European Union, russian fakes, ukraine war, Formula of Peace

In Germany, a number of online publications spread a fake that the European Union will introduce a new tax of 80 euros per month for all Europeans in August 2024 to provide for the needs of Ukraine due to the war.

This misinformation was spread by deliberately pro-russian politicians, mass media and bloggers on the eve of the European Parliament elections, which took place on June 9. According to the European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO), the aim of this information campaign was an attempt to undermine support for Ukraine and at the same time strengthen negative sentiments on the continent regarding EU policies.
Who is the author of the fake?
At the end of December 2023, Monika Schnitzer, head of the Economic Advisory Council ("Wirtschaftswirtschaft"), spoke about the idea of ​​"Ukrainian Solo" in an interview with "Rheinische Post". This would be a possible, unpopular measure to solve financial problems that could create an additional burden on the federal budget in connection with the war in Ukraine. Several media picked up this statement from the interview.
In January 2023, this idea was also discussed in the Berlin Tageszeitung. Here, the author wrote about the financial burden that the federal government can levy an "additional income tax levy." Neither the Tageszeitung article nor Schnitzer's interview refers to specific implementation, EU plans or a specific amount. Therefore, the russian "factory of fakes" simply drew up its plot and carefully pushed it to loyal politicians and "journalists".
In an article dated May 30, 2024, Correctiv fact-checkers refuted claims that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky allegedly demanded an 80-euro solidarity tax from every German citizen. There is no evidence for this claim.
Meeting on the reconstruction of Ukraine in Berlin
The strengthening of various fakes regarding Ukraine is also connected with the conference on the recovery of Ukraine, which is scheduled in Berlin a few days after the elections to the European Parliament. On June 11 and 12, 2024, representatives of governments, the private sector, municipalities and regions, as well as civil society will meet to discuss the long-term reconstruction of Ukraine after the war.
In addition, from June 13 to 15, the International Summit "Formula of Peace" will be held, the initiator of which is the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi. The russians are trying in every way to disrupt this event or at least to influence some of the invited world leaders. Today, more than 110 leaders from around the world are known to be participating.