Key facts
- The European Commission denies Russia's accusations of election interference.
- EU spokesperson Anitta Hipper stated the EU does not interfere in elections, unlike Russia.
- Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service claimed the EU is preparing a strategy to destabilize Russia.
- Moscow alleged the EU is planning provocations and cyberattacks related to Russia's upcoming parliamentary elections.
- The Commission highlighted Russia's repressive political system and laws as contrary to free and fair elections.
The European Commission has refuted claims made by Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service that the bloc is preparing to interfere in Russia's upcoming parliamentary elections. Anitta Hipper, a spokesperson for the EU Commission, stated on August 31 that the European Union does not interfere in elections, drawing a direct contrast with Russia's alleged practices.
Russia's intelligence service had claimed that the EU is orchestrating a large-scale strategy to destabilize Russia as it approaches its September parliamentary elections. According to Russian state media, Moscow also accused the EU of planning provocations at polling stations both within Russia and abroad, and of discussing cyberattacks on Russian election infrastructure with Ukrainian officials. Russia further alleged that Western nations have instructed opposition groups based overseas to declare Russia's elections illegitimate.