Rosyjska dezinformacja jako element budowania wpływów w Europie: analiza i perspektywy

The armed attack on Ukraine met with a strong reaction from the West. However, in the case of several countries it was late, which could indicate the existence of Russian influence there. The aim of the investigation was to analyse the possibility of Russia influencing decision-making processes in western countries and the impact of this influence on the security of the West. The results showed that Russia has many tools of political influence, including diplomacy, political communication, the Russian diaspora, the Russian Orthodox Church, and social and political organisations and groups sympathetic to Russia. It has also been shown that, to exert influence, Russia uses the entire state apparatus, which poses a threat to the broadly understood security of western European countries. The conclusions of the research also indicate that the West may become a victim of its own tolerance and political correctness. Especially in cases of crises deliberately caused by Russia.