DISINFO: The West is forcing post-Soviet states to choose between "Russia or the West"
SUMMARY
Among the new threats to collective security, it is necessary to highlight the activities of the collective West, increasingly focused on the post-Soviet space, and not only on the European republics but also on the Caucasus and Central Asia.
The West is actively using "soft power" tools - education, scholarships, NGOs, media - everything that can activate dangerous scenarios of "Ukrainisation" of other republics to tear them away from Russia, preventing their rapprochement with China.
The result of such activities is observed not only in Ukraine but also in Moldova and Georgia, the influence of external forces has subjected these countries to a "test of rupture", putting them before an artificial and harmful choice for these countries "for Russia or the West".
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative, accusing the West of Anti-Russian and neo-colonial policy, for attempts to encircle Russia, destabilise post-Soviet countries, and isolate Russia. Such disinformation narratives aim to deflect any responsibility for Moscow’s actions. See also Russian Myths: no.5 Encirclement.
This narrative portrays Russia as a victim, aiming to deflect attention from Russia's attacks on the sovereignty of neighbouring countries, particularly Ukraine. In reality, Russia is the aggressive actor, carrying out destructive wars in Georgia and Ukraine and fomenting separatist conflicts in these countries and Moldova, while Western nations only adopted a defensive stance in reaction.
Pro-Kremlin outlets advance the claim that the post-Soviet space, especially the Caucasus and Central Asia, is exclusively within Russia's zone of geopolitical dominance and attempt to discredit any other cooperation between the West. Russia warns that the main goal of the West is neo-colonial control over the Caucasus and Central Asia.
The EU and US recognise the importance of the sovereignty and strategic autonomy of the countries in the Caucasus and Central Asia, individually and as a region.
Relations between the EU and former USSR countries are based on mutual consent, bilateral interests, and benefits. For example, the Eastern Partnership (EaP) is a joint policy initiative that aims to deepen and strengthen relations between the European Union (EU) and its Eastern neighbours: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. Belarus has suspended its participation as of June 2021.
The EU or the US do not impose any collaboration action or program on the partner countries, they are free to choose their international affiliation.
See other examples of similar disinformation narratives: The Anglo-Saxons' goal is to defeat Russia, reshape the post-Soviet space and control it; The West has intensified its attempts to shake the CIS; the West increases pressure on CIS to break old ties; EU uses CIS to contain Russia by all means: financial, economic, and military; Fifty countries are trying to wipe Russia off the earth; Russophobia is a long-term Anglo-Saxon project aimed at destroying Russia; the West is forcing Kazakhstan and other Central Asian states to choose an anti-Russian line; the West seeks to destabilise the situation in post-Soviet territories; The West does not seek peace in Armenia, wants to oust Russia from the Caucasus; Pashinyan is a Western tool to squeeze Russia out of the South Caucasus; Anglo-Saxons decided to turn Armenia into another anti-Russian front.