EU accuses Russia and China of digital interference

The European Union has accused Russia and China of using digital tools to influence Western democracies, particularly regarding the Ukraine war. Officials say these countries are aligning their disinformation efforts to disrupt and destabilize the West. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas highlighted the serious threat posed by foreign information manipulation. The latest report from Brussels pointed out that disinformation attacks were tracked in over 80 countries and against more than 200 organizations last year. Key targets included the ongoing war in Ukraine, the Paris Olympics, and elections in Moldova and Germany. The report described Russia's tactics as involving a mix of state and non-state actors, including social media influencers and official spokespeople. For its part, China is increasingly using private PR firms and influencers to promote messages that align with its political interests. While the EU noted a growing alignment in the narratives coming from Moscow and Beijing, it did not accuse them of collaborating directly to spread false information. Instead, the report suggested their coordination seems mostly opportunistic. Notably, a joint narrative emerged blaming NATO for escalating the conflict in Ukraine as the war reached its 1,000-day mark. Concerns about Russian interference have heightened amid what the EU views as a broader campaign from Moscow, which includes acts of sabotage. In response, Brussels has started to impose sanctions on Russian intelligence operatives linked to these activities.