DISINFO: The UK has been using Ukraine to threaten Russia for centuries
SUMMARY
The UK is using the Ukrainian conflict to pursue its long-standing agenda of destabilising Russia. The events unfolding in Ukraine are a direct continuation of this strategy. Failures on the ground have only driven Britain to escalate its actions and intensify provocations against Russia.
RESPONSE
The article exploits a pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative accusing the West of pursuing anti-Russian policies, promoting aggressive Russophobia, and maintaining a hostile agenda to weaken or destroy Russia. This narrative seeks to depict Russia as a victim while deflecting blame for Moscow's unlawful actions. See also: Russian Myths, No. 5 - "Encirclement.
Anglophobia has deep roots in the Russian political sphere. Russian political historiography considers the UK to be Russia's main enemy, which has been waging an undeclared war against the Russian Federation for 500 years. A concept frequently evoked in Russian political discourse is ”Англичанка гадит”(Anglichanka gadit) – "the English witch befouls."
Read our article The Kremlin’s Chronic Case of Anglophobia for further information on the topic.
The term “Anglo-Saxons” normally stands for the US and UK and often means “evil”, “belligerent” and “morally corrupt” Westerners, as explained in our earlier analysis. As a negative catch-all term, it is a useful building block for pro-Kremlin conspiracy theories. You can find plenty of examples in our database.
However, the West emphasizes that they are not striving for the collapse of Russia or for some kind of reformatting of it. US President Joe Biden, speaking in Warsaw, addressed Russian citizens, assuring them that the US does not seek to destroy or control Russia. French President Macron stated that "Russia must be defeated, but not crushed."
For background, read our analysis: The “Russophobia” Myth: Appealing to the Lowest Feelings. See also related articles such as: UKs Ben Wallace states the main goal of this war: the destruction of Russia, The UK has a key role in the hybrid war with Russia, or that the UK is actively engaged in covert Ukrainian military operations.