REUTERS
The European Union admits that national security is a prerogative of the Ukrainian authorities, at the same time noting Brussels expects that the restrictive measures do not affect the right to free expression, that’s according to a statement by Jurgis Vilcinskas, Head of the Press and Information Section at the EU Delegation to Ukraine.
“We are aware of the decision of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine to block a number of Russia-based online services including popular social media platforms in Ukraine in the framework of therestrictive measures adopted by Ukraine,” the EU Delegation said.
“We have heard the public statements of the Ukrainian authorities that the decision was based on national information security concerns and that over the past months Ukraine has been the target of numerous disinformation campaigns and cyber-attacks,” the diplomats wrote.
Read alsoUkrainian ban on Russian products: can Russia retaliate?“We recognise that the protection of national security is the prerogative of the Ukrainian government,” reads the statement.
“However, we expect the authorities to ensure that restrictive measures taken on the grounds of national security do not have a negative impact on the fundamental right to free expression,” Jurgis Vilcinskas wrote.
Read alsoInformational Policy Ministry brands banned Russian social networks "instruments of hybrid war"At the same time, the EU Delegation to Ukraine looks forward to further explanations of the Ukrainian authorities, including as to the temporary nature of the said measures.