Experiences in Europe in the Hybrid Conflict

Unfortunately, but also little surprisingly, the Minsk Agreement has not yet established a peaceful order in East Ukraine. When it comes to the withdrawal of heavy weapons and the implementation of a cease fire, wish and reality are far apart. The OSCE shall contribute to the stabilization process by providing neutral observation and information, but is often hampered carrying out her mission.

In the meantime, there is another ongoing conflict outside the actual conflict zone which targets the minds of people. Russia’s comprehensive media and propaganda strategy builds on causing uncertainty by spreading false information and permanently repeating the untruth. The impact of this consequent disinformation is again and again alarming. And Moscow continues to spend money on media within the EU. Social media play an important role, too. Facebook and Twitter are the new work fields for paid agents of the Russian disinformation strategy, not only campaigning against Ukraine, but also against the European Union itself and its politics.

In the light of the European Council’s recent conclusions, in which the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini has been invited to develop a counter-strategy, we would like to discuss this growing challenge and the necessary reactions of the European Union.

Welcome
Mark Weinmeister, Hessian State Secretary for European Affairs

Introduction
Rebecca Harms, MEP, Co-Chair of the Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance European Parliament, Member of the Delegation to the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Cooperation Committee

Panel Discussion
Peter Pomerantsev, London-based book author and journalist, worked for many years for Russian media
Rebecca Harms, MEP, Co-Chair of the Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance European Parliament, Member of the Delegation to the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Cooperation Committee
Anne Gellinek, ZDF-Correspondent in Brussels, previously ZDF-Correspondent in Moscow
Iwona Piorko (tbc), Member of Cabinet of the High Representative Federica Mogherini

Moderation
Ralf Fücks, President Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung