Disinfo: There is no evidence of Russian interference in Western elections

Summary

There is no evidence of Russian interference in Western elections. It is almost a tradition: as soon as elections take place somewhere, preferably in Western countries, warnings of possible Russian influence make the rounds. In the run-up to the forthcoming elections to the European Parliament, this concern is also a worry for those responsible in the EU countries. However, there are no indications of any such activities from the Russian side.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin narrative that allegations of Russian interference in electoral processes in the EU and in the West are spread by European elites in order to divert attention from the real problems of EU countries. Disinformation produced and/or spread by Russian sources has been reported in the context of several elections and referenda in the EU, as noted in the EU's action plan against disinformation. Ahead of the European elections 2019, Microsoft registered cyberattacks targeting think tanks and non-profit organisations working on topics related to democracy, electoral integrity, and public policy and that are often in contact with government officials. Microsoft continues to investigate the sources of these attacks, but is confident that many of them originated from a group called Strontium, also known as APT 28 or Fancy Bear – which is believed to be associated with Russia’s military intelligence agency, the GRU. Read more here. Moreover, numerous investigations have provided convincing evidence of Russian interference in the Brexit referendum and in elections across Europe and in the US - see more information here, here and here. See here for the list of the reports on Russian efforts to influence elections in various European countries.

Go to search

publication/media

RT Germany - YouTube (Archived)
Sputnik Germany (Archived)
RT Germany (old) (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 150
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 13/05/2019
  • Outlet language(s) German
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Russia
  • Keywords: EU elections 2019, election meddling, West, Anti-Russian, European Union, Elections
see more

Disinfo: The IMF impoverishes Ukraine

The IMF is carrying out an experiment on the Ukraine and its people. It makes a rich country impoverished, as it happened everywhere it went.

May 12, 2019
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin narrative about the West taking away everything from Ukraine - for similar cases see here and here. Ukraine's comprehensive programme of economic reforms, backed by IMF loans, aims to restore macroeconomic stability, promote sustainable growth, and strengthen economic governance and transparency. It also includes a new social protection program which aims at providing social assistance for low-income families. See here for more information about the relations between Ukraine and the IMF.

Disinfo: US is destabilising the world, organising colour revolutions, political and economic crises

The US’ geopolitical power is declining. That is why the country is betting on destructive processes in the world. Starting wars, inciting political and economic crises, organising colour revolutions. However, Russia successfully neutralises destructive plans of the US and regularly stands in Washington’s way.

May 12, 2019
Disproof

This is a recurring pro-Kremlin narrative casting civil uprisings in other states as US-funded "colour revolutions", also present in the case of Georgia, Ukraine, Belarus, Venezuela. Consistent with multiple pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about the US and its global role.

Disinfo: The EU portrays itself as ideologically "better" than its member states

The EU portrays itself as ideologically “better” than its member states. In the vociferous election campaigns, it is emphasised that the European Union is an ideologically “better” political institution than the national governments of the individual member states.

May 12, 2019
Disproof

No evidence given. Recurring pro-Kremlin narrative on the EU as a disunited and disintegrating bloc, on the corrupt and undemocratic EU and on the failed European values. The European Union does not portray itself as ideologically "better" than its member states. The EU is a political and economic union of 28 Member States. The EU's values are common to the EU countries in a society in which inclusion, tolerance, justice, solidarity and non-discrimination prevail. These values are an integral part of our European way of life: human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, rule of law and human rights. This means that each member state of the EU is considered as equal. These values form the basis of the EU and are laid out in the Lisbon Treaty and the EU Charter of fundamental rights. They are common to the EU and all member states. Political decisions in the EU are taken as openly as possible and as closely as possible to the citizens. The EU is governed by the principle of representative democracy, with citizens directly represented both at Union level in the European Parliament and also Member States represented in the European Council and the Council of the EU.