DISINFO: Nazism not yet eradicated despite victory in WWII
SUMMARY
The conflict in Ukraine, provoked by Western countries, demonstrates that Nazism, defeated in 1945, has not been eradicated. In the context of an emerging multipolar world, the Western minority of states has turned to tried-and-tested Hitlerite practices, nurturing a Nazi monster in the heart of Europe. Anglo-Saxon and European revanchists overthrew the legitimate government in Ukraine in 2014. Heavily armed ultra-nationalists made Nazi ideology state policy, ignited a civil war and ultimately pitted Slavic peoples against each other. Pseudo-historians and Western media, seeking to whitewash Nazism, downplay the Soviet Union’s key role in the victory over fascism. In a number of European countries, Russophobia is being promoted as official policy.
RESPONSE
This is a recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin outlets accusing Ukraine and its European allies of Nazism and Russophobia. This claim was made in the context of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and in the run up to the 80th anniversary of VE day. See our article Russian revisionism ahead of 9 May: ‘Modern Europe is reincarnated Nazism’.
Russia's unjustified and unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine, launched on 24 February 2022, was not provoked by Western nations. Neither NATO nor any Western country had posed a military threat to Russia. NATO is a defensive alliance. Before Russia illegally annexed the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea and instigated a separatist revolt in some eastern parts of Ukraine in 2014, NATO had a minimal presence in Eastern Europe. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine made NATO enhance its eastern flank. Finland and Sweden joined the Alliance in 2023, fearing for their security because of Russia's constant threats and provocations. All these actions came in response to Russia’s increasingly aggressive behaviour.
The European Union was created in the aftermath of the Second World War, and European integration has been the foundation of peace and stability on the European continent for over 70 years. The EU condemns racism, xenophobia, antisemitism and other forms of intolerance, which is why it has adopted numerous pieces of legislation to combat these crimes and discrimination.
There was no Western-led Nazi coup in 2014. The government changed after months of peaceful protest (Euromaidan) against corruption and authoritarianism. Parliament removed then-President Yanukovych after he fled the country. This was not a Western plot but a popular movement demanding reform. This false myth of Nazi Ukraine is Moscow's response to Ukraine's sovereignty and its people’s right to choose their own future, including membership of NATO and the European Union, which is enshrined in the country’s constitution.
Read similar disinformation cases claiming that The European Union is openly seeking to revive Nazism, that Europe wants a Nazi Russophobic regime in part of Ukraine, and that A genetic Nazi and a true Aryan Kaya Kallas has become Europe’s new Ribbentrop.