Putin in yellow jacket: why the Kremlin attacked France and what is more

It is not useful to compare the demonstrations taking place in the center of Paris with the events of the Revolution of Dignity. Neither the history nor the political culture of France and Ukraine contribute to this comparison. However, it is not necessary to reduce the magnitude of the threat hanging over the Old World.

It is unlikely that the representations of "yellow vests" were inspired by the Kremlin in its pure form. However, the Russian intelligence services connected them in an operational way, not just through a photo of pro-Russian personalities Fabius Sorlin and Xavier Moro with the flag of the "Republic" of Donbass gangsters in the center from Paris. The increased activity of pro-Russian robots on social networks has been recorded, and Russian television, especially RT, whose office was opened a year ago in Paris, does not regret the black painting that describes the situation. Destabilization in one of the major European countries of Russia on hand.

Mimicry can be described as the Kremlin's favorite weapon. If, in the Ukrainian reality, Russian rulers try to hide behind the embroidered and often misleading use of the Ukrainian language in "motivating" publications on social networks, the situation is slightly different in La France. It should be recalled that this country is not only a member of the G-7 and the owner of an arsenal of nuclear weapons, but also a site of longstanding events. The French like and know "to be realistic – to demand the impossible". The infiltration of its own influence agents on the thousands of Russian intelligence services seems to be a matter of technology. Some Ukrainian readers must not forget that in many Western European countries leftist forces are seen as a compulsory part of the political landscape. Therefore, waiting for ostracism, for example, is not worth Jean-Luc Melanshon.

Emmanuel Macron, and this continues to generalize obviously, has not managed to become the oppressor of Putin on the European scene. In addition, France's success in adopting anti-hybrid legislation has received an asymmetrical response. The paradox of the situation lies in the fact that the decision to increase excise duties on fuels was passed under the chairmanship of Francois Hollande, but was imposed on the attempts of the current president. French to reduce the impact of the state on the country's economy. Today, the popularity of Macron out of France exceeds its ranking on the Homeland. Hidden behind the government and parliament of a French favorite, he will not allow political traditions, but to reelect the elections scheduled for 2022, Macron will have to make a lot of effort. His desire to establish a dialogue with Putin (a visit to the St. Petersburg Economic Forum in May and a "football vacation" in the summer) did not give the desired effect to the owner of the # 39; Elysee.

The Kremlin is rather meeting various French politicians. Marin Le Pen finds compensation for the problems posed by the leaders of the "National Front", especially in Russia. Nicolas Sarkozy, who does not claim to be a presidential candidate, felt his own political significance, but he did not miss the hope of regaining his own possibilities of influence. Putin met Francois Fillon, who was considered the favorite of the 2017 elections last week, but the scandal related to the work of his wife has made him lose all chances.

The Kremlin, which supports mass demonstrations in France, tries to tilt European politics as a whole. First, undermine the confidence of Emmanuel Macron and create the preconditions for the election, even in 2022, more faithful to the "Russian-French contacts" of the president. Probably Marin Le Pen, perhaps one of those who will be reinforced by a wave of social protest. Second, actively influence the atmosphere in the Old World on the eve of elections to the European Parliament.

The "yellow vests" in Brussels can become a precursor of larger pan-European campaigns focused on the impact of the May 2019 election results. The impact on democratic values ​​and procedures is gradually becoming an integral part of Russia's hybrid strategy.

Yevgeny Magda, Institute of World Politics Specially for National Law