The PVV and GroenLinks-PvdA are calling on the cabinet to clarify claims by the Czech intelligence service that a pro-Russian news site based in Prague has been paying European politicians from countries, including the Netherlands, to oppose support for Ukraine and the EU, the AD reports.

At a press conference on Wednesday, Czech intelligence service BIS claimed the site is financed by Russia to destabilise the European Union and increase Russian influence. Several politicians have been paid large sums to back Russia by opposing arms for Ukraine, it said.

BIS named no names but said politicians from six European countries were involved, including the Netherlands, France, Belgium, Hungary, Poland and Germany.

Politicians who have been interviewed by the site include the Dutch leader of the far-right Partij voor Democratie, Thierry Baudet, and Belgian Vlaams Belang leader Flip Dewinter, who was recently accused of spying for China.

Baudet has always denied he received money from Russia. On Wednesday he told GroenLinks leader Jesse Klaver he would “knock your block off”  if asked again about alleged financial ties with Moscow.

PVV leader Geert Wilders, CDA leader Henri Bontenbal, and Jesse Klaver have asked the cabinet for more information about the claims. “This is a direct threat to our national security,” Bontenbal said.

PVV leader Geert Wilders, who, in 2018, praised the Voice of Europe for its “unique and valuable work” which he said was an “antidote for the indoctrination of fake media” said it is “unacceptable” for Dutch politicians to accept bribes.  During the last election campaign, Wilders denied having any ties with the Kremlin.