'Pro-Russian interference networks' exist in European countries, Belgian PM says

Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said that Belgium's intelligence service has confirmed the existence of pro-Russian interference groups at work in several European countries.

De Croo said that Belgian agencies are working closely with the Czech authorities after a pro-Russian influence operation was uncovered there. He said that probe showed that members of the European Parliament were approached and offered money to promote Russian propaganda.

"According to our intelligence service, the objectives of Moscow are very clear. The objective is to help elect more pro-Russian candidates to the European Parliament and to reinforce a certain pro-Russian narrative in that institution," he told reporters.