EU Officially Bans Russia’s RT, Sputnik Outlets

The European Union officially banned the Kremlin-backed media outlets RT and Sputnik in the EU Wednesday morning.

This move is supposed to crack down on Russian disinformation amid Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. The ban covers any means of transmission or distribution, such as cable, satellite, Internet Protocol television, internet service providers, video-sharing platforms and applications carrying content from RT and Sputnik. Licenses, authorizations and distribution agreements will also be suspended.

Moreover, the sanctions target Sputnik as well as five legal entities of RT, formerly known as Russia Today: RT English, RT UK, RT DE for German-language reports, RT France and RT en Español for Spanish-language reports.

“We are convinced that we have our legal basis and we actually expect these measures to be challenged. We have independent courts that will review our measures if there is an application and we will defend them in court,” an EU official told reporters ahead of the sanctions' publication.

“[The measures] are also limited in time, because they should be maintained until the aggression is put to an end and until Russia and its media outlets cease to conduct propaganda actions against the Union and the member states,” the official added.