Yesterday morning, Finland and Sweden simultaneously handed in their official letters of application to join NATO, a momentous step for the two historically militarily non-aligned countries. The decision was a direct reaction to Russia’s war in Ukraine. According to Finnish President Sauli Niinistö, “a chain of events leading to the applications had begun last December, with a statement […]
Foreign interference committee resumes its work
The second Special Committee on Foreign Interference in all Democratic Processes in the EU elected Raphaël Glucksmann as its Chair at its constitutive session on Thursday. Raphaël Glucksmann (S&D, FR) said:“Our democracies are under continuous attack and we have to defend them against ever more forceful and sophisticated foreign interference. The mission of this special committee […]
On a Wild Goose Chase head of the 9th of May
More than two months into Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Kremlin’s disinformation machine is showing no signs of wear and tear. If anything, the contrary. Not least because the 9th of May – Europe Day for some, Victory Day for others – is approaching rapidly. Given the importance of this date in the Kremlin’s world of smoke […]
China’S Balancing Act On The Ukraine War
Chinese media and officials have made it clear: it is not Russia that is to blame for the military aggression against Ukraine, but the West and NATO’s eastward expansion of the past 20 years, ignoring Russia’s ‘legitimate security concerns’. At the same time, China ‘respects the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all countries’. Over the […]
Disinformation: The harder you push, the harder they resist
Its more than one month since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. That is a second month of what was supposed to be a quick “special military operation” “aimed only at military targets”. The reality couldn’t be more grossly different. Instead – and due to an undeniable lack of the expected progress – Russia is resorting […]
Putin: The new tamer of neo-Nazism?
It is a schoolyard defence most of us know. If someone calls you a name you reply, “It takes one to know one” or “you are worse than me”. That is, accuse them of the very charge they made against you. This rhetorical tactic is a projection(opens in a new tab) – a way to shift blame […]
Disinformation about Mariupol hospital
The shelling of Maternity Ward No. 3 in Mariupol is a war crime and took the life of innocent civilians, including children. Top Russian officials confirm the targeting of the facility, but claim it was a stronghold of “radicals”. They are lying. The cynical lies about Mariupol The attack on a maternity ward in besieged […]
The Kremlin’s Weapons of Deception: 7 Things You Need to Know about Russia Today and Sputnik
The European Union has adopted sanctions against the Kremlin’s weapons of deception: Sputnik and RT. Their broadcasting activities were urgently suspended (opens in a new tab)in the EU, until the Kremlin’s aggression against Ukraine is put to an end and until Russia ceases to conduct disinformation and information manipulation activities against the EU and its Member States. […]
Disinformation: Speech by High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell at the EP debate
Check against delivery! Good morning, dear Mr Chairman, dear Members of the Committee, dear Members of the European Parliament attending this debate, We are witnessing how Russia’s assault on Ukraine continues, and this assault painfully highlights why we need to pay more attention to foreign interference, and in particular to foreign disinformation and information manipulation. This poses […]