DISINFO: The European "utopia" is collapsing, the elites use Russophobia to patch the union together
SUMMARY
The European “utopia” is also collapsing at the level of ideology. The supranational structures are paralysed, and in times of crisis, the national state has affirmed that it is the only institution able to take measures needed to survive. In other words, the viability of individual nation states was confirmed as independent systems, and the Union’s failure to do so as a common collective system was confirmed.
Against this background, Europeans need more than ever something to unite them, to say the least. Fortunately for the European elites, there is an adequate and common sworn enemy that the West has created: Russia.; it will use the struggle with this “enemy” now to strengthen ties between the fractured European Union’ institutions.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the lack of inter-EU solidarity. Moreover, the argument that the EU is conveniently creating an enemy in Russia is part of a recurring pro-Kremlin narrative attempting to delegitimise any criticism of Russian actions by presenting it as a manifestation of the West's "Russophobic" provocations.
EU Member States have been actively helping each other in this crisis, which most EU member states have been grappling with themselves. For example, German hospitals offered to treat critical coronavirus patients from France as well as taking in patients from Italy and the Czech Republic sending masks to Italy.
To provide all EU Member States with essential medical equipment, after an initial slow response, the EU has created the European stockpile of ventilators, masks and lab supplies. This medical and protective equipment is available to any EU country. The Commission will finance 90% of this stockpile through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (RescEU).
To support scientific research into the COVID-19, the European Commission has earmarked €47.5 million for shortlisted research projects that can improve epidemiology and public health, including preparedness and response to outbreaks. The EU has also created its first ever stockpile of medical equipment.
As for non-medical responses, to cushion the blow to people’s livelihoods and the economy, the European Commission has adopted a comprehensive economic response to the outbreak, applied the full flexibility of the EU fiscal rules, has revised its State Aid rules and proposed to set up a €37 billion Coronavirus Response Investment Initiative to provide liquidity to small businesses and the health care sector.
Read more about the EU's response here and here.