DISINFO: US is destroying industry in Europe by forcing Brussels to sanction Russia
SUMMARY
The West has stepped up sanctions against Russia over Ukraine, leading to higher prices for electricity, fuel and food in Europe and the United States. Cheap and reliable Russian energy sources have been a competitive advantage for the EU, and even a partial embargo has had a negative impact on the EU economy and its citizens. By forcing Brussels to completely abandon the resources sold by Moscow, the US is driving the deindustrialisation of Europe.
RESPONSE
A recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about an alleged loss of sovereignty of the EU and a collapsing economy of the European countries. Pro-Kremlin outlets often portray European states as vassals, puppet-states or colonies of the US and try to frame sanctions against Russia as threat to the European economies.
The EU adopted so far eight sanction packages on Russia due to its illegal aggression and occupation of Ukrainian territories. Not all trade restrictions are yet enforced as the energy sector needs longer transition periods, so it is too early to assess the full effect of the sanction as that work in the long term.
However, it is incorrect to state that the EU is more affected than the Russian economy from the sanctions. The Russian leadership is constantly demanding the sanctions be removed. Russia has been using energy as a political and economic weapon several times against other states. Russia is no longer a stable and reliable supplier and while Europe is indeed facing an energy crisis with diversification to other sources, it is still set to grow this year according to the European Commission's summer 2022 forecast, while Russia's economy is set to contract by 6% in 2022.
The US, the EU and some NATO member states provide Ukraine with military assistance to repel the unprovoked Russian aggression, but they are not involved in fighting. Ukraine receives weapons with the sole aim of restoring its territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.
EU Member States are sovereign countries and make sovereign decisions about their own internal, economic, foreign and security policies. The European Union is explicit on the subject of national sovereignty: “the Member States all remain sovereign and independent states, they have decided to pool some of their 'sovereignty' in areas where it makes sense to work together.”
Read more about the EU response and support for Ukraine. See our guide to deciphering pro-Kremlin disinformation around Putin's war.