Question Period Note: Russia fabricates pretext for invasion of Ukraine

On February 3, 2022, the U.S. government alledged that it has inquired intelligence that the Russian government is fabricating a pretext to invade Ukraine.

• The Government of Canada is aware of the allegations raised by the United States and takes them very seriously. We do not comment on evidence raised by third countries.
• Canada is making every effort to counter disinformation as it erodes public trust, undermines decision making and instills fear, ultimately weakening democracy. The current crisis in Ukraine illustrates the dangers of disinformation.

• We know that Russia has long manipulated information to achieve its goals and undermine international efforts to resolve the conflict by characterizing NATO, the U.S. and Ukraine as aggressors and a threat to Russian security.
• Russia disinformation is both overt and covert. We hear it from State officials and State media, and it's also spread through proxies, fake social media accounts, grey web sites and other sources.
• Canada will continue to work with international partners, including through the G7 Rapid Response Mechanism, to monitor and respond to Russia's false narratives. We call on Russia to deescalate and to cease its disinformation, propaganda and malign social media activities.

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