The relocation of Wagner forces to Belarus following Prigozhin’s aborted rebellion proved to be a propaganda move. Within a year, Lukashenko’s Wagner army, brandished as a threat to neighboring NATO countries, virtually melted away. It also failed to help Lukashenko achieve his objective of foraying into the lucrative mercenary business in Africa.
An exhibition in Narva, dedicated to the Soviet bombing of this Estonian city in 1944 and comparing it to Russian bombardments of Ukraine, has outraged some local residents and politicians. The reactions are at least partly influenced by overexposure to Soviet and Russian propaganda.
Ukraine has been accused of being responsible for the terrorist attack in Moscow. Originally published on Telegram, the thesis was developed by Vladimir Putin and his close siloviki, the current and former head of the FSB, Alexander Bortnikov and Nikolai Patrushev, both ex-KGB, like Putin. The narrative rids the Russian authorities of all responsibility, plays well into the rhetoric about the Ukrainian-Western aggression and can be used to escalate the war. Arguments in its defense include falsehoods and an older conspiracy theory.
The fear of war with Russia is taking a psychological toll on Latvians. Authorities are trying to reassure them, pointing that Moscow lacks the capacity to wage war against NATO.
The candidacy of Klaus Iohannis for head of NATO can benefit Romania. Iohannis's chance lies in the differences of opinion between East and West regarding the strategy of the Alliance.
Românii au încercat timp de mai bine de o sută de ani să rezolve diferendul privind Tezaurul aflat la Moscova în diferite formate. Nu au reușit. Restituirile din 1935 (arhive) și 1956 (patrimoniul artistic) s-au datorat „bunăvoinței” și „mărinimiei” Moscovei, după cum arătau oamenii politici ai vremii, nu solicitărilor Bucureștiului. Acesta a încercat de câteva ori să internaționalizeze litigiul, reușind o singură dată, la Conferința de la Genova din 1922, dar fără urmări. Rezoluția Parlamentului European din 14 martie 2024 este al doilea act internațional de după 1917 care cere Rusiei să restituie României Tezaurul confiscat.
Realitatea TV, RTV and journalists known for spreading false narratives have presented and AI-generated story as a media investigation, claiming Ukraine is funded with capital raised from selling “Putin” teddy-bears.
---copie-image.webp)
A scandal about the sexual harassment of dozens of students in journalism has brought this phenomenon, still widespread in Romania, including in education institutions, back into focus. However, the issue seems to be of little concern to Romanian society or the authorities that should prevent and sanction it. Psychologists say harassment is linked to power relations in a conservative, male-dominated society.
With elections looming this year, Georgia’s éminence grise, oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili, returned to politics. Shortly after that, a new, pro-Russian premier was appointed.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has slightly distanced himself from Russia for the first time since the invasion of Ukraine, but he has moved closer to the sovereigntists. This "dance" has very much to do with the interest in a post of European Commissioner.
The alarmist predictions that Transnistria will call for the annexation to Russia or that Putin will announce the move in his speech before the Russian State Duma turned out to be unfounded. Separatists called on Moscow to protect them “through diplomatic measures”, but it seems to be an attempt to obtain concessions from Chișinău sooner than a step towards joining the Russian Federation.
Bulgaria’s pro-Russian far-right has been increasingly vocal and provocative, as it tries to take advantage of tensions within the pro-European, pro-Ukraine ruling coalition.
Russia is upping the stakes in its long game against NATO, as it put Estonia’s prime minister on a wanted list and unveiled plans to increase the number of troops deployed at the border. Experts think that, within 3 to 10 years after the end of the war in Ukraine, Moscow would be able to attack a NATO country.
Two years since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, many Poles fear their country may be next on Putin’s bucket list.
The von der Leyen Commission's plan for EU countries to transition to “green” economies was met with resistance from farmers and skepticism from some politicians who’ve already embarked on the European Parliament election campaign.
Latvia’s efforts to rein in Russian spying and influence came to spotlight following allegations that a well-known pro-Russian MEP, Tatjana Ždanoka, collaborated with the FSB.
Both Transnistria and the Autonomous Region of Gagauzia seem to be heating up, against the background of an increasingly fierce hybrid war waged by the Russian Federation against the Republic of Moldova.
Navalny was killed by the West, which betrayed itself by publicly announcing his death before it was ever medically attested, according to false narratives circulated in Romania.
A scandal regarding an icon depicting Stalin in Tbilis’s main cathedral brought into spotlight efforts by pro-Russians and Russian propaganda to revive the cult of the former dictator. Following protests against the icon, the ruling Georgian Dream, which claims to be committed to Euro-Atlantic integration, unveiled Russian-inspired plans to criminalize religious insults.
Putin has so far avoided a confrontation with the women who demand the return of servicemen from the front in Ukraine. History shows that Russian women are capable of causing trouble for authoritarian regimes.
"The Romanian language will replace the Russian language in Ukraine" writes the Russian press, basing its false claim on a Veridica article about a debate regarding the celebration of the Romanian language.
Vladimir Putin recycled a number of Russian propaganda narratives to justify the invasion of Ukraine and portray Russia as a victim of Western aggression. The false narratives were also doubled by blatant lies, such as the one that Russia did not threaten to use its nuclear weapons, or the promotion of revisionist theses, according to which Romania, Poland, Hungary (and Russia) have the right to take back territories from Ukraine.
Recent decisions show that Hungary's EU and NATO partners are fed up with Budapest’s boycott of common policies, anti-democratic drifts and its content playing into Russia’s hands. Although he claims that Russia is a viable alternative to the West, Vladimir Putin has few options to help his friend, Viktor Orban.
Hackers stole data from the Romanian Parliament, demanding money for ransom. Such ransomware attacks are launched by both criminals and state actors.
The earthquake added to the pain of the Syrian people, who had already suffered from over a decade-long war, causing humanitarian crisis and economic collapse.
Warnings about a possible Russian attack against NATO have increased lately. Is the threat imminent, or is it just being used to increase readiness?
Communist-era monuments in Bulgaria were a point of fiery debates. Chaotic plans for their removal were not followed by a vision for the future.
A number of countries may boycott the coming Paris Olympics over the IOC’s decision to let Russian athletes compete. Latvia is one of those countries, but not all Latvians – athletes and fans alike – would support such of decision.
In the Baltic countries, parties traditionally defending the interests of the Russian-speaking minority are suffering losses as the war has alienated some of their voters.
“All that was and is the property of the Romanian nation must be returned within the borders of the same state”, said Claudiu Târziu, the chairman of AUR’s National Council. To Russian propaganda, Târziu’s statement is solid gold.
The leader of a far-right party in Hungary has laid claim to Transcarpathia, shortly after the AUR party in Romania lodged a similar claim to Northern Bukovina. The thesis is typical of Russian propaganda.
The Russian State Duma is planning to seize the assets of people distributing “war-related fake news”. The new law is in fact meant to silence anyone criticizing Putin’s regime.
Donations
Veridica.md
