Is Putin trying to prop up Europe's Far-Right ?

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Don't forget another noted Putin fan:

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It's been obvious for a long time.

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Orban is somewhat of a different story, though you might be right. I didn't really intend to include Eastern European countries though.

I remember unproven, but persistent rumours about the Kremlin may be aiding League of Polish Families (hard anti-EU right) and Samoobrona (not really left or right, more an eclectic populist movement). Both were noticeably pro-Russian.

It may sounds silly that Putin would prefer PiS, given their anti-Russian behavior, but I wouldn't be surprised if the Kremlin preferred to have a hostlie Polish government than friendly one (regimes likes to have external enemies).

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Orban is somewhat of a different story, though you might be right. I didn't really intend to include Eastern European countries though.

I remember unproven, but persistent rumours about the Kremlin may be aiding League of Polish Families (hard anti-EU right) and Samoobrona (not really left or right, more an eclectic populist movement). Both were noticeably pro-Russian.

It may sounds silly that Putin would prefer PiS, given their anti-Russian behavior, but I wouldn't be surprised if the Kremlin preferred to have a hostlie Polish government than friendly one (regimes likes to have external enemies).

I don't think PO would be any less anti-Russian, and because of the fact that they are seen as a constructive player in the EU, they could get much more done in a European context than PiS, who seek to counteract European integration and are seen as troublemakers. It makes sense for Putin to prefer a PiS government over a PO government, strategically.

You're absolutely right. The difference is that PO carries more clout in Europe (which Kremlin doesn't like), while PiS is really, really vocal (which Kremlin loves).