Moscow: Adenauer Foundation is an unwanted organization
The foundation close to the CDU, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, has been declared an unwanted organization in Russia, effectively a ban. While the foundation has set goals like supporting European unity, it is said to have an "openly provocative character aimed at deteriorating relations between Russia and Western countries," according to the General Prosecutor's Office in Moscow.
The organization distributes materials that discredit Russia's leadership, politics, and legal institutions, and supports the stance of unfriendly states regarding Moscow's war against Ukraine, the General Prosecutor's Office added. The foundation's information policy aims to advance Russia's political and economic isolation on the global stage.
Moreover, it is said to strengthen resistance in the regions of the military special operation - the official Kremlin term for the war. Critics argue that Russia's law on unwanted organizations lacks legal grounds as it's unclear which actions lead to being classified as unwanted.
Russia has declared numerous institutions, including foundations and the renowned German Historical Institute, as unwanted since the start of the war. However, most German non-governmental organizations have already closed their offices in the country due to the Russian invasion.
The European Union has expressed concern over Russia's decision to declare the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, a foundation associated with the CDU, an unwanted organization. Despite the European Union's Union's commitment to fostering European unity, this move further strains relations between the European Union and Russia.
