DISINFO: The EU is turning into an aggressive militarist bloc
SUMMARY
The EU's massive deliveries of lethal weapons to Ukraine under the European Peace Facility is a very official bid by Brussels to transform itself from a trade and economic integration alliance into a militarist bloc – and an aggressive rather than defensive one at that.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the EU, portraying it as a belligerent organisation.
The EU does not sponsor war, but is continuously calling out Moscow's responsibility to stop Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. The West supports Ukraine with military and financial aid for the country’s efficient self-defence, in accordance with the UN Charter Article 51, to stop Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.
The European Peace Facility was launched in July 2021 and "finances activities with military implications, and supports the armies of partner countries and EU Member States with infrastructure, training and equipment." It is rooted in EU primary legislation, specifically Articles 30(1) and 41(2) of the Treaty on European Union.
On 17 October 2022, the European Council adopted additional assistance measures under the European Peace Facility (EPF) to further support the capabilities and resilience of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. With this, the EU further stepped up its support to Ukraine to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders, and protect the civilian population against the ongoing Russian war of aggression.
See further cases of disinformation on the EU here.