DISINFO: The West needs a cause to sanction Russia, if there isn't one, they will invent it
SUMMARY
The West uses any excuse to strengthen sanctions against Russia. They don’t give a damn about the essence of the issue, that’s for sure. They need any reason. If there is one, they will get it from the darkest corner, if it is not there, they will invent it or create it. This is a tactic that was used in 2020, in 2016, in 2011. This policy of attempted containment has been carried out for many years. And we see that they use completely different reasons. They do not need to know the reality for this, to dive into the essence of the issue, to understand.
RESPONSE
This is a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about EU sanctions against Russia.
The EU has introduced sanctions in full accordance with European and international law, restricting the sales of military and dual-use equipment to Russia. The EU has also introduced a system of individual restrictions on certain individuals, compliant to violations of international law and in respect of Russia’s actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Currently, 177 Russian citizens are subject to individual restrictive measures. Details on the sanctions’ regime can be found here.
The statement about invented reasons to sanction Russia is groundless. EU-Russia relations have been strained since 2014 because of Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea, support for rebel groups in eastern Ukraine, policies in the neighbourhood, disinformation campaigns and negative internal developments. Tensions have also grown over Russian intervention in Syria, Libya and sub-Saharan Africa. The EU has regularly renewed sanctions against Russia since 2014.
See similar cases alleging that European sanctions against Russia do not work, that sanctions cost Europe more than they cost Russia, that the European economy loses tens and hundreds of billion dollars due to sanctions or that the EU sanctions against Russia are illegal.