French Susceptibility to Russian Propaganda (Claire Demesmay, DGAP)

There are many reasons why France has become a key target of Moscow’s soft power in recent years. These include the country’s diplomatic weight and influence on European politics but also its deep currents of anti-Americanism and anti-globalization. Despite the French population’s largely negative view of Russia, Moscow has always had friends in the French political elite. Now as France’s populist parties on both the left and the right attract louder and louder critics of the European project, it has more.

https://dgap.org/en/think-tank/publications/dgapanalyse-compact/french-susceptibility-russian-propaganda

In Search of Alternatives. Greece between European Frustration and Russian Temptation (Julian Rappold, DGAP)

Tensions over the debt crisis have led to a loss of respect for the EU in Greece. But does Russia offer any kind of alternative to the “austerity directive” coming from Brussels? The Tsipras government's initial efforts to forge closer links with Moscow have not paid off. Crucially, Russia is unable – and unwilling – to offer Greece financial support, but it is all too glad to mobilize Greek sympathy. The EU should listen carefully to the discussion about Russia’s influence on Greece.

https://dgap.org/en/think-tank/publications/dgapanalyse-compact/search-alternatives