Disinfo: Western sanctions are illegal and hostile actions

Summary

Russia perceives Western sanctions as illegal and sometimes hostile. Rejection of Western politics by Russian citizens can turn into hatred, this must be avoided.

"We perceive them (sanctions) as illegal, rather aggressive, and sometimes even hostile actions. These sanctions, of course, affect the consciousness of the population, ordinary citizens, and Russians. But how do they act? First, any threat unites the nation. Our citizens understand that this is a threat. From year to year, we have noticed an increase in rejection by Russian citizens of Western policy towards Russia. This is very significant. And it would be very bad if this rejection turned into hatred. This is what you need to beware of."

Disproof

Recurrent pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about West's aggressive Russophobic policy of sanctions, framing them as unjustified measures against Russia.

Restrictive measures are a key tool of EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy which, by virtue of Article 29 of the Treaty of the EU, can be used to defend its strategic interests and protect its fundamental goals overseas. Other international actors have the right to impose them under international law as well under certain conditions.

Therefore, EU sanctions, for example, are not illegal but licit restrictions imposed in accordance with international and European law as a response to violations of international legalities, such as Russia’s actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, Russia’s use of chemical weapons in an assassination attempt against opposition leader Alexei Navalny, his unlawful imprisonment, and repression against Russian demonstrators (see formal notice), or China’s large scale arbitrary detentions of Uyghurs (see formal notice).

The EU has introduced sanctions in full accordance with European and international law, restricting the sales of military and dual-use equipment to Russia. The EU has also introduced a system of individual restrictions on certain individuals, compliant with violations of international law.

Мost of the world community demand that Russia fulfils its obligations as a member of the UN, the Council of Europe, the OSCE and other international organisations, as well as its own legislation.

At the same time, Russia remains a natural partner for the EU and a strategic player combating the regional and global challenges. The EU’s approach to Russia is guided by five principles agreed in 2016 and reaffirmed, most recently, by EU Foreign Ministers in October 2020. Moreover, the EU continues to engage in dialogue with the Russian civil society and keeps its doors open for Russian students, tourists, investors and journalists.

See other examples of this disinformation narrative in our database, such as claims that the West is using Navalny’s case as a pretext for sanctions; that the West needs a cause to sanction Russia and if there isn’t one, they will invent it; or that sanctions are a childish reaction of the EU.

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  • Reported in: Issue 245
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 18/05/2021
  • Article language(s) Russian
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Russia
  • Keywords: West, Sanctions, Anti-Russian
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Disinfo: US-controlled biolabs develop biological weapons under the guise of studying dangerous infections

Scientific labs controlled by the Pentagon, located in a number of CIS countries and in Georgia, are causing Moscow serious concern. Russia fears that biological weapons are being developed in these centres under the guise of studying dangerous infections.

These labs are staffed by highly professional military microbiologists who do not study or develop anything to protect Georgian or Azerbaijani children, but instead are engaged in studying natural viral foci and exporting strains. Their task is simple, to make highly infectious strains that could easily pass for local ones.

We have been convinced that viruses are effective in terms of creating mass psychosis, destabilising the political situation, and collapsing economies; the coronavirus has caused more damage to the global economy than any war. At the same time, it is impossible to prove the artificial origin of the virus due to incomplete control over the work of biological laboratories. Observers are shown only what they “should see”. Sometimes Georgian specialists are dressed up in suits and they go to these laboratories, but they are not allowed in the most secret places and nobody knows what kind of research is being conducted there, because this is military research.

Last year Maria Zakharova, the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, assumed that the development of pathogens of dangerous diseases for military purposes may be carried out at the US biological laboratories, citing the Richard Lugar Center in Georgia as an example.

May 17, 2021
Disproof

Recurring disinformation alleging that the United States develops biological weapons and has secret biological laboratories around the world. Consistent with the Pro-Kremlin disinformation campaign against biological laboratories, specifically the Lugar Center in Georgia, which is a recurrent target of these disinformation narratives. The disinformation about US biolabs in CIS countries and in Georgia aiming to encircle Moscow and spread infectious diseases is a part of a years-long disinformation campaign led by the Kremlin. In fact, biological laboratories are involved in preventing the risks of complex diseases and, together with other similar projects, counteracting bioterrorism.

The article does not present any evidence that supports the claim that the US is secretly developing biological weapons in laboratories around the world, thus making unfounded accusations. Russia claims that the Richard Lugar Center for Public Health Research in Georgia, a public health facility named after US Senator Richard Lugar, is one such lab, but has never presented evidence to support its allegations. International experts visited the facility in 2018 to examine the premises, interview employees and review documents but found nothing suspicious.

Disinfo: NATO turns flourishing nations into desert, builds up presence near Belarus

Minsk may allow Russian military bases on its territory in response to the policy of some Western countries aimed at the violent change of power in Belarus. Minsk spots over 30 NATO reconnaissance flights near the Belarusian border every week. We know what NATO means by its operations for crisis settlement. We know many cases when US troops and their NATO allies have entered flourishing countries and virtually turned them into a desert, inflicting irreparable damage on them.

May 17, 2021
Disproof

This is a recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin media, claiming that NATO is an aggressive bloc, whose aim is to wreak havoc wherever it appears, and that it is particularly eager to occupy Belarus. No evidence provided to back the claims.

In reality, NATO is both a political and a military alliance. It promotes democratic values and enables its members to consult and cooperate on defence and security issues to solve problems, build trust and prevent conflict. As for Belarus, where mass protests broke out last August, NATO does not intend to send its troops there. Belarus’ self-proclaimed leader Alyaksandr Lukashenka has been ever since accusing NATO of building up its military at the western border and mounting pressure in order to destabilise the situation. NATO rejected these claims, although the Alliance is closely monitoring the situation in Belarus. Its Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that fundamental freedoms must be respected, including freedom of speech and the right to peaceful protest.

Disinfo: Through “Spring Storm” exercises in Estonia, NATO prepares an attack against Russia and Belarus

NATO “Spring Storm” military exercises in Estonia serve to elaborate the scenario of an attack against Russia. Suspicions are reinforced by the fact that UK and France transported to the Baltic country helicopters and armoured vehicles, which are used in offensive operations. Previously, Belarus’ General Staff announced works on the development of military structure in the Baltic countries and Poland. Minsk points that a bridgehead is being created in NATO’s eastern borders for an offensive against Russia and Belarus.

May 17, 2021
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation about NATO, framing it as an aggressive body always plotting against Russia.

Contrary to the claim, Spring Storm 2021 is not a preparation for an attack against Russia or Belarus, but a military exercise to test the integration between NATO troops and the Estonian Defence Forces (EDF), strengthening their interoperability and responsiveness. This exercise takes place every year.