Hrihoriy Mesezhnikov: It is becoming more difficult for Russian propaganda to act in Europe

Hrihoriy Mesezhnikov

As you know, in recent years, primarily on the eve of the Ukrainian-Russian war, the Kremlin’s attempts to influence people’s consciousness have gained enormous proportions all over the world. How do you assess the results of the fight against Russian influence in the EU countries over the past two years? A Newssky correspondent asked Hryhoriy Mesezhnikov, president of the Institute of Public Affairs in Slovakia.

After 2014, Russian influence on the countries of the European Union — both in the Central European states and in the states of Western Europe —became a significant factor in social development. The fact is that since 2014, Russia has been trying to use its so-called soft power (of course, it is not soft, but hard) to promote some of its achievements that would be of interest to the states to which this power aspires to exert political influence to create favorable conditions regarding the attitude towards the steps taken by the Russian Federation in the political and security spheres. It should be noted that the Russian Federation is successful in this regard, because now, if we look at the political arena—both Central European states and Western European states — in particular, recalling the results of elections to national parliaments and the European Parliament, we will see that forces have passed, who adhere to either an openly pro-Russian position, or at least tolerate such a position, and this poses a serious threat. As far as I know, at the pan-European level, strategic communication units have been created that primarily monitor the actions of Russian propaganda, support for pro-Russian organizations, and even financial support.

Currently, the scandal involving Latvian parliamentarian Tetiana Zhdanok, an EU citizen who worked for Russian intelligence, is well-known, and there is formal confirmation of this. Two members from Slovakia entered the European Parliament, who were on the lists of Kotleba’s fascist party and always voted for Russia. One of them recently spoke in the European Parliament and threatened the Western allies (can you imagine that?!) because they supported the war between the Slavs (this is his interpretation).

That is, in their opinion, this is not Russian aggression against Ukraine.

Yes, they say that this is a war between Slavs. And if the West does not stop it, then eventually the Slavs will unite and, quote, «turn Western Europe into a grassy lawn.» This was said by the Slovak Radachovsky; he is at the level of Zhirynovsky in the Russian Federation.

The European Union is currently trying to introduce regulation of social networks and social media to create obstacles to the promotion of the content that spreads from Moscow through Kremlin agents.

Previously, there was no such regulation.

— Of course, it wasn’t. In my opinion, if such a toxic effect did not occur, then such a priority task would not arise. The EU has good legislation on normal mass media. But it turns out that good legislation is not enough.

— Russia prepared for the war conscientiously.

Yes, and currently the Russian Federation is not only trying to create favorable conditions for itself in the states, from its point of view, loyal to Russia, but also trying to put into the heads of EU citizens that this state of affairs is normal, that Russia is protecting its interests, and this war (according to them, a special military operation in Ukraine) is legitimate, and in general Russian society should live in such a situation. And you, Europeans, get ready to deal with us, so you’d better cooperate with us, maintain good relations, and never come into conflict with us.

In addition, this causes pro-Russian politicians who help the Russian Federation to undermine common European principles from within the countries.

Of course, they are about a peace agreement, and it is not surprising…

— Yes, they are in favor of a peace agreement with Russia on Russia’s terms; they do not need confrontational actions with the Russian Federation, and they do not need to arm themselves, because they say that they will not be able to fight back. There are different narratives here.

This is a serious problem concerning public opinion. In certain countries, Russian propaganda has made tangible achievements regarding the perception of the population of the Ukrainian-Russian war, its causes, the course of the war, and the probable prospects of its end.

The KGB knows how to do it…

— So on the other hand, a responsible part of the European elite realizes that it is impossible to conduct business with Russia hastily, maintaining normal relations, and that the aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine is not a separate episode that concerns only Ukraine, because Russia wants to destroy Ukraine as an independent state, but it is also a marker of intention. This can be applied to other states, so responsible European politicians are pushing the idea (which is correct) of arming, modernizing the armed forces, and transferring military personnel to the eastern border of the EU and NATO against Russian aggression. Foremost, the Baltic States are now under threat. I also see the strengthening of actions aimed at the localization of Russian propaganda in the fields of mass media and investigative journalism. If earlier there was an opinion that such issues concern only freedom of speech and the press, now it is clear that such principles cannot be applied to Russian propaganda; they must be fought against!

A positive example is the cancellation of accreditation in RTR, Russia Today, Sputnik. It is becoming more difficult for Russian propaganda to operate than it was a few years ago, and such opposition will intensify.

Maryna Kovalchuk, Newssky’s correspondent (Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland), head of the V5 Media project, and deputy editor-in-chief, contributed

Українською