EU’s Borrell Condemns Russia's 'Totally Unfounded' Move To Block 81 News Outlets

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has condemned Russia’s decision to block 81 European media outlets in 25 European Union countries. "This decision further restricts access to free and independent information and expands the already severe media censorship in Russia," Borrell said in a statement on June 26. Borrell called the decision "totally unfounded," saying the European media outlets "give factual information, also to Russian audiences, including on Russia's illegal war of aggression against Ukraine." Moscow announced its ban on June 25 in retaliation for a May EU ban on Russian media outlets. Borrell said the EU's ban was due to the control Russian authorities have over the outlets, which he said were "instrumental in supporting the war of aggression against Ukraine."