The work of the Center for Countering Disinformation has been presented to the ambassadors of the G7 countries, Finland and NATO

The work of the Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine has been presented to the ambassadors of the G7 countries, Finland, Israel and NATO. Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak and Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Oleksiy Danilov participated in the meeting.

Head of the Center for Countering Disinformation (hereinafter – the Center) Polina Lysenko presented to the diplomats the goals, objectives, principles and directions of its work.

Speaking at the meeting, Secretary of the NSDC of Ukraine Oleksiy Danilov noticed that the work on the establishment of the Center began a long time ago. “And it was President Volodymyr Zelenskyy who gave impetus to its establishment”, - the NSDC Secretary said emphasizing the importance of coordinating actions with strategic partners in combating hostile information operations and fighting disinformation.

Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak noted that the Center has become fully operational. According to him, the creation of such a structure is vital for Ukraine: “I hope that the Center will become not only a Ukrainian center for countering disinformation, but also an international one”.

Ms. Lysenko emphasized that her main goal as the head of the Center is “to ensure its functioning for the benefit of citizens and state institutions”. According to her, the Center will focus its work in four main areas: countering internal and external information threats, combating hostile propaganda, countering disinformation campaigns and manipulations with public opinion.

“Information threats are not something new for Ukraine, and our state must be ready to defend its sovereignty in the information space”, - Ms. Lysenko said adding that “the truth will be the main weapon”.

The tasks of the Center will include:
- establishment of a holistic state policy to counter information threats;
- building a system of strategic communications;
- countering special information operations of the aggressor state;
- creating an integrated system for assessing information threats and giving prompt response to them;
- countering destructive propaganda and disinformation;
- development of interaction between the state and civil society institutions in countering information threats;
- formation of a positive image of Ukraine worldwide;
- improving the media literacy of society.

“The Center will help to build up broad cooperation between government agencies, the media community and civil society”, - Ms. Lysenko said.

In their turn, representatives of diplomatic missions in Ukraine welcomed the establishment of the Center for Countering Disinformation, appraised Ukraine’s efforts to combat hybrid threats, and expressed readiness to further provide our country with the necessary support.