Kremlin bans 81 European news outlets as Russia prepares to put US journalist on trial

Russia’s Foreign Ministry issued bans on the distribution of 81 media outlets from 25 European Union member states on Tuesday. The bans are a retaliation to the EU’s own block on some Russian outlets and broadcasters, issued in May.

The ministry accused the European outlets — including France’s Agence France-Presse, Austria’s ORF state TV company, Ireland’s RTE broadcaster, and Politico — of “systematically distributing inaccurate information” about Russia’s “special military operation” — the Kremlin’s terminology for the war in Ukraine.