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Kremlin Pledges Action of EU's Freedom of Speech 'Clampdown'

Ilya Pitalev / TASS

The Kremlin has condemned what it claims to be a “trend restricting freedom of speech” in Europe.

Presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that the “trend” was of “great concern," the Interfax news agency reported Tuesday.

“Limiting the freedom of the media, and freedom of speech is contrary to our common understanding of democracy,” he told reporters.

"There is no Russian propaganda campaign against the EU:" Read how Russia's Foreign Ministry lashed out as European Parliament ruling

Peskov’s words came after the European Parliament condemned Russia's state media in a non-legislative resolution passed on Nov. 23. The ruling labelled Kremlin-controlled outlets such as RT and Sputnik “disinformation and propaganda” designed to “increase Russia's influence and weaken the EU.”

The motion passed by 304 votes to 179, with 208 abstentions.

Peskov said that the Kremlin “would be taking action” on the matter, claiming that some Western governments wished to restrict their audience to “what they count as a single source of truth.”

"It's all subject to serious discussion,” Peskov said.

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