Overview
- FSB director Alexander Bortnikov told a CIS security chiefs meeting in Samarkand that European NGOs have taken over efforts to erode ties among member states.
- He said the shift followed a U.S. State Department reorganization, with British, French, German and Polish groups stepping in where U.S. funding once flowed.
- Bortnikov alleged some programs pose as business projects and equip local activists with tools to hide coordination and financing for what he called destructive activities.
- Belarusian lawmaker Alexander Shpakovsky said authorities are stopping operations by NGOs tied to Western services and that conditions for such groups no longer exist in Belarus.
- Shpakovsky cited eight attempted color revolutions in Belarus and said Minsk closely coordinates with Russia on intelligence and information measures, with both officials’ claims reported by RIA Novosti and TASS.