Fernand Kartheiser, a right-wing Member of the European Parliament from Luxembourg, is set to travel to Moscow early next week at the invitation of Russia’s State Duma to engage in discussions concerning Ukraine, as he announced on Friday.
During his visit on Monday and Tuesday, Kartheiser is expected to meet not only with fellow parliamentarians but also with Russia’s deputy foreign minister and the director of bilateral relations at the foreign ministry. He emphasized his intention to address critical issues surrounding peace in Ukraine.
“In all those meetings, I am going to talk about peace in Ukraine,” Kartheiser stated. “I will also raise the issue of human rights in Russia, and I will, in general terms, discuss the current worrying state of international relations,” he added.
Kartheiser revealed that he is funding this trip personally, stating, “given that the European Parliament is blocking MEPs’ diplomatic efforts to meet with the Russian Federation.” He also confirmed that he will not receive support from external sources.
In a video shared on social media, the lawmaker expressed his aim to discuss Luxembourg’s bilateral relations with Russia further, saying, “On the issues that still divide us, we will try to build bridges and seek common solutions; and on the issues that unite us, we will try to reestablish channels of cooperation.”
Political backlash from ECR
Kartheiser’s decision to engage with Russian officials has drawn criticism from his political group in the European Parliament, the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), which has distanced itself from his actions and is contemplating his expulsion from the group.
Stephen Jones, a spokesperson for the ECR, noted that Kartheiser is traveling to Moscow “in an individual capacity as a guest of the Russian authorities, with a program organized by the Russian authorities.”
“Our group’s unequivocal position on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine remains just as unequivocal as it was yesterday, and just as unequivocal as it will be tomorrow,” Jones asserted.
The ECR has been vocal in condemning Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, with many members advocating for military assistance to Ukraine. The leadership has been in discussions regarding Kartheiser’s pro-Russian stance and the potential for his removal from the group.
Precedent for EU lawmakers visiting Russia
Patryk Jaki, co-chair of the ECR, indicated his intent to initiate a motion for Kartheiser’s expulsion if he proceeds with his visit. He highlighted the ECR’s long-standing opposition to attempts to reset relations with Moscow, referencing past projects like the Nord Stream pipeline.
Moreover, a spokesperson for the European Parliament, Delphine Colard, reiterated that members who travel to Moscow do so “in a personal capacity.” This statement follows previous visits by other EU lawmakers, including Cypriot non-attached MEP Fidias Panayiotou, which have sparked controversy and calls for investigations into potential misuse of Parliament funds.