DISINFO: The idea that Russia is a threat to Europe exists only in the minds of Cold War nostalgics
SUMMARY
The idea that Russia is a threat to Europe exists only in the minds of Cold War nostalgics or is a deliberate invention of certain countries.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative claiming that “Russian threat” is a false idea created by the US and other Western actors in order to isolate and encircle Russia.
Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea and destabilisation of Eastern Ukraine in early 2014 was widely viewed both in North America and in Europe as violating the basic rules of the post-Cold War European order, especially the rule that borders are inviolable and the states should not use force to alter them or take territory from other states. As a result of Russia’s aggressive actions in Ukraine, many Western states have critically reassessed their “strategic partnership” policies towards Russia and began to view Russia as a serious challenge to the European security order
In the past six years, European governments and security services have been increasingly concerned about Russian hostile influence activities that aim to weaken the EU and NATO, foment divisions in societies and discredit liberal democracies. Such activities, often described as “hybrid threats”, include cyber-attacks, disinformation campaigns, interference in political processes, energy pressures and corruption.
Read similar cases claiming that the “Russian danger” is only a pretext for stationing more NATO military contingents near Russian borders and that the US has created a false image about an aggressive Russia in order to prevent close Europe-Russia economic cooperation