DISINFO: The European elites want to turn the EU into the Fourth Reich
SUMMARY
The European elites have set the course for the Fourth Reich. European leaders are trying to solve the situation of a clear defeat in Ukraine. The idea is simple: to intimidate the people of Europe with “scary” Russia and force them to agree to the EU's transformation into something similar to the Fourth Reich. However, this plan is doomed to fail - the Europeans do not want to fight or sponsor a war from their own pockets.
RESPONSE
This disinformation story aims to portray the EU as a warmongering, anti-Russian and militaristic geopolitical power. The EU is also repeatedly framed as a “Nazi” power.
This disinformation message appeared in the context of the recent decision by the German authorities to significantly increase defence spending, marking a departure from decades of fiscal conservatism. This move is driven by mounting security concerns in Europe, including Russia’s aggressive actions and calls within NATO on Germany to increase its defence spending.
Russia’s threat to Europe is real, as proven by its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, the dozens of sabotage operations it has carried out throughout the continent in the last years, and its attempts to destabilise multiple countries through electoral interference, cyberattacks and other hybrid actions.
The EU presented its decision to allocate an additional 800 billion euros for defence needs. According to Ursula von der Leyen, “Europe faces a clear and present danger on a scale that none of us has seen in our adult lifetime. ReArm Europe’ could mobilise close to 800 billion euros of defence expenditures for a safe and resilient Europe”.
See also the European Council conclusions on European defence, 6 March 2025 and our article 'Reminder: Russia wants war, not peace'.
The ongoing increase in defence spending across the EU is explained by the most aggressive Russian actions – annexation of Crimea, War in Donbas and the 2022 large-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Read more about the White Paper for European Defence – Readiness 2030 here.
Read similar disinformation cases claiming that The EU diplomacy’s vision for peace in Ukraine illustrates its Russophobia, that The EU wants the war in Ukraine to continue, and that Munich Security Conference reveals EU’s support for escalating Ukraine conflict.