Secret Document: Advisory Group Contacted Russian President to Interfere in US Election

(Baonghean.vn)- A group of advisors under the management ofPresident Putinplanned to interfere in the 2016 US presidential election in favor of Donald Trump.

The US has always accused Russia of interfering in the 2016 US presidential election. Photo: AP

Reuters news agency quoted several unnamed US officials and former officials as saying that the Moscow-based Russian Institute for Strategic Studies prepared two secret documents and that US intelligence agencies obtained these two documents after last year's election.

The documents provide the framework and key elements from which U.S. intelligence agencies concluded that Moscow attempted to interfere in the November 8 presidential election. The institute is run by senior Russian foreign intelligence officials appointed by President Putin’s office.

Specifically, the first document is a strategy paper drafted last June, revolving around the highest-ranking officials in the Russian government but not mentioning any specific individuals.

The document recommended that the Kremlin launch a propaganda campaign in Russian government-backed global media and media groups to encourage American voters to elect a president with a softer stance toward Russia than the then-President Barack Obama administration.

The officials said the approach used in the document was an extension of an effort by the Putin administration in March 2016, when the Kremlin directed state media outlets, including major outlets such as Russia Today and Sputnik, to report positively on Mr. Trump’s campaign. Russia Today did not comment, and Sputnik dismissed the allegations as “complete lies.”

A second document, drafted last October and circulated in a similar manner, warned that Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton was likely to win the election.

That is why it is better for Russia to end its campaign in support of Mr. Trump and instead emphasize the message of election loopholes to undermine the legitimacy of the US electoral system, as well as Mrs. Clinton's reputation, in order to undermine her candidacy.

The documents appear to be based on the Obama administration's conclusion that Russia has stepped up its "disinformation" campaign and launched cyber attacks against the Democratic Party and the Clinton campaign.

However, US officials did not disclose how Washington obtained the documents. US intelligence agencies also refused to comment on the matter.

Russian President Putin has consistently denied that Moscow interfered in the US election. For his part, President Trump has insisted that Russia's actions did not influence the outcome of the race for the White House.

To date, congressional and FBI investigations into Russian interference have not produced any public evidence that Mr. Trump was involved with Russia to interfere in the US presidential election results./.

Lan Ha

(According to Reuters)