DISINFO: Western criticism of Russia is due to Russophobia
SUMMARY
Political leaders, press and public opinion are one with Russophobia, looking for excuses to keep tensions because there is no trust. Years ago it was Crimea, now it is the Navalny case. Then there were sanctions and international pressure, so let’s see what will come now. Accusations of human rights violations and police violence merge with the press campaign against Russia under any pretext. If you don’t know who to blame, put a Russian in your life and a solution will be found.
RESPONSE
Recurrent pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Russophobia as a mean to deflect any criticism on Russia’s illicit actions.
Contrary to the claim, criticism of Russia’s illegal invasion of Crimea and the handling of the Navalny case is not due to alleged Russophobia nor a press campaign aiming to blame Russia under any pretext, but a legitimate rejection of Russia’s violation of international legislation and the rule of law.
See other examples of these disinformation narratives about Russia as a faultless victim of the West, such as allegations about the supposed anti-Russian bias of international institutions - be it the OPCW, the World Anti-Doping Agency or the United Nations - which always falsely accuse Russia; the alleged Russophobia of the EU; the affirmation that it is NATO and not the Kremlin who is involved in the Donbas conflict; denials that Russia had any role in the poisoning of Sergey Skripal or the downing of MH17; or claims that neither the US Intelligence Committee report nor the Mueller report found any evidence of Russian interference in the 2016 US elections, that there is no proof that Russia tried to influence the Brexit referendum, that “absurd” accusations against Russia are an attempt to demonise it, that for the West Russia is an enemy that must be surrounded with military bases.
This disinformation message appeared in the same TV programme as the claims that “Borrell couldn’t criticise Russia because Europe needs Sputnik V” and that “Western criticism of the Navalny case is interference; Russia doesn’t mess with other countries’ affairs”.