Interpreter Caught Breaking Strict Rules at High-Level Meeting
The European Commission has dismissed an interpreter over a serious security breach during a top-level meeting involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The incident happened on December 19, 2024, during a closed-door European Council summit in Brussels.
According to officials, the interpreter was caught taking written notes during a highly confidential session. This was against strict European Union rules. Such meetings often involve sensitive discussions about defense and security. Writing anything down during these sessions is completely forbidden.
The European Commission, which is the executive branch of the EU, confirmed the incident and said it took immediate action. The interpreter, described as a freelance translator with both French and Ukrainian background, was brought in to help leaders communicate with the Ukrainian president. However, when the person began jotting down notes, concerns were quickly raised.
Security officers seized the written notes right away. The EU says it has rules in place exactly to avoid incidents like this—rules made to prevent information from leaking to countries that may not be friendly to the European Union.
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Interpreter Dismissed and Investigation Handed to Authorities
After carefully reviewing the situation, the Commission decided to end its relationship with the interpreter. “The services of the interpreter in question will no longer be used in the future,” said the Commission in an official statement.
The matter is now under further investigation by Belgian authorities. While there has been no public confirmation that espionage took place, the act of taking notes alone was considered serious enough to raise the alarm.
Officials are not saying whether the interpreter was working for a foreign government. However, the incident has triggered fears of a possible security breach, especially with ongoing concerns about espionage activity in Brussels.
In recent years, Brussels has become a known hotspot for intelligence operations. Security experts estimate that hundreds of foreign agents may be active in the city, which is home to major EU and NATO institutions. This makes any security lapse—no matter how small—a matter of great concern.
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Growing Concerns Over Espionage in Brussels
This incident adds to a growing list of concerns about spying in the EU capital. Last year, internal messages warned EU staff about real threats from foreign spies. These warnings described Brussels as one of the biggest spy hubs in the world.
The European Commission has been on high alert for possible infiltration attempts. The fear is not just about direct espionage but also about accidental leaks of important information. That’s why note-taking, even by trusted personnel, is tightly restricted during closed meetings.
This dismissal shows that the EU is taking potential threats seriously. It also highlights how even small actions—like writing notes—can have big consequences in sensitive environments.
The interpreter’s identity has not been released publicly. The investigation continues, and officials say they are working to ensure this kind of incident does not happen again. The seized notes have not been made public, and there is no official word on what was written.
For now, the European Commission says its security protocols worked as intended. The breach was spotted, the notes were confiscated, and the interpreter was removed from future service.
As tensions remain high in Europe due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and fears of foreign interference, the EU is expected to remain vigilant.