DISINFO: EU is not considering Russian interests, is Russophobe
SUMMARY
Russia will not forget the European Union’s hostile attitude, imposing unfair sanctions in response to the special operation to demilitarize Ukraine. The EU should renounce the policy of diktat and start considering Russia’s legitimate interests, in order to normalise relations.
RESPONSE
This is a recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin outlets accusing the European Union and the West of Russophobia.
In reality, the EU does not harbour animosity towards Russia. It aims to establish equal and good-neighbourly relations with Moscow. Western nations have always been calling for solving all problems with Russia in a peaceful and diplomatic manner. Moscow’s overall aggressive policy has led to a tougher and better-balanced policy towards it by the West.
International sanctions were slapped on Russia after it illegally annexed the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea and instigated a separatist revolt in the Eastern Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk in 2014. Another set of restrictive measures was imposed on Moscow in the wake of its the poisoning of Russian opposition leader Aleksey Navalny. Stronger sanctions were levelled at Russia after its unjustified military aggression against Ukraine which started on 24 February 2022. The invasion was followed by airstrikes on military objects. Russian troops later started bombing and shelling civilian targets as well.
Read more disinformation cases alleging that the West is carrying out a policy of Russophobia.