The EU's foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, will be given the task of preparing an action plan on strategic communication in support of media freedom. It should be ready by June.

The EU and its member states have been concerned for some time about Russian propaganda, and about the fact that the counter-argument coming from the EU often seems to be poorly focused and unconvincing.

There is a variety of proposals about how to respond better. France Press reports that European leaders will approve the creation of a special media department for monitoring of Russian propaganda. Latvia has floated the idea of an EU-funded Russian-language TV station. A panel of experts looking into that possibility is due to report next month, an idea supported by Estonia, Denmark and the United Kingdom.