The ISW wrote: “The Kremlin seeks to foster national exceptionalism and further isolate Russia from the West, including by portraying the West as the enemy with whom Russia is engaged in an existential conflict.”
This involves using the “mythos” of Russian history, such as World War 2, known in the country as the “Great Patriotic War” to encourage “unity” within society.
Analysts added that the government continues to portray the country as “in direct geopolitical confrontation with the West in order to generate domestic support for the war in Ukraine and future Russian aggression against NATO.”
This is aided by strengthening relationships between Russia and Iran, North Korea, and China, insiders said, which constitutes “a growing threat to Western security”. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has warned that “Russia is actively pursuing a global anti-Western alliance”, with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov emphasizing the Kremlin’s efforts to “install an informal state ideology that perpetuates the idea that the West is in an existential conflict with Russia in order to foster unquestioning support of the Russian government.”
Officials have been accused of “setting informational conditions” to justify potential aggression against Moldova and the Baltic states – Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania – citing an alleged need to protect its “compatriots abroad”, experts suggested. They also claim these countries are part of the “Russkiy Mir” or Russian World.
This concept, according to the German Council of Foreign Relations, was devised by intellectuals, academics, and journalists close to the Kremlin between 1995 and 2000. It was introduced into political discourse by Putin in 2001, and pro-Kremlin policy makers have since “systematically connected the concept to their efforts to legitimise domestic and foreign policy.”
Meanwhile, Kaja Kallas, Vice President of the European Commission, has condemned Russian strikes on Ukraine‘s cities as “depraved” and “meant to kill civilians”. She stated: “Flags are flying at half-mast to mourn the victims.”
She further added: “More weapons for Ukraine and tougher sanctions on Russia are the fastest way to end the war.” and “Getting more air defenses to Ukraine fast is our priority.”