The European Union announced it withdrew sponsorship for the Disinfo2026 conference held in Lithuania, citing discomfort with the event’s framing. Several media reports suggested that the EU’s decision came after pressure from the U.S. State Department, but EU officials did not confirm or deny these claims.
The European External Action Service (EEAS), together with the governments of Canada and Lithuania, pulled their support shortly before the conference began. Efforts were made to cover sponsors’ logos on event materials at the Radisson Blu Lietuva Hotel in Vilnius.
EU Explains Withdrawal but Avoids U.S. Pressure Confirmation
Christian Wigand, an EU spokesperson, told reporters in Brussels that the withdrawal was due to the way certain discussions were framed at the event, which did not align with official EU positions. He declined to specify which discussions prompted the decision or to comment on any diplomatic conversations with U.S. officials regarding the matter.
Controversial Sessions Stir Concerns
The conference opened with an interview featuring Kimberly Prost, a judge at the International Criminal Court, an institution that has faced criticism from former President Donald Trump’s administration. Additionally, a session titled “USA as a FIMI threat: acknowledge, adapt, push back” highlighted concerns about foreign information manipulation and interference, featuring a former CIA officer among its speakers. This session likely contributed to sensitivities given the U.S.’s traditionally strong free speech protections and comparatively restrained approach to addressing disinformation.
Context Behind the Event and Reactions
Disinformation issues remain highly sensitive in political and diplomatic arenas. While the EU emphasized a divergence from its official stances rather than external pressure in its public statements, media reports including from The Guardian linked the withdrawal to influence exerted by the U.S. State Department. The exact details and nature of this alleged pressure have not been disclosed or confirmed by officials involved.
