SAINT DENIS: French President Emmanuel Macron
(pic) said Thursday he had “no doubt” Russia was targeting the Paris Olympics including with disinformation.
“I have no doubt, including in the information space,” he said when asked if Russia would target the Games which begin on July 26.
“It is feeding every day the idea that we can’t do this or that, that there’s a risk.”
Macron’s comments, delivered at an event in Paris for the inauguration of the new Olympics aquatic centre, represent his most explicit acknowledgement to date of foreign threats to the security or smooth running of the games.
The Games will take place amid a complex global backdrop, with Russia’s war in Ukraine and Israel’s conflict with Hamas in Gaza complicating efforts to safeguard the Olympics.
Macron has in past months adopted a tougher stance against Russia, vowing that Moscow must be defeated, and has not ruled out that European troops may one day go to Ukraine, although he has made clear that France has no intention of instigating hostilities against Russia.
His government has also adopted a tougher line against alleged Russian disinformation efforts across Europe.
