DISINFO: West unleashes Nazi and Russophobic war against Russia and Russians
SUMMARY
Under the pretext of assisting Ukraine, Western nations unleashed a hybrid war against Russia. This war is on the battlefield, in the military-industrial complex, economy, politics, culture, sports, science, education, media and the cyber sphere. This is an overtly Nazi and Russophobic war because it is not only against Russia but against Russians in general.
RESPONSE
This is a recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin outlets accusing the West of a biased attitude toward Moscow and of Russophobia.
In reality, before Russia unleashed its war of aggression against Ukraine on 24 February 2022, the West had been willing to conduct dialogue with Moscow on all disputed issues. Western leaders had always been calling for solving all problems with Moscow in a peaceful and diplomatic manner.
By attacking Ukraine, Russia forced Western nations to take a tougher stand and impose multiple restrictive measures on Russia and individual sanctions on certain Russian individuals. These sanctions are not aimed against Russians as a nation. These measures are not part of any hybrid war because they do not involve fighting. These sanctions affect certain sectors of Russia’s economy, politics and some other spheres.
Western nations provide Ukraine with military assistance to repel the unprovoked Russian aggression and not because of their alleged animosity towards Russia. Western assistance to Ukraine is neither Nazi nor Russophobic.
The current deterioration in relations between the West and Moscow is the consequence of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. Judging by statements from some Russian politicians, it is Moscow who has hostile intentions against the West and makes no secret about it, while the West is compelled to deter such Russian actions. It is Russia who is waging a hybrid war, fusing soft and hard power to achieve Russia’s ends with both political and military means.
See the EU's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine here along with EUvsDisinfo's Guide to Deciphering Pro-Kremlin disinformation around Putin's War.Read more disinformation cases alleging that the West is carrying out the policy of Russophobia.