European powers warn of spike in Russian propaganda before EU elections

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, French Foreign and European Affairs Minister Stephane Sejourne and Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski attend a press conference after their Weimar Triangle talks at the Chateau de La Celle Saint-Cloud near Paris, France, February 12, 2024. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier/Pool

LA CELLE SAINT-CLOUD, France (Reuters) - France, Poland and Germany accused Russia on Monday of putting together an elaborate network of websites to spread pro-Russian propaganda to undermine their governments, warning of a mass spread of such content ahead of EU elections in June.

Western nations have repeatedly accused Russian operatives of using social media and the internet to spread false or misleading information to undermine them, promote Russia or attempt to sway public opinion in their countries against backing Ukraine in its fight against Russia's invasion.