EU agrees to sanction pro-Russian outlet 'Voice of Europe'

EU member states on Wednesday agreed to impose a broadcast ban on online outlet Voice of Europe, accused of spreading Kremlin propaganda, diplomats said.

The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said bans would also be applied to three Russian media outlets: Izvestiya, Rossiiskaya Gazeta and Ria Novosti.

The intelligence service in the Czech Republic in March busted an alleged Moscow-financed network using Prague-based outlet Voice of Europe to spread Russian propaganda.

Belgian authorities have also opened a probe into accusations the outlet was used to pay European lawmakers to spread Moscow's talking points.

The unmasking of the purported Russian network -- allegedly bankrolled by pro-Kremlin businessman Viktor Medvedchuk -- came as Moscow is accused of stepping up interference operations ahead of EU elections in June.

The EU has already imposed broadcast bans on over a dozen Russian media outlets over the war in Ukraine.

Diplomats said the four latest outlets should be formally added to the blacklist soon.

The EU is at the same time working on a new package of sanctions against Russia over the invasion, that for the first time include targeting its lucrative liquefied natural gas sector.