But they were deemed a propaganda exercise aimed at legitimising illegal Russian actions.

Source: https://www.euronews.com/2023/09/29/ukraine-war-russia-ramps-up-defence-spending-wagner-founder-training-volunteers-power-stat

France's leading hardline leftist has been accused of 'legitimising terrorism' since Hamas's violent attack on Israel.

Source: https://www.euronews.com/2023/10/10/melenchon-condemned-as-enemy-of-the-republic-over-attacks-on-french-jewish-organisation

“My first book was supported by JK Rowling and Irvine Welsh and that made a load of difference in terms of legitimising me in the eyes of people who had never heard of me or who had heard of me and thought: ‘Is he not just some rapper guy?’

Source: https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/23679428.darren-mcgarvey-why-uk-bin-fire-/?ref=rss