G7 Rapid Response Mechanism Unites Against Russian Influence: A Robust Joint Statement

The content of the following announcement was issued by the G7 Rapid Response Mechanism, which encompasses Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the United States, the High Representative of the European Union, and NATO:

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The G7 RRM acknowledges recent remarks made by the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada that have unveiled the ongoing clandestine endeavors of the Russian state media organization RT (previously known as Russia Today) and the Social Design Agency (SDA). These remarks indicate that the Kremlin has financed and orchestrated secret operations by these organizations to undermine societies through international disinformation and influence strategies.

The aforementioned remarks have highlighted that RT and SDA utilize deceptive methods, aiming to exploit social and political concerns to polarize and weaken communities, to destabilize and discredit elected administrations, and to further the Kremlin’s harmful interests. This includes diverting focus from the atrocities inflicted and humanitarian crises engendered by its aggressive actions against Ukraine.

The G7 RRM treats any manipulation of information and foreign interference (FIMI) with the greatest gravity. Members of the G7 RRM will persist in illuminating these harmful activities, which may encompass but are not limited to state-sponsored hostile cyber operations, psychological and information campaigns, and covert influence tactics.

Since its establishment, the G7 RRM has concentrated on combating foreign state-sponsored disinformation and enhancing societal resilience against FIMI. The G7 RRM consists of G7 members and allies, including Australia, New Zealand, NATO, the Netherlands, and Sweden as observers. The G7 RRM, alongside like-minded global partners, stands united in countering these ongoing harmful activities.

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