During the meetings, both the President of the Riigikogu and the Chair of the Cultural Affairs Committee addressed the need to develop cooperation in the field of strategic communication, so that all members of society would learn to see through Russia\u2019s information operations. \u201cStrategic communication and countering Russia\u2019s misinformation are an issue not only for Estonia and Ukraine, it is an issue that needs to be addressed together with our allies and partners. In increasing the resilience of European countries, it is important to learn from Ukraine\u2019s experience,\u201d the President of the Riigikogu said to the Minister of Culture of Ukraine.<\/p>\n
One of the topics discussed during the meetings was the need to educate all levels of society to recognise information operations, including the need to control the very large role of the Moscow Patriarchate in Ukrainian church life and society and the direct links of the Moscow-led Kyiv Orthodox Church with the Russian armed forces. Among other things, Hussar highlighted the closure of Russian TV channels in Estonia at the beginning of Russia\u2019s aggression against Ukraine, and reaffirmed the unwavering support of Estonia and Europe for Ukraine in its war against Russia.<\/p>\n
Chair of the Cultural Affairs Committee Liina Kersna said that in the context of fake news and the opportunities provided by the emerging artificial intelligence, it was crucial that both the young and the old were able to distinguish between true and false information. \u201cRussia\u2019s bombs have been killing civilians and destroying people\u2019s homes and Ukraine\u2019s cultural heritage for the fourth year already, and there is an equally merciless war going on at the information front.\u201d The Minister underlined the importance of unity and education in society to keep our backs straight and our eyes clear in the storm-winds of Russia\u2019s massive propaganda. It was also noted at the meeting that the cooperation between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Estonia and Ukraine in the field of strategic communication was excellent, but we could also intensify this cooperation between our other institutions.<\/p>\n