The European Union has taken decisive action against Russian influence in Europe by sanctioning Oleg Eremenko, a former Russian spy turned businessman in Berlin.
Source: Reuters
A Reuters investigation revealed that Berlin-based businessman Oleg Eremenko was a former officer in Russia’s GRU military intelligence agency who had established ties with German far-left movements and was lobbying for Berlin to end its isolation of Vladimir Putin’s Russia.
It stated that he was acting as an envoy of the Russian state security apparatus, “cultivating links to and supporting anti-democratic organisations within Germany.” Thus, he contributed to undermining democracy, the rule of law, and the constitutional order in the country.
The EU sanctions include freezing all of Eremenko’s assets within member states and banning his entry into the bloc.
Officials across Europe have alleged that the Russian state is orchestrating a campaign to clandestinely influence public opinion and weaken European governments’ support for Ukraine in its war with Russia.
On December 16, the Council of the European Union for the first time applied a new sanctions mechanism aimed at individuals and organizations involved in Russia’s destabilizing activities abroad. The measures affected Unit 29155, a secret unit of Russia’s GRU military intelligence service.
