Disinformation frontlines - Unpacking China and Russia’s strategies of covert influence

Across Europe, coordinated hybrid campaigns led by Russia and China are increasingly targeting democratic institutions, exploiting vulnerabilities, eroding trust, and reshaping narratives.

From disinformation and digital propaganda to election meddling and hybrid threats, these tactics are testing the resilience of citizens, who rely on their strength to remain vigilant, well-informed, and prepared to counter such threats and defend their democratic systems.

Join YPFP Brussels and the GMF for a discussion with policy experts and practitioners on how the Europeans and international institutions are addressing these growing challenges.

Key Topics

• An analysis of how the disinformation and manipulation strategies implemented by China and Russia differ
• Lessons learnt from the recent elections conducted in Georgia, Romania and Moldova
• What vulnerabilities of Western democracies are these actors exploiting or amplifying?
• As young professionals, what is our role in strengthening democratic resilience?

Speakers

• Etienne SOULA, Research Analyst, Alliance for Securing Democracy
• Dimitar LILKOV, Senior Research Officer at the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies
• Moderated by Alexis Cudey, YPFP Programmes Officer