European Parliament Condemns Russia’s Historical Revisionism and Disinformation Campaign in Support of Ukraine War
STRASBOURG – The European Parliament adopted a groundbreaking resolution on January 23, 2025, vehemently condemning the Russian regime’s systematic falsification of history and its deployment of distorted historical narratives to manipulate public opinion and justify its ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine. This landmark resolution, passed just weeks before the third anniversary of the conflict, signifies a crucial turning point in the European Union’s approach to history education and the perilous consequences of its misuse. It underscores the growing international concern over the Kremlin’s weaponization of historical narratives to legitimize its aggression and undermine democratic values.
The resolution explicitly denounces the Russian regime’s manipulation of historical facts, asserting that the Kremlin’s distorted interpretations of the past serve as a pretext for its illegal invasion and continued aggression against Ukraine. It highlights the dangers of such disinformation campaigns, not only in fueling conflict but also in eroding public trust in historical scholarship and fostering a climate of division and animosity. The European Parliament unequivocally rejects Russia’s attempts to rewrite history and calls for a renewed commitment to evidence-based historical research and education.
The resolution’s adoption followed a motion put forth by the European People’s Party (EPP) Group, urging greater recognition of the Council of Europe’s Observatory on History Teaching in Europe. The EPP emphasized the observatory’s role in combatting historical disinformation, particularly that emanating from Russia and its proxies. The motion specifically encouraged the observatory to prioritize increasing awareness of Soviet and communist crimes across Europe, recognizing the need to counter the Kremlin’s selective and distorted historical narratives.
The emphasis on addressing Soviet and communist crimes reflects a growing understanding of the Russian regime’s attempts to sanitize its past and exploit historical narratives for political gain. The EPP’s initiative aligns with broader efforts within the EU to ensure accurate and comprehensive history education, encompassing the atrocities committed under both Nazi and communist regimes. This comprehensive approach seeks to prevent the selective manipulation of history and foster a more nuanced understanding of the complexities of the European past.
The final resolution underscores the urgent need to invest in history education and research across Europe. It calls on member states to prioritize the study of Europe’s shared history and European remembrance, fostering a continent-wide understanding of historical events and their implications. This call for increased investment reflects the recognition that robust history education is crucial for fostering critical thinking, promoting democratic values, and countering disinformation campaigns. By strengthening historical literacy, the EU aims to equip its citizens with the tools to critically evaluate information and resist manipulative narratives.
The European Parliament’s resolution represents a significant step in the international effort to counter disinformation and promote accurate historical understanding. By explicitly condemning Russia’s historical revisionism and calling for greater investment in history education, the EU sends a powerful message of its commitment to upholding truth and democratic values in the face of aggressive propaganda. The resolution stands as testament to Europe’s determination to actively confront disinformation and its resolve to protect the historical record from manipulation and distortion. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of weaponized narratives and the critical importance of accurate historical understanding as a bulwark against aggression and a foundation for lasting peace.