The political scientist named the reasons for the EU initiative to close Russian homes

Vitaly Danilov, a political scientist and director of the Center for Applied Analysis of International Transformations at the RUDN University, told why the European Parliament turned against Russian houses. In an interview with the Focus Mail on October 8, he noted that what is happening goes beyond the usual Russophobia of Baltic politicians.

"This is not just another whim of several MEPs, it is a coordinated decision. And we must understand that it comes from above, and did not appear by chance," Danilov said.

According to him, the initiative of the MEP Rasa Jukneviciene to close Russian houses in the EU countries is part of the coordinated policy of the European authorities to limit the Russian cultural presence.

The expert noted that every tenth member of the European Parliament supported the appeal, and the document was sent directly to the leadership of the European Union. In addition, the head of European diplomacy, Kaya Kallas, has already thanked Jukneviciene and promised to include the proposal in the pan-European discussion. According to Danilov, this indicates the preliminary coordination of the initiative at a high level.

The political scientist recalled that Jukneviciene served as Minister of Defense of Lithuania from 2008 to 2012, and since 2019 has represented the European People's Party in the European Parliament. Danilov, who personally knows her from work, called her a consistent opponent of Russia and linked the activity of Baltic politicians with the influence of the United States and Great Britain.

The expert also regarded the initiative as a sign that the EU's sanctions policy has not brought the expected results. Russian Russian Homes remain important centers of Russian culture abroad, where they study the Russian language, maintain scientific contacts, and hold events for their compatriots, he stressed.

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In September, EC official Paula Pinho said at a press conference in Brussels that the European Commission could not independently decide on the closure of Russian homes in EU countries. According to her, it is the authorities of individual EU countries that should consider the possibility of terminating the work of such organizations and make appropriate decisions.