According to an intelligence report, there were no direct Russian attacks on the 2020 election.
However, a "smear campaign" should discredit Joe Biden
Washington DC - Russia stood up for Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election.
This is the conclusion of an intelligence report published by the office of intelligence coordinator Avril Haines on Tuesday.
The interference was "approved and carried out" by Vladimir Putin and his government, it said.
Direct attacks on the electoral infrastructure did not materialize, but Moscow "wanted to influence the public perception of the candidates in the US," the report said.
For this, Russian agents spoke to confidants in Trump's environment.
Donald Trump's confidante should support the Russian campaign
The report explains Russia's attempt to influence the 2020 US election. Russia relied on its secret service, state media, internet trolls and allies in Ukraine in its campaign, it said.
Moscow's goal: to discredit Trump competitor Joe Biden and thus secure Trump's re-election.
To this end, Russian agents approached Trump's confidants.
They should investigate Biden's corruption allegations in order to undermine the credibility of the Democratic presidential candidate.
In
this context, the
New York Times
brings Trump's attorney Rudy Giuliani into play, who in the past repeatedly raised allegations of corruption against Joe Biden's family.
As the intelligence report reveals, one of Moscow's main strategies was to accuse Biden and his family of corruption in connection with Ukraine.
Joe Biden's election victory was "detrimental to Russian interests"
The intelligence report accuses Russia of "undermining trust in the US electoral system and increasing the social divisions among the people of America".
Although direct attacks on the electoral infrastructure were not carried out, as in the 2016 votes, the disinformation campaign was intended to secure Trump's re-election.
According to the report, the Russian government viewed Biden’s election victory as “detrimental to Russian interests”.
US presidential election 2020: Iran is also said to have tried to influence the votes
As the intelligence report shows, not only Russia is said to have interfered in the 2020 US presidential election.
Iran also tried to influence the vote.
However, Tehran's goals were contrary to Russia's attempts at meddling.
Iran's aim was to reduce the chances of Trump being re-elected and to increase the division in American society.
Tehran did not attack the electoral infrastructure directly.
(
jjf / dpa
)
