German intelligence: Russia seeks to spoil EU-US ties

Russia is using manipulation in an effort to sow discord between the US and Europe and to spoil the close EU-US cooperation, as stated in a joint report by the Federal Intelligence Service of Germany (BND) and the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution of the German government, Der Spiegel reports.

According to the newspaper, German intelligence agencies were tasked by the Chancellor to investigate the activities of the Russian security services after a cyber-attack on the German Bundestag in the spring of 2015 and the so-called "Lisa case," in which Russian media reported the alleged rape of a 13-year-old Russian-speaking girl by refugees in Berlin.

German intelligence agencies have concluded that for several years now, an active Russian influence could be seen in the EU. It was noted that Moscow is deliberately trying to exacerbate existing social conflicts in the West.

In addition, Russia is making efforts to disseminate views which could cast doubt on the need for closer ties between the EU and the US.

The publication notes that the current German government ponders whether it is necessary and in what form to publish the report by the special services for the Bundestag or the public.