Amidst growing tensions due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz took a train to Kyiv for discussions with President Zelenskyy. During this trip, allegations surfaced, propagated by Russian officials, suggesting drug use by these leaders. The French government swiftly condemned these claims as disinformation, asserting that they aim to undermine European support for Ukraine. This incident marks part of a persistent Russian strategy to discredit European leadership, prompting France to adopt measures to effectively counter such narratives.
The claim, originating from a video showing Macron with a tissue and Merz with a coffee stirrer, was amplified by Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on Telegram.
France publicly refuted the accusations on X (formerly Twitter), labeling it as disinformation spread by adversaries and emphasising European unity.
This incident reflects a broader Russian disinformation campaign targeting European leaders, often portraying them as drug users to discredit their support for Ukraine.
France has adopted a more proactive approach to countering such disinformation, directly addressing and debunking false narratives.
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