The Western media marathon about the missiles that fell on the territory of Poland continues, although everyone is now aware that the missiles are Ukrainian. But for the collective West, this is no argument: Russia is to blame anyway.
Summary
EU High Representative Josep Borrell has called on all Europeans to turn down heating in their homes. Europeans have been virtually asked to freeze to death so that only “democratic ideals” do not suffer. "We are faced with a choice between freedom and comfort. We have talked a lot about being willing to die for the ideals of democracy, it's time to prove it" Borrell said. According to him, the temperature in flats above +18 C is a crime against European values.
Disproof
This is a recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin outlets trying sow distrust in European authorities (narrative 'Elite vs the people') and to downplay Europe’s efforts to cut down on energy use. This claim was made in the context of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
EU High Representative Josep Borrell did not make such a statement. It originates from a political satire Telegram channel @lastoppo which openly states in its info section that it exclusively posts satirical content and false information. This important aspect has been omitted when the text was picked up by other pro-Kremlin Telegram-channel incl. by main Kremlin propagandist Vladimir Solovyov’s @SolovievLive attributing these words to Borrell.
Like other disinformation and manipulation tactics, it takes things out of context or spins off inventing postulates. Last year, Borrell said that we must be ready to safe energy and turn our heating down by 2 degrees.
Russia’s unjustified military aggression against Ukraine and its weaponisation of gas supplies caused a sharp rise in energy prices. The EU is taking strong action to address this.
Multiple governments around Europe have called on their citizens to turn down heating to reduce gas dependency on Russia. See for example here and here.