An interpreter allegedly spied on Volodymyr Zelensky in Brussels, recording his meetings with European Union leaders, according to a report by the French newspaper “Le Monde”. According to the report, the espionage “thriller” was carried out in the interests of Russia.
It should be noted that the European Commission revoked the accreditation of the interpreter—of French-Ukrainian origin—after suspicions arose about her recording of a closed meeting in which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky participated. These developments raise concerns about Russian espionage and subversive activities in EU countries, according to “Le Monde”.
Brussels: How the suspicions began
It is noted that the Commission interpreter was present at a closed-door meeting between European Union leaders and Zelensky on December 19, 2024, shortly before the start of Donald Trump’s second term as US president. In the talks, European allies committed to the Ukrainian president that support for Kyiv would continue with the dispatch of equipment as well as protection of its energy infrastructure.
However, during the conversations, Czech interpreters observed that their colleague, who was translating from French to Ukrainian, was recording the conversation. Recording or taking notes is strictly prohibited during closed-door negotiations. The incident was reported to the relevant security services in Brussels, resulting in the immediate suspension of the interpreter and the confiscation of the recordings.
At the same time, the European Commission ended its cooperation with her and launched an internal investigation. The findings were handed over to the Belgian government, which is now responsible for determining whether the interpreter acted as a spy on behalf of Russia.
Brussels interpreter: It was a “misunderstanding”
It is emphasized that while her name has not been made public, “Le Monde” refers to her as “Ms. I”. According to the report, she comes from a Russian family and her sister—also an interpreter—has a similar background. One of the two was born in Russia and both have lived in Ukraine, according to the same information. For the past twenty years, they have worked as freelance interpreters for NATO, the European Commission and the French ministries of Defense and Foreign Affairs.
It should be noted that “Ms. I” herself characterized the incident at the Zelensky-European leaders meeting as a “misunderstanding”. However, as Le Monde reports citing a Ukrainian diplomat in Paris, the Ukrainian embassies in France and Brussels had been avoiding hiring her for translations during Zelensky’s visits for years, citing her alleged ties to Russian officials.
It is emphasized that despite the December incident, the interpreter continued to be registered as accredited for NATO, France’s Permanent Representation to the EU and the French ministries.
