Russian Influence in the United States

Abstract

In the proposed article, the author examines the sources and political consequences of American susceptibility to Putin's extensive propaganda, deployed in particular in the USA. It is emphasized that information campaigns in the media, in political organizations and in conservative religious circles have a certain influence on public opinion. More interesting, in the researcher's opinion, is the question of why many Americans have become susceptible to the topics of Russian propaganda in recent years.

Аttention is paid to the most effective anti-Ukrainian topics, which in particular influenced the mood among Republicans. There were four such topics – first of all, this is the monetary component of US aid to Ukraine. Secondly, the media discusses the issue that Ukraine does not support religious freedom, but it is the Russian Federation that stands as a defender of Christianity and traditionalism. The third topic is the anti-global sentiments and actions supported by many Republicans.

Ukraine, as is known, has a political aim to join the EU. And the main “horror stories” of the conservative worldview in the USA are the European Union and the World Economic Forum. And, finally, the fourth topic is the “coup” of 2014: in the minds of American conservatives, it is the transformation of the Revolution of Dignity into a “coup” against the democratically elected Viktor Yanukovych, sponsored by the State Department of the Obama era.

According to the author, today we should concentrate material resources and psychological efforts to develop potential counterstrategies to the dangers and challenges of modern psychological warfare. In this context, art can also play a role in making Americans less susceptible to the themes of Russian propaganda. The brilliant documentary about the Revolution of Dignity “Winter on Fire” was created ten years ago and can be re-presented to an interested public. Supporters of Ukraine should emphasize the basic political value – national sovereignty too. It is unlikely that any American administration will be able to sit on two chairs – simultaneously supporting the principle of national independence and being condescending to neo-imperialist goals in the Russian-Ukrainian war.