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Poland calls on EU to emphasise ties with US to counter Russian ‘disinformation’ – Euractiv

Poland calls on EU to emphasise ties with US to counter Russian ‘disinformation’ – Euractiv

Poland wants the European Union to launch a campaign in the United States to raise awareness among the American public about the importance of the joint relationship.

In a document prepared for a meeting of EU foreign ministers on Monday (22 July), Poland calls for positive action ahead of the US presidential election on 5 November to counter what it describes as Russian “disinformation” aimed at sowing division between the EU and Washington.

“At this critical moment in history, it is imperative that we jointly take swift and decisive action to strengthen transatlantic relations through strategic communications on the EU in the US,” the document, seen by Reuters, said.

It adds: “This means we must scale up our exposure and, more importantly, pre-exposure of Russian disinformation and launch campaigns that set out the facts about the current state of affairs in Europe and the benefits of diplomacy, collective security and an open society.”

The Kremlin has said it will not interfere in the US elections in November. It has also rejected US accusations that it orchestrated campaigns to influence the 2016 and 2020 US presidential elections.

According to the Polish newspaper, Russian state media and online accounts with ties to the Kremlin are spreading and amplifying misleading content about US immigration and border security. It is misrepresenting the impact of immigration, highlighting stories about crimes committed by immigrants and warning of dire consequences if the US does not strengthen its border with Mexico.

“We should expect much more to come, as eroding support for Ukraine remains Russia’s top priority. We must remind the American public, especially the younger generation, of the results our decades-long partnership has delivered for the American economy,” the paper said.

Poland has said it is the target of numerous Russian attempts at destabilization and election interference because of its role in providing military aid to neighboring Ukraine. Russia has rejected the accusations.

“We need to make the American public aware of the scale of European aid to Ukraine and how that effort is helping to save Ukrainian lives,” the Polish newspaper said, referring to claims by US presidential candidate Donald Trump that European aid to Ukraine was much smaller than that of the US.

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the EU has provided Ukraine with €107 billion ($116.38 billion) and agreed on another €50 billion over the next four years.

The US Council on Foreign Relations estimates US aid to Ukraine at $107 billion.

Read more with Euractiv