DISINFO: The West uses Ukraine to disintegrate Russia
SUMMARY
Ukraine is not an enemy for Russia. Those who want to destroy Russian statehood in the West are Russia's enemies. They think that Russia is unacceptable for them in its current borders, that it is too big and that it should be divided into 5 parts. They are saying it publicly. They have fostered the Kyiv regime and used it to this end. It is them who have instigated the Ukraine conflict.
RESPONSE
Recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin outlets accusing the EU, the US and their allies of Russophobia and claiming that their ultimate aim is to destroy Russia. This claim was made in the context of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Re-writing Russian history with an heavy focus on etnonationalistic-patriotic aspects, painting Russia as encircled by eternal enemies, has become a prominent feature.
Western leaders have long been saying that they do not want to destroy Russia. US President Joe Biden, speaking in Warsaw in February 2023, addressed Russian citizens, assuring them that the US does not seek to destroy or control Russia. French president Emmanuel Macron stated in February 2023 as well that ‘Russia must be defeated but not crushed.’ The EU, the US and some other partners of Ukraine provide it with military, financial and technical assistance with the sole aim of helping it repel Russia’s completely unprovoked and unjustified aggression, liberate all of its territories, and return to its internationally recognised borders of 1991.
Rather than trying to split Russia up in several parts in the 1990s when it was weak and experiencing economic hardships and serious food shortages, the US and the EU bailed it out with food supplies and economic assistance. It has not been the first time that Russia has received foreign aid. The US government provided assistance to some Russian regions during the Russian Famine of 1891-1892, something present-day Russia’s leaders are unwilling to recall. Western nations are looking forward to resuming mutually beneficial cooperation with a new Russia after democratic change there.
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