The request comes from Parliament President Roberta Metsola to the Advisory Committee that oversees compliance with the code of conduct for MEPs. This committee must assess whether the far-right Luxembourgish MEP Fernand Kartheiser has breached parliamentary rules with his activities.
Video Calls
According to the available information, Kartheiser has visited Russia twice since the start of the war in Ukraine. He also held several video calls with members of the Russian State Duma. His most recent trip took him to the International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg.
During that visit, a joint statement was issued by European and Russian parliamentarians on the future of relations between the European Union and Russia.
Promotion
Since 2014
According to Metsola, that statement raises serious questions because it could create the impression that an informal communication channel with the Russian State Duma exists on behalf of the European Parliament. She argues that this would give a misleading image of the Parliament’s official position.
The European Parliament suspended official contacts with Russian legislative bodies already in 2014. Against this background, the President wants to investigate whether Kartheiser’s recent contacts and activities are compatible with the rules that apply to MEPs.
At Their Expense?
The investigation focuses not only on contacts with Russian representatives but also examines whether meetings with representatives of a third country and any travel arrangements paid by third parties have been properly reported according to current transparency rules.
Kartheiser responded with surprise to the investigation. He said that journalists requested his reaction before he himself had received the letter from the Parliament President. According to him, he only gained access to the letter many hours later through another channel.
Old News
Furthermore, he states that since May 2025 he has been openly conducting informal dialogue with Russian parliamentarians. According to him, these contacts have long been public, and it is remarkable that the European Parliament is only now starting an investigation.
Kartheiser emphasizes that he finds diplomatic consultation with Russia necessary. According to him, dialogue can contribute to conflict resolution and does not conflict with the dignity of the European Parliament. The Advisory Committee must now determine whether his activities have stayed within the applicable rules.