Reinhold Lopatka (PPE). – Madam President, dear colleagues, Russia's action in Ukraine demonstrates how disinformation can be weaponised to justify aggression. By distorting history, Moscow frames its invasion as legitimate, falsely asserting that Ukraine is not a sovereign nation, as it was mentioned before by my colleagues.

These tactics also aim to divide Europe and the Western world. The Kremlin state-controlled media spreads false narratives and creates divisions among EU Member States and among their Euro-Atlantic allies, in order to weaken and also to make us in a way weaker that our cooperation, our unity, is not as strong enough. This manipulation also extends globally, depicting the West as the aggressor and Russia as the victim.

The EU and the Member States must actively counter these false narratives by promoting accurate historical accounts from reputable sources and based on verified facts. We must also seek accountability for Russia's actions.

Disinformation is part of a broader campaign of aggression. Holding Russia accountable means addressing both its crimes and information warfare that supports them. Ultimately, truth is the strongest ally of Ukraine. By combating disinformation, we defend our principles of democracy, human rights and the international, rules-based order.