London Analytical Center told about the "useful idiots of Putin" in Britain

The London Analytical Center "Henry Jackson Society" announced the day before a report on the connections of British radical politicians with the Kremlin. The document entitled “Useful Idiots of Putin” lists persons and organizations who receive support from Moscow, as well as recommendations for the confrontation between the influence of the Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The report was the director of the Center for the Study of Russia at the Analytical Center "Henry Jackson Society" Andrew Foxsoll. The presentation was held in parliamentary premises, but this was not an official event of any of the committees, nor the most parliament, the Russian BBC service notes. Foxolla and his co-racer Peter Pomerantsev was simply invited by Labor deputy Ian Austin.

The report “Useful idiots of Putin” notes that over the past five years there has been a tendency to establish ties between European populists, both the right and left political spectrum, and Putin's Russia. The document has together information about the contacts of these politicians with Russian partners and their statements on the topic of the Russian Federation - that is, data available earlier are presented.

The report notes that ties with the Putin regime British politicians, parties and movements are established in various ways. Someone praises Putin and supports Russia's actions in Ukraine; Some make trips to Moscow and other Russian cities to participate in events organized by the Kremlin or pro -Kremlin organizations; Another part joins Russian propaganda networks.

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In particular, Foxsoll writes about the trips of the former leader of the right -winging British National Party of Nick Griffin to various conferences and elections in Russia, including the International Russian Conservative Forum in 2015 in St. Petersburg. The analyst also recalls the statements of the leader of the Labor Labor Jeremy Corbin , his adviser to Shaimas Milna, who at different times praised the Russian policy in the Middle East, and the former mayor of London Ken Livingston, who justified the "invasion of Russia to Ukraine."

The report repeatedly refers to the cooperation of a number of British left and right with the RT channel, Sputnik and other Russian state media agencies. Fossol notes that in this way pro -Russian politicians from Britain not only support the Kremlin, but also strengthen their own influence. In addition, the author of the report assumes that for his speeches these politicians can receive support from Russia in the form of fees.

At the same time, Foxsoll calls not to overestimate the role of the Russian state media in the popularization of European politicians and their views supporting the Kremlin. "According to the commission on the study of the broadcasting audience, from October 3 to October 3 to October 9, 2016, the average coverage of RT in Britain was 194 thousand people, that is, only 0.33% of the audience. Exaggeizing the value of RT, we give the impression that he reports, actually matters. He lies or distorts reality), but not in the sense in which this channel itself implies, ”writes Foxsoll.

How to resist the "Putin idiots"

According to Foxoll, a universal solution for the problem described by him does not exist. Nevertheless, the author of the report gives several recommendations on countering the activities of those British politicians and organizations that seek to expand their influence by supporting "despotic regimes abroad."

The analyst invites activists, journalists and politicians to pay attention to the pro -Russian associations of individuals and parties of the left and right and through a political discussion to question the trust in these structures. The left must be called to answer for preaching peace and equality in their homeland, they support "aggressive kleptocracy" abroad. At the same time, the right -wing belief that Putin is a successful president must be called into question, because “does what in the interests of Russia,” Foxsoll believes.

The author of the report also offers research centers to identify the ties of British politicians with the Kremlin. Foxsoll believes that it is necessary to draw up a map of Europe on which all pro -Russian structures will be indicated.

In addition, the author of the report offers reporters and activists to try to disclose schemes for financing by the Kremlin of European politicians and parties.

Foxsoll also believes that the parliaments of European countries must legislatively oblige politicians to report on all speeches in the press, for fees or for free, so that voters see from whom and what money they receive. And we are talking about any media, not only about state Russian.

Finally, scientists and observers in the West should increase the level of awareness of Europeans about the Putin regime using electoral terror and criminal, according to the author of the report. Foxsoll recalls the possible connection of the Russian authorities with the murder of the correspondent of Novaya Gazeta, Anna Politkovskaya, the death of the Hermitage Capital Foundation Sergei Magnitsky and oppositionist Boris Nemtsov; About the military tactics of the Russian Federation in Syria. “Raising these topics widely and actively, scientists, observers and others will be able to do a lot to discredit Russia's efforts to increase its influence in the West,” the analyst concludes.

Meanwhile, some measures to counteract the propaganda policy of the Kremlin in Europe are already accepted at the official level. On the eve of the European Parliament adopted a resolution in which the Russian authorities are accused of propaganda at the expense of state media in order to split the EU. Of the 691 deputy who took part in the vote according to the document, 304 came to his support, against 179, and 208 decided to refrain.

The resolution, in particular, states that the EU information threat is posed by the RT channel, the Sputnik agency, the Russian Mir Foundation and the Russian Foreign Ministry - Rossotrudnichestvo. The document also says that Russia provides financial support to the opposition political parties of the European Union.

At the same time, the resolution was adopted as a document on the struggle of the EU with the propaganda of the "third parties." Along with Russia, they were attributed to the terrorist organizations "Al-Qaeda" and "Islamic State" (banned in the Russian Federation).