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Retraction and Apology Regarding False Allegations Against Mr. Dragan Šolak

Introduction

Brussels, Belgium, December 23rd, 2025, FinanceWire. Earlier this year, the EU Political Report, under the guidance of its former Chief Editor, James Wilson, published two articles that alleged improper influence by the Russian government over Mr. Dragan Šolak and the news channels operated by United Group BV (UG), of which Mr. Šolak is the founder and a minority shareholder.

Lack of Due Diligence

At the time of publication, we regrettably failed to consult Mr. Šolak regarding these serious allegations. This oversight was not only unprofessional but led to significant misunderstandings about Mr. Šolak and his affiliations.

New Facts and Review

After Mr. Šolak brought forward crucial facts that directly contradict the claims made in our articles, we undertook a comprehensive review of the situation. This reflective process led us to conclude that the allegations presented were baseless and erroneous. Consequently, we have withdrawn the articles in question and wish to extend our sincerest apologies to Mr. Šolak for any prejudice or harm caused by our reporting.

Clarifications on Allegations

Misrepresentation of News Channels

Our previous articles asserted that the news channels controlled by UG, specifically N1 and Nova S, were unduly influenced by the Russian government. These allegations have now been firmly dismissed as false. N1 and Nova S are recognized both in Serbia and internationally for their robust editorial independence. They are committed to delivering objective reporting on matters relevant to Serbia and the global stage and display no bias in favor of any governmental entities, including Russia.

Commitment to Peace and Humanitarian Efforts

It is also important to highlight that UG actively advocates for peace. The company has contributed EUR 1 million to Ukraine relief efforts and has taken an active stance in supporting EU initiatives aimed at offering affordable roaming services to Ukrainians. Moreover, in February 2022, N1 journalists were some of the first from Serbia to provide on-ground reporting from Ukraine, highlighting their commitment to factual journalism.

Mr. Šolak’s Personal Affiliations

Mr. Šolak has no connections to the Russian government—neither directly nor indirectly through intermediary figures like Mr. Wolfram Kuoni. Notably, an image featured alongside one of the articles, purportedly showing Mr. Šolak with President Putin, has been identified as a fake, generated by artificial intelligence. Mr. Šolak has never met President Putin or any officials from the Russian government or entities such as Gazprom.

Clarification Regarding Highgate and BFMI

Additional claims about consultancy agency Highgate and the media association Balkan Free Media Initiative (BFMI) were equally misleading. Highgate, based in London, served as an advisory agency for UG until early 2024, focusing on government relations and public relations. Its role was transparently recorded in the EU Transparency Register as a legitimate advisor for EU-related matters.

Furthermore, BFMI is one of several international organizations dedicated to promoting media freedom in the Balkans. UG’s support for BFMI has been publicly disclosed, reaffirming the company’s commitment to independent journalism.

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Conclusion

In light of the above clarifications, we aim to rectify the misinformation disseminated through our previous articles. We acknowledge our responsibility in ensuring that all claims are substantiated and will strive to uphold the highest standards of journalism in our future endeavors.

Contact Information

Statement of Retraction and Apology
Email: [email protected]

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