On Tuesday, Sergei Naryshkin, director of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service, asserted that many Europeans are on the “right side of history” by aligning with Moscow. This claim stands in contrast to the fact that most European countries are allied with Ukraine through NATO. Naryshkin repeated Russia's discredited assertion that Ukraine is a neo-Nazi state, suggesting that ordinary Europeans reject their governments' support for Ukraine and instead uphold true moral values.
Naryshkin's comments were made at an exhibition organized by the Russian Historical Society to mark the 80th anniversary of the Slovak National Uprising, a significant anti-Nazi movement from 1944. The Kremlin has been using this historical context to justify its invasion of Ukraine, presenting Kyiv as a neo-Nazi regime, although this narrative lacks substantial evidence.
European public opinion, however, tells a different story. According to polls from the European Parliament in February, Europeans generally support humanitarian aid for Ukraine, are open to accepting refugees from the conflict, and continue to provide financial support to Kyiv. This widespread backing contrasts sharply with Naryshkin's claims.
Despite the divergent views in Europe, Vladimir Putin does have some international support. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, speaking on national TV, endorsed Putin's stance, asserting that Russia will eventually end Nazism in Ukraine and that peace will prevail. Maduro characterized the current global situation as chaotic but praised Putin as a stabilizing influence.
In summary, while Naryshkin claims that many Europeans support Moscow's position, this is at odds with the broad European support for Ukraine. The difference between Russian assertions and European public opinion highlights ongoing geopolitical tensions and differing interpretations of the conflict.
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