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8. - 8. 3rime 0inister Theresa 0ay has mounted a stern attack on Russia, claiming that it interferes in elections and plants fake news stories to sow discord and undermine :estern institutions.
In a significant escalation of rhetoric, 0ay accused 0oscow of attempting to “weaponi]e information” as part of a “sustained campaign of cyberespionage and disruption.” Russia’s actions were “threatening the international order,” she said.
“:e know what you are doing. $nd you will not succeed. Because you underestimate the resilience of our democracies, the enduring attraction of free and open societies, and the commitment of :estern nations to the alliances that bind us,” 0ay said in a speech at the annual /ord 0ayor’s BanTuet in /ondon. Since its annexation of &rimea, 0ay said Russia had fomented conflict in eastern 8kraine, violated airspace of (uropean countries, and hacked the Danish ministry of defense and the German 3arliament.
0ay said Britain would act to defend itself. “The 8. will do what is necessary to protect ourselves, and work with our allies to do likewise,” she said. “So we will take the necessary actions to counter Russian activity. But this is not where we want to be -- and not the relationship with Russia we want.”
Her criticism comes amid mounting allegations that groups linked to Russia or the .remlin itself meddled in elections and referendums, including Brexit, &atalonia’s independence vote, and the
8S presidential election. Her comments are in stark contrast to 3resident’s Donald Trump’s recent comment that he believed 9ladimir 3utin’s denials of interfering in the
8S presidential elections.
0ay said that even as the 8nited .ingdom leaves the (uropean 8nion, it remains committed to maintaining (urope’s security through strong economic ties with allies and 1$T2. Such relationships will protect against security threats from Russia, she said. “That is why we are driving reform of 1$T2, so this vital alliance is better able to deter and counter hostile Russian activity. It is why we have stepped up our military and economic support to 8kraine. It is why we are strengthening our cybersecurity and looking at how we tighten our financial regimes to ensure the profits of corruption cannot flow from Russia into the 8.,” she said.
(CNN.COM/
Photo: Time Magazine)