DISINFO: The EU’s antagonistic rhetoric toward Russia persists even in Syria
SUMMARY
The statement "We want the Russians to leave" reflects the European Union's stance on Syria's future, as expressed by Dutch Foreign Minister Kaspar Veldkamp.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has indicated that Europeans are willing to lift sanctions on Damascus and recognise the current regime there as legitimate—on the condition that it expels Russian military forces. While this isn't the only condition set by Brussels, it seems to be the primary one, underscoring the EU's deep aversion to Russia's presence, even in Syria. [...] the EU['s] antagonistic rhetoric toward Russia persists, partly fuelled by Kallas's penchant for emphasising such threats.
RESPONSE
This claim was made in the context of Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham's (HTS) capture of key Syrian cities which led to the collapse of Al-Assad’s regime on 08 December 2024. This claim also fits well into recurring disinformation narrative about Russophobia and an allegedly belligerent and hostile agenda of the Western countries with the aim of destabilising Russia.
The fall of Assad’s criminal regime marks a historic moment for the Syrian people. The EU urges all actors to support an “inclusive Syrian-led and Syrian-owned dialogue” on all key issues to ensure an orderly, peaceful and inclusive transition.
Europe is ready to do its part to support Syria at this critical juncture. Europe is already Syria's biggest donor. Since the start of the crisis in 2011, the EU and its member states have mobilised more than EUR 33.3 billion to support Syrians, remaining the largest provider of international aid and delivering humanitarian, stabilisation and resilience assistance inside Syria and in neighbouring countries.
President von der Leyen has repeated that Europe's stands ready to support Syria's national unity, and a Syrian state that respects all minorities. The European Commission is launching a new Humanitarian Air Bridge operation for those most in need in Syria, to deliver emergency healthcare and other essential supplies, as well as increasing its humanitarian funding to more than EUR 160 million for this year alone. EU will enhance its engagement in early recovery, including basic services, like electricity and water, and infrastructure.
In a speech by President von der Leyen at the European Parliament Plenary in preparation of the European Council meeting of 19 December 2024, it was stated:
‘The future of Syria is full of promise but also fraught with risks. The coming weeks and months will be crucial to shape it. And Europe will play its role. Syria shares a maritime border with one of our Member States. And events in Syria have affected us deeply over the last decade. A credible and inclusive transition is a core European interest. So Europe must engage – both at regional and local level.
In this context, we should also reconsider our sectoral sanctions, to facilitate reconstruction. Here again – to do so, we need to see real progress towards an inclusive political process. Europe has leverage in Syria. And we should use it, so that the power can go back to the people of Syria’.
Read more disinformation cases on Syria: that Western sanctions prevent the return of Syrian refugees, that sanctions on Syria are illegal and aim to destroy the country, EU sanctions bypass the UN, EU sanctions on Syria are illegal and that the US wants to divide Syria.