Kiesewetter calls for expulsion of further Russian diplomats

Berlin – CDU security politician Roderich Kiesewetter is calling for consequences in light of a significant increase in Russian cyberattacks and sabotage. "We should expel any remaining agents and diplomats," the vice-chairman of the Bundestag's Intelligence Services Control Committee told the "Handelsblatt" (Tuesday edition). The German government had already expelled 40 diplomats from the Russian embassy in April 2022. "Furthermore, the closure of the Russian House in Berlin and other facilities would be advisable," Kiesewetter said. The "Russian House" offers, among other things, cultural events and language courses. It is operated by a Russian government agency belonging to the Moscow Foreign Ministry. It is on the EU sanctions list. The agency has acted for many years "as an umbrella organization for a network of Russian compatriots and agents of influence" and is engaged in Kremlin propaganda, the European Union found. Kiesewetter called for further measures to limit foreign influence, disinformation, and propaganda. "A visa ban for tourists, a ban on propagandists appearing in public, and the shutdown of propaganda portals would be conceivable," said the CDU politician. Kiesewetter also advocated for the introduction of a "disinformation warning app." "This could be an app similar to the federal government's Nina warning app," he said. It could warn the public about disinformation campaigns. "It would be sensible to establish a disinformation intelligence agency," he added. "Such an agency could then itself combat disinformation with hybrid activities."