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Isn't everyone (including the US) trying to do the same?

Yes. I think the outrage here is that it’s being used to influence democratic elections by obviously non-democratic leaders like Putin.

The US and Europe use NGOs.

Well as long as those NGOs aren't funded by governments, then it's ok. They are NGOs after all.

NED, USAID et al all are directly or indirectly funded by the US State department.