European Commission fires interpreter over suspected Russian espionage

As reported by Le Monde, a French-Ukrainian interpreter was dismissed after being caught secretly taking notes during a confidential meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in December 2024 - an action strictly prohibited in such high-level sessions.

According to "Le Monde," the European Commission has dismissed an interpreter for secretly taking notes during a confidential meeting with President Zelensky, prompting an internal investigation and a possible espionage probe.

Photo: Charissa Limuel/Unsplash.com/CC0

A French newspaper has revealed that interpreters are not only translators but also among the few witnesses to sensitive discussions between world leaders. The European Commission was reminded of this following the previously undisclosed case involving one of its interpreters.

The incident took place on 19 December 2024, during a high-level European Council meeting in Brussels attended by President Zelensky.

An internal investigation was launched, and its findings have been passed to Belgian authorities, who will decide whether to open a formal inquiry and determine if the interpreter’s actions amount to espionage on behalf of Russia.

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Source: Le Monde