Who is interested in Dutch voting “Against”?

Upcoming referendum in the Netherlands on the ratification of the EU-Ukraine Association Treaty has become the topical issue for discussion in the Ukrainian as well as in the European media. Numerous observers suppose this referendum to be crucial for both Ukraine and Europe as it is the final chord in a long and thorny path towards signing and ratification of the Treaty. Evidently such a fever couldn’t help drawing attention of the political actors who are trying by hook or by crook to affect the opinion of the Dutch people.

In this article we will touch upon the matter of the Kremlin’s lobbyists in the EU and European parliament who have recently formed a united “Europe of Nations andFreedoms ” faction. This faction is presided by odious Marine Le Pen whose influence is currently growing not only within France but among the far-right parties around the whole Europe. Even though as far as we are concerned it is more important to pay attention to the co-chairman of the above mentioned faction Marcel de Graaff, Dutch politician notorious for his abrupt anti-Islamic statements. In spite of his seemingly patriotic position and well-founded declarations (regardless radical appeals to close mosques and to exile all the Muslims from the country) concerning the necessity to fight with extremist immigrants and jihadists we should always bear in mind that his true political goals differ dramatically from his inherent radical nationalist rhetoric. His honorable post of the “Europe of Nations and Freedoms ” co-chairman gives him no credit on the European political arena and implants doubts in terms of the independence of his political thought. It is an open secret that the members of that faction are rather friendly with the Russian President and by diffusing euro-sceptical sentiments are pouring oil on the flame of European problems which is undoubtedly profitable for Putin who in effect declared the Cold War on Europe. Deeply negative de Graaff’s speeches against the ratification of the EU-Ukraine Association Treaty and his active part in the organization of the referendum make thinking of whose interests de Graaff and his colleagues from the right-wing parties do really stand up for.

At this moment preliminary polls testify that the anti-Ukrainian moods prevail in the Netherlands. However due to proactive efforts in terms of explanatory work of the Netherlands’ governmental and independent media public opinion is tending to shift towards parity which is approved by the figures: a month ago “for” to “against” ratio was 40:60 and now this ratio makes 42:54 and according to some other sources 48:52. Even though there is still a gap… So, what was such a situation spawned by, in the country that earlier treated Ukraine with loyalty?

Such a surge of the anti-Ukrainian moods in the Netherlands was caused by nothing but slanted information feeding and effective manipulation of the facts. For instance certain political forces impose the myth that the upcoming referendum does refer to the Ukraine’s integration into the EU and not to the ratification of the Association treaty. It should be noticed that these forces are headed by Marcel de Graaff and his colleagues from the “Freedom” party

It also should be remarked that hardened anti-Islamic position has always been an inherent Marcel de Graaff’s trait in the same time earlier his speeches has never referred to Ukraine. Suddenly his political views have abruptly changed apparently spurred by his venal interests. Now de Graaff in his public speeches skillfully shifts emphasis from the Islamic threat to that of refugees as a whole implying that voting “against” on the referendum will permit to prevent another refugee wave, this time from Ukraine. Certainly no one mentions that Association Treaty doesn’t contain non-visa regime provision or any other preferences for the Ukraine.

Badly suffering under the burden of the European sanctions Russia undertakes more and more aggressive responsive measures with view to affect the EU via massive information attacks and stirring up special services agents in order to make Europe lift or at least loosen sanctions.

Currently the most vulnerable point of the EU (where all the decisions are taken on the consensus basis) is the referendum in the Netherlands scheduled on the 6th April. That’s why all the efforts of the Russian special services, spin doctors and propagandists are focused on this matter as in case of its positive (for Ukraine) outcome Russia would lose an extremely important lever of pressure on Europe. In such a situation the interests of the fastidious politicians like Marcel de Graaff perfectly meet together with those of Kremlin regarding that he is squeamish about nothing in order to multiply his political as well as individual capital.

Apparently in advance of the referendum Russian propagandists by any means available will strengthen the pressure on the Dutch people. Due to this very reason they ought to remain vigilant and treat critically the flow of slanted and sometimes overtly deceitful information as the Kremlin’s propaganda pitfalls may lurk in wait around any corner!