German politician: Germany must react to Russian propaganda

• 5.01.2015, 15:04

Putin tries to manipulate public opinion in Europe.

Norbert Röttgen, the chairman of the Bundestag's Committee on Foreign Affairs, called on German society to take a more careful attitude to Russian propaganda. According to him, an “attempt to influence public opinion not only in Russia and Ukraine, but also in Germany” is one of Vladimir Putin's strategies in the Ukrainian conflict.

The politician said it in an interview with Der Tagesspiegel, Deutsche Welle reports.

He emphasised that Putin does not stop at propaganda and public opinion manipulation to achieve his aims.

Röttgen is concerned about the fact that no one in Germany began to deal with the propaganda, “let alone respond to it”.

“If society is aware of this camouflaged organised influence, its effect disappears,” Röttgen thinks.

According to the chairman of the Bundestag's Committee on Foreign Affairs, “German journalists of public service media who cover the events in eastern Ukraine impartially” are under enormous pressure for “calling things by their proper names” and reporting about Russia's involvement in the conflict. Society should know about it, Röttgen says.