Putin spent £260m on influencing politicians

Russia: Officials from 18 Russian districts call for Putin to resign

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A diplomatic cable has been released by the United States showing that this scheme in Moscow has been used to try and sway politicians and officials in over 24 countries. 

The cable was able to be released following Antony Blinken, the Secretary of State signing off on it.

The cable was sent to US embassies and consulates on Monday to make them aware in Europe, South Asia and Africa of the concerns arising from such intelligence.

The document instructed US diplomats what topics of discussion to have with their host governments over supposed interference from Russia.

Specified targets for Russia have not been identified in the document but classified information is being passed on to the relevant countries.

The document noted that intelligence officials in the US are under the impression that Moscow had arranged to transfer “at least hundreds of millions more” dollars to parties and officials across the globe sympathetic to Russia’s wants.

It is unclear from the document how US intelligence officials concluded the final number of £260 million.

It also remains unclear as to how concerns have been addressed over foreign past and continued potential interference with US politics.

President Zelensky of Ukraine and his high-ranking colleagues have repeatedly accused Putin of interfering with domestic politics.

An official from the US administration told the Associated Press that allegations of rigged elections due to Russian influence have sprung up across Eastern Europe.

Countries such as Albania, Bosnia and Montenegro have accused Putin of meddling and have all historically faced pressure from Moscow.

A week ago, President Biden issued an extension on a national emergency over the continued threat of foreign election interference.

According to a US official: “We are promoting co-ordination with our democratic peers.

“And we will be exchanging lessons learned, all to advance our collective election security, but also our election security here at home.”

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According to the cable, Russia allegedly secretly influenced politics abroad by using companies to funnel money to preferred causes or politicians. 

Ned Price, State Department spokesperson said that Russia’s alleged actions were an “assault on sovereignty”.

He continued: “It is an effort to chip away at the ability of people around the world to choose the governments that they see best fit to represent them, to represent their interests, and to represent their values.”

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