In a conversation with Yurii Bibvik, analyst Valerii Klochk characterized Russia's latest information campaign about the "strike on Putin's residence at Valdai" as a propaganda effort intended to influence negotiations between Ukraine, the US and the EU.
Klochk stated that Russia's main goal is to change the agreed peace plan, reinforce its economic interests, and maintain political sway, since a military occupation of Ukraine is no longer realistic. He stressed that, despite the lack of evidence for the alleged strike, Russian propaganda is actively promoting the narrative, aiming in part to sway Donald Trump, whose comments remain non-committal but who acts as a broker in negotiations.
The expert emphasized the need for more active international diplomacy by Ukraine and its allies to prevent manipulation benefiting Russia. He noted the insufficient response from European partners, observing that only a few countries, such as Lithuania, have publicly rejected Moscow's claims or launched their own investigations.
Klochk underlined the importance of the ongoing information war, noting Russia's systematic and professional approach to advancing its narrative. He also highlighted the role of countries like Turkey and the UAE, which sometimes engage in the information space but do not always support a strong anti-Russian stance.
Ultimately, Klochk called for greater activity from the international community, especially European leaders, warning that without decisive action, Russia is likely to continue using similar information provocations to put diplomatic pressure on Ukraine and its allies.
