DISINFO: EU way to deal with COVID-19 pandemic turns into fiasco
SUMMARY
The situation (in Europe) reminds the situation one year ago when the European Union was helpless in facing the crisis. Members of the EU had to deal with the crisis on their own.
One year ago the situation could be described as force majeure. It shows that Brussels is incapable when a fast reaction is needed.
Today the situation shows collapse on the main vectors. The policy of lockdowns in Europe turns into a fiasco. The situation of vaccination could be described as “a catastrophe” (especially compared to countries the EU wanted to teach how to deal with pandemic).
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin narrative claiming that the EU left member states alone to fight coronavirus. This narrative aims to undermine European and transatlantic solidarity in face of the crisis.
To cushion the blow to people’s livelihoods and the economy, the European Commission has adopted a comprehensive economic response to the outbreak, applied the full flexibility of the EU fiscal rules, has revised its State Aid rules and has proposed setting up a EUR 37 billion Coronavirus Response Investment Initiative to provide liquidity to small businesses and the health care sector. Read more about the EU's response here and here.
Statistics also show that situation of vaccination in the EU is not catastrophic (see statistical data here or here). At the moment (March 4, 2021) the European Union by the number of vaccinated persons per 100 inhabitants is twice ahead of Russia.
See other examples of disinformation in the context of coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic: The West tries to complicate the process of the Russian vaccine entering the international market; EMA’s delay in approving Sputnik V is political; COVID-19 revealed how divided Europe is and how giving Russia is.