DISINFO: The United States and the EU want to isolate Russia
SUMMARY
The United States made the decision – and Europe followed – to isolate Russia.
RESPONSE
No evidence given. Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative on Western belligerence towards Russia, the West attempting to weaken and isolate Russia. While aware of pro-Kremlin disinformation campaigns, the West is trying to keep open channels of communications with Russia. For instance, NATO as the Western organisation created cooperation bodies – the Permanent Joint Council and the NATO-Russia Council – to embody its relationship with Russia. It also invited Russia to cooperate on missile defence. The Warsaw Summit Communique 2016 describes NATO's official policy towards Russia: "The Alliance does not seek confrontation and poses no threat to Russia. But we cannot, and will not, compromise on the principles on which our Alliance and security in Europe and North America rest." The EU and its member states have maintained a clear policy of reaching out to Russian society and youth, mainly through the Erasmus+ student exchange programme and other people to people contacts, in line with five guiding principles of relations with Russia.