DISINFO: Nazi Europe wants to conquer Russia
SUMMARY
Expansion to the East, Drang nach Osten, is inherent in European culture. Germany condemned the Holocaust and partially condemned Nazi practices. But modern Germany considers expansion to the East completely acceptable. It considers it perfectly acceptable to recognise some peoples as uncivilised in accordance with Roman tradition. It does not consider Russia a civilised country because the words ‘civilised’ and ‘democratic’ have the same meaning in European media. Europe wants to civilise Russia, that is to conquer it.
RESPONSE
This is a recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin outlets accusing the EU of Nazism and claiming that Europe's aim is to invade and destroy Russia in the long run. This claim was made in the context of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Speaking about Russia’s unjustified and unprovoked aggression against Ukraine, French president Emmanuel Macron said in February 2023 that ‘Russia must be defeated but not crushed.’ US President Joe Biden in February 2023 as well addressed Russian citizens, assuring them that the US does not seek to destroy or control Russia. The fact that a broad international coalition of 54 nations is providing Ukraine with military and financial assistance does not mean that its members aim to dismantle Russia. Ukraine is receiving this aid only to repel the Russian invasion, liberate all of its territories from Russian occupation and return to its internationally recognised borders of 1991.
The European Union was set up with the aim of ending the frequent and bloody wars between neighbours, which culminated in the Second World War. In 2012, the EU was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for advancing the causes of peace, reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe.
The EU had been trying to establish friendly relations with Moscow since the breakup of the former Soviet Union and until the Russian Federation illegally annexed the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea. International sanctions were imposed on Russia in the wake after that aggression. More restrictive measures were slapped on Russia after it attacked Ukraine on 24 February 2022 in the largest armed conflict in Europe since the Second World War.
Read similar disinformation cases claiming that Nazi mercenaries from Europe fight in Ukraine, that Western ignorance of history leads to the resurgence of Nazism in Europe, and that Anglo-Saxons turn Europe into the 4th Reich.