Geopolitics and manipulated realities: the diplomatic response to disinformation campaigns

Disinformation has emerged as a central instrument of geopolitical strategy, with the Russia–Ukraine war amplifying its use in destabilizing democratic states. Romania, as a frontline EU and NATO member bordering Ukraine and Moldova, has become a key target for Russian-linked disinformation campaigns aimed at undermining public trust, electoral legitimacy, and regional alignment.

Over the past four years, Romania has faced coordinated influence operations that promoted anti-Western narratives, manipulated political discourse, and amplified social divisions. These efforts intensified around national elections, the arrival of Ukrainian refugees, and debates over economic hardship, with actors exploiting Romania’s low media literacy and deep institutional distrust.

This study investigates how Romania’s diplomatic institutions have responded to these campaigns. It addresses the broader problem of how mid-sized democracies in strategic regions adapt to foreign disinformation as part of hybrid warfare. Here we examine Romania’s case through a qualitative analysis of official statements, academic literature, and monitoring platforms.

We find that Romania has primarily responded by aligning with EU and NATO messaging frameworks while issuing reactive diplomatic rebuttals. However, proactive and strategic public diplomacy remains underdeveloped. These findings suggest that current responses are insufficient in the face of evolving digital threats.