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Former Swiss Intelligence Officer Sanctioned by EU for Pro-Russian Propaganda
The European Union has imposed sanctions on Jacques Baud, a retired Swiss army colonel and former strategic intelligence analyst, accusing him of acting as a “mouthpiece for pro-Russian propaganda” and promoting conspiracy theories related to the war in Ukraine.
Baud, 70, is among 12 individuals and two entities targeted in the latest EU sanctions package announced on December 15. The sanctions will prevent him from traveling within EU countries and freeze any assets he holds in the eurozone.
According to the Official Journal of the European Union, Baud has been actively spreading pro-Russian narratives and conspiracy theories through various media platforms. The sanctions are part of broader EU measures targeting analysts and influencers connected to pro-Kremlin networks who have promoted Russian propaganda.
Among those sanctioned are five experts associated with the Valdai Club, a Russia-based international forum and think tank where President Vladimir Putin delivers annual addresses.
Switzerland’s Position on the Sanctions
Switzerland has historically followed EU sanctions against Russia, currently applying restrictions to over 2,600 individuals and entities. However, the Swiss Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) confirmed to SWI swissinfo.ch that it will not apply these particular sanctions against Baud.
“Switzerland joined the EU sanctions linked to Russia’s war against Ukraine but did not adopt the EU sanctions regime on Russia’s hybrid threats, non-military actions, including disinformation and propaganda, cyberattacks, election interference enacted in October 2024,” SECO explained in a written statement. “As a result, Switzerland is not currently considering taking over the latest listings.”
This creates a potential enforcement challenge, as Switzerland does not systematically monitor its borders with neighboring EU countries France, Italy, and Germany. Ilya Shumanov, managing partner at TriTrace Investigations and former head of Transparency International Russia, noted that these borders represent a “blind spot” for monitoring individuals who appear on EU sanctions lists but not Swiss ones.
Baud’s Background and Media Presence
From 1983 to 1990, Baud worked for Switzerland’s Strategic Intelligence Service, monitoring military forces in Eastern Europe during the Cold War. His subsequent analysis on current affairs has often courted controversy, including statements questioning established narratives about Osama bin Laden and the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
A search by SWI swissinfo.ch revealed Baud’s extensive presence on Russian state media television and radio programs, where he is presented as a Russia specialist and expert on the “conflict in Ukraine.” He regularly appears on YouTube channels like Dialogue Works, known for featuring speakers aligned with pro-Russian or anti-NATO positions.
Baud consistently echoes official Russian terminology in his commentary. For instance, he maintains that Russia has not violated the Minsk agreements – a claim disputed by Ukraine, which argues Russia failed to implement the ceasefire and withdraw heavy weapons from the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
He is also associated with the Centre Français de Recherche sur le Renseignement (CF2R), a think tank whose members frequently promote pro-Russian narratives in media appearances.
In recent YouTube appearances, Baud has claimed that “no one in the White House cares about Ukraine” and that “Russia will carry out the task of demilitarising Ukraine.” Shortly before the sanctions were announced, he stated that “Europe has not yet realised that the Ukrainian conflict will end on Russia’s terms.”
Shumanov believes these activities serve a strategic purpose for Moscow: “It is critically important for Russia to have alternative voices that justify the Kremlin’s actions. Such individuals often receive fees for their appearances on media.”
When contacted by Swiss newspaper La Tribune de Genève before the EU decision, Baud claimed he was not aware of the impending sanctions and had received no warning.
SECO has noted that EU sanctions decisions are made within a “rule-of-law framework” and that affected individuals have the right to challenge them through legal channels.
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8 Comments
The Valdai Club has long been viewed as a mouthpiece for Kremlin narratives, so sanctioning its associates is a logical move. Rooting out coordinated disinformation campaigns should be a top priority.
This sanctions move by the EU is understandable given the concerted efforts by pro-Russian voices to spread disinformation about the war in Ukraine. Reining in these propaganda networks is crucial to combating the Kremlin’s influence.
While I’m generally cautious about censorship, in this case the EU appears to be targeting individuals actively engaged in propaganda, not just dissenting views. Maintaining the integrity of public discourse is critical.
While freedom of speech is important, the EU is right to target individuals actively pushing Russian propaganda narratives. Fact-based analysis is needed, not conspiracy theories that distort the reality of the conflict.
I agree. Allowing unchecked spread of Kremlin-backed propaganda poses real risks to public understanding and democratic discourse.
It will be interesting to see Switzerland’s stance on these new sanctions. As a neutral party, their position on restricting individuals over propaganda concerns could carry significant weight.
Switzerland has typically aligned with EU sanctions against Russia, so I expect they will likely follow suit on this latest round targeting disinformation actors.
This crackdown on pro-Russian influencers and analysts is a necessary step, but the EU will need to remain vigilant. Propaganda networks are adaptive and may find new ways to spread their messaging.