“We need to strengthen cyber security due to Russian attempts to gain access to the OPCW, as well as to vital infrastructures of various countries. Russia is trying to intervene and discredit the democratic process in several European democratic countries,” said Lidington, speaking at the New Economy Forum in the Spanish capital .
Accusations against "Russian hackers" periodically put forward in the West. Russia has repeatedly denied allegations of interfering in internal affairs and attempts to influence elections in different countries.
Lidington accused Russia of “provoking conflicts” with the help of economic instruments, “secret military intervention”, and the use of “information for aggression.”
"In a democratic Europe, we must be active in confronting the information war the Kremlin is trying to wage," he added, mentioning Catalonia.
At the height of the Catalan crisis in the fall and winter of last year, the Spanish authorities declared that information aimed at supporting the independence of Catalonia was spread in social networks from the territories of Russia and Venezuela. However, at the same time they stressed that they have no evidence of the involvement of the authorities of these countries in this. Moscow earlier called on Madrid to present concrete facts of Russia's intervention in the situation around Catalonia. The Russian authorities, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, have repeatedly stated that they consider the Catalan problem an internal affair of Spain, which should be settled within the framework of the constitution.
At the same time, Mayor’s chief of staff called for dialogue with Russia. "But you need to understand that you need to interact with Russia, you need to talk with them every week, in the Security Council. You have to deal with Russia, this is part of the world in which we live. We hope Russia chooses a different course," said the head apparatus may.
Lidington also stated that the alleged hacker attacks on the OPCW are "part of a hostile policy" that "demonstrates disregard for global values." He again accused Russia of "chemical attacks in Salisbury," an aggressive policy in Eastern Europe, and interference in Syria. "Russia seeks to destabilize and undermine democratic values," said Lidington.
"We know how Russia sponsored bots in numerous posts in social media during various campaigns. We have to watch and answer for this," he said, calling for vigilance and solidarity in relations with Russia.
