Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine, launched a yr in the past, modified Europe in a single day. It has set in movement tectonic shifts in political and financial relations, disrupting power markets and upending current provide chains. It has challenged the very core of the post-World Struggle II European venture: peace.

The brutal assault on Ukraine has been notably unsettling for Jap Europe, which has comparatively latest recollections of Russian hostility and occupation. This explains why there was such vital assist within the area for extreme sanctions on Russia, monetary, navy, and humanitarian support for Ukraine, reinforcement of NATO’s jap flank and a heat welcome for thousands and thousands of Ukrainian refugees.

But, there are some international locations in Jap Europe that also harbour baffling sympathies for Russia, regardless of having confronted Russian aggression up to now. Slovakia, Bulgaria and Hungary have stood out over the previous yr as notably pro-Russia of their attitudes.

A September ballot carried out in Slovakia exhibits that almost all of Slovaks would welcome a Russian navy victory over Ukraine. In one other survey carried out in Could, solely 33 p.c of Bulgarians and 45 p.c of Hungarians perceived Russia as a risk. Hungary, Slovakia, and Bulgaria additionally have a tendency to indicate the weakest assist within the area for European Union sanctions in opposition to Russia, in keeping with a Eurobarometer survey carried out within the fall of 2022.

These attitudes have been mirrored in authorities insurance policies and rhetoric. Bulgaria and Hungary are the one NATO and EU members to have formally refused to ship arms to Ukraine, echoing the favored perception that doing so would drag these international locations into the battle. Bulgaria’s earlier authorities needed to secretly present Kyiv with ammunition and gasoline, concealing the very fact from the general public.

Whereas the Slovak authorities has prolonged daring and open assist to Ukraine, together with provides of heavy weaponry, and is amongst its high backers internationally when it comes to support given as a share of gross home product (GDP), it has sided with Hungary relating to economically uncomfortable selections, equivalent to final yr’s EU oil ban, for which it negotiated an exemption.

Each Bratislava and Budapest have additionally threatened to pay for Russian fuel in roubles, if push got here to shove, following Moscow’s determination to obtain fuel funds solely in its foreign money. The Hungarian administration has repeatedly blocked sanctions in opposition to Russia in Brussels, whereas ramping up home anti-EU propaganda.

The persistent pro-Russian sentiments in these three international locations have rather a lot to do with latest historical past and Russian opportunism.

The transition from communism in Jap Europe got here with excessive expectations for freedom, democracy and prosperity that haven’t all the time been met. The pursuit of the Western mannequin of improvement not solely did not ship within the eyes of some Jap Europeans, however produced emotions of inadequacy and disillusionment.

This disappointment created an area for overseas malignant interference, buttressed by the expansion of social media and different unregulated digital areas up to now 15 years. Moscow, utilizing its Chilly Struggle propaganda toolkit, cleverly tapped into these anxieties and irrational nostalgia for the “consolation” of communism, exploiting the concepts of pan-Slavic unity, and similarities throughout languages, historical past, and tradition.

After all, these methods succeed higher the place weak democratic fundamentals allow them to. Surging power costs, the cost-of-living disaster, poverty, and excessive inflation have additionally fed widespread frustration and additional fuelled pro-Russia sentiments.

This isn’t simply Slovakia, Bulgaria and Hungary’s downside, however the EU’s at massive and it should be addressed. Clinging to such attitudes perpetuates the long-standing east-west rift throughout the EU, weakens the EU resolve on backing Ukraine, and opens the door to Russia’s “divide and conquer” ways.

Tackling the financial disaster and intergenerational change in establishments may also help mitigate some elements that feed Euroscepticism and pro-Russia sentiments. However they’re on no account a complete answer.

Professional-Russian propaganda throughout Jap (and Western) Europe needs to be tackled head-on.

The common share of Jap European households with web entry has risen markedly in comparison with a decade in the past, to 93 p.c in 2022, offering malignant actors with a wonderful alternative to achieve the plenty. Social media platforms have been, certainly, shaping the methods during which occasions – such because the COVID-19 pandemic or the conflict in Ukraine – are understood, narrated, and remembered.

That’s the reason Moscow has ramped up its disinformation marketing campaign after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Restrictions imposed by the EU on its propaganda channels, equivalent to RT and Sputnik, haven’t restricted the attain of its faux information.

The Kremlin has not solely regarded for brand new on-line channels to achieve focused audiences, but in addition weaponised its diplomats and expanded a community of paid commentators in varied European international locations, who push its propaganda on conventional media channels. In Bulgaria, for instance, a senior member of the earlier authorities revealed that public figures are paid 2,000 euros ($2,150) to unfold pro-Kremlin propaganda within the public area.

There are a number of issues that may be finished to take the narrative again. In Europe, the conflict has highlighted the advantages of data area regulation, private information safety, insurance policies that improve the transparency of on-line platforms, and understanding of algorithms and content material moderation.

Consciousness campaigns that warning customers about on-line areas’ misuse and dangers needs to be instituted to protect most people, particularly susceptible teams, such because the aged, as social media platforms at the moment are a dominant supply of data, in addition to an area for social interplay.

Brussels can also be late to undertake insurance policies on digital literacy for kids and younger adults. In a 2021 examine, solely about half of 15-year-olds within the EU reported being instructed on detect faux or biased data, regardless of the pandemic having hastened the pattern in direction of web use and on-line studying. The displacement of conventional, extra fastidiously curated data sources, equivalent to encyclopedias and journals, calls for new abilities, together with fact-checking and important considering, for college kids and lecturers to have the ability to navigate this new complexity.

Certainly, data resilience might appear like an uphill battle, however it’s essential for the EU to pursue it. The unhindered unfold of falsehoods can threaten the integrity and safety of whole nations and undercut an efficient EU response to the conflict in Ukraine.

The views expressed on this article are the creator’s personal and don’t essentially replicate Al Jazeera’s editorial stance.