DISINFO: After the collapse of the USSR, geopolitical enemies tried to destroy and subjugate Russia
SUMMARY
After the collapse of the USSR, our geopolitical ill-wishers, of course, set themselves the goal of completely destroying what was left of historical Russia, that is, destroying its core, essentially Russia, the Russian Federation, and subordinating everything that remained to their geopolitical interests.
RESPONSE
An unfounded statement, aiming to stir up anti-Western sentiment in Russia, to mobilise hyper-patriotic feelings paired with paranoia without providing any evidence.
It also features a pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative accusing the West of anti-Russian policies, aggressive Russophobia, and allegedly belligerent and hostile agenda to destroy Russia. Such disinformation narratives aim to portray Russia as a victim and deflect any responsibility for Moscow’s actions.
From the disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991 and the emergence of a new Russia up to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine in 2014, Western countries have been trying to establish good-neighborly relations with Moscow. According to the 1997 Founding Act on Mutual Relations, Cooperation, and Security between NATO and the Russian Federation, Russia was viewed as a partner of the alliance.
The EU has conducted regular summits with the Russian leadership for years up to 2014 in an effort to enhance relations. The summits were suspended due to Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea.
However, Moscow’s increasingly aggressive behaviour made the EU change its attitude towards it. Since Russia illegally annexed Ukraine’s peninsula of Crimea and instigated a separatist result in the East of Ukraine in 2014. The EU imposed restrictive measures on Moscow in 2014. The list of sanctions has widened since Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified aggression against Ukraine on 24 February 2022.
US President Joe Biden, speaking in Warsaw, addressed Russian citizens, assuring them that the US does not seek to destroy or control Russia. French President Macron stated that "Russia must be defeated but not crushed."
For background, read our analysis: The “Russophobia” Myth: Appealing to the Lowest Feelings. See also Russian Myths: no.5 Encirclement.
Read other similar cases in our database: The West wanted to destroy Russia, divide into parts and subjugate it; Fifty countries are trying to wipe Russia off the earth; Russophobia is a long-term Anglo-Saxon project aimed at destroying Russia; The West calls for the Russian state to be destroyed; The West wants to tear Russia apart; NATO’s main goal has always been the destruction of Russia; The West proposed to divide Russia.