Russia’s Illiberal Networks: From Cross-Border Propaganda to Mutual Legitimation

The successful transnationalization of illiberal networks has become a prominent feature of European and transatlantic politics. Over the past 15 years, the relationship between Russia and illiberal Western actors has grown deeper and more strategic. The Kremlin has leveraged these connections to amplify its influence, employing shared narratives and mutual-legitimation strategies to strengthen its position domestically and internationally. Following a brief period of superficial distancing after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, most pro-Russian illiberal actors in the EU have kept and even increased their ties with Moscow. 

This discussion will explore how narratives originating from Russia are recontextualized and used for legitimation purposes in the political discourses of European countries. The panel will also look at the cases of Austria and Hungary, identifying the mechanisms, narratives, and processes that drive the propaganda exchanges between the Austrian Freedom Party (FPÖ), the regime of Viktor Orbán, and the Kremlin, and highlighting the asymmetry of these relationships. The conversation will also contribute to a deeper understanding of the complex transnational connections between illiberal actors, their cross-border learning processes, and the need for collaborative international efforts to combat disinformation and the transfusion of illiberal and authoritarian politics as well as to uphold democratic values.

Research conducted in the framework of the AUTHLIB (Neo-authoritarianisms in Europe and the Liberal Democratic Response) project provides an important contribution to understanding these dynamics and thus to the forging of effective strategies to counter the influence of coordinated illiberal narratives and propaganda efforts across Europe.

For more information, please contact Zsuzsanna Végh ([email protected]).

The German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF) is a nonpartisan policy organization committed to the idea that the United States and Europe are stronger together.