DISINFO: European Nazism is alive and it manifests itself in Russophobia
SUMMARY
The new challenges of the time show that Nazism was defeated in 1945, but unfortunately it has not been eradicated: it manifests itself again in Russophobia or anti-Semitism. The glorification of Nazi criminals and direct propaganda of Nazism in the Baltic states and Ukraine have become the norm, as if the Nuremberg Trials had never taken place.
In these countries, history is used as a tool of ideological struggle. A proper tool that can not only deflect, but also prevent all kinds of attacks is needed. History is currently being twisted for the needs of current politics - in Europe, some people have completely lost their memories and consciences.
RESPONSE
This claim is part of a disinformation campaign aiming to justify Russia’s unjustified military invasion of Ukraine. It is also consistent with disinformation narratives about Nazi Ukraine and the West allegedly having a belligerent and hostile anti-Russian agenda.
Pro-Kremlin disinformation media repeatedly talk about the “revival” of Nazism in the West and large-scale historical revisionism used for anti-Russian goals.
The myth of ‘Nazi Ukraine’ has been widely used by Putin and pro-Kremlin outlets since Russia attacked Ukraine and illegally annexed Crimea in 2014. The myth of Nazi-ruled Ukraine appeared during the Euromaidan popular protests in late 2013 - early 2014, falsely presented by pro-Kremlin disinformation as a coup. The Kremlin has been using this myth since then to discredit Ukraine’s shift towards Euro-Atlantic policy.
Read our articles on the 7 myths of pro-Kremlin disinformation about the Russian military build-up near Ukraine, and how the Kremlin fabricated pretexts for the further invasion of Ukraine, as well as, the narrative of ‘Nazis’ being one of the key pro-Kremlin disinformation messages. For background, see vol. 1, vol. 2, and vol.3 of the series “What he said and what it really means”.