In this series of articles, we research prominent pro-Russian organizations in Europe. Today, we will take a closer look at Multipolar World Institute.
Mission Statement of this organization is to “promote world peace, namely by facilitating a rapprochement between the old Cold War enemies, post-Soviet Russia, and the Western world.”. But in fact, this organization is associated with odious people who are under sanctions. Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska is also among them.
What’s wrong with Multipolar World Institute?
The Multipolar World Institute was co-founded in 2018 by the Frenchman, Abraham Daniel Danino, and Marc D’Anna ( better known by his penname Alexandre Del Valle) The address of this organization is the same as the Institut Bruno Lussato et Marina Fedier center, whose president used to be a close ally of Vladimir Putin, oligarch Oleg Deripaska.
Contrary to the objective of “world peace” the Multipolar World Institute claims as its goal, Marc D’Anna is an extreme right-wing writer with ties to the “identitarian” movement and an advocate for Vladimir Putin’s regime. Shortly before Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Marc D’Anna wrote that “to blame for everything is NATO.” Following the start of the conflict he continued with his pro-Kremlin rhetoric, arguing that it was “madness to demonize Russia in international forums.”
Protectorate of oligarchs
A Belgian investigation regarding money Deripaska allegedly laundered through Bruno Lussato et Marina Fedier was “surprisingly dropped,” allowing him to obtain a “golden passport” in Cyprus. Among Bruno Lussato et Marina Fedier’s “circle of friends” is the European Commissioner, Didier Reynders, whose allegations of taking bribes, money laundering, harassment and death threats were also dropped by the Belgian authorities.
D’Anna is also a researcher at the right-wing think tank, Center Français de Recherches sur le Renseignement (CF2R) with a person calls Eric Dénecé. This organization the geopolitical specialist Bruno Tertrais has been flagged for spreading “deliberate disinformation… using Kremlin language elements.” Just days before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Mr. Dénecé claimed that “American’s staged a Russian threat and aggression that do not exist.” In March 2022 on CNEWS, he called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to “apologize for having been the origin” of the conflict.
Also, D’Anna through his company Geopol Consulting has consistently argued against further European integration.
In 2016, Deripaska applied for a so-called “golden passport” in Cyprus – which would allow him freedom of movement within the EU – as part of a scheme described by Duncan Hames, Director of Policy at Transparency International UK. The Cypriot authorities soon noted that an investigation into Deripaska by the State Security service in Belgium was underway.
It centered on whether the “tens of millions” Deripaska had spent on real estate and art through Bruno Lussato et Marina Fedier – which had passed through banks in Cyprus and Lichtenstein – was part of a money laundering operation. According to the Belgian Financial Intelligence Processing Unit (CTIF-CFI), this money came in part from activities related to organized crime. However, the investigation was swiftly and “surprisingly dropped,” and Deripaska gained Cypriot citizenship.
How dangerous are such organizations?
Russian Nonprofit organizations, whether directly or indirectly, that are involved in money laundering, reputational manipulation, narrative control or criminal activity, can have a corrosive effect on the European nonprofit sector. Furthermore, any Russian NPO and Nonprofit organizations engaged in such practices can be used as a tool for weaponized kleptocracy to undermine Western institutions.
In previous articles, we’ve talked about:
