Russia will exert multiple pressures on EU states

Subject

Russian efforts to shape and divide EU opinion.

Significance

Since Russia adopted a confrontational anti-Western stance following its annexation of Crimea in 2014, it has used traditional and new media tools and covert political contacts to influence popular and official opinion in an attempt to discredit and disrupt EU institutional capacity. Approaches differ according to the specifics of each target country, but typically involve a mix of 'soft power' tools backed by sabre-rattling.

Impacts

• EU and NATO may work towards joined-up information policies to counter Russia.
• US President-elect Donald Trump's campaign speeches suggest disengagement from Europe and lack of concern about Russian cyber threats.
• Ukraine will become more vulnerable if EU resolve on sanctions and conflict resolution wanes.