DISINFO: Lined up with the US, the EU never took independent decisions
SUMMARY
Europeans always aligned with America and didn’t take independent decisions. But after Donald Trump came to power, it happened so that the Americans left Europe unhappy and to its own fate, and Germany had to solve important issues on its own.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the US presence in Europe, portraying Europe as a vassal of the USA and trying to undermine the sovereignty of European countries. This narrative claims that almost all European countries are no longer truly sovereign and the United States dictates policies to the EU and its member states.
In fact, the EU Member States are sovereign countries and make sovereign decisions about their own security and policies. The US is an important ally to the EU but EU policy is not determined by the US, as explained by the EU High Representative.
The EU maintains partnerships with the world's key players, including emerging powers and regional groups. It seeks to ensure that these relationships are based on mutual interests and benefits. For instance, the EU’s common foreign and security policy is designed to resolve conflicts and foster international understanding and is based on diplomacy and respect for international rules. Trade, humanitarian aid, and development cooperation also play an important role in the EU's international role.
Similar disinformation narratives claim that NATO is a new type of US colonialism, that European élites obey Washington, and that EU and NATO member states are subordinate to the US and that NATO serves one master. Other cases allege that NATO is fully subordinate to the USA and that Baltic states, Moldova, and Poland are "hostages" of NATO.