Source: European Parliament
The High Representative/ Vice-President and the European External Action Service (EEAS) are aware of Russia’s use of disinformation in its hybrid campaigns against the EU and its partners.
The EEAS has been instrumental for EU level efforts to counter this external security threat since 2015. It built up capability to detect, analyse and respond in collaboration with EU institutions, Member States and international partners, including via its Rapid Alert System.
Building on this experience and aligned with the European Democracy Action Plan[1], Council conclusions on democratic resilience[2] and objectives set out in the Strategic Compass for Security and Defence[3], the Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) Toolbox[4] reinforces EU situational awareness, resilience and response, and international partnerships to tackle this threat. Exposing and responding to Russian FIMI operations and restrictive measures are part of the FIMI Toolbox.
Regulation 2022/2065 (Digital Services Act)[5] along with the EU Code of Practice on Disinformation[6] provide tools to address FIMI while upholding fundamental rights including freedom of expression.
The Commission and the EEAS conduct proactive information campaigns, including on EU support to Ukraine and countering Russia’s narratives on food security and energy issues.
The Commission operates an internal Network Against Disinformation. The EEAS exposed Russian FIMI activities[7] and coordinates with international partners in G7, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and Ukraine.
The new Democracy Shield[8] will strengthen EU situational awareness and its collective ability to detect, analyse and proactively counter threats.
- [1] https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_20_2250
- [2] https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-10119-2024-INIT/en/pdf
- [3] https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-1-2022-INIT/en/pdf
- [4] https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/tackling-disinformation-foreign-information-manipulation-interference_en
- [5] Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 October 2022 on a Single Market for Digital Services and amending Directive 2000/31/EC (Digital Services Act), OJ L 277, 27.10.2022, p. 1-102.
- [6] https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/code-practice-disinformation
- [7] See for instance https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/1st-eeas-report-foreign-information-manipulation-and-interference-threats_en; https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/2nd-eeas-report-foreign-information-manipulation-and-interference-threats_en
- [8] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document/EPRS_BRI(2024)767153