Explaining complex things in simple words: Europe Day, Russian 'pobedobesie,' reaction to Russian threats

The Center for Strategic Communication and Information Security pursues efforts to provide a brief explanation to foreign audiences on the current topics of particular interest as regards Ukraine.           

EUROPE DAY

On May 9, Ukraine celebrates Europe Day.

  • Europe Day is timed to the Schuman Declaration, which in 1950 was the first to propose the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community – the foundation of the European Union.
  • Ukraine has been celebrating Europe Day for more than 20 years, but since last year it has been doing it simultaneously with EU countries on May 9.
  • Ukraine is an integral part of European civilization, which Moscow forcibly and artificially separated from Europe. Today, Ukraine is returning to the family of European nations.
  • It is symbolic that the recent history of Ukraine begins precisely with the Euromaidan – the Revolution of Dignity, the initial idea of which was the European integration of Ukraine and popular resistance against efforts to stop it.
  • Full EU membership is a strategic goal for Ukraine. Despite the war, we have made significant progress on this path: as a candidate country, we have completed our ‘’homework’’ and are ready to start negotiations on joining the community already this summer. 

RUSSIAN ‘’POBEDOBESIE’’

On May 9, Russian propaganda traditionally speculates on the memory of the Second World War 

  • Moscow seeks to monopolize the historic victory over Nazism, and use the USSR's contribution to the defeat of Hitler's Germany as an indulgence for repeating the crimes of fascism.
  • In the new Russian canon of the Second World War commemoration, Ukrainians are deleted from the number of peoples who fought against Nazism. Today, Russian propaganda is trying to attach the label of ‘’Nazism’’ to Ukrainians, and in this way to justify the genocide that is being committed on our lands every day.
  • By distorting the historical truth about the events of the Second World War, Russian propaganda tries to restore the guilt complex for supporting Ukraine in the collective consciousness of Germany.
  • The Kremlin regime is intensifying its indoctrination of Russian society, especially the youth, with the identification of the so-called ‘’SVO’’ and the ‘’Great Patriotic War.’’ Unfortunately, the objects of the Russian toxic state propaganda became also adults and children on the TOT of Ukraine.
  • May 9 cannot be allowed to become a symbol of Putin's revenge on the civilized world. Moscow long ago lost the moral right to present itself as the winner of Nazism. 

REACTION TO RUSSIAN THREATS

The UK Foreign Office has decided to expel the Russian defense attache from the country, remove diplomatic status for several Russian-owned premises, and impose new restrictions on the issuance of Russian diplomatic visas, including capping the length of time Russian diplomats can spend in the UK.

  • London resorted to decisive actions after Moscow's official threats to ‘’attack U.K. military facilities and equipment on the territory of Ukraine and beyond.’’
  • Russia has been threatening Western countries with aggressive actions and even nuclear weapons for a long time.
  • The destructive behavior of the Russian Federation in Europe is not limited to words: Moscow agents commit sabotage against defense industry enterprises and warehouses; Russia conducts toxic propaganda, and tries to interfere in national elections.
  • The Kremlin is used to impunity and hardly expected a quick practical reaction from London.
  • We welcome the decisive steps taken by the United Kingdom. We believe in the determination of other partners as well. Unfortunately, Moscow understands only the language of strength and perceives everything else as a manifestation of weakness and encouragement to aggression. 

Center for Strategic Communication and Information Security