Germany withdraws pro-Russian observer from EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia

According to an investigation by a journalist for the German publication Südwestrundfunk (SWR), it was found that due to views in support of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russia in the war against Ukraine, Germany recently withdrew a soldier from the EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia (EUMM).

According to investigators, the Center for International Peacekeeping Operations (ZIF), where the German personnel of the mission serve, was unable to disclose the point of view of serviceman Sergei E., despite the fact that he passed the mandatory verification stage.

The investigation found that ZIF and the German Foreign Ministry first became aware of the views of this person in October 2022 – a few weeks after his arrival in the country – and then took the necessary steps to terminate his service in Georgia.

Concern was first raised after it emerged that there was “incomplete and conflicting” information about him, including his posts on Facebook and the Russian social network VKontakte, as well as on other platforms where, in the context of the war in Ukraine and other previous conflicts, he has repeatedly acted on the side of Russia.

It should be noted that the soldier is a member of the far-right and pro-Russian party Alternative for Germany.

Regarding the outcome of the investigation, MEP Viola von Cramon tweeted that “we need to be more careful about who from Germany is sent to EU International Missions. The safety criteria must be reviewed immediately.”

“You can’t send a person from Germany on secret missions who can work for the enemy,” she stressed.

The EU monitoring mission in Georgia confirmed this information to Civil Georgia, but the mission did not give any additional comments.