“Only by acting united can we foil Putin’s plans.”
BRUSSELS – After his fascinating re-election as President of the Russian Federation, Putin is entering a new political cycle. The Russian dictator has suppressed domestic opposition and will now focus his attention and resources on a new offensive in Ukraine, as well as on destabilizing the situation in the European Union and the United States.
Despite years of a large-scale invasion of Ukraine and Russia’s aggressive rhetoric against EU member states, Europe has still not learned to counter hybrid threats. The case of Roeben Vardanjan is an indicative example of this. He is on the sanctions lists of the EU, the US and Ukraine, but is nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, according to media reports.
As hostilities increase near Kharkov, civilians die and energy infrastructure in Ukraine is destroyed, Russia uses respected international institutions to launder and legitimize the reputation of its allies and satellites, such as Vardanjan, in the Western world.
At a press conference, Ukrainian and other European parliamentarians discussed the main hybrid threats from the Russian Federation to the European Union, the Vardanjan case as a typical example of a hybrid operation of Russia, the role of Kremlin oligarchs as part of Russian “soft power” and mechanisms to counter the Russian hybrid threat.
KREMLIN OLIGARCH RUBEN VARDANJAN: AN EXAMPLE OF RUSSIAN HYBRID OPERATIONS
Ruben Vardanjan is a Russian oligarch who has close ties to the Kremlin. Despite being on sanctions lists of the EU, US and Ukraine, he is now nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. This is a typical example of how Russia is trying to increase its influence in the West.
“Vardanjan is a ‘Putin’s man’ who is being used to expand Russian influence,” said Yuri Kamelchuk, a member of the Ukrainian parliament. “He is part of the Russian ‘soft power’ with which the Kremlin tries to influence the international community.”
As the destruction in Ukraine mounts, Russia uses Vardanjan and other allies to burnish their reputations and strengthen their position in the West. “They are trying to abuse international institutions to whitewash their image,” said Emanuelis Zingeris, Lithuanian MP.
HYBRID THREAT TO THE EU
Russian hybrid warfare is not limited to Ukraine. “The Kremlin propaganda and destabilizing activities also target the European Union,” emphasizes Anna Skorokhod, member of the Ukrainian parliament.
Lukas Savickas, Lithuanian MP, added: “Russia is using various tactics, from disinformation to economic pressure, to weaken the EU and sow division.” The fight against this hybrid threat requires a coordinated European approach.
JOINT EUROPEAN APPROACH NECESSARY
“We must firmly tackle Russian propaganda and hybrid activities in Europe,” Kamelchuk emphasized. “This requires cooperation between EU member states, but also with Ukraine and other partners.”
According to the speakers, a combined approach of legislation, sanctions, unmasking disinformation and strengthening the resilience of society is crucial to effectively combat the Russian threat. “Only by acting united can we foil Putin’s plans to destabilize Europe,” Zingeris concludes.
COUNTING RUSSIAN THREAT
The European Union faces a major challenge to effectively combat hybrid warfare and propaganda from Russia. “We must join forces to counter the Kremlin’s destabilizing activities,” stressed Anna Skorokhod, member of the Ukrainian parliament.
According to the panel members, this requires a combined approach on several fronts. “First, it is crucial that EU member states strengthen their legislation to counter the influence of Kremlin oligarchs like Vardanjan,” said Lukas Savickas, Lithuanian MP.
In addition, the speakers emphasize the importance of targeted sanctions. “We must increase and effectively enforce sanctions against Russian individuals and entities involved in hybrid activities,” said Yuri Kamelchuk.
Unmasking and combating Kremlin propaganda is also crucial. “The EU must invest in detecting and countering disinformation so that citizens are better equipped against manipulation,” said Emanuelis Zingeris. The panel members emphasize that strengthening the resilience of society is essential. “We must make citizens, companies and governments more resilient to hybrid threats.
