DISINFO: The West collectively develops a hostile attitude towards Russia
SUMMARY
Russia, along with China, is still considered a rival, if not an enemy. Russia is still accused of all kinds of invented, unproven sins, from interference in internal affairs and elections to assassinations.
There has been no qualitative change in the collective West’s attitude towards Russia. The hostile attitude of the collective West towards Russia obviously refutes the ‘Westlessness’ thesis. The West appears united here. While dollar bills have “In God We Trust” written on them, the West could sum up its attitude towards Russia in the words: “In hostility towards Russia we unite”.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Russophobia and about Western belligerence towards Russia.
While aware of pro-Kremlin disinformation campaigns, the West is trying to keep open channels of communications and cooperation 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.
Read similar disinformation cases alleging that NATO cultivates Cold War block thinking and considers Russia as an enemy and that NATO and EU are actively fabricating Russophobia in the Baltic States to justify their anti-Russian policies.
For background, see EUvsDisinfo analysis "The “Russophobia” Myth: Appealing to the Lowest Feelings" here.