Recital 21

(21) Decision (CFSP) 2024/1744 introduces a prohibition on the acceptance, by political parties, foundations, alliances, non-governmental organisations, including think tanks, and media service providers in the Union, of financing, donations or any other economic benefits or support from Russia, whether directly or indirectly. In view of the continued concerted efforts by Russia to interfere with democratic processes in the Union and to undermine its democratic foundations, including through influence campaigns and the promotion of disinformation aimed at undermining the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine and through promoting pro-Russian propaganda aimed at justifying and supporting Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, it is appropriate that funding from Russia and its proxies to actors in the Union which form part of the public-opinion forming processes be prohibited. Those propaganda and disinformation campaigns are capable of undermining the foundations of democratic societies and are an integral part of the arsenal of modern hybrid attacks. Restricting that financial support aims to safeguard the integrity of the Union’s political processes, protect Union citizens from manipulation and defend the internal affairs of the Union from malign interference by ensuring the protection of the principles of rule of law, democracy and media pluralism. Member States can counter such interference with democratic processes and undermining of democratic foundations, as appropriate within the confines of existing national compliance frameworks. Consistent with the fundamental rights and freedoms recognised in the Charter, in particular with the right to freedom of expression and information, the freedom to conduct a business and the right to property as recognised in Articles 11, 16 and 17, respectively, thereof, that restriction does not prevent media service providers and their staff from carrying out any other activities in the Union, such as research and interviews. Moreover, that restriction does not modify the obligation to respect the rights, freedoms and principles referred to in Article 6 of the Treaty on European Union, including in the Charter, and in Member States’ constitutions, within their respective fields of application.

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Source: EUR-Lex (Cellar) · retrieved 2026-10-17 · Text as adopted (Official Journal); later amendments are not incorporated in this text.