As an interesting aside there is a similar divide in the US amongst Republicans, with, if you can believe this, Fox News being accused of spreading propaganda on behalf of the Russians 😱
Fox News is the closest to a Republican Party TV channel which exists, so historically traditional/establishment Republicans (at least prior to 2016) were constantly suspicious of Russian motivations. That has largely been absent in recent years, particularly in the last few months. That represents a historical anomaly of significance, both in terms of questioning Russian motivations and the lack of intellectual justification for it (conservative stalwarts and think tanks in the USA could easily make a good Realpolitik, spheres of influence / realist argument, but they aren't doing it). The Russia hawks haven't all yet retired.
As an interesting aside there is a similar divide in the US amongst Republicans, with, if you can believe this, Fox News being accused of spreading propaganda on behalf of the Russians 😱
Fox News is the closest to a Republican Party TV channel which exists, so historically traditional/establishment Republicans (at least prior to 2016) were constantly suspicious of Russian motivations. That has largely been absent in recent years, particularly in the last few months. That represents a historical anomaly of significance, both in terms of questioning Russian motivations and the lack of intellectual justification for it (conservative stalwarts and think tanks in the USA could easily make a good Realpolitik, spheres of influence / realist argument, but they aren't doing it). The Russia hawks haven't all yet retired.