DISINFO: The EU’s plan to enhance military cooperation with Ukraine is a Nazi trend
SUMMARY
The European Union’s plans to make Ukraine’s Armed Forces and its military industry part of Europe’s military capabilities indicate the EU’s course towards Nazification. The Russophobic fervour of Western politicians brings the possibility of a global confrontation closer.
RESPONSE
A recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin outlets accusing the European Union of Nazism. This claim was made in the context of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The myth of a Nazi Europe has been widely used by pro-Kremlin outlets since Russia attacked Ukraine and illegally annexed its peninsula of Crimea in 2014.
This claim was built on a statement by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s about military integration between Europe and Ukraine:
‘We don’t just need to expedite the supply of ammunition. Looking ahead, we should consider Ukraine's defence capabilities as part of our own. We should think of the Ukrainian defence industry complex as our own. Therefore, we have engaged Ukraine in preparing our strategy for the defence industry. This is the first step that should lead to Ukraine's integration into some of our defence programmes – with the consent of the European Parliament and the EU Council when necessary. This will not only help meet Ukraine's defence needs but will also contribute to the coherence and joint planning of our military and defence industries.’
The fact that the European Union is assisting Ukraine does not mean that it is Nazi or Russophobic. Ukraine receives military and financial support from a broad coalition of 54 countries including some EU member states to repel Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified aggression. Ukraine intends to return to its internationally recognised borders of 1991 and is not planning to attack internationally recognised Russian territory.
Several EU officials have advocated for increased military aid to Ukraine. During a visit to Kyiv on 7 February, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, told Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, "What you need is support: support in financial terms and in military terms – ammunitions and weapons." Furthermore, in January 2024, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, and the Netherlands' Prime Minister Mark Rutte jointly called for a concerted effort to provide Ukraine with long-term support.
The European Union is not fomenting Russophobia. The EU was set up with the aim of ensuring peace on the European continent. In 2012, the EU was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for advancing the causes of peace, reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe.
Read similar disinformation cases claiming that Anglo-Saxons turn Europe into the 4th Reich, that The EU preaches trivial Russophobia presented as European values, and that, and that Russophobia is now a criterion for joining the EU.