Élysée warns against Kremlin’s disinformation efforts after ‘cocaine’ conspiracy theory spreads online
The Élysée Palace has derided as “disinformation” claims being promoted by Kremlin figures that Emmanuel Macron took cocaine with Friedrich Merz, the German chancellor, and Keir Starmer while on a train travelling to Kyiv.
The false claims, which emerged on pro-Russian social media channels before being taken up by a Kremlin spokesperson and another official, come amid a recent surge in Kremlin efforts to marginalise European efforts to support Ukraine.
“This fake news is being spread by France’s enemies, both abroad and at home. We must remain vigilant against manipulation,” the Élysée posted on X after images were shared online of Macron palming a handkerchief or tissue from a table where he was sitting with the British prime minister and Merz.
While the handkerchief was clearly identifiable in high-resolution images of the meeting as the object picked up by Macron, conspiracy theorists online suggested the French president was concealing a bag containing cocaine and that Merz was holding a white cocaine spoon.
“This is a tissue. For blowing your nose,” the Élysée posted next to an image from the meeting. “This is European unity. To build peace.
“When European unity becomes inconvenient, disinformation goes so far as to make a simple tissue look like drugs.”
The cocaine claim had been rapidly amplified by senior Russian figures, including the Kremlin’s foreign ministry...
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