Kremlin escalates narrative as tensions with NATO rise
The Kremlin is intensifying military preparations among the Russian public, suggesting the possibility of a protracted conflict with NATO. The Institute for the Study of War highlights the Kremlin's ongoing narrative aimed at justifying actions against Ukraine and potential confrontations with the West.
What do you need to know?
- The Kremlin is increasingly preparing society for a potential prolonged conflict with NATO. The American think tank ISW points to Moscow's steady narrative on this topic.
- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused the EU of supporting "neo-Nazi ideology" and announced that Russia would combat this phenomenon. His statements are part of the Kremlin's strategy to mobilise society.
- Russia employs similar tactics against Finland and former Soviet republics as those used against Ukraine, aimed at justifying future aggressive actions.
How does the Kremlin justify its actions?
"The Kremlin continues to repurpose narratives that Russian officials have repeatedly used to justify Russia's invasions of Ukraine in an effort to further militarize Russian society in the long term, likely in preparation for a potential future protracted conflict with NATO," stated the Institute for the Study of War in its latest report on Russia's conflict with Ukraine.
Sergey Lavrov's absurd accusations against the EU
Pavel Zarubin, a pro-government journalist, asked Lavrov about the EU's recommendation for European leaders not to attend the Russian parade on 9th May. Lavrov then accused the EU of supporting "neo-Nazi ideology" and stated that Russia "will spare no effort to ensure that this ideology does not raise its head" and will destroy Nazism "once and for all".
"Lavrov's statements are part of a long-standing Kremlin effort to invoke the Soviet Union's contributions to victory over Nazi Germany and the wider mythos of the Great Patriotic War and vilify Europe and NATO. These efforts aim to exacerbate negative sentiments among Russia's population and drum up support for the militarization of Russian society in the long term," according to the ISW report.
What are the Kremlin's long-term goals?
Experts note that the Kremlin is trying to enhance the negative sentiments among Russians to gain support for further militarisation of the country. Vladimir Putin and other Kremlin officials regularly use the term "denazification" as a pretext for regime change in Ukraine.
"The Kremlin is increasingly employing the same playbook that it used against Ukraine towards Finland and former Soviet states, including Estonia and Moldova to justify its attempts to control independent countries and set informational conditions for possible future Russian aggression," emphasise ISW analysts.
