DISINFO: Europe uses the "Russian threat" to re-militarise

DISINFORMATION CASE DETAILS

  • Outlet: Sputnik Kazakhstan ( archive, original )
  • Date of publication: May 16, 2025
  • Article language(s): Russian
  • Countries / regions discussed: Germany, Europe, Russia, Ukraine

AI translations:

DISINFO: Europe uses the "Russian threat" to re-militarise

SUMMARY

The Ukrainian crisis clearly points to this dangerous state of Europe and the mindset of its elites, who are now enthusiastically clinging to the old ways under the pretext of the 'Russian threat.' A 'debt-fueled arms race' is fraught with danger for Europe itself, where the elites once again, as in the early 20th century, do not know what to do and therefore resort to their usual reflexes. A particular danger would be the remilitarization of a united Germany, which once again places the continent before the 'German question.' And what should be done now, when Berlin under Chancellor Friedrich Merz is literally eager to fight as part of a 'coalition of the willing'? Once again, is it 'a strong Germany as the guarantor of peace in Europe'? We know how that turned out—twice—in history.

RESPONSE

This is a recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin outlets, accusing the European Union of warmongering. This claim was made in the context of the Special European Council, held in Brussels on 6 Match 2025, during which EU leaders discussed an increase in military spending and reiterated their support for Ukraine. This claim also portrays the European leaders’ intensified efforts in pursuit of a just and lasting peace in Ukraine as an act of aggression rather than a response to Russia’s large-scale invasion.

The EU is committed to becoming more responsible for its own defence and better equipped to act and deal autonomously with immediate and future challenges and threats, including Russia’s war and its repercussions on European security, which constitute an existential challenge for the EU. To address this, the ReArm Europe Plan/Readiness 2030 has been introduced as a strategic proposal to boost European defence spending through various financial mechanisms. It aims to enable €800 billion in defence investment.

António Costa, President of the European Council highlighted that:

“This is a pivotal moment for Europe. And today, we have shown that the European Union is rising to the challenge. Building the Europe of Defence and standing with Ukraine, shoulder to shoulder. Because, at the end of the day, what we all want, what we all deserve, what we are all working for, is peace and security”.

Please read more about ReArm Europe Plan/Readiness 2030 here.

Read similar disinformation cases claiming that Pan-European block plans to attack Russia, that Europe has opened the season of grand militaristic plunder, that EU sabotages peace process in Ukraine, that Europe is trying to undermine the conflict settlement in Ukraine, and that The EU wants the war in Ukraine to continue.

Disclaimer

Cases in the EUvsDisinfo database focus on messages in the international information space that are identified as providing a partial, distorted, or false depiction of reality and spread key pro-Kremlin messages. This does not necessarily imply, however, that a given outlet is linked to the Kremlin or editorially pro-Kremlin, or that it has intentionally sought to disinform. EUvsDisinfo publications do not represent an official EU position, as the information and opinions expressed are based on media reporting and analysis of the East Stratcom Task Force.

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