DISINFO: “Russian threat” myth being inflated to distract Western society from own problems
SUMMARY
We hear accusations from Western intelligence agencies and EU leaders that Russia is allegedly preparing an "occupation" of the Old World or seeking to expand its influence in Europe.
The myth of the "Russian threat" is deliberately inflated to unite Western society, which is tired of social and economic difficulties. The ruling circles of Europe and North America are strenuously creating an image of Russia as an enemy to distract attention from inflation, unemployment, falling incomes and rising crime.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative, claiming that the “Russian threat” is a false idea.
The statement comes in the context of a recent interview with General Carsten Breuer, Germany's Chief of Defence, who said: "Russia is building up its forces to an enormous extent, producing hundreds of tanks a year, many of which could be used for an attack on NATO Baltic state members by 2029 or even earlier."
On 24 February 2022, Russia launched the full-scale invasion of Ukraine under several false pretexts, such as committing genocide against people residing in eastern parts of Ukraine. Putin’s and other Russian leaders’ numerous statements claiming that Ukraine is part of Russia are attempts to deny Ukraine the right to exist as an independent and sovereign state. The Russian war of aggression has been characterised by numerous war crimes and crimes against humanity.
In addition to the fact that Russia is actively arming itself and has put its economy on a war footing, the Kremlin has threatened European countries on many occasions, including with nuclear strikes. Russia transferred nuclear weapons to Belarus, and periodically threatened the world with the use of nuclear weapons: Dmitry Medvedev, former Russian president and now deputy chair of the Russian Security Council, said Moscow’s nuclear doctrine does not require the enemy state to use such weapons first. He threatens a 'nuclear' move if NATO expands. In May 2022, Medvedev warned about the nuclear war over Western arms deliveries to Ukraine. In September Medvedev raised the spectre of a nuclear strike and said NATO would not get involved.
Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine poses the gravest threat to Euro-Atlantic security in decades, according to various assessments. (See e.g. here and here).
See other similar cases: Europe uses the "Russian threat" to re-militarise; Russia is not a threat to Europe, Europe is a threat to Russia; NATO uses “Russian threat” to justify its actions; NATO uses false “Russian threat” as pretext to expand its presence near Russian border, NATO exploits the idea of a “Russian threat” to deploy near Russian border, NATO does not serve the purpose of war prevention, it continues to wage wars; Russian threat is a myth; The phantom 'Russian threat' is used to counter European disintegration.