. We welcome Russian independent media and Russian NGOs that defend the values of democracy, the rule of law, and freedom and strive to inform the Russian people about the situation on the ground in Ukraine," Borrell stated.