G7 says Russia finding covert efforts to undermine elected governments

OTTAWA, Jan 17 (Reuters) - The Group of Seven on Friday said the Kremlin had funded and directed covert efforts by state entities to undermine elected goverments around the world by using global disinformation and influence campaigns.

The statement was issued by the G7's Rapid Response Mechanism unit, which was set up to fight threats to democracy such as disinformation.

"The G7 RRM regards any foreign information manipulation and interference with the utmost seriousness," said a statement issued by Canada, which is this year's G7 chair.

The statement said Russia had used the Russia Today state media outlet and Social Design Agency marketing agency "to advance the Kremlin's malign interests" and divert attention from its war on Ukraine.

RRM members include the G7 as well as four observer nations - Australia, Netherlands, New Zealand and Sweden.

(Reporting by David Ljunggren, editing by Doina Chiacu)

Keywords: G7 RUSSIA/INFLUENCE

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