DISINFO: Russia is not a threat to Europe, Europe is a threat to Russia

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative claiming that Russia is a not threat and about NATO enlargement, which aims to justify Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine as an act of self-defence. It also touched on lost European sovereignty which pushes the false claim that the US controls Europe.

Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, citing allegations that Kyiv was committing genocide in non-government-controlled areas on the Donetsk and Luhansk Regions, that its Euro-Atlantic shift was menacing Russia, and putting forth other groundless accusations.

It was Putin’s personal decision to invade Ukraine and start the largest military conflict in Europe since WWII. Putin claims several reasons for launching aggression, including Ukraine’s alleged desire to obtain nuclear weapons, and Kyiv’s possible membership of NATO etc. See our past analysis Twelve myths about Russia’s war in Ukraine exposed.

Russia is destroying Ukraine, its population, cities, and vital infrastructure. At least 10,000 civilians, including over 560 children, have been killed and more than 18,500 injured since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. (by November 21, 2023)

Russia threatens Moldova, with statements having been made many times about the need to open a path to Transnistria.

State TV presenter Solovyev has alleged that Baltic nations are responsible for a drone attack that obliterated Russian military assets and threatened to 'wipe out NATO countries with nukes'.

Russia transferred nuclear weapons to Belarus, and periodically threatened the world with the use of nuclear weapons: Dmitry Medvedev, former Russian president and now deputy chair of the Russian Security Council said Moscow’s nuclear doctrine does not require the enemy state to use such weapons first. He threatens a 'nuclear' move if NATO expands. In May 2022, Medvedev warned about the nuclear war over Western arms deliveries to Ukraine. In September Medvedev raised the spectre of a nuclear strike and said NATO would not get involved.

In another notable example, EU-sanctioned Russian TV Host Dmitry Kiselyov lashed out at the UK, accusing it of pushing Ukraine to continue fighting against Russia and threatening the UK with nuclear annihilation.

Russian propagandist Margarita Simonyan, editor-in-chief of the propaganda outlets RT and Sputnik, stated that "Vladimir Putin will launch an all-out nuclear war on the West rather than accept defeat in Ukraine". In September 2022, Simonyan tweeted: "Judging by what is happening and still about to happen, this week marks either the eve of our imminent victory or the eve of nuclear war". Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov called for Russia to use low-yield nuclear weapons.

Talk about the use of tactical nuclear weapons intensified after the illegal annexation of Ukrainian territories. Without providing evidence, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that top NATO officials had said that it would be acceptable to carry out nuclear strikes on Russia. He threatened to use nuclear weapons adding that "This is not a bluff".

Moreover, Russia is responsible for the global food crisis as a consequence of the unprovoked and unjustified Russian invasion of Ukraine: naval blockade of Ukrainian posts, bombardment of transport infrastructure, and shelling of farming regions. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has destabilised global food markets and is driving food prices up due to increased cost of production, transport, and freight insurance. Russia has destroyed substantial food stocks, production, as well as processing and transport capacities in Ukraine.

The claim about NATO enlargement has been debunked numerous times. Read here.

The US, the EU, and NATO condemn in the strongest possible terms Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which is entirely unjustified and unprovoked.