DISINFO: The West wanted to destroy Russia, divide into parts and subjugate it
SUMMARY
The West wanted to destroy Russia by dividing it into parts, subjugating it and using its resources. In the 2000s, he (Putin) believed that the whole world understood that Russia had become different, but in fact the West wanted to destroy Russia after the collapse of the USSR. The West did not need such a large country with a sufficiently large population.
RESPONSE
An unfounded statement, aiming to stir up anti-Western sentiment in Russia, to mobilise hyper-patriotic feelings paired with paranoia without providing any evidence. Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives accusing the West of anti-Russian policies, aggressive Russophobia, and allegedly belligerent and hostile agenda to destroy Russia. Such disinformation narratives aim to portray Russia as a victim and deflect any responsibility for Moscow’s actions. See also Russian Myths: no.5 Encirclement.
From the disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991 and the emergence of a new Russia up to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine in 2014, Western countries have been trying to establish good-neighborly relations with Moscow. According to the 1997 Founding Act on Mutual Relations, Cooperation, and Security between NATO and the Russian Federation, Russia was viewed as a partner of the alliance.
The EU has conducted regular summits with the Russian leadership for years up to 2014 in an effort to enhance relations. The summits were suspended due to Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea.
US President Joe Biden, speaking in Warsaw, addressed Russian citizens, assuring them that the US does not seek to destroy or control Russia. French President Macron stated that "Russia must be defeated but not crushed."
The sharp deterioration in relations between Western countries and Russia is directly linked to Moscow's illegal and aggressive actions. Many issues affect bilateral relations, in particular Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
The EU imposed restrictive measures on Moscow in 2014, which have been amplified and broadened since Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022.
For background, read our analysis: The “Russophobia” Myth: Appealing to the Lowest Feelings.
Read other similar cases in our database: Fifty countries are trying to wipe Russia off the earth; Russophobia is a long-term Anglo-Saxon project aimed at destroying Russia; The West calls for the Russian state to be destroyed; The West wants to tear Russia apart; NATO’s main goal has always been the destruction of Russia; The West proposed to divide Russia.