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Sergei Lavrov, the head of Russian diplomacy, read Putin’s statement in a video released by the Foreign Ministry as the Kremlin host attended a large-scale military exercise in southern Russia with China and Iran.
Western states have for many years accused Russia of using hackers and Internet trolls to influence the outcome of the vote. At the time, US intelligence officials say that Moscow is again manipulating social media in favor of US President Donald Trump, as in 2016.
Putin’s proposal not to intervene in cyberspace was announced after the Kremlin accused Western countries of running a disinformation campaign against him over the poisoning of Russian opponent Alexei Navaln in Siberia in August.
According to the Kremlin, Putin called on the parties to “exchange assurances that they will not interfere in each other’s internal affairs, including elections, including through the use of information and communication technologies,” and to “overload” relations. bilateral in the sector.
He also called for an international pact that requires the use of such methods to strike a “first blow” during conflicts.
“One of the main strategic challenges today is the risk of a large-scale confrontation in the digital sphere,” said the Russian leader.
“Key players in the field of information security have a special responsibility in its prevention,” he added.
Putin also suggested that Moscow and Washington could reach an agreement to prevent incidents in cyberspace. He compared such a potential pact to an agreement signed between the USSR and the United States in 1972, which reduced the likelihood of incidents at sea and in airspace and escalation of tensions.
The president added that dialogue between Russian and US officials on key international information security issues should be resumed.
Professional dialogue must not become “hostage to our political disagreements,” Putin stressed.
US President Donald Trump attacked the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Christopher Wray last week after he highlighted the threat from Russia in the November 3 presidential election.
Trump, whose campaign had vague ties to Russian actors who volunteered to help him defeat Hillary Clinton during the 2016 presidential election, has repeatedly criticized his country’s intelligence officials for repeatedly claiming that Moscow remains in greater danger.
In addition to interfering in American politics, British officials have accused a group of hackers believed to be in contact with Russian intelligence services of attempting to steal information on coronavirus vaccines.
This year, the UK government has also accused “Russian actors” of disrupting the 2019 general election by distributing leaked documents related to trade between London and Washington.
Disinformation campaign
Lavrov noted on Friday that Russia has been accused of undermining the US elections and “the entire domestic political system” in recent years.
“As we have said many times, there is no basis for such statements,” he added.
“We are in favor of a professional and constructive discussion of all existing problems,” said the senior Russian diplomat.
The Kremlin categorically rejects all allegations of electoral interference, and in turn accused Western leaders of carrying out a disinformation campaign against Russia.
This week, the Foreign Ministry accused European countries of “initiating a major disinformation campaign” about the Navaln poisoning. Opposition activists say he became the target of a government-sanctioned attack last month using Novičiok, a nerve paralyzing substance.
Laboratories in Germany, France and Sweden said they had confirmed that a 44-year-old anti-corruption activist had been poisoned by this combat material developed by the USSR.
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