00:00Is Russia using the war in the Middle East to spread disinformation about Ukraine?
00:08Russia has long spread disinformation about Ukraine,
00:12but analysts say the Kremlin is now switching up its messaging.
00:15According to EU vs Disinfo, pro-Kremlin narratives are increasingly focusing on tensions in the Middle East and Iran
00:22attempting to link Ukraine to the regional crisis.
00:25In early March, Moscow-based analyst and supporter of the war in Ukraine Sergei Polatev
00:30wrote that a prolonged conflict in Iran would draw attention away from Kiev.
00:34Pro-Kremlin outlets have also circulated claims suggesting that Ukraine
00:38could stage an incident to regain Western attention.
00:41Russia's foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova repeated similar obligations,
00:47citing reports that Ukraine might attack NATO countries and beat Moscow.
00:51But European leaders have rejected the idea that the crisis in the Middle East
00:54could weaken Western pressure on Russia.
00:57Speaking alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the 13th of March,
01:01French President Emmanuel Macron said Russia would be mistaken
01:05if it believed the conflict could bring it any strategic relief.
01:08He added that the G7 would under no circumstances reconsider sanctions,
01:13although the US has eased its ban on Russian oil,
01:16calling it a short-term measure to stabilize global markets.
01:19Macron's remarks came after Putin said in early March that Moscow was ready to work with the Europeans,
01:25but needed signals that they are ready and willing.
01:28The statement followed warnings from Putin that Russia could halt energy supplies to Europe
01:33and redirect them to Asia.
01:35Meanwhile, on the 14th of March, the European Council renewed individual sanctions against Russia,
01:40but European leaders seemed to be divided.
01:43Belgium's Prime Minister, Bardo Weaver, told the newspaper Leco that Europe should consider a deal with Moscow
01:48how to end the war in Ukraine and restore cheaper energy.
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