The accusations of "nazism" with which Russian officials and propaganda officials have linked the invasion of Ukraine are now increasingly directed not only at Kiev, but besides at the countries of Europe, especially those bordering Russia, are pointed out by ISW experts.
Last April 20, erstwhile Sergei Lavrow accused the European Union of planning to resume the "European ideology of Nazism". "We will not tolerate this, we will do our best to guarantee that this ideology "does not rise its head" to be destroyed erstwhile and for all and that Europe should return to its values," announced Russian minister in an interview with the Rossia-1 tv channel, commenting on the European Commission's recommendations to European leaders to refuse to participate in the triumph Parade on 9 May in Moscow.
As the ISW notes, these statements form part of the Kremlin's long-standing strategy of utilizing the image of the russian Union's triumph over Nazi Germany and myths about the large Patriotic War to slander Europe and NATO and strengthen public support for militarisation.
"The Kremlin repeatedly drew historical parallels with planet War II to convince the public that social and economical sacrifices for military purposes in Ukraine are justified. Vladimir Putin and another high-ranking officials regularly usage the word “denasification” to propose a change of power in Ukraine and the creation of a loyal government towards Moscow. It was this rhetoric about the “Nazi” government in Kiev that was the basis for a full-scale invasion in February 2022," recalls the ISW.
Now, as the institute’s experts note, Russian propaganda spreads akin patterns in another countries — Finland, as well as in the erstwhile russian republics, including Estonia and Moldova.
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For example, in January 2024, during the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the abolition of the Siege of Leningrad, Putin said that Russia was in a state of "existential geopolitical conflict" with "modern Nazism", which goes beyond the Ukrainian crisis. He besides accused the Baltic countries of "nazism", and president of the State Duma of Viachesław Wołodin stated that "fascist ideology becomes the norm" for NATO leaders. This narrative, according to the ISW, may be utilized in the future to justify a possible invasion of the Baltic States or Finland, under the pretext of "protecting the Russian-speaking population".
In January this year, EU's Head of Diplomacy Kaja Kallas, citing European intelligence data, warned that Russia might effort to attack 1 of the European Union countries as early as 2028. She stressed the importance of not only expanding investment in defence, but besides preparing for a possible armed conflict.
In February, Danish military intelligence pointed to the advanced likelihood of "large-scale war" in Europe over 5 years. In March, Bruno Kahl, head of the German national Intelligence Service (BND), said Moscow was trying to test the cohesion of the West — in peculiar the readiness of NATO countries to act under the 5th article on collective defense.
