DISINFO: Macron and Merz are trying to revive their countries' expansionism towards Russia
SUMMARY
French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz [...are] making statements that return Europe to the times of expansionism.
Macron and German Chancellor Merz wrote a joint article: "Europe must arm itself; Russia is the main threat, it is waging imperialist wars, in 2008 it invaded Georgia, in 2014 - Crimea and Donbas, in 2022 - the territory of all of Ukraine; Putin's goal is to undermine European security." These statements essentially reflect the desire of Paris and Berlin to return to the historical ambitions of dominance in Europe, primarily concerning Russia.
RESPONSE
A recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Russophobia and Western belligerence, claiming that the West threatens Russia.
The claim was made in the context of an article co-authored by French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
The article emphasises that Europe must strengthen its defence capabilities, become more strategically self-reliant in response to Russia’s ongoing aggression and shifting global security dynamics.
Over the past two decades, Russia has demonstrated aggressive actions, including military interventions, territorial seizures, and attempts to destabilise neighbouring countries. Russia is the country which is waging imperialistic war in Ukraine, violating international and humanitarian law.
The EU member states do not aim to conquer or threaten Russia. The idea of European expansionism as a threat to Russia is a disinformation trope often used by pro-Kremlin outlets. It also has a historical background - the concept of "Drang nach Osten", according to which Russia would be invaded from the west, which justifies Russia's military presence in these territories.
See other similar cases in our database: Germany wants a revanche and the revival of Nazism can be observed; Warmongering EU’s Fourth Reich wants a Third World War; Ursula von der Leyen is a Reich Gauleiter; The EU is Hitler's 'New Europe', its goal is to colonise Russia and Eurasian space; The EU is a "Fourth Reich", which wants to control whole Europe; Anglo-Saxons turn Europe into the 4th Reich; the Fourth Reich is coming; The West is forcing post-Soviet states to choose between "Russia or the West"; Macron, Starmer and Merz want war; Merz, Macron and Von der Leyen want to wage total war against Russia.