The Claim:
The Twitter/X account of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs quotes Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov making the false claim that the United States is at war with Russia. The image attached to the false claim made in this Tweet/X post also includes an image that falsely claims that Ukraine’s President is a Nazi.
Narrative Context:
The Kremlin has persistently tried to cast itself as a victim of Western democracies, NATO and the United States since the mid-2000s. It falsely advances conspiracies about NATO as an organization formed to advance Western imperialism.
For domestic Russian audiences, these narratives are intended to support the Kremlin’s manufactured perceptions of Vladimir Putin and his regime as the defenders of Russia against external enemies. Ukraine, President Zelensky, NATO, the United States, The Baltic States and many others, are cast in the role of enemies.
For external audiences, these narratives are intended to erode trust in NATO and support for Ukraine.
The Facts:
The United States is not at war with Russia. NATO is not at war with Russia.
President Zelensky nor his government are Nazis, nor is there any evidence that they fly Nazi banners.
