DISINFO: The West is provoking Russia
SUMMARY
The European Commission is proposing a price cap on Russian gas. It is unfair that the West is taking "provocative" measures against Russia. The West's attitude is wrong because provocations do not achieve results. The fact that Western countries are sending weapons to Ukraine is also a provocation. Europe had already made a mistake by underestimating Russia and failing to think that if it took hostile action against it, Moscow would retaliate by cutting off the gas.
RESPONSE
This is a recurring Pro-Kremlin narrative claiming that the West has an aggressive stance against Russia.
Western actions adopted against Russia, such as sanctions or diplomatic measures, are a reaction to Russian actions including the illegal annexation of the Crimean peninsula, the long-term destabilisation of Ukraine or the unprovoked and unjustified invasion of this peaceful country.
Although the EU has not yet sanctioned Russian gas exports, Gazprom has been steadily decreasing the flow of natural gas to Europe via the Nord Stream pipeline. With this manipulation Russia aims to manipulate the energy markets in Europe and thus raise the price of natural gas.
The Kremlin finally showed its cards when spokesperson Dmitry Peskov admitted that Russia’s gas supplies to the EU have been and will stay on hold not because of supposed maintenance of the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, but because gas is a tool of political blackmail in the Kremlin’s toolbox of influence. The Kremlin seeks to pressure the European governments and create public panic over energy insecurity / energy costs.
Russia has been using energy as a political and economic weapon several times against other states. Russia is no longer a stable and reliable supplier and while Europe is indeed facing an energy crisis with diversification to other sources, it is still set to grow this year according to the European Commission's summer 2022 forecast, while Russia's economy is set to contract by 6% in 2022.The European Commission proposed gas price caps would be used to maximize gas prices at a manageable level and prevent further use of the so-called energy weapon by the Russian regime.
See the EU's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine here along with EU vs Disinfo's Guide to Deciphering Pro-Kremlin disinformation around Putin's War.
See other examples of similar disinformation messages, such as claims that Operating Nord Stream I would be dangerous, The West caused a global economic storm - energy crisis, Western Global Elites Chose To Plunge Their Countries Into Poverty And Dictatorship To Retain Power, or that The West Is Blinded By Its Desire To Destroy Russia.