Kremlin says UK Burnham's decision to stir up anti-Russian sentiment in UN speech was short-sighted - Reuters

British official Andy Burnham delivered a speech to the United Nations General Assembly in which he accused Russia of spreading false information and disinformation across Europe. In the address, Burnham also announced the creation of a new National Centre for Information Defence, a body intended to counter what he described as Russian information warfare.

The speech highlighted concerns that Russian state media and online platforms have been used to disseminate misleading narratives, which Burnham said undermine democratic institutions and public trust. He called for greater international cooperation to identify and counter such activities, and outlined plans for the centre to coordinate responses and provide resources to media outlets and civil society groups.

The Kremlin responded to Burnham’s remarks, describing his decision to raise the issue at the UN as short‑sighted. Moscow said that stirring up anti‑Russian sentiment would not contribute to easing tensions in Europe and warned that such accusations could exacerbate diplomatic strains.

In its statement, the Kremlin reiterated that Russia does not engage in coordinated disinformation campaigns targeting other nations and characterized the allegations as unfounded. The Russian government urged the United Kingdom to focus on constructive dialogue rather than what it termed “unnecessary provocation.”

Burnham’s announcement and the Kremlin’s rebuttal come amid ongoing debates in Europe about the role of state‑linked media and online content in shaping public opinion, as governments on both sides of the issue consider new measures to address perceived information threats.