US warns of Russia's efforts to boost Europe against Ukraine

Periskopi

18 January 2024, 23:32(2 years ago)

The United States believes Russia will carry out dezinformation campaigns aimed at promoting opinion in Europe against Ukraine, while elections are held in a series of European states this year, the head of the State Dezinformation Deparment office said this Thursday. In dozens of countries voters are expected to elect their new leaders [...]

In dozens of countries voters are expected to elect their new leaders in 2024, including in Britain, Austria, Georgia, while elections for the European Parliament will also be held in June.

Jamie Rubin, special envoy and co-ordinator at the Global Action Centre (GEC) told reporters that Russia, as well as China, are trying worldwide to spread state propaganda by selling it as independent journalism, hiding the real source.

Mr. Rubin did not mention concrete states he is concerned about, but said the most threatened are countries in Europe. Europe, opposed Russian aggression against Ukraine in 2022 and has offered the latter military assistance and other aid.

“Russia hopes that the election processes that will be held in a series of countries this year will change the extraordinary alliance against war”, he said.

“We believe that the Russians will undertake deinformation campaigns across Europe aimed at changing opinion of Ukraine during this election period”, Mr. Rubin added.

The Russian Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Global Engagement Centre, aimed at exposing foreign dezinformation campaigns last year, said it had discovered an effort funded by Russia, throughout Latin America, to promote propaganda and disinformation in local news media.

Russia then called the charges groundless.

A non-secret intelligence service document, sent to more than 100 states last year, noted that Moscow is using secret agents, Russian state media and media to erode public confidence in the integrity of democratic elections.