Russia has long been regarded as a state with an iron grip on its domestic nationalist movements, often suppressing them in favour of a centralised authority.
However, paradoxically, it has now emerged as a financier and ideological champion for far-right forces in Europe and the United States, many of which are openly hostile to the European Union and NATO. This geopolitical maneuvering serves Russia’s broader ambition to counterbalance the West and advocate for a “multipolar world” — a world order where it can play a dominant role.
The confluence of Russian ambitions and Western far-right ideologies appears rooted in a shared disdain for “globalist” forces. Both sides frame these forces as threats to national sovereignty and cultural identity. However, the alliance is far from equal. While Western far-right groups aim to preserve their respective nations’ sovereignty and traditions, Russia’s primary focus lies in preserving its own sovereignty and advancing President Vladimir Putin’s revisionist vision of Russian cultural identity.
Putin has carefully crafted this identity by rejecting the atheism of the Soviet Union, an era he often views nostalgically despite its authoritarianism and gulags.
Instead, he has, in public at least, embraced the Russian Orthodox Church as a cornerstone of his vision for Russia.
This alignment of religion and statecraft resonates with identity-driven, anti-globalist movements in the European far-right, which view Russia as a model of “neo-conservatism” and “semi-authoritarianism.” For these groups, Putin’s Russia stands as a counterweight to the perceived erosion of nation-states driven by the EU and NATO.
Ukrainian political scientist Anton Shekhovtsov highlights that European far-right initiatives to establish ties with Moscow are driven by aspirations to “reconstruct the mythologised and romanticised nation-state.”
In this context, Russia becomes not just a partner but a potential leader for like-minded movements. By funding and inspiring radical and extremist actors, Russia positions itself as a viable alternative to the current Western-led international order. This influence is exerted even on groups that may not be explicitly pro-Moscow but act as political disruptors within their countries, furthering Russian interests.
Financing and Political Influence
Russia’s financial and logistical support for far-right groups and parties across Europe underlines its strategy. These investments allow Putin to keep allies at the forefront of European politics while fostering division and polarisation. A notable example is the Alternative for Germany (AfD), a far-right party that has faced numerous scandals involving Russian connections.
Maximilian Krah, an AfD Member of the European Parliament (MEP), is under investigation for allegedly receiving payments from Russia and China. This investigation follows his detention and questioning by the U.S. FBI in December 2023 over suspicions of receiving Kremlin funds.
This prompted a Parliamentary resolution, naming Krah, calling on the AfD to “publicly declare without delay its financial relations and to publicly disclose the purpose and exact amount of all payments originating from Kremlin-linked sources.”
Such incidents serve to illustrate the depth of Russian engagement in European political systems.
In Hungary, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s government has strengthened ties with Russia, often at the expense of Hungary’s relations with NATO and the EU.
Béla Kovács, a former MEP from the far-right Jobbik party, allegedly spied and lobbied for the Kremlin within the European Parliament for years. This infiltration exemplifies how Russia has built a pro-Russian network within the EU, leveraging far-right actors to advance its agenda.
Divisions among Europe’s political actors serve Russia’s strategic interests by creating disruption and distraction. Leaked emails from Sargis Mirzakhanian, a minor official at Russia’s State Duma, reveal that his team began cooperating with members of the AfD as early as January 2016.
Documents suggest efforts to establish direct contact between AfD leaders and the Kremlin. One such document includes a draft letter from former AfD chairwoman Frauke Petry to Putin, requesting a meeting to discuss normalising German-Russian relations.
In February 2017, as reported by The Times, a meeting did take place in Moscow “ostensibly to discuss co-operation with regional parliaments in Germany’s 16 states” and raising suspicion that Ms. Petry was seeking funds and electoral campaign help from the Kremlin in advance of the general election in September of that year.
Such connections further demonstrate how deeply Russia has embedded itself in the political fabric of European far-right movements.
Far-Right Alignments Across Europe
France’s National Rally (RN), formerly known as the National Front, is another case study in Russian influence. In 2014, the party received two loans totalling some six million euros from the First Czech Russian Bank — owned by the firm of a billionaire friend of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Gennady Timchenko — ahead of Le Pen’s 2017 presidential run.
This financial support coincided with the RN’s alignment with Moscow’s positions on various issues, including anti-globalism, anti-liberalism, and anti-immigration.
During France’s 2017 presidential election, Russian interference aimed to discredit Emmanuel Macron, RN leader Marine Le Pen’s opponent, through the “Macron Leaks.” This operation, involving malware developed by Russian military intelligence, highlighted the Kremlin’s willingness to cross legal boundaries to influence European politics.
RN leaders, such as Thierry Mariani, have actively advocated for Russian interests, including defending Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria.
In 2018 he visited the Donbass, controlled by Russian separatists, in order to witness “elections” there. Such a spectacle gives Putin “credibility” in the eyes of his domestic audience.
Mariani was subsequently one of a group of French MEPs who visited the Crimean peninsula, illegally annexed by Russia in 2014, to observe Russia’s “constitutional vote”.
Mariani’s wife, Irina Mariani (née Chaikhoullina) is a Russian national who went on to run Nicolas Sarkozy TV Internet channel.
Austria’s Freedom Party (FPÖ) has also developed close ties with Russia over the past two decades.
The party’s “friendship agreement” with Russia’s ruling United Russia party in 2016 marked a peak in these relations. Although the FPÖ claims to maintain neutrality, its calls for ending sanctions against Russia and its pro-Russian rhetoric have drawn criticism.
The FPÖ’s influence is significant, given that it has been part of Austria’s government twice in the last 20 years. However, recent scandals, such as the Ibiza video that led to the resignation of key FPÖ leaders, have tarnished the party’s image and reduced its open pro-Russian stance.
In the Czech Republic, Russian influence has grown since the annexation of Crimea in 2014. The Czech Security Information Service (BIS) noted in its 2015 report that elements of the Czech far-right began adopting pro-Russian positions and disseminating disinformation.
This cooperation between Russian operatives and Czech far-right groups reflects a broader strategy to mold Europe’s political landscape in favour of Russian interests. Conservatism, traditionalism, and hostility toward international organisations like the EU and NATO form the ideological glue for these connections.
The Broader Implications.
Russia’s engagement with far-right movements extends beyond Europe. In the United States, far-right groups and influencers have echoed narratives aligned with Kremlin propaganda, further polarising American society. By hijacking the right-wing narrative, Russia not only disrupts political cohesion in individual nations but also undermines the broader Western alliance.
This strategy, however, is not without its costs. Financing far-right movements and maintaining influence operations require substantial resources. Yet, for Russia, the returns are worth the investment. By positioning itself as a champion of traditional values and national sovereignty, Russia gains soft power and legitimacy among sympathetic groups worldwide.
This influence helps Moscow counteract Western sanctions and bolster its geopolitical standing.
Russia’s cultivation of far-right allies in Europe and beyond reflects a calculated effort to disrupt the Western-led international order. Through financial support, ideological alignment, and strategic infiltration, Moscow has become a significant player in far-right politics. While these alliances are often opportunistic and fraught with contradictions, they serve Russia’s broader goal of undermining Western unity and advancing its vision of a multipolar world.
For Western democracies, addressing this challenge requires a multifaceted approach. Strengthening transparency in political financing, countering disinformation, and fostering resilience within democratic institutions are essential steps. As Russia continues to exploit divisions within and between nations, the need for a united and vigilant response has never been greater.
