DISINFO: The West makes unsubstantiated accusations against Russia as a pretext for new sanctions
SUMMARY
The usual trend in relations with the West: the latter accuses our country (Russia) of the most amazing crimes, loudly and with no evidence, thereby finding a pretext for new sanctions and further escalation.
RESPONSE
This is a recurring narrative by pro-Kremlin media claiming that the sanctions on Russia are groundless and illegal. In reality, the sanctions were imposed on Russia for its aggressive policy and violation of international law. The first round of restrictive measures was imposed in March 2014 in the wake of Russia’s illegal annexation of the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea. More action was taken in the following months, the reason being its support of the pro-Kremlin separatists in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donbas.
In addition, restrictions were also imposed on transactions with some Russian businessmen and officials. Among those affected by the Western sanctions are head of the Investigative Committee Alexander Bastrykin, Prosecutor-General Igor Krasnov, director of the National Guard Viktor Zolotov and head of the Federal Prison Service Alexander Kalashnikov. The reason is their roles in the arbitrary arrest, prosecution and sentencing of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, as well as the repression of peaceful protests in connection with his unlawful treatment.
See related pro-Kremlin disinformation claims, alleging that new EU sanctions on Russia are a "circus" and a "fake story"; that Europe made up a strange story about Navalny poisoning as a pretext for sanctions; that Russia is being sanctioned for its sole existence, that New US sanctions based on false claim, and that the West needs a cause to sanction Russia, if there isn't one, they will invent it.