DISINFO: Russia differs from Europe: it is pacific and has never attacked anyone in its history
SUMMARY
For Europe, war is a business. For Russia, war is a struggle for existence. Russia does not start a war for profit, Russia is fighting for the survival of Russians, it will not attack, it always defends itself. The Russian army does not want to prolong the war, it always wants to end it and return to its peaceful affairs.
RESPONSE
Recurrent historical myth about Russia in the context of war against Ukraine.
The article tried to remove focus from the fact that Russia started the war, and could end it by stopping its invasion of Ukraine. The usual narrative of “the warmongering Europe” is a Kremlin classic. By refusing to end the occupation of Ukraine, Moscow’s calls for “Peace talks” are just masked demands for Ukraine’s surrender. See our overviews here.
Russia has a history of provoking war. Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Russia has attacked or at least engaged in military aggression against its neighbours. The most recent targets were Syria in 2015, Ukraine in 2014 and 2022 and Georgia in 2008. Radio Free Europe has counted at least 7 post-Soviet wars. Contrary to the claims made, these examples did involve militarily unprovoked actions by Russia.
James Wertsch, quoted by Newswise, explains that wars of aggression waged by Russia are portrayed in a manner that always depicts Russia as the victim. The established habits of thought enable Russia to perceive external aggression where others identify Russian aggression or imperialism.
Similarly, on 8 February 2024, Vladimir Putin justified the 1940 attack against Poland by Adolf Hitler by pretending that Poland attacked the third Reich, a line of thinking he repeated in the interview to extremist-theory-promoter Tucker Carlson.
Read also related cases such as: Throughout its history, Russia has never attacked anyone, Russia has never attacked anyone, In its history, Russia has never attacked Europe, or Since Napoleon and Hitler, EU has attempted to attack Russia, or Russia did not attack Ukraine, western countries did, Ukraine and the West did not intend to observe the Minsk agreements, Russia never attacked Ukraine.