The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, described as “unacceptable” on Friday 24 September the “malicious” cyber activities, referred to as Ghostwriter and “associated with the Russian state”.
These cyber activities, Borrell added in a statement on behalf of the EU, threaten the democratic values and principles of European democracies as they attempt to plunder the data of many national MPs, government officials, political leaders, journalists and members of civil society.
In Germany, the courts have opened an investigation into suspected foreign intelligence activity ahead of the German parliamentary elections on Sunday 26 September.
“We urge the Russian Federation to adhere to the UN framework for responsible state behaviour in cyberspace”, Borrell said. He said that EU Member States will discuss the issue at subsequent meetings and consider the possibility of “taking further steps”.
The day before, on the margins of the UN General Assembly, the High Representative and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov took stock of EU-Russia relations as the Europeans sought to make them more stable and predictable.
“Disagreements persist”, in particular on Russia’s violations of Ukraine’s sovereignty, human rights and democracy, as well as on cyber threats and disinformation, notes a statement by the European External Action Service (EEAS) published on Thursday evening (23 September).
In June, Mr Borrell unveiled a new strategy for EU-Russia relations based on the ‘fight, contain and dialogue’ approach (see EUROPE 12742/1). To contain Russian attempts to undermine its interests, the EU is encouraged to develop its cyber security capabilities as well as to step up work on disinformation by foreign agents, including by strengthening the regulatory framework for digital platforms. (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)