DISINFO: EU arms itself using the phantom threat of a war and Russia’s imaginary menace
SUMMARY
The EU is carrying out a militarisation process under the pretext of a supposed threat of war, while labelling Russia a "fundamental menace" and citing the conflict in Ukraine as an example of the escalation of hostilities to its borders. Moscow reiterates that it has no plans to attack European territory. Europe's militaristic aspirations have already manifested themselves in its actions regarding Ukraine. The leaders of the EU and several member countries have openly opposed attempts to find a negotiated solution to the armed conflict and advocate for increasing military aid to Kyiv. Speculation that Moscow plans to attack Europe is absolute nonsense and an attempt by NATO member countries to scare their populations with an imaginary Russian threat.
RESPONSE
This disinformation story is part of a wider disinformation campaign portraying Europe as a warmongering actor who intends to continue the war in Ukraine even as other nations want “peace”, and in contrast to Russia as a peaceful and responsible country. The story appeared as a direct reaction to the EU programme ReArm Europe/Readiness 2030, whose purpose is to ensure Europe’s self-defence capabilities, mostly through a fiscal plan to boost and fund this military enhancement.
By labelling Russia’s threat as “imaginary”, this disinformation narrative aims to frame the EU as irrational or as having dark motives for this military enhancement. However, Russia’s threat to Europe is real, as proven by its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, the dozens of sabotage operations it has carried out throughout the continent in the last years, and its attempts to destabilise multiple countries through electoral interference, cyberattacks and other hybrid actions.
The EU is not against peace negotiations. However, EU officials have repeatedly stated that it is up to Ukraine only, as the victim of Russia’s aggression, to decide when peace talks with Russia may be possible and in which terms to end the war. Russia has characterized its negotiation process with the US as the only acceptable ‘peace initiative’ regardless of the maximalist character of Russia’s demands, while denying any agency to Ukraine or its other allies. Pro-Kremlin disinformation has systematically instrumentalised the narrative that Russia wants peace in Ukraine in contrast to the West, but, as evidenced by Russia's actions in Ukraine, such statements are merely empty PR stunts deployed to garner support for Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine.
See other examples of similar disinformation narratives, such as claims that Europe justifies the increasing defence budgets with “belligerent” Moscow, that ‘Russia’s threat’ is an attempt to justify increasing military expenditure in Europe, that ReArm Europe means the EU is preparing to attack Russia, that the EU is not capable of peace, it is only interested in waging war, or that the EU's sole agenda is to wage war against Russia to inflict maximum damage.