Propaganda: The Tools of Modern Warfare

Three years ago today, Russia invaded Ukraine, breaking international law. President Trump’s administration keeps repeating Russian stories, so we’re here to explain what they’re saying, which is mostly propaganda.

List of his "arguments"

1. “Denazification” of Ukraine
2. “Protection of the Russian-speaking population”
3. “Preventing NATO Enlargement”
4. “Restoration of Historical Russian Territories”
5. “Prevention of a Threat from Biological or Nuclear Weapons”
6. “Battle against Western hegemony”
7. “Defense of Orthodoxy and Traditional Values”

DiplomacyBites exposes these arguments for what they truly are: unadulterated propaganda. Vladimir Putin demonstrates a profound understanding of Niccolò Machiavelli’s principles, as articulated in The Prince:

“Therefore, a wise lord cannot, nor should he, maintain fidelity when such observance may be exploited against him, and when the reasons that prompted him to pledge it no longer hold validity.” (Chapter XVIII)

"Denazification” of Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin asserts that Ukraine is under the control of “Nazis” and far-right extremists. This assertion is particularly unfounded, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is of Jewish descent, and there is no substantial neo-Nazi movement in Ukraine.

“Protection of the Russian-speaking population”

Russia asserts that Russian-speaking citizens in eastern Ukraine are subjected to persecution and necessitate “liberation.” This refers to the self-proclaimed “people’s republics” of Donetsk and Luhansk, which have been under the control of pro-Russian separatists since 2014. In reality, there were no substantial repressions against Russian speakers, and numerous of them even serve in the Ukrainian military.

“Preventing NATO Enlargement”

Vladimir Putin asserts that NATO aims to exploit Ukraine as a pretext for military operations against Russia, necessitating Russia’s defensive response. In actuality, Ukraine was not a NATO member prior to the conflict and did not have a specific timeline for joining. Nevertheless, the war has prompted Ukraine to strengthen its ties with the West, leading to Finland and Sweden’s applications for NATO membership.

“Restoration of Historical Russian Territories”

Vladimir Putin sees Ukraine as part of Russia and thinks its independence is made up. In a popular essay from 2021, he said that Russians and Ukrainians are the same people. This idea ignores Ukraine's long history and desire to be its own country.

“Prevention of a Threat from Biological or Nuclear Weapons”

Initially, Russia spread rumors that Ukraine was working with the US on biological weapons or trying to get nuclear weapons. But there’s no proof for these claims, and Ukraine gave up its nuclear weapons in 1994 under the Budapest Memorandum.

“Battle against Western hegemony”

Putin portrays the war as a global battle against a supposedly decadent, imperialist, and anti-Russian Western world. According to Putin, the West aims to weaken Russia, exploit it, and destroy its culture. This narrative fuels domestic political support for the war

“Defense of Orthodoxy and Traditional Values”

In some of Putin’s speeches, you’ll hear about a “crusade” against Western decadence and moral decay. And guess what? The Russian Orthodox Church is all for it! They see the war as a way to protect traditional Russian values from what they think is a corrupt West.