Paris (The Palestine Telegraph Newspaper) – 23 January
2026 - French authorities have publicly challenged misleading narratives
promoted by US and Russian state-linked accounts on the X platform, formerly
Twitter. Officials highlighted specific instances of disinformation targeting
European policies and security issues. The response underscores ongoing efforts
to combat foreign influence operations amid heightened geopolitical tensions.
French government spokespersons issued statements on 22
January 2026 rebutting what they described as coordinated misinformation from
accounts associated with US and Russian interests on the X platform. The French
Foreign Ministry pointed to a series of posts amplifying false claims about
European Union sanctions and NATO activities.
These posts, which garnered significant engagement,
originated from verified accounts linked to think tanks and media outlets in
both nations.
Ministry officials conducted a press briefing in Paris,
where they presented screenshots of over 20 X posts published between 15 and 21
January. The posts alleged that France was secretly negotiating with Russia to
undermine US-led security initiatives in Europe.
One prominent thread, posted by a US-based analyst with over
500,000 followers, claimed French diplomats met covertly in Geneva with Russian
counterparts. French diplomats confirmed no such meetings occurred, attributing
the narrative to recycled propaganda from 2025.
A Russian state media-affiliated account reposted the US
thread, adding commentary accusing France of hypocrisy in its Ukraine support.
The French response included a detailed fact-check thread on their official X
account, viewed more than 2 million times within hours. Cybersecurity experts
from the Viginum agency, a French government body, traced the initial posts to
IP addresses in Virginia, USA, and Moscow regions.
French Fact-Checking Initiative Details
Credit: america-times.com
The French government's fact-checking operation involved collaboration with the European External Action Service (EEAS). EEAS reports from January 2026 documented a 40% rise in cross-Atlantic disinformation targeting France since President Trump's inauguration in January 2025.
Specific falsehoods included assertions that France diverted
€500 million in EU aid to private firms linked to President Macron. Official
records show the funds supported Ukrainian refugee programmes.
Spokesperson for the French Foreign Ministry, Laurence
Paoli, stated during the briefing: "These campaigns seek to erode trust in
our institutions. We will continue to expose them transparently." Paoli
referenced X's own transparency reports, which noted increased state-sponsored
activity from both US and Russian domains in Q4 2025. X platform data indicated
the disputed posts reached 15 million users before removal requests.
French officials flagged 12 accounts for violating X's
misinformation policies. Five US-linked accounts belonged to organisations
funded by grants from the US State Department, according to public disclosures.
Russian accounts tied to RT affiliates republished edited videos of French
politicians. Viginum analysis confirmed digital watermarks matching known
Russian troll farms.
Background on US and Russia Online Activities
Credit: AP Photot/jacquelyn Martin
US-based accounts involved promoted narratives aligning with the Trump administration's foreign policy shifts. Posts criticised France's role in EU arms deliveries to Ukraine, claiming they prolonged conflict for profit. Reuters reported in December 2025 that similar messaging appeared in speeches by US officials. The accounts cited unnamed "sources in Washington" without verification.
Russian efforts focused on amplifying anti-NATO sentiment.
Posts misrepresented statements by French Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu,
who in a 20 January televised address affirmed continued support for Kyiv.
State media like Sputnik France shared altered clips suggesting a policy
reversal. French intelligence linked these to the Internet Research Agency,
active since 2014.
This incident follows a pattern. In November 2025, France
debunked US claims on X about French involvement in Middle East ceasefires.
Russian accounts echoed those, reaching 10 million impressions. The EEAS
verified the coordination via shared hashtags and timing.democracynow
Platform Response and European Coordination
X, under Elon Musk's ownership, acknowledged the reports but
stated reviews were ongoing as of 23 January. A company spokesperson noted: "We
act on clear violations of our rules." In 2025, X suspended 1,200 accounts
for similar activities, per their quarterly report. French regulators
threatened fines under the Digital Services Act if inaction persisted.globalissues
European partners supported France. Germany’s Federal Office
for Information Security issued a parallel alert on 22 January, citing
identical posts. The UK’s Counter Disinformation Unit monitored amplification
by British-based proxies. EU Commission Vice-President Věra Jourová called for
unified platform accountability during a Brussels meeting.
France plans to submit evidence to the European Court of
Justice, invoking DSA enforcement. Viginum recommended users verify sources
amid rising threats. Public awareness campaigns launched on 23 January via
French media outlets.
Key Statements from Involved Parties
Credit: gettyimages.in
US Embassy in Paris declined comment on specific accounts, referring to "free speech principles." A State Department readout from 21 January reiterated alliance commitments without addressing disinformation. Russian Embassy spokesperson Maria Zakharova posted on Telegram denying involvement, calling French claims "Russophobic hysteria."YouTube
French President Emmanuel Macron addressed the issue briefly
during a Lyon visit on 22 January, stating: "Truth remains our strongest defence."
His remarks followed briefings from intelligence services. No further
escalations reported by press time.
Broader Context of Geopolitical Tensions
Relations between France, the US, and Russia have strained
since 2025. Trump's reelection prompted US troop adjustments in Europe,
prompting French calls for strategic autonomy. Russian advances
in Ukraine intensified information warfare. EU reports logged 5,000
disinformation instances in 2025, up 25% from prior year.
French media, including Le Monde and France 24, covered the
X developments extensively. Coverage included interviews with digital forensics
experts confirming manipulation tactics like deepfakes. Public polls by Ifop on
23 January showed 68% of French citizens concerned about foreign meddling.
Authorities continue monitoring. Additional briefings scheduled for 24 January. No casualties or direct impacts beyond online reach reported.