Russian Disinformation “Poisoning” European Democracies, Warns EU Lawmaker

European democracies are falling victim to a systematic campaign of Russian disinformation that threatens to undermine support for Ukraine and potentially bring pro-Moscow politicians to power, according to a stark warning from a prominent European Union legislator.

Czech Member of the European Parliament Marketa Gregorova delivered the sobering assessment at the 18th annual Kyiv Security Forum this week, where she highlighted the growing threat of Russian information warfare against Western democracies.

“There is an ongoing process of gradual poisoning of European societies through disinformation,” Gregorova told forum attendees, according to reports from Interfax-Ukraine. She warned that this manipulation campaign has already begun to show concrete effects, with “people in Europe being radicalized against Ukraine” as a direct result of Russian influence operations.

The Czech lawmaker, who has become a leading voice on digital threats within the European Parliament, pointed to information warfare as Russia’s most successful battlefront in its multi-dimensional conflict with the West. “If there was one area where Russia was clearly winning the war, it was the information space, namely disinformation,” she stated.

Particularly concerning, according to Gregorova, is the inadequate response from European governments. She criticized European countries for “paying too little attention to the problem” despite mounting evidence of coordinated disinformation campaigns targeting their citizens.

The lawmaker’s warnings come amid growing documentation of Russian information operations across Europe. Security analysts have identified sophisticated networks of fake news websites, amplified social media campaigns, and covert influence operations designed to sow discord, promote pro-Russian narratives, and erode support for Ukraine among European populations.

These campaigns often exploit legitimate domestic concerns about inflation, energy prices, and migration to create opposition to European support for Ukraine. The disinformation efforts have intensified as the war has progressed into its third year, with Russia seeking to fracture the Western alliance that has provided critical military and financial backing to Kyiv.

Gregorova’s warning about the potential for pro-Moscow candidates to gain power reflects real concerns about upcoming elections across Europe, where several political parties sympathetic to Russian positions have gained traction. Political analysts worry that prolonged exposure to disinformation could gradually shift public opinion in ways that benefit the Kremlin’s strategic objectives.

The Czech MEP’s comments were delivered at this year’s Kyiv Security Forum, titled “Darkness or Dawn: Is There Light Ahead?” The two-day event, running April 23-24, has brought together security experts, government officials, and policy analysts to discuss the ongoing conflict and broader regional security challenges.

Founded in 2007 by former Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk’s Open Ukraine Foundation, the forum has become a significant platform for dialogue on security issues facing Ukraine and the broader European region. This year’s event takes place against the backdrop of intensified Russian attacks in eastern Ukraine and renewed debates about Western military assistance.

The warning about disinformation vulnerability comes at a critical juncture for European security policy. As several European nations prepare for elections this year, governments and civil society organizations are increasingly concerned about foreign interference in democratic processes.

Experts note that democratic societies are particularly susceptible to information manipulation due to their open media environments and free speech protections – values that authoritarian regimes like Russia regularly exploit through coordinated disinformation efforts.

As Ukraine continues its fight against Russian aggression, Gregorova’s warning underscores that the battlefield extends far beyond Ukraine’s physical borders into the information spheres of European societies, where the stakes for democracy may be equally high.