The news presenter of the Russian state television, Ekaterina Andreeva, one of the emblematic figures of “Pervîi Kanal” and close to Vladimir Putin, has been sanctioned by the European Union. Until recently, Andreeva led a comfortable lifestyle in Europe, holding Montenegrin and Honduran citizenship, and only came to Russia to record the weekly edition of the “Vremia” program, in which she promoted pro-Kremlin propaganda narratives and messages hostile to the West.
According to European authorities, the show has moved to openly promoting violence, including calls for military attacks against European capitals. In this context, the EU decided to impose sanctions. Ekaterina Andreeva has been banned from entering the European space, and her assets have been frozen.
The document states that:
“Andreeva constantly spreads disinformation and propaganda about the war of aggression against Ukraine and supports the armed forces of the Russian Federation, as well as the so-called “People’s Republics” of Donetsk and Lugansk.
She frequently praises Vladimir Putin’s regime and broadcasts disinformation and propaganda about Ukraine, but also about the West. Moreover, Andreeva hosted the show “Direct Line with Vladimir Putin” twice, in 2001 and 2007, commented on Putin’s inaugurations in 2004, 2012 and 2018, and even commented on the military parade on May 9. Andreeva claims to write all her presentation texts without editors.
Therefore, Ekaterina Andreeva is responsible for implementing, supporting and benefiting from the actions and policies attributed to the Government of the Russian Federation, which undermine or threaten democracy, the rule of law, stability and security in the Union and in a third country (Ukraine), through the use of informational manipulation and interference, as well as by supporting a violent conflict in a third country.”
The presenter is said to own real estate properties in Europe worth approximately 10 million euros, as well as significant bank accounts. Ekaterina Andreeva’s case joins other situations where Kremlin propagandists, critics of the West in the public space, have for years enjoyed life in the states they denigrated.
Ekaterina Andreeva is one of the main news presenters of Russian state television. She is the presenter and main image of the news program “Vremia” from “Pervîi Kanal” since 1997.