Spanish Defense Minister Maria Dolores de Cospedal accused Russia of trying to destabilise the European Union, local media reported on Thursday.
According to the local media, the minister said Russia used any opportunity to “attempt to destabilise” the European Union.
“It is our responsibility to protect what we have been able to build.
“And to confront all those who attack the European model from outside,’’ she said.
In November, a number of Spanish media, including El Pais newspaper, published articles about allegedly biased coverage of the situation in Catalonia by the Russian media, including RT and Sputnik, and about support of Catalan separatists by “Russian hackers.”
The Russian Embassy in Spain criticised Spanish media outlets for spreading rumours about an alleged “Russian hand” in the situation in Catalonia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin as well as other officials has repeatedly said that Moscow considered the Catalan crisis a Spanish domestic issue that should be settled in accordance with the country’s constitution. (Sputnik/NAN)