It is my honour to welcome you to Czernin Palace for the second edition of the Resilient Europe Conference, organised by the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs in partnership with the Centre for Informed Society.

Following the success of last year’s event, today’s conference will once again focus on some of the most pressing challenges facing democratic societies—including:

– responding to new security threats,

– using strategic communication effectively,

– and defending democracy in the digital space, particularly in the face of foreign interference in democratic elections.

Before I hand it over to our panellists, allow me to share a few opening reflections.

Let me begin by outlining three key messages I would like to convey today:

1. Russian imperialism remains a persistent threat—not only to Ukraine, but to Europe and the democratic world as a whole. We shouldn't let our guard down even with China. These dangers must be recognised — not just by governments and institutions, but by our citizens too.
2. Free and fair elections must be protected—including in the digital space. We must not allow bots to hijack our elections.
3. Strategic communication is a necessity. Don't let foreign powers to control our narrative.

Russian imperialism

Let us begin with the first challenge: the threat of Russian imperialism.

Since 2022, Ukraine has been bravely defending itself against unprovoked Russian aggression. And yet we must be clear-eyed: Russian imperialism will not stop at Ukraine’s borders. No matter how or when the war ends, Russia will remain a major threat to European security for years—if not decades.

Ukraine is at the front line—not only on the battlefield, but also in the information space. Ukrainian soldiers are fighting not just for their homeland, but for the security of Europe. Ukraine is a vital partner in our shared effort to build resilience, and we are proud to have Ukrainian voices represented at this conference today.

But Ukraine is not the only target. Russia’s destabilisation campaigns are real, ongoing, and targeted directly at democratic states. The recent sabotage incidents across Europe are a stark reminder that the Kremlin’s tactics are escalating—both in the physical realm and in the digital space. Here in Czechia, we know this all too well.

Hackers and propagandists often play for the same team. In Europe alone, Russia is responsible for over 80% of information manipulation. And we are also increasingly concerned about China’s influence activities.

In response, Czech diplomacy remains active and vigilant. We have a broad palette of tools at our disposal. From “soft” tools like strategic communication to “hard” ones like sanctions.

We have publicly attributed cyberattacks to the Russian group APT28, and we have exposed and sanctioned pro-Kremlin influence operations, such as the Voice of Europe network. Last month, we added Belarusian journalist Natalia Sudliankova and a GRU operative, Alexei Shavrov, to our national sanctions list. Thanks to the swift and effective work of our diplomats, Sudliankova was promptly added to the EU sanctions list as well.

Yesterday, we revealed that the People's Republic of China was behind a malicious cyber campaign targeting one of our ministry's unclassified networks. This malicious activity, which began in 2022, was carried out by the APT31 cyberespionage group, which is publicly associated with the Ministry of State Security.

The IT systems I inherited from previous governments were neglected — but that’s no longer the case. The system that was breached is no longer accessible from the internet — it was shut down. We have a new communication system that takes our security to the next level.

Besides sanctions and public attributions, we also fight back on the information front. Raising awareness is not optional—it is our responsibility.

Through public campaigns such as Pro-Kremlin Fairytales and our new publication, Kremlin Information Manipulations, we expose how the Russian regime distorts the truth.

But our task does not end there. We must be able to speak to the public plainly, using understandable terms. That is why we avoid using the word 'disinformation', as it causes disputes and has various connotations in Czech. Instead of getting stuck in debates about what is truth and what is disinformation, we speak about information manipulation as targeted efforts to influence public opinion in the interests of foreign powers.

We also must be clear with our citizens: the era of relative peace and security in Europe is over. If we want to preserve our way of life, we must start by taking our security seriously—from what we consume online, to whom we trade with, pay, and supply.

Recently, Czechia was shaken by the revelations of a YouTuber Martin Mikyska known as Mikýř, who exposed how Czech influencers may be easily exploited by China. In response, our ministry is preparing educational seminars tailored to this very group.

Election interference

This brings me to my second point: foreign interference in elections and the protection of democracy in the digital space.

Russia has repeatedly used electoral interference and manipulation as a geopolitical tool. Whether Russia’s direct involvement was already confirmed or merely suspected, election interference in Europe is a reality we face.

The impact of such interference is not abstract. It affects all of us—those who exercise their right to vote, and those who campaign fairly for those votes. It is not just about the percentage point gained or lost, but about transparency and the legitimacy of our democratic elections.

Advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence, have created new vulnerabilities. Deepfakes. Fake accounts pretending to be real people. Micro-targeted manipulation. These are not just technical phenomena — they can be used to undermine and destabilise our democratic societies.

Let me illustrate this with a Czech metaphor. In Czech, we have a word for people who trick others for profit — we call them ‘šmejdi’ — ‘scammers’. In today’s digital world, bots and deepfakes are their modern-day equivalents. And we should treat them as such. They spread lies, fake identities, and made-up stories.

Elections belong to citizens, not bots. In this regard, I welcome the entry into force of the EU Digital Services Act. It is a crucial step toward greater transparency and accountability in the digital space. But legislation alone is not enough. Countering manipulation must begin with each of us—as individuals, as voters, and as responsible digital citizens.

Strategic communication

This brings me to my final point—strategic communication.

In an age of informational warfare, silence is not neutrality. We must speak before the Kremlin does. We must not allow the bots to take charge of the narrative.

Instead, we must be proactive. Strategic communication is a pillar of national defence, not a side task.

Since 2022, our ministry has had a dedicated Strategic Communication Department. Further strategic communication units or analytical centres are based in the Government Office, the Ministry of Defence, and the Ministry of the Interior. Together, we form the backbone of Czechia’s strategic communication infrastructure.

Over the past three years, we have launched successful campaigns targeting both domestic and international audiences. We have held public lectures, thematic briefings, and outreach sessions for journalists and influencers. Our work is closely coordinated with international partners—many of whom are represented here today.

Still, more activities are needed. Russia exploits the openness of our democracies to sow confusion and distrust. It presents a fabricated alternative—the illusion of the so-called "Russian world." But Russian propaganda offers nothing but Potemkin villages.

Yes, we Europeans can be self-critical. But we should not forget what we have achieved. We must also be able to communicate these positive values to our citizens. In Czechia, we have every reason to be proud—of our culture, our science, our constitution and democratic institutions built over the last 35 years. These are our genuine values to share.

And we must keep in mind: Democracy is not a given. It demands constant effort and commitment. But it is effort worth making.

Let me conclude with a quote from Václav Havel:

“The natural disadvantage of democracy is that it becomes tiring to those who mean it honestly, while it allows almost everything to those who do not take it seriously.”

Ladies and gentlemen,

This conference brings together state and non-state actors to forge a common front. Our task is clear: to counter Russian influence and interference with unity, responsibility, and determination. A whole-of-society approach is essential to building true resilience.

Strengthening Democratic Defences—that is the name of this conference, and it is also the task we all share. In the face of foreign interference, cyberattacks, manipulations, and pressure on democratic institutions, no nation can stand alone.

Let us share, learn, and build a more resilient and informed Europe.

Finally, I would like to thank my colleagues from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Centre for an Informed Society for organising today’s event.

Thank you.