The Élysée Palace has officially labeled claims from Kremlin figures that Emmanuel Macron used cocaine with Friedrich Merz and Keir Starmer on a train to Kyiv as 'disinformation.'

In response, the French government clarified that the item in question was indeed a tissue, condemning the spread of disinformation.

The Kremlin's tactics often involve fabricating rumors to influence political discourse, as seen in previous campaigns against Ukrainian leadership.

This incident exemplifies the intersection of extreme political views and Russian disinformation tactics prevalent in modern online discourse.

The accusations gained traction internationally, with conspiracy theorist Alex Jones amplifying them on his platform, resulting in over 25 million views.

Despite clarifications from French media, the online discourse surrounding the unfounded allegations continues to thrive, illustrating the challenges of combating disinformation.

Overall, this situation underscores a broader pattern of Russian propaganda aimed at undermining European leadership and creating chaos in the context of the ongoing Ukraine war.

Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova shared a viral video suggesting a tissue on the table was actually a suspicious bag of white powder, further fueling the rumors.

Experts from the Institute for the Study of War noted that the Kremlin is attempting to manipulate ceasefire discussions to sow discord among Ukraine, the US, and Europe.

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy highlighted the existential importance of collective security in Europe amidst the ongoing conflict.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized the urgency for Russia to respond to ceasefire proposals without conditions, urging sincerity in peace efforts.

This incident marks a significant moment as the Élysée directly addressed a conspiracy theory, reflecting growing concerns over misinformation.