Rubin: Serbia one of Russia’s main disinformation bases in the region

NEWS 11.04.202321:29
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It is clear that the main source of threat in this part of the world is the Russian generated disinformation, US Special Envoy and Coordinator for the State Department Global Engagement Center James Rubin said in Skopje.

Rubin, who is currently visiting the Western Balkans, said the region is under the strong influence of manipulation spread by structures connected to Russia and China, reported Voice of America in Macedonian.

I would say that the space here is seriously “poisoned” primarily by Russian disinformation, said Rubin, adding that Russian President Vladimir Putin though that he could conquer Ukraine and divide it, but that he failed.

This does not mean that Russia is not continuing to spread the “poison” of disinformation and divisions, said Rubin.

The US official said he believes that Serbia is one of the main “bases” from where misinformation and manipulation related to the region originate, and backed his claim with the fact that the Russian media that support the Kremlin still operate in Serbia.

This influence, said Rubin, also affects the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue.

Commenting on Russia, he said he was certain that there are people in the Kremlin who do not want North Macedonia to make progress on its path to the European Union.

Rubin previously discussed in Skopje the fight against disinformation with North Macedonian Prime Minister Dimitar Kovacevski and other officials.

He told the VoA that it was a good thing that Skopje’s leadership was aware of these problems in the country. He announced heightened cooperation between Washington and Skopje, mainly at the technical level but also the transfer of US experiences not just with fighting disinformation and fake news but also in detecting sources.