DISINFO: EU policy towards Russia is ‘contain, intimidate and counter’
SUMMARY
The same day of the summit between Putin and Biden, EU’s High Representative Mr. Josep Borrell mentioned the policy that will be used against Russia, which is ‘contain, practically intimidate’, and, as he said ‘counter this kind of actions’.
RESPONSE
Pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the EU.
The claim is false. The Joint Communication on EU-Russia relations announced by High Representative Josep Borrel on 16 June 2021, defined as ‘push back, contain and engage’, aims to move "towards a more constructive engagement and political commitment by the Russian leadership”, and states very clearly the goals and terms for it: push back against human rights violations and breaches of international law in the EU Member States and its neighbourhood; constrain Russia’s attempts to undermine European Union’s interests; and engage with Russia on several key challenges to further defend EU’s interests. The policy is formulated in a constructive, positive and defensive way, not in the aggressive manner framed by this disinformation story.
By falsely affirming that this policy will be “used against Russia” and that it is a plan to “contain and intimidate” the country, this disinformation narrative aims to deflect any criticism for Russia’s illicit actions.
See other examples in our database, such as claims that the EU doesn’t approve the Sputnik V vaccine due to political and artificial prejudices, that EU sanctions on Russia are illegal and absurd, that Russophobia and baseless accusations are a daily occurrence because the West fears Russia, or that the EU is NATO’s white label.